Himalaya Horse Safari
Ladakh India: (IT-INRT10)
URL: http://www.hiddentrails.com/tour/india_ladakh_himalaya_horse_safari.aspx
Introduction
Ladakh
India
Horseback Safari on the Changthang Plateau & High Altitude Wetlands of Ladakh
Welcome to Ladakh 'roof of the world' , the barren rugged mountains, deep gorges, a pious land of Monasteries and Festivals. You will be spell bound by the pristine beauty of the Himalayan Landscape.
This is an high altitude Horseback safari in the high mountain ranges of Changthang located in Eastern Ladakh a continuation of the western Tibetan plateau. The trip starts in Leh the ancient capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh. You spend the initial three days acclimatizing and visiting the centuries old Monasteries set on hill tops in the unique Trans Himalayan landscape. Following which you will be driven through picturesque valley of Gyameru and over the Taglangla pass (5350 meters) to the Kharnak valley. The Horseback safari commences here and takes you through the wetlands of Tsokar which is known for the breeding grounds for the rare and endangered Black Necked Cranes and other water fowl like the Bar Headed Geese and Rudy Shelduck amongst other birds. You will also ride across Tibetan wolf country inhabited by nomads that rear the pashmina goats and yaks. Other wild life found here are Kiangs (Tibetan wild ass) and Tibetan Argali. You will ride on sturdy Changpa horses for 5 days and end your trip at the bank of the beautiful Tsomoriri lake. The trip will be lead by Jagat Singh who is a professional Polo player with a passion for horses.
Highlights:
Horse riding on the picturesque Changthang Plateau known as the land of Tibetan Wildass and Tibetan Wolf.
Opportunity to get real close to birds & mammals when on the horse
Guided by experienced national polo player – Jagat Singh and locals from Changthang
Insight into local Changpa nomadic lifestyle
Opportunity to stay in Homestays and get a local lifestyle experience of Ladakh
‘A’ Class accommodation in Leh and comfortable tents while on the move
Nomadic trails that will keep you asking for more
Accomodation

Accommodations will be in Tourist Standard hotels and safari camps along the horse trail.
Camps: Mountain Hardwear - Expediton Series Trango 3.1 Tents -- 3 Men tents used on twin share basis with room for bags inside the tent.
The food will be mainly Indian, Ladakhi and continental but the cooks have years of experience in handling foreign tourists and can alter as per the taste preference.


Riding
Your expert guide:
Jagat Singh is an equestrian expert with a wide variety of experience within the horse industry.
Jagat leads our Horse back Safaris in the wilds of Changthang. He is a professional polo player with a two goal handicap, who is in love with Ladakh. He has been following the natural hoof care system for the last 4 years, which means that all his 9 horses play a competitive sport like polo without any horse shoes/ irons. He has been training polo ponies and playing the 'Sport of Kings' for the last 12 years. He has played in India, England, Ireland and Zambia. He has initiated the mountain pony safari in the vast open spaces of Eastern Tibetan Plateau and is responsible for creating more economic opportunities for the local nomads of Changthang and making this unique experience a reality on horseback – a first in the region.
He is physically fit, he is willing to, and capable of, riding most horses, should this be desirable. This includes problem horses and young racehorses.
Apart from Jagat a team of locals and helpers will also accompany to ensure that the trip is carried out smoothly
Itinerary

Trip Outline:
Day 1: DELHI - LEH –ACCLIMITIZE
Day 2: AROUND LEH – (ALCHI – LIKIR - LEH)
Day 3: AROUND LEH (SHANTI STUPA LEH PALACE)
Day 4: LEH- KHARNAK VALLEY
Day 5: ZARA-PUNGANU
Day 6: PUNGANU - TASAPHUK
Day 7: TASAPHUK - POLOKONKA LA
Day 8: POLOKONKA LA - KYAMDAR
Day 9: KHAMDAR- TSOMORIRI
Day 10: BANKS OF PELDO / VIEWPOINT
Day 11: DRIVE BACK TO LEH
Day 12: FLY OUT

Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: DELHI / LEH
Arrive at Leh and transfer to Hotel in Leh. Leh is situated at an altitude of 3500mts and is the capital of the once ancient Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh. Spend the day acclimatizing in the Hotel due to low oxygen levels.
Day 2: LEH – ALCHI -LEH
After breakfast drive west of Leh on the Srinagar highway -en route visit the Magnetic Hill, the confluence of the river Indus and Zanskar and then drive about an hour to reach the temples of Alchi that are in class of their own. Sited on a flat ground unlike the usual monasteries on hill tops – the 12th century shrines boast of some of the most magnificent murals in all Ladakh. Alchi’s murals and sculptures do not follow the Tibetan influence, instead they preserve the artistic style and tradition of Buddhists of northern India particularly Kashmir. On the way back visit the Likir monastery famous for its colossal Buddha statue. O/N Hotel in Leh
Day 3: AROUND LEH (SHANTI STUPA & LEH PALACE)
After breakfast drive to see the Leh Palace and later the Japanese designed Shanti Stupa. From here get an excellent opportunity to capture panoramic shots of Leh. Evening briefing about the horse back safari and check equipments and personal gear.
Day 4: LEH- KHARNAK VALLEY
After breakfast drive 4 hours to Kharnak Valley (4500 meters) on the Leh Manali road via Taglang la. Reach there by lunch time and camp by the fresh water Zara stream and beautiful green patch. Post lunch we take a short ridding trip around Kharnak valley. Overnight in tents.
Day 5: ZARA-PUNGANU
After breakfast we ride for about 45minutes to reach the Leh Manali road and stop over at the roadside cafe for a hot cup of coffee. Then carry on riding for about 3 hours to reach Punganu. The landscape here is flat and soft and perfect to run the horses. The camp is set at Punganu and post lunch ride along the Tsokar wetlands to get a glimpse of the Tibetan Wildass. Overnight in Punganu camp(4600meters).
The area is also known to have a good population of the Tibetan Argali and may also see the Tibetan Wolf occasionally. The local inhabitatants are called the Changpas who are a nomadic pastoralist community that move from pasture to pasture along with their Yaks and Pashmina Goats.
DAY 6: PUNGANU - TASAPHUK
The Tsokar basin being one of the best places in Ladakh for birding we spend another day by the lake. Ride about 4 hours today along the wetlands and enjoy the liberty to come close to the birds as the birds do not really fly away when on a horse. Post lunch visit the Thukje Monastery atop the village -famous for its Buddha statue in between a narrow opening in the mountain. Camp right at the lakeside of this wetland reserve, salt pans bring a variety of birds and animals, nesting ground for birds like the Black Necked Crane, Ruddy Shelduck, Bar Headed Geese and Sand Plowers of different kind. Overnight camp at Tasaphuk
DAY 7: TASAPHUK - POLOKONKA LA
Wake up once again by the lake side and enjoy the stunning sunrise and change in colors of the lake. Post breakfast ride for about 3 to 4 hours over green pastures, next to a stream to reach Polokonka La crossing nomadic camps on the way up. Visit these nomadic camps to see their way of life an event to remember. Ride to the reach the pass adorned with Buddhist prayer flags. One can put up prayer flags and partake in local customs. Overnight camp near Polokonka La Pass (5300meters).
Day 8: POLOKONKA LA - KYAMDAR
Today we ride along one of the most dramatic nomadic trails and you can sure of meeting absolutely no one on the way. We ride over green pastures, scaling the Nakpokunzin Pass (5700 mtr). The pass is a flat high altitude grassland and words will fall short to describe it. On this stretch you may get an opportunity of sighting the Pallas Cat (more rare than a Snow Leopard sighting), plenty of Wolly Hare, Himalayan Marmots, Pikas of different kinds and the Blue Sheep. Just before the descent to Kyamdar get the first incredible views of the Tsomoriri lake from a distance. This blue emerald lake between the brown and white snow capped mountains shines and stands out from a distance – an image imprinted in your mind. For the last half hour get off the horses and descend to Kyamdar. (4600 metes).
Day 9: KHAMDAR- TSOMORIRI
Post breakfast descend further down and ride along the fast flowing Thasang River, busily emptying itself into the Tsomoriri Lake. Along the way you may get an opportunity to view the Kiang (Tibetian Wild Ass) up real close. Red Starts, Robin Accentors, Wagtails, Horned Larks, Yellow –billed Choughs, Brown –headed Gulls and the Bar headed Geese are commonly found here. Reach the camp or Guest house by noon and enjoy a warm lunch overlooking the stunning Tsomoriri Lake with a sense of accomplishment.
Day 10: BANKS OF PELDO / Viewpoint
Spend the last day riding around the huge Tsomoriri lake either towards Peldo or further up the lake towards the viewpoint Lamarukonka. On the way keep an eye out for migratory birds and enjoy riding along this high altitude lake. Overnight tented camps or Homestay
Day 11: DRIVE BACK TO LEH
Drive back to Leh via Chumathang and see the hotsprings at Chumathang. This is about a 7hrs drive to Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh.
Day 12: FLY OUT
Early morning transfer to airport to fly back to Delhi
Subject to changes.

Rates and Dates for Himalaya Horse Safari
Rates include:
Accommodations (hotel and camping), meals, English speaking guide, 5 riding days, sightseeing and all inland tranportation, all entry fees
Transfer and Other Options:
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2012
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Transfers are included from Leh airport in Ladakh
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| A |
2012
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05/01
- 08/31
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12d / 11n
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12 day trip, AP
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3
/10
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Reserve
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Dates Note:
This tour is available any time between May and August with 3+ riders.
Rates do not include:
Insurance. Any drinks during sightseeing
Other Info
Meeting: Leh, Ladakh
Airport: Leh, Ladakh
Transfer: Leh, Ladakh
Climate:
What To Bring:
This list is only a guideline for you...
- Travel documents and Voucher
- Flight tickets
- Passport
- Visa (check with your consulate)
RIDING GEAR
- Riding breeches or comfortable jeans for the ride
- Riding boots (short) + Minichaps
- Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
- Riding gloves
- Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
- Lightweight rain coat
PERSONAL CLOTHING
- Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
- Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Underwear and socks
- Pyjamas
- Bag for dirty clothes
- Swimsuit
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
- Personal Toiletries
- Small backpack or bag to carry with you on when you ride
- Insect protection
- Personal medications
- Sore cream (for the emergency)
- Small flashlight
- Handkerchiefs
- Adapter for electric appliances
- Camera and enough extra films and batteries
- Sun hat and sun block
Each horse will have two saddle bags, but remember your lunch packet and water bottles have to be part of what fits in them!
Your luggage will be transported each day by car, so you do not have to take everything with you on horseback.
We recommend you to use lockable bags or suitcases while in India. We are not responsible for the loss of any valuables, unless they are handed to us before the safari. For each item we will give you a receipt.
Malaria:
Rajasthan has a very low malaria risk and this mainly during the rainy season (end of June till end of August). Rajasthan is in any case a low risk area without the more severe form of malaria tropica prevalent in Africa. We thus do not advice any malaria medication.
Some non-aggressive mosquitoes can be there in March around certain camp sites during dusk so we advise our riders to bring some repellent in order to protect themselves against bites.
Effective repellents can be also purchased locally at a low cost. In any case usually, a normal repellent is sufficient to prevent bites.
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