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5 - 23 Jun 2011 (19-days) India Bhapa Pass Trek & Manali
Trip Cost Rm3850 (per pax for 12 pax group), Rm3750 (14 pax), Rm3650 (16 pax & above)(Excluded Air Asia KL-Chengdu-KL)

Update 16 July 2010 - Travel to India become easier after Air Asia launched to many destination in India including New Delhi. Flight schedule will posted once Air Asia updated. Those finding the trip "too long" can opt out of the Golden Triangle trip - Delhi, Jaipur and Agra Taj Mahal. We will return the few night accomodation savings. This trips runs over the 2 weeks school holiday period.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit (for Bhapa one must be fit), with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have un!

  
Bhapa Pass trek

Annually, travellers visiting this far-flung corner of the Indo-Tibetan frontier region of India, barely hits five figures, a major reason being access to Spiti is only for 6 months in a a year! Discover a face of India seldom seen; in age-old Gompas devoid of mass tourism a la Potala(!), ancient mountain hugging villages, and a ruggedly beautiful Himalayan landscape. Then after all that culture, its time to get high on mother nature on a tough but rewarding 5 day trek across the 4900m Bhaba Pass—a true voyage of self-discovery we assure you!

This is trekker trip and requires a higher standard of fitness. During trek days, luggages & equipment will be portage on pack-horses. Group members carry a day back. A camping crew comprising of guides, horsemen and a cooking crew will accompany and assist the group. This should make the trek more enjoyable and easier to cope.

The region had exceptional cold weather in Jun 2005, the coldest in 25 years. As a result they was heavy snowfalls and many parts of the road and tracks were covered in snow and ice. Our group encountered much difficulties and hardships. If there is a repeat of a similar cold front, expect the trip to be postphoned to perhaps between one to two weeks later. In Jun 2007 & 2008 our group has no such problems and trip proceeded smoothly.

     
Ki Monastery Spiti 4116m / Monks at Monastery/local woman

Day 1 LCCT - Fly LCCT to Delhi. Group member meet at LCCT for flight D72506 depart 1715PM and will arrive Delhi at 2040. Check in hotel. O/N Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi - We go sightseeing in Delhi including the Red Fort, Bahai House of Worship and shopping in Connaught Circus area. After early dinner, we take the 7PM overnight Volvo executive bus service to Manali. commercial and interesting Connaught Circus area.Full day sightseeing the bus station for an early dinner before the overnight Volvo bus to Manali at 7pm. Overnight in bus.
Day 3 Manali - We arrive in Manali at 10am and check into hotel. Rest of day free to wander about Manali for shopping and visits to the Hidimba Devi Temple and Old Village. Manali is full of nice cafes and eateries, good for relaxing. Overnight Manali.
Day 4 Manali - We drive to Solang Valley for paragliding. This recommended activity is optional and members will have fly tandem i.e. with an acommpanying pilot. We walk back to Manali through picturesque villages and orchards of apples, apricots and peaches. Manali is mainly Hindu with a sizeable Tibetan population. Overnight Manali.
Day 5 Rohtang Pass to Dadar Pul -We bus over the Rohtang Pass 3978m to Dadar Pul 3960m with views of Chandra-Bhage mountain range with peaks above 5000m. We camp here overnight to acclimatise.
Day 6 Trek to Chandratal Lake - Our bus wil take us to the trail head in Kunzum Pass 4551m. We then trek down to Lake Chandertal 4270m some 3-4 hours away. This high mountain lake is surrounded by high snow-capped mountains. Overnight Camp.
Day 7 Trek to Batal - Trek 3-4 hours from Lake Chandratal to Batal where we board our bus to Kaza in 4 hours for overnight stay in a local guest house.
Day 8 Tibetan Monasteries - Visit by jeeps the Ki Monastery located on a small hill followed by Kibber Village 4205m, reputed to be the 2nd highest inhabitable village in the world. Lastly we visit the 1000 years old La-Lun monastery with its hanging buddha statues. We proceed to a Tabo guesthouse for the night.

  
Climbing Bhapa Pass / Packed horses for trek/ Crossing river

Day 9 Tabo Dhankar -We visit the Tibetan monasteries of Tabo and Dhanker in the morning. We then enter the Pin Valley and to the the village of Mud. Here, we do a short 2 km trek to our campsite accross from Mud. Overnight Camp.
Day 10 Bara Bolandar - We trekked along the Pin River to our next campsite at Bara Bolandar. The trail goes along green meadows and rather barren landscape. The trek is quite level and should take about 6 hours easy walk. Overnight camp.
Day 11 Bhapa Pass to Fauti - Its a difficult climb up to Bhapa Pass 4890m where we can expect thick snow at the top. Then its down to Fauti campsite. The scenery change is very drastic, from barren snow-peaked mountains to the green valleys on the Fauti side. Expect a long day today with between 5-7 hours trek. Overnight camp.
Day 12 Mooling - A very pleasant and easy walk along the Bhaba river. Trek will be an easy 5 hours in green meadows and sparkling streams and rivers. Wild flowers are also expected. Overnight camp.
Day 13 Kafnu then Shimla - Another easy day with 5 hours level walk to the village of Kafnu. Trek is flanked by green meadows and thick pine forest. Expect to arrive by 1pm, followed by an 7 hours bus ride to Shimla for overnight stay.
Day 14 Shimla to Delhi - We'll have a full day browsing this former summer capital of British India. In the evening we take the local steam train, which passes a hundred tunnels, down to Kalka. From here, we'll go on an overnight sleeper train to Delhi.
Day 15 Jaipur - The train arrives at 630am and we bus straight on to Jaipur 5hrs. Sightseeing will include City Palace, Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds and the Ameer Fort. At night we suggest a visit to Chokhi Dhani, a folk village popular with local tourists. This place not only showcases Rajasthani's culture and folk artists but has great food. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 16 More Jaipur - We'll spend the morning browsing the local markets that offers good soveniers, then leave after lunch for Bharatpur. Overnight Bharatpur.
Day 17 Taj Mahal - We go bird watching at this UNESCO Keoladeo Gana National Park very early in the morning. We move on to Agra 1hr to visit the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, before going heading to Delhi. We will stop at some shopping area for shopping. Overnight Delhi.
Day 18 Delhi- Fly Home - Free and Easy and group can opt to final shopping or day tour (optional) before heading to the airport for D72507 to KL departing 2145PM.
Day 19 Thu 23 Jun Home - Arriving at 0605AM morning.

  
Trail Fauti to Mooling at 11am and at 3pm on the same day/ Taj Mahal
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. Cost cover ground arrangement, guide, budgeted accommodation and transport.
  2. Not covered are Visa fees Rm168, Air Asia KL-Delhi-KL fare & airport taxes/surcharges, entrances fees approximately Rm100, activities, in town-taxis and meals except for trekking days. Allocate about Rm250 for 10 days meals. Tips for guides/cooks accompanying group. Yongo encourages group members to be generous but should commensurate with services rendered.
  3. A deposit of Rm1006 is payable to confirm your place.
  4. Cost is subject to change if there's a significant changes in foreign exchange rates and/or airfares.

Contact Yong Lee Min 016-220 9033 or 03-4023 8210 Email yongo@streamyx.com
Contact Rachel 012-352 0868 Email rachelheng123@gmail.com
Contact Yong Lee Keng: 012-315 8353 or 603-6137 9937 Email yongleekeng@yahoo.com
Address: 19 Lorong Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur