Family Trek Ladakh 2010

Cyclingpaul

Hi guys, this is my first post, go easy on me!

I'm looking to arrange a 3 week holiday in Ladakh next August for my family - 2 adults and 3 kids ages from 8 to 12. We have been trekking as a family before in Nepal twice but this year we wanted to try something different.

We have always tea-house trekked before, so the whole camping-style trek approach will be very new to us. I have contacted a few agencies and asked abourt itineraries, based on us wanting to get away from the crowds as much as possible. On that basis, any thoughts on the itinerary below?

Day 01: Arrive Delhi and Fly Leh,
Day 02: Day sightseeing of important monasteries around Leh
Day 03: Sightseeing of Likir & Alchi overnight in West Ladakh Camp:
Day 04: Visit Rizdong Monastery and drive back to Leh.
Day 05: Drive to Martselang and trek to Shang
Day 06: Shang to Chuskurmo 6hrs. Camp at 4700mtrs.
Day 07: Chuskurmo to Nimaling over Kongmarula(pass)-4900mtrs.7hrs.
Day 08: Nimaling to Yakrapul over Kongkanagpo-la(Pass)5000mtrs.
Day 09: Yakrapul to Sora over Zalungkarpo-la (Pass)5150mtrs.
Day 11: Sora to Dat 5hrs.
Day 12: Dat to Lungmochey over yarla(Pass)4900mtrs.
Day 13: Lungmochey to Zara 5hrs.
Day 14: Zara to Ponganagu 5hrs.
Day 15: Ponganagu to Nuruchan 6hrs.
Day 16: Nuruchan to Gyama-barma over Khazurla(Pass)5300mtrs.
Day 17: Gyamabarma to Korzok-phu over Yalanyamola(Pass)5300mtrs.
Day 18: Korzok-phu to Korzok village(Where tsomoriri-lake is situated.
Day 19: In Korzok Village(Exploring Tsomoririlake)
Day 20: Drive to Leh via Chumathang 6 hrs. overnight in hotel.
Day 21: In Leh day free to relax
Day 22: Flight back to Delhi: Sightseeing of Delhi(Optional) late evening transfer to International airport for flight back home.

It looks Ok to me in terms of acclimatisation but is it an interesting route?

Any and all comments appreciated.

Paul

doIhavetoReally

Welcome to IM!

You sure can check related threads at the bottom of this thread. I will leave comments on your itinerary to members who know the area..

captain bruce

Hi Paul
Welcome.Assume the kids get carried/ride. If not its a heck of a trek for small legs. If they have done khumbu/Annapurna you know their capabilities and i would not comment on that, but check the AMS thread here for safety
The start is Ok aclimatisation wise but consider doing nothing at all for the first 2 days - I do - you are flying into the same height as namche bazaar.
Remember medical assistance is much closer in tea house nepal. once you are over the zarlung Karpo La you are 2-3 days from help.This may be an issue with the kids.
Crossing Tso Khar in August is hot and waterless - no fun.
The first part of the trek is not isolated esp in August, plenty of people. If you want space try coming in via Matho La, after that it will be pretty quiet even in August although its on established routes
The last part of the trek is high stuff, there will be camps @4900 - Lobuche height and not so easy to retreat from.
I'd be careful, this is much tougher than Nepal. I would spend money on the road crew/facilities, dont drive people down to a price that wont deliver comfort.
mail me if you need a recommendation for an agency.
Enjoy
Bruce

Dimitrz

Captain Bruce has put it very nicely - my only advise would be to take assistance from a tour company considering the fact that you have kids - as Bruce said its better to have assistance with you since this trek would be totally different from other treks you and your family have done.

Having couple of Emergency oxygen bottles would also be a good idea just in case.

All the best

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