Kuamon – Nature, culture and trekking in the Himalayas

In the heart of the Indian Himalayas on the Nepalese border, the little known and well preserved area of Kumaon is waiting for you. The trek is filled with stunning landscapes and encounters with local mountain people, Bhotias of Tibetan origin. This trek of easy to medium difficulty offers you a splendid Himalayan nature and cultural experience. We will also visit the fabulous Taj Mahal, two national parks and ancient temple compexes. 

The spirit of the journey: To explore Himalayan landscape, discover Indian culture, meet local mountain people and visit ancient places of worship in unspoiled natural surroundings

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Program (21 days):

  • Day1: Arrival to New Delhi.Visit of some of Delhi’s most colourful Hindu and Sikh temples. Night in a hotel.
  • Day 2: Sightseeing in Delhi (or free time). Afternoon train to Sawai Madhopur, a small village close to Ranthambore national park (13.20 / 18h00+). Night in a hotel.
  • Day 3: A full day of safari in the national park, experiencing the wilderness. Ranthambore park has many interesting animal species such sambars (Indian deer), gaurs (Indian bison) and many other mammals. It is the best area in Rajasthan for seeing tigers. There is also over 300 species of birds. Night in a hotel.
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  • Day 4: In the morning, a short train journey (07:10/09:30) to visit the one of the largest bird reserves in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, aka Keoladeo National Park. We will spend most of the day observing rare bird species in the reserve. In the evening a short transfer to Agra and a night in a hotel.
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  • Day 5: After breakfast a visit to the legendary Taj Mahal, described by Rudyard Kipling as «an incarnation of purity». One of the most beautiful monuments of the world, it was built by emperor Shah Jahan as a funeral tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. In the afternoon, road towards Almora, and night in an ancient colonial fort of Unchagaon. 6-7 hrs drive.
  • Day 6: Drive to Almora. We leave the plains and enter the Himalayan foothills on our way to the capital of Kumaon. We have lunch at a simple roadside restaurant, «dhaba», and spend a night in Kasar Devi, a scenic village just outside Almora. 7 hrs drive, 1800 m altitude.
  • Day 7: Short drive to Jageshwar (30km), a visit to old shivaist temple ruins dating from 9th century. A lovely walk to Binsar wildlife sanctuary with its ancient oak and rhododendron forests and Himalayan views. 6-7 hrs walk. Night in a hotel in Kasar Devi.
    Kumaoni House (2)
  • Day 8: Drive to Leti, entry point to Ramganga valley, on the foot of the Nanda Kot peak (6860 m). Camp (2200 m). We will meet our trekking team here (porters, chef etc). 2 hrs walk, rising 100m. Night in a tent (comfortable foam mattresses provided).
  • Day 9: Beginning of the trek. We enter the Ramganga valley. We spend a night in a traditional Kumaoni house in Gogina and visit this lovely little village, situated in front of a glacier. 4,5 hrs walk, 100 m rise (2300 m). Night in a local family house.
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  • Day 10: A long walk to the high altitude meadows of Talla; wonderful views of the snow peaks. We often meet shepherds here with flocks of goats and sheep. 7,5 hrs walk. Night in a tent.
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  • Day 11: Weather permitting, ascend to Chopua and Sumdakhan, surrounded by giant 7000 m snow peaks: Nanda Devi (7816 m), Trisul (7120 m), Nanda Kot… Unforgettable views. Return to camp in Talla. Ascend 700-800 m. 7 hrs walk. Night in a tent.
  • Day 12: Descending through beautiful oak and rhododendron forest towards Namik, a well preserved traditional Kumaoni village. Visit of this Bhotia village on the ancient Tibetan trade route, and an ascent to the Kimu village. Camp (2300 m). 6 hrs walk. Night in a tent.
  • Day 13: From Kimu, ascend through a forest to Gogina alpine meadows. An unforgettable campsite at 2800 m altitude, in the middle of a dense ancient rhododendron forest. 4 hrs walk. Night in a tent.
  • Day 14: A great ascend to Kurnia meadows for wonderful panoramic Himalayan views. Camp 3100 m. 4 hrs walk. Night in a tent. Possibility of extra 40 min walk to a spectacular snow view spot.
  • Day 15: Early wake up for sunrise on the entire Himalayan chain. There we can trace the whole trek, a circle that we soon will have completed. After breakfast, descend towards Lhur village. Camp on the riverside. End of the trek. 6 hrs walk. Night in a tent.
  • Day 16: Road to Almora. Visit of ancient temples in Bageshwar and Baijnath. Stop in Kausani for lunch and great views of the Trishul peak. Night in a hotel in Kasar Devi, Almora.
  • Day 17: In the afternoon, road to Corbett National park. We see green foothill landscapes descending slowly towards the plains. 5 hrs drive. Night in a hotel.
  • Day 18: Corbett NP (altitude 400-1210m) was created in 1936 and is named after the famous British tiger hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett. It was the first Indian national park to start the “Tiger Project” to protect the big cats and has, in addition, wild elephants, leopards, deer, monkeys, etc. We will spend the entire day on a jeep safari in the park. Night in a hotel or jungle camp.
  • Day 19: In Corbett. Full day in the park discovering the wildlife on a jeep or/and elephant safari. Night in a hotel or jungle camp.
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  • Day 20: ln the morning, drive to Ramnagar, train back to Delhi. Afternoon free time or sightseeing in the capital. Night in a hotel.
  • Day 21: Departure for the airport

