Popular Trip: Trekking & Rafting Holiday In Ladakh
This adventure holiday combines the best of trekking and river running in Ladakh.
The Zanskar river expedition is a classic rafting holiday and is one of the best rivers for kayaking or rafting in India. It has it all, great white-water, amazing scenery and a cultural experience second to none. Also know as the Grand Canyon of Asia, it is located in the lunar-like landscape of western Ladakh. With over 90% of the population practising Buddhism it is more like Tibet than India in many ways. This expedition gives a great insight into local culture with visits to monasteries, palaces, villages and markets all included. The sight of the huge snow capped peaks of the Greater and Zanskar Himalayan ranges coupled with the occasional Gompa (monastery) overlooking the river is something that will stay with you long after this trip is over. With Canyon walls over 1000 meters deep in places, big class IV rapids and limited road access we are truly committed on this adventure holiday, where...
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Popular Trip: Himalayas Trekking & Rafting Holiday
This adventure holiday combines the best of trekking and river running in the Indian Himalayas.
The five day trek included in this holiday takes us to the intriguing Roopkund Lake (5029m). In 1942 local forest staff made a amazing discovery when they found over 300 skeletons at Roopkund Lake (5029m). Until 2004 scientists, historians and archaeologists continued to be puzzled by these remains. There were many theories about these people, who were they, where were they going and what were they doing at this high altitude. Were they traders, pilgrims or warriors? What killed them? Modern DNA testing answered some questions and giant hailstones, the size of cricket balls were identified as the cause of death. This trail goes through woodland, flora filled pastures and hamlets with great views of Nanda Ghungti (6310 m), Changabang (6864 m) & Trishul (7120 m) peaks.
The Kali river expedition is a fantastic introduction to white-water kayaking or rafting in India. It is ideal for...
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From The Blog: Phoenix Canoe Club Expedition Part 4
More death defying driving took us through open countryside and small towns and villages. We dropped off Johann and Caleb at Kathgodam on the way, who were catching a train back to Delhi and then flying home to the UK and US. We arrived in a muddy lay-by in the dark and decanted from the 4x4’s into some open top jeeps to ferry us up to Camp Forktail Creek.
One of the huts at Camp Forktail Creek.
The track was so steep and rough, the jeeps struggled for traction (a bit of tread on the tyres would have helped), but eventually delivered us at a gap in the bushes. We then walked through a dark path in the jungle until we came to the camp. The first group had already settled in around an open wood fire next to the bar with a drink in hand. I was more interested in finding the loo and to my relief, opened the door of a small mud hut to find a pristine, white china loo with seat, fresh towels, smelly soaps, clean tiled floor and a mirror. After 6 days of...
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From The Blog: Phoenix Canoe Club Expedition Part 2
We arrived at Kathgodam station at 4.20am and decanted onto two small coaches with our luggage stacked on top. The coaches set off with Indian music blaring and flashing lights dancing around a religious statue above the drivers head. Everyone managed to get some more sleep as the coaches wound their way up the narrow mountain roads. After a stop for breakfast, we were soon getting glimpses of the Himalayas through the morning mist. We travelled most of the day with stops for food and “sou-sou” (or a wee in English). By this point Delhi belly was starting to take hold of most people and some urgent calls of nature were then classified into different categories – Freestyle Poo (out in the open air), Extreme Poo (squatting with high element of personal danger such as a cliff face), Privacy poo (In a toilet tent or proper WC – but usually in the squat position). Having a wee quickly became un-classified. Most people had the presence of mind to purlointhe toilet...
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Popular Trip: Trekking & Rafting Holiday In Ladakh
This adventure holiday combines the best of trekking and river running in Ladakh.
The Zanskar river expedition is a classic rafting holiday and is one of the best rivers for kayaking or rafting in India. It has it all, great white-water, amazing scenery and a cultural experience second to none. Also know as the Grand Canyon of Asia, it is located in the lunar-like landscape of western Ladakh. With over 90% of the population practising Buddhism it is more like Tibet than India in many ways. This expedition gives a great insight into local culture with visits to monasteries, palaces, villages and markets all included. The sight of the huge snow capped peaks of the Greater and Zanskar Himalayan ranges coupled with the occasional Gompa (monastery) overlooking the river is something that will stay with you long after this trip is over. With Canyon walls over 1000 meters deep in places, big class IV rapids and limited road access we are truly committed on this adventure holiday, where...
