ESCAPAHOLICS Ladakh
Zanskar Valley
……My name is Tom…..and I’m an escapaholic……
Escapaholics don’t just want a holiday – they want to escape work and be thrown headlong into an adventure. They want to see the cultural sites – for that ‘insta’ moment but they want to fill their day with all the other stuff as well. The fun stuff. They want to be annoyed by their hosts. They want pointless challenges, and they want to emerge from that ‘wind tunnel’ of adventure, arrive back at work and think….”Wow.”
Escapaholics see places normal tourists wouldn’t see; make friends they wouldn’t otherwise make and become addicted to the crazy outdoors.
From the Indian Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh, with its rhododendron forests, snow capped peaks and a hint of Dalai Lama. And once you’ve been…..
FROZEN RIVER TREK
ZANASKAR– JANUARY 2027
🕓 Itinerary 18th January to 26nd January 2027 and
30th January to 11th February 2027
- Day 01
- Delhi
Arrive in Delhi to be accompanied by your somewhat annoying, yet tolerable guide Tom! Local taxi to the Maiden’s Hotel, and settle in, relax by the pool, enjoy a slurp of Rosewater Tea and a bite to eat.
Head out into the streets of Delhi, for a mini tour of the Red Fort and other sites before a ‘quiet’ evening of drinks and dinner at the Maidens.
- Day 02
- Delhi
Lazy breakfast and then tour the Bhangla Sahib, Delhi’s principle Sikh temple; shopping and lunch at Dili Haat market, chai stop, Jama Masjid and sights of Delhi then back to the Maidens for G&T’s on the terrace and dinner.
- Day 03
- Delhi
An early start to tour Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) by cycle.
A visit to our charity, the Shiksharath slum academy, tour of the slums and meet the kids.
Time to relax, prior to an evening at the Maidens.
- Day 04
- Delhi (300m) to Leh (3,500m)
Morning Flight to Leh. Relax, wander the streets, drink chai and altitude acclimatise.
- Day 05
- Leh (3,500m)
We spend the day acclimatising, site-seeing, exploring ancient monasteries and preparing for the challenge ahead.
- Day 06
- Leh (3,500m)
Final day of acclimatisation around Leh, visiting local sites, games, challenges and ….. perhaps an adrenalin rush. Medical test prior to trek departure.
- Day 07
- Leh (3,500m) to Tilad Do 65 kms drive
Wake up early in the morning, and hike up to Shanti Stupa for witnessing the sunrise view, from where you can get a panoramic view of the entire town of Leh and its surroundings. Head out for a thrilling long-drive to Chilling. The roller-coaster ride takes you along the Indus to the village of Nimu, where the Zanskar converges into Indus. There are quite a few heart-stopping moments as the vehicle negotiates the steep hairpin bends over snow covered road. The road goes past Chilling to Tilad Do. Trek across the frozen Zanskar river. As the evening comes, pitches tents on the banks of the Zanskar, and hands out thick warm sleeping bags. To get some exercise and keep warm, you can climb up the nearby mountains and get a good look at the frozen river.
- Day 08
- Trek from Tilad to Shingra Goma Trek 10 kms.
The biggest challenge of this day, and all the remaining days, is to get out of the warm toasty sleeping bags and go out into the giant freezer outside, but the steaming cups of chai being served provide ample motivation. Today is a long walking session, about 10 km, on the Chadar. The trek leaders from our company give a briefing about the day, and give tips on how to walk on the Chadar. Depending on the weather, the Chadar can assume various forms. It can be a cold and hard surface of slippery ice, or it can have a dusting of snow over it, providing a good grip. The ice can be thick or thin, and in places, it might be necessary to wade through ankle deep water, or climb on the cliffs at the side of the river. After passing Shingra koma, you reach the camp-site for the day at Gyalpo. The Gyalpo campsite is at a bend in the river, surrounded by high peaks and walls of rock-faces which almost look man-made. All that is left to do is to soak in the views, have an early dinner and sleep in warm tents.
