Road Trip to Suru - Zanskar - Ladakh 2013

Its time to Romance the road again!

A Ride & Drive through unimaginably beautiful vistas & majestic Himalayas is a dream of a majority of Individuals today.

The adventure of taking the road less traveled with its mesmerizing bouquet of ridges, bridges and melt-water streams will drive you crazy with wonderment. To add to all this, Get chilled to the bone with close proximity & view of one of the Largest Glaciers in Zanskar; The Darang Drung Glacier.

And to keep apprehensions a long mile away, NO; such a trip is not going to mean taking a jaw dropping long off from work! Just make the most of the Public Holidays in August 2013.

Join us at Nisarga Bhraman from 8^th to 23^rd of August 2013 as we explore the beauty of Suru, Zanskar, & Ladakh.

Riding through the Cold Desert with Blue Skies for company                            Photo Courtesy: Pankit Seth   

Detailed Itinerary:

Thursday 8^th August – Depart Mumbai by Swaraj Express @ 07.30hrs

Friday 9^th August (Ramzan ID) – Arrive in Jammu (Collect Bikes)

Short on Leaves/Long Train Journey bothers you? Take the flight to Jammu.

Saturday 10^th August – The Road trip starts here, Ride/Drive to Srinagar

The Ride/Drive through the beautiful & misty Patni Top is nothing short of mesmerizing. The first view of the Kashmir valley after exiting the 2km long Jawahar tunnel leaves one spell bound.

Highlights: Dal Lake, Nishat Baugh, etc (Subject to Time on hand)

Note: Those opting for the Drive mode of transport can choose to fly in to Srinagar early on Saturday & get the benefit of more sightseeing time.

Sunday 11^th August – Sankoo (Suru Valley)

On this day, we pass by the beautiful Sonmarg before we ascend the mighty Zozila pass. The journey then takes us through Drass; which is the second coldest inhabited place on earth, followed by Kargil with its jagged peaks like Tiger Hill before entering the beautiful Suru Valley & spending the night in the quaint little village of Sankoo.

Highlights: Colours of Spring in the Suru Valley

Monday 12^th August – Padum (Zanskar Valley)

Riding/Driving on Non-Existent roads, Sounds Interesting? Well that is just what is in store for our journey into Zanskar Valley. Ride/Drive past the magnificent Nun-Kun peaks & also one of the largest glaciers in Ladakh; The Darang Drung Glacier. Padum, which is the capital of Zanskar will be our halt for the night.

Highlights: View of the Nun-Kun peaks, Penzi La pass, Darang Drung Glacier

Tuesday 13^th August – Sightseeing in Zanskar

This day would be spent sightseeing around Padum.

Highlights: Stongdey Gompa, Sani Gompa, Karsha Gompa, etc

Wednesday 14^th August – Sankoo/Panikhar (Suru Valley)

Time Permitting, we would use the return journey for sightseeing the Gompa at Rangdum & other places enroute to Sankoo.

Highlights: Rangdum Gompa, Panikhar, Parakchik, etc

Thursday 15^th August (Independence Day) – Mulbeck/Lamayuru

Tarmac would have never been so inviting after a long session of off-roading. Enjoy the good roads from Sankoo to Mulbek/Lamayuru while we take in the different sights along the route.

Highlights: Mulbekh Maitreya Buddha, Moonland, Lamayuru Monastery, etc

Friday 16^th August – Celebration at Leh

A relaxed ride/drive along with sightseeing of Alchi Monastery, Gurudwara Pathar Saheb, Magnetic Hill, etc brings us to our destination; Leh! A casual celebration would be in store in the evening at Leh.

Sightsee: Alchi Monastery, Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, etc

Saturday 17^th August – Local Sightseeing around Leh

Shanti Stupa, Zorawar Fort, Shey Palace, Thiksey & Stakna Monasteries, etc would be our target for sightseeing for the day.

Highlights: Taste the Local Cuisine & Walk in the Market of Leh

Sunday 18^th August – Diskit/Hundar(Nubra Valley) via Khardung La

Cross over one of the Highest Motorable roads in the world, Khardung La before heading to the cold desert of Diskit/Hundar for the night.

Highlights: Diskit Gompa, Hundar Sand Dunes, Thoise, etc

Monday 19^th August – Pangong Tso via Wari La & Chang La

We take the road less traveled to get to Pangong Tso via Wari la & Chang la. Take in the Blue Beauty of the huge Pangong Tso while relaxing by its banks.

Highlights: Travel alongside the Shyok, Less Traveresed Wari La Pass, etc

Tuesday 20^th August (Raksha Bandhan) – Pang via Tanglang La & Moore Plains

An early start taking us over the Chang la pass will get us back on the Leh – Manali highway & from here it will be a long run over the Tanglang la & across the sands of Moore Plains before we get to our Tented Halt for the Night at Pang. The experience of camping at a high altitude desolate location would be an experience to remember.

Highlights: Pagal Nala, Chang La Pass, Tanglang La, Moore Plains, etc

Wednesday 21^st August – Keylong via Lachung La, Nakee La, Gata Loops, & Baralacha La

This day would see us riding/driving down the beautiful Gata Loops & Baralacha La pass before entering the gorgeous greens of Himachal Pradesh. Keylong would be our halt for the night.