Read More »
From The Blog: Phoenix Canoe Club Expedition Part 5
We arrived early in the morning at Delhi Station and forged through the throngs of people and smells to get on our waiting coach. Sharon left us at this point as she had extended her journey to go and meet some old VSO friends down south. The coach continued the journey down to Agra, stopping for breakfast on the way. We transferred onto an electric bus in Agra “Clean Agra Green Agra” (a misleading statement) and were driven to the Taj Mahal and guided around this fantastic building finished in 1653.
We then went for lunch in a revolving restaurant and then onto a shop to buy some souvenirs whilst a few visited the Red Fort. Jam organised a trip to the barbers for Frank, me and himself for a cutthroat razor shave and face massage to get rid of two weeks growth, which cost 60p! We travelled back by coach to Delhi stopping on the way for a final dinner and celebrated Claire’s birthday with another pre-ordered cake. We got to the Surya Palace Hotel late in...
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Popular Trip: Ladakh Trekking Peak - Stok Kangri
If Climbing in India is your heart’s desire, read on. Towering at an impressive 6153m (20187 ft), Stok Kangri is a serious challenge. Although at such an impressive height, it is not a technical climb and in season requires no advanced mountaineering equipment. We work our way up to base camp over a number of days to maximise acclimatisation and improve chances of a successful summit attempt. The view from the top is one of the best in the Himalaya offering great views of the Zanskar and Karakoram ranges including K2 (8611 m), the second highest peak in the world.
This is one of the best trekking peaks in the Indian Himalayas and it’s proximity to Leh makes it very accessible. Ladakh, often referred to as ‘little Tibet’, is characterised by Buddhist culture. Visits to monasteries, palaces, markets and remote villages are all included in this trekking holiday....
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From The Blog: Phoenix Canoe Club Expedition Part 3
We set off at about 11.30am for the longest day on the river with a warm up on some grade 2 rapids. These didn’t last for long and we were soon running into the grade 3 confluence of the Kali and Kali Ganga rivers. This was our first big hit and after discussing the line to take through the rapids, we very quickly seemed to be doing something completely different. Our group were not prepared for the change of water volume and were too bunched together to escape a swim as we washed into a large cushion wave against a huge rock. Lessons were learnt (don’t necessarily follow the guide and keep a distance between paddlers) and we continued onto the next grade 3 rapid. No one seemed to be able to adjust to following the rafts which went a lot slower than we were used to paddling through big water.
Kayakers and Swimmers on the Kali River.
We scouted the next rapid and agreed the line to take and learning from previous mistakes halved the amount of swimmers....
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Popular Trip: Himalayas Trekking & Rafting Holiday
This adventure holiday combines the best of trekking and river running in the Indian Himalayas.
The five day trek included in this holiday takes us to the intriguing Roopkund Lake (5029m). In 1942 local forest staff made a amazing discovery when they found over 300 skeletons at Roopkund Lake (5029m). Until 2004 scientists, historians and archaeologists continued to be puzzled by these remains. There were many theories about these people, who were they, where were they going and what were they doing at this high altitude. Were they traders, pilgrims or warriors? What killed them? Modern DNA testing answered some questions and giant hailstones, the size of cricket balls were identified as the cause of death. This trail goes through woodland, flora filled pastures and hamlets with great views of Nanda Ghungti (6310 m), Changabang (6864 m) & Trishul (7120 m) peaks.
The Kali river expedition is a fantastic introduction to white-water kayaking or rafting in India. It is ideal for...
Read More »
From The Blog: Phoenix Canoe Club Expedition Part 1
After eighteen months of planning and training 37 expedition members were queuing up at Heathrow complete with luggage, 30 kayaks, 4 packs of paddles, 2 expensive video camera’s and 5 extra suitcases packed with new clothes, shoes, toys, school equipment and footballs for the 3 community projects we were supporting.
Arriving in Delhi airport.
After a smooth flight, Jam(es) from IntoIndia met us at Delhi airport and we were loaded onto a coach, with the kayaks following by lorry (they didn’t fit on the other coach that had been supplied). Jam quickly learnt everyone’s name and set us at ease with a nice meal at Clarke's restaurant which had a brass plaque warning diners to leave arms and ammunition outside. We arrived at our hotel and settled in and showered before travelling over to Saikripa to meet the children from the orphanage and have dinner with them. They welcomed us with songs and dance and showed us around their humble home. We then went back to the...
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