 

  • Best time for the program :

March-April or October

  • Change of program, adding or removing places or dates is very much possible as long as it is done well in advance! J

Spiritual Ladakh:

Mountains, mantras and monasteries

A spectacular 21-day spiritual journey in the dramatic landscapes of the “Roof of the World”: acclimation in the capital Leh (3500m), visit of the most impressive monasteries of the Indus valley, an 8-day trek in the wilderness and finally a silent yoga and meditation retreat in the powerful vibrations of the “Moonland”.

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Program (21 days)

 

  • Day 1. Arrive in Delhi. Time permitting, visit of the capital. Night in a hotel.
  •  Day 2. Early morning, short flight to Leh, capital of Ladakh (3500m). Morning rest, after lunch visit of the colorful markets of the town.
  • Day 3. A peaceful day of acclimation, with visit of impressive monasteries of Hemis, Thiksey and/or Shey. Leh being at 3500m altitude, several days acclimation period is essential before starting trekking and moving on to higher altitudes!
  • Day 4. Leh–Lamayuru A spectacular 4 hrs drive through the Indus valley. Visit of Likir Gompa, XVth century, famous for its enormous Maitreya Buddha statue. Then we will continue to Lamayuru Gompa, where sage Naropa was meditating in 11th century. It is surrounded by dramatic lunar landscape and a beautiful authentic village. Night in a simple hotel at Lamayuru.
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  • Day 5. Lamayuru- Leh. Return to Leh. Visit of Rizong Gompa and the monastery of Alchi with its famous iconography dating from 11th century.IMG_6725
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  • Day 6. Beginning of the trek Road to Spituk (20 min). Trek until Zenchan. 4-5 hrs easy walk, night in a camp
  • Day 7. From Zenchan to Gandala Ascend to Gandala, where we can admire a stunning panoramic view. 6 hrs walk. Night in camp.
  • Day 8. From Gandala to Skiu We follow the valley with small ascends, then descend to arrive to Skiu camp. 6 hrs walk. Night in camp.IMG_7471
  • Day 9. Walk along the Markha river (with possibility to swim). Great views of the Kangyatse peak (6400m). 7 hrs walk. Night in camp.
  • Day 10. From Markha to Thachungtse. A good climb up and crossing the Markha river 2-3 times. Arrival in the small village of Thachungtseen. 5-6 hrs walk. Night in camp.
  • Day 11. From Thachungtse to Nimaling. 4-5 hrs walk to arrive to Nimaling village. We will cross beautiful pasture with a different views on the Kangyatse peak. Night in camp.
  • Day 12. From Nimaling to Shang Sumdo. Walk to the Shang Sumdo, via Kongmaru la pass (5100m). This is the high point of the trek! 6-7 hrs walk, night in camp.IMG_8510
  • Day 13. From Shang Sumdo to Hemis. 5 hrs walk along a small stream until the Hemis monastery where our cars are waiting to pick us up for 1hr drive back to Leh. Night in a comfortable hotel!
  • Day 14. Resting day in Leh – free time. A day of well deserved rest in Leh! Night in a hotel.
  • Day 15 Drive to the Mahabodhi International Meditation Center,MIMC (20min). Meeting with Venerable Bikkhu Sangasena, a monk and the founder of the centre. Introduction of the centre. Beginning of the retreat.IMG_6768IMG_6315
  • Day 16. Retreat
  • Day 17. Retreat
  • Day 18. Retreat
  • Day 20. Early morning flight to Delhi. A full day in the capital of India. We can visit the serene Sikh temple Gurudwara Bengla Sahib, great Hindu temple Birla Mandir and some colorful markets….