Highlights: Gata Loops, Baralacha La, Suraj Tal, Exciting Nala Crossings, etc

Thursday 22^nd August – Manali via Rohtang Jot

An Early start to negotiate the slush & chaos of Rohtang Jot would be the order of the day. The experience or nightmare of riding down the mess at Rohtang is something that will be a memory for a long time! We should be in Manali by Lunch.

Highlights: Nala Crossings, Sliding through Slush, etc

Friday 23^rd August – The Road Trip Ends here. (Buffer Day/Local Sightseeing in Manali)

If our schedule is not changed due to weather/breakdown or any other eventuality, we would use this day in Manali for local sightseeing & Bike Parcel (NITCO Road Transport)

Depart Manali in the evening by Volvo for Chandigarh/Delhi & onwards to Mumbai/Pune

Note:  To keep the unpredictability of road trips at bay, the last day in Manali is a buffer to factor for Bad Weather/Landslide/Breakdown/Etc during the Ride/Drive to Manali.

To see the route on map: http://goo.gl/maps/02acW

Cost of the Road Trip (Per Person):

For People on Bike – Rs.21,000/- + *** 15,000 (Approximate Personal Cost per bike)***

For People in Tempo Traveler – Rs.21,000 + Rs.16,000 = Rs.37,000/-

Note: Kargil – Padum – Kargil may be covered by SUV or Tempo Traveler

Booking Amount for Registration (Per Person):

For People on Bike – Rs.10,000/-

For People in Tempo Traveler – Rs.16,000/-

# Balance Amount would be payable by 25th June 2013

Includes: (From Jammu to Manali)

Stay in Comfortable & Clean Mid Range Hotels on Twin Sharing Basis.

(Except Sankoo/Pang where accommodation may be on Multiple Sharing in Tents/Guesthouse)

Buffet Breakfast & Dinner (Veg/Non Veg)

All Inner Line Permits & Entry Fees

Medical Kit + Oxygen Cylinder

Experienced Spare Rider to factor any Emergencies

Puncture Repair Kit along with Foot Pump

Travel by comfortable & spacious Tempo Traveler for those opting for it.

Does not include:

Rail / Air Fare, Laundry, Excess baggage charges, packaged drinking water, Cold drinks etc.

Any kind of personal expenses, Room Service, Porter charges at Airports / Rail station, Telephone and other personal expenses.

Lunch during the entire trip (Flexibility to make a choice while on the road)

Camera Fees during sightseeing

Cost of Bike Parcel/Rent along with Maintenance/Fuel shall be borne by the Rider/Pillion

Anything other than mentioned in the inclusions above

NOTE: Bikers can use the Tempo Traveler to keep their luggage (1 Sack max.45L) at an additional cost of Rs.1000/-

 ***Travel expenses that can be expected to be incurred by bikers

Cost of Bike Parcel (Mum–Jammu) through Railway Parcel Agent – Rs.4000/-

Cost of Bike Parcel (Manali-Mum) through NITCO Road Transport – Rs.4500/-

Approximate Fuel Cost for Journey – Rs.6000/- (Varies as per Bike Type)

Approximate cost of Spares/Maintenance – Rs.500/-

Please call us soon to register for the Journey of a Lifetime:

Rohit – 9167 416 873

Note: Seats are limited and will be on first come first served basis.

Rules and Regulations: We make every effort to provide you the best services all the times the times but kindly note that this is a Road Trip & not a tour or picnic. We are requesting you to go through these rules & regulations very well prior to booking. It will avoid misunderstandings between you & us.

Limitations: We are a group of Adventure loving people. We do not control or operate any airline or any other mode of transport like shipping, railway, taxi, buses, coach etc. We also don't own or control any Hotel. We only select but do not control in the running of them. Thus we are not responsible for any change in flight / train schedule, missed sightseeing / overnight stay, any overstay, any injury, loss, personal harm, death or damage of the person or property which may be caused by the act or default of the management or employees of any independent contractor / operator arising outside our normal selection and inspection process. It is imperative that all the participants who are joining our group to abide by and strictly comply and observe all the terms and conditions lay down herein.

Unavoidable Circumstances: If an Event program Or Part of the itinerary has to be changed / extended / cancelled due to reason beyond our control like riots, political unrest, strikes, accidents, or any natural / man-made calamities, the participants will have to accept changes made in the itinerary, hotels, transport and may have to bear the additional expenditure incurred to facilitate the same and the participants will not be entitled to any refund either full or part.

Procedure of Payment: There are three payment options available.
1. Cash Payment (Only at Mumbai)
2.Cheque. (At par- Payable at Mumbai) OR Demand draft of any Nationalized bank. (Outstation cheques will not be accepted)
3. Online payment directly in our account. Bank details & account number will be given on request.

*A confirmation email will be sent out to you on receipt of the booking amount.

Cancellation: In the event of any cancellation by a Participant, the cancellation charges will be as follows:

45 days before date of departure: 20% of Tour Cost

Between 44-30 days before date of departure: 50% of Tour Cost

Between 29-15 days before date of departure: 80% of Tour Cost

14 days before date of departure: 100% of Tour Cost

Refund: Refunds, if any, for amendments and / or cancellations will be paid directly to the participants strictly by 'A/C payee' cheque.

Jurisdiction: Subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction Only.