- Day 09
- Trek from Shingra Goma to Tibb Cave Trek 15 kms.
Today’s walk through the deep ravines of the Zanskar is stunning. The sublime walls of the mountains on either sides of the river keep the sunlight away from the Chadar for most part of the day. There are numerous caves in these mountains, big and
small. Today is the day when you can see frozen waterfalls, some higher than the others. One of those waterfalls, miraculously, is not iced-up even in such freezing cold. The rocks below this waterfall are covered with moss, and this is the only greenery you’ll see on this trek. At Tibb, there is a big cave. This cave is the dwelling of all the porters, and they welcome you warm-heartedly in here. The highlight of the day is to share a cup of butter-tea with them! Overnight stay in the cave.
- Day 10
- Trek from Tibb Cave to Shingra Koma Trek 15 kms.
Starting from Tibb, go up to Gyalpo today. The high walls of mountains rising from the sides of the river almost look like castle walls. You can see several trails of pug-marks all along the trek – footprints belonging to foxes, ibex or snow-leopards. You would be lucky to view a snow-leopard; but you can almost be sure that you are being watched by one all the time. Overnight stay in camp.
- Day 11
- Shingra Koma to Tilad Do and drive to Leh. Trek 10 kms. drive 65 kms.
This is the last day of trekking on the Chadar – the last chance to immerse in the pristine beauty of the frozen river. Once you reach Tilad Do, it is time to say good-bye to the Zanskar and the Zanskaries. Our porters will take good care of you and make this trek one of the most memorable experiences for you. Tonight you get to sleep in a warm guest-house again.
- Day 12
- Leh – Delhi
Take the flight for Delhi in the morning.
Relax at the Maidens or wander out to the Jama Majid or other sites in Delhi.
Celebrations, final dinner and awards ceremony.
- Day 13
- Delhi
Transit to airport. Adventurers return home at various times.
The itinerary above is a GUIDE and will vary next year, to take in new parts of the valley to end at Phuktal monastery.
If you are able to help us raise money for our Indian charity that would be amazingly appreciated – Shiksharath. Every penny goes directly to helping this fantastic school.
To find out more – we are here to talk.
Escapaholics don’t just want a holiday – they want to escape work and be thrown headlong into an adventure. They want to see the cultural sites – for that ‘insta’ moment but they want to fill their day with all the other stuff as well. The fun stuff. They want to be annoyed by their hosts. They want pointless challenges, and they want to emerge from that ‘wind tunnel’ of adventure, arrive back at work and think….”Wow.”
Escapaholics see places normal tourists wouldn’t see; make friends they wouldn’t otherwise make and become addicted to the crazy outdoors.
From the Indian Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh, with its rhododendron forests, snow capped peaks and a hint of Dalai Lama. And once you’ve been…..
……WHERE NEXT?……to the desert plateau of Ladakh, the Karakoram range, the roof of the world, and a slurp of yak butter tea.
The culture of Tu Doc’s ancient capital in central Vietnam, nestling on the perfume river, to a bloomin crazy, leech infested remote cave and jungle expedition.
The steaming rainforests of Sarawak for a true head-hunter, jungle survival adventure
……My name is Tom…..and I’m an escapaholic……
TO ESCAPE TO YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE…….PRESS HERE
ESC
What's Included
All transfers to and from the airports and to other transport hubs
Train, taxi rickshaw and bus journeys, and other transfers, including all tours.
Internal return flights to Leh
Hotel accommodation in Delhi and Leh before and after the trekking stage
Tours to charities and all sightseeing.
All meals including welcome cocktail party and awards dinner and meals during the adventure
Digital copies of all official photography
Water and food stops
Full medical support during the adventure
All camping equipment including 4-5 season sleeping bags, tents, mats.
Medal, certificate and unique tech top
Basic insurance
Storage of non-race luggage during the event
Base Camp facilities
Fun, good times and games
What's Not Included
- Flights to Delhi
- Essential trekking and survival kit
- Emergency and cancellation insurance