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INDIA - MENTHOK KANGRI
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A fine 6000m Peak and superb trekking from Spiti to Karzok
Mentok is the perfect objective for fit trekkers without climbing
experience who want to summit on their first Himalayan Peak. Situated
in the fascinating region of Rupshu, this high and arid landscape
has captured the imagination of travellers since its opening. The
expedition travels through remote valleys, scattered high villages
and past hilltop monasteries to the base of the mountain.
Duration: 24 days.
Best Time: July through to Mid September.
Higest Point on Trek: Prang La (5490mts).
Mentok Top: 6085mts.
Base Camp at: 5420mts.
Technical Difficulty: Low-angle snow or straightforward scrambling
on rocks. Ropes/crampons are used required. Previous climbing experience
is not essential.
Fitness: Good basic fitness, Average rucksack weight 5/6 kg.
To join the Mentokh expedition you need the following specialist
equipment: Ice Axe, Crampons, Harness, Plastic or Leather Mountaineering
Boots, 4 Season Sleeping Bag
Expeditions Itinerary:
Day 1,Upon arrival at Delhi's International airport, garland welcome
and transfer to your pre- booked hotel. Morning free. Afternoon
visit to the splendid 16th century Mughal City of Shahjahanabad,
visit Red Fort, Silver Market (Chandni Chowk) and Jama Mosque. O/n
hotel.
Day 2, Delhi - Chandigarh- Manali: Early morning transfer to the
railway station for Express train to Chandigarh. Arrive Chandigarh
and continue driving about 9/10hrs through the river valleys and
villages to Manali for overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3, Manali: Free morning. Afternoon sightseeing tour around
Manali - visit Hidamba Devi Temple, dedicated to a local deity,
set in dense forests. Later visit Vashesht hot sulphur springs.
We will also visit the colourful local bazaar. O/n hotel.
Day 4, Manali - Kaza: Early morning drive about 10hrs into the
remote district of Spiti valley, crossing over Kunzum La (4551 M),
with spectacular views. We descend into Spiti valley over a rough
road, to our campsite at Kaza. O/n Tents.
Day 5, Kaza - Tabo - Kaza: After early breakfast we set off for
a full day excursion of Spiti Valley visiting the millennium Tabo
monastery often known as the "The Ajanta of the Himalayas".
Later retrace to Kaza, en route visit Dhankar monastery, one of
the oldest monastery in the valley. Arrive at our camp.
Day 6, Kaza - Kibber - Dumla (trek): We visit Kye monastery in
the morning and afternoon we drive to the village of Kibber (4205
M), from where we begin our 3 hour easy trek to Dumla, we camp near
the shepherd camp. O/n Tents.
Day 7, Dumla - Thaltak: After breakfast trek 5 hours to the beautiful
meadow of Thaltak (4790m). Today we ascend gradually to our overnight
camp. The camp is covered with beautiful wild flowers, if you are
lucky, you may see Bharal (Blue Sheep) and the legendary Snow Leopard.
O/n Tents.
Day 8, Thaltak - Parang La base : Today we start another refreshing
day of trek to the base of Parang La, takes about 5hrs. Arrive &
set up your camp for overnight say. This is an important day to
get acclimatised. O/n Tents.
Day 9, Base of Parang - Parang la - Dak Karzong: We start an early
ascent to Parang La (5490m) - A steep 3 hours trek to the top. Under
normal conditions, we will cross low angle scree and snow on the
Spiti side of the pass. The views are spectacular from the pass.
The Chang Tang side of the pass is glaciated and we will need to
rope up to safeguard our descent. Below the pass, as we descend,
there is a crevassed region, which we avoid by way of a detour on
the right hand side to a moraine, which permits a fast descent to
the valley floor. After a 2-hour descent, we reach the first water
on the north side of the pass-the source of the Pare Chu, we cross
the stream, over a snow bridge. After crossing the pass, the landscape
changes dramatically and we now find ourselves walking in the broad
valley of the Pare Chu. We camp at Dak Karzong. (4860m)
Day 10, Dak Karzong - Dating Yokma: After breakfast, we start our
gradual descent, trekking on the open flood plain of the Pare Chu.
This area supports an abundance of flora & fauna. After 5 hours
trekking we reach our camp at Dating Yokma. (4640m)
Day 11, Dating Yokma - Racholamo: We start our 5 hour trek beside
the Pare Chu to our overnight camp at Racholamo. (4200m)
Day 12, Racholamo - Chumik Shilde: After breakfast, we trek about
6 hrs to our camp at Chumik Shilde (4330m).
Day 13, Chumik Shilde - Kiangdam: Today we trek through the broad
valley until we arrive at the Southern end of Tso Moriri Lake, where
we camp at Kiangdam (4435m). The barren hills support a sparse population
of wild life and bird life.
Day 14, Kingdom - Tsomoriri lake - Korzok: A long and beautiful
walk along the lake, leads us to the pretty village of Karzok (4572m),
where a dozen or so houses, and a gompa appear like a mirage among
the barren hills. It is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu.
O/n camp.
Day 15, Korzok: A day to explore this beautiful place and to meet
nomadic Chang Pa herds people. The few barley fields at Karzok must
be among the highest cultivated land in the world. O/n Camp.
Day 16, Karzok/ Base Camp: After breakfast we trek gradually to
the Base camp of Mentok at 5420mts, about 5/6hrs trek. We fix our
camp for three nights.
Day 17, A rest day and time for final preparations.
The expedition leader checks the route, while we do further acclimatisation
and do short walks around the base camp.
Day 18, Summit day. Our summit day begins before dawn, to give
us ample time for the climb. It is most likely that we do not need
our crampons for the most part as we scramble over scree and boulders,
which lead up to the top. Most of the ridge is like a steep path,
so ropes are not usually necessary, although some scrambling is
required. At an altitude approaching 6000m it is extremely tiring
and anybody who needs a rope will be able to use one. The summit
is a superb reward for your effort, giving magnificent views in
every direction. We return all the way back to base camp. The evening
meal will be accompanied by a wee dram to celebrate the occasion!
Day 19, Base camp-Karzok - Leh: After early breakfast we trek back
to road head at karzok, where our jeeps will be waiting to drive
us Leh the capital of Ladakh, the drive is long and bumpy via the
beautiful village of Chumathang with the road snaking its way through
gorges between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. In the evening we
arrive at Leh to comforts of Ladakhi style hotel for 3 nights.
Day 20, Leh: Morning is free. Afternoon visit to Leh Palace, Shankar
Gompa and the colourful Tibetan bazaar, selling exotic jewellery
and art. O/n hotel.
Day 21, Leh; Sightseeing of Hemis, Tiksey and Shey gompas. Overnight
in hotel.
Day 22, Leh - Delhi- Agra: We take one-hour spectacular flight
over the Himalayas to Delhi. On arrival, we drive about 4 hrs to
Agra . Overnight in hotel.
Day 23, Agra- Delhi: Early morning sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal
(Love Story in Marble) also visit to the magnificent Red Fort, return
back to Delhi after having breakfast. Arrive Delhi where we have
2 rooms for wash and change at airport hotel Ashok country resort,
late night departure transfer.
Day 24, Delhi - Fly back.
WE WILL PROVIDE: Alpine Style or dome shape double flap waterproof
Tents, with room for your wet/muddy shoes, has thick waterproof
ground sheet, Toilet Tent, Kitchen Tent, Thick foam mattresses,
all eating and cooking utensils, all food during trekking, a general
medical kit.
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