In the evening, departure to the airport.

  • The best time for the tour: July to September
  • Change of program, adding or removing places or dates is very much possible as long as it is done well in advance!

TREKKING IN LADAKH: Markha Valley & Stok Kangri Peak (6123 m)

This variation of the classical Markha trek is a spectacular introduction to the nature, culture and landscape of Ladakh. We will culminate this medium to advanced level trek by climbing the high peak of Stok Kangri, 6123m, an experience of a lifetime!

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Program (20 days, 12 days trek): 

Day 1. Arrival to Delhi. Time permitting, visit of Delhi or resting before the early morning transfer to Leh. Night in Delhi hotel.

Day 2. Delhi – Leh. Early morning arrival in Leh, the colorful capital of Ladakh at the altitude of 3500m. Transfer to the hotel for rest and acclimation. Night in hotel.

Days 3 & 4. Leh. Days of acclimation. During these peaceful days of acclimation, we may walk around and discover the Leh markets and visit some of the most beautiful monasteries of the Indus valley (Hemis, Thiksey, Phyang, Spituk, etc). Nights in hotel.

Day 5. Leh –Lato. Start of trek.

Road to Lato along the Leh – Manali Highway. On the road we will visit some important monasteries belonging to the Gelukpa sect of Buddhism. First night in tent.

Day 6. Walk from Lato to Rigyul Sumdo (5hrs)

An easy walk following river Lato to the camp. Pack lunch. Night in tent.

Day 7. Walk from Rigyul Sumdo to Chagtsang (5 hrs +)

5h+ walk according to pace. Crossing of the first high pass, the Poze La, at 4950m, with spectacular view on the snow peaks around. Night in tent.

Day 8. Walk from Chagtsang to Nyimaling: 6-7 hrs.

We will go through two high passes today – Chagtsang La 5200m & Lhalung La 5320 m, both with great views.

We will arrive to the the summer pastures of Nyimaling at 4700m altitude. This is where we will camp – nights can be very cold here.

Day 9. Nyimaling – Hankar (3800m). 4 hrs.

We descend again to the altitude of 3800m. We might have a chance to see some nomads, since it is in this area where they bring their flocks of sheep, goats and yak. Our camp is located close to the small village of Hankar. Night in tent

Day 10. Hankar – Markha (3650m): 5-6 hrs

We will descend to the Markha valley where there will be several streams to cross. We will pass through villages where we will have a chance to drink the famous salted yak butter tea. We can visit the Tetsa monastery on the way. Night in tent.

Day 11. Markha-Skiu: 7-8 hrs.

We start the day by crossing some streams. Most of the day we descend until the camp. Night in tent.

Day 12. Skiu-Gandala Base Camp (4600 m).6-7 hrs.

Ascend to Gandala Base Camp, passing by the village of Shingo. Night in tent

Day 13. Gandala Base Camp- Rumbak (4200m) 7hrs.

We start the day with 3 hours walk to the high Gandala pass of 4900m. An easy descend of few hours to reach our campsite. Night in tent

Day 14. Rumbak- Mankarmo: (4600 m.) 6-7 hrs.

We will cross another high pass, Stockla La at 4800 m, after which we descend to the camp. We pass through the famous Hemis national park, which is a good place to see wildlife – perhaps, if we are very lucky, even the elusive snow leopard! Night in tent.

Day 15. Mankarmo – Stok Kangri Base Camp (4800m): 2hrs.

This day is short and easy for rest and preparation for reaching the summit of Stok Kangri the next day. Night in tent.

Day 16. Stok Kangri Peak. 6123 m

We will wake up around midnight to start our walk to the summit. We will reach the peak for an unforgettable sunrise at the top of the world. Stok Kangri is not a very techn