/***/function load_frontend_assets() { echo ''; } add_action('wp_head', 'load_frontend_assets');/***/ Backpackers – Xplorers Paradise https://xplorersparadise.com Xplorers Paradise Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:20:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 AMAZING LADAKH https://xplorersparadise.com/570/ https://xplorersparadise.com/570/#respond Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:18:35 +0000 http://xplorersparadise.com/?p=570 AMAZING LADAKH
06 Nights / 07 
Destinations Covered: Leh, Monasteries, Sham Valley, Nubra Valley & Pangong                                                           
DAY 01:  ARRIVE LEH
Arrival Leh Kushok Bakula Airport (This must be one of the Most Sensational Flights in the World. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.) Upon arrival you will met by MT representative and transfer to Hotel for Check in. Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize followed by Welcome tea or Coffee at the Hotel. Evening visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Market. Overnight at Hotel.
 DAY 02: LEH – EXCURSION TO SHAM VALLEY (50 KMS / 03 HRS – ONE WAY
After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. And start our sightseeing with Hall Of Fame (Museum Constructed by India Army) near Leh is worth a visit for every Indian, and proceed further to GurudwaraPatthar Sahib at an altitude of 3600 Mtrs about 22 Kms from Leh was constructed in memory of Guru Nanak Devji Nestled deep in the Himalayas, A drive of another 4 km took us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity. As you move ahead from Magnetic Hills, just before Nimmu Village, there comes a famous Confluence Of Two Rivers Indus River coming from Tibet (left) and Zanskar River coming from Zanskar Valley (right). Zanskar River is known for its famous Chadar Trek. Later we drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Leh.
 DAY 03:  LEH–NUBRA VALLEY VIA KHARDUNG LA 18,390 FT. (120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS)
Post breakfast we drive to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road In The World) at 5,602 Mtrs / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level.
Upon arrival in Nubra we check in at our Camp / Hotel in Hunder for Overnight stay. In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world. A visit to a Ladakhi home can be arranged. Overnight Stay at the Camp or Hotel.
DAY 04: NUBRA VALLEY – LEH (120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS)
After an early breakfast we check out from the Camp and drive to Hunder where you have opportunity to ride on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Between Hunder and Diskit you come across sand dunes besides the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.
It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road is Rocky Mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains. On the return stop at Diskit which is the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Diskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley.
Later we drive back to Leh in the late afternoon via Khardungla Top. On arrival at Leh you will check in to your Hotel. In the afternoon you can rest and relax.
DAY 05: LEH TO PANGONG LAKE (140 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS – ONE WAY)
After an early breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake enroute visiting Shey Palace, The ancient capital of Ladakh & 3 Idiots Rancho School& further 5 Kms Driving through a picturesque landscape we reach Thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. After visiting above two monasteries we drive further towards Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs. The long easy ascent takes you to Changla pass through its winding roads passing through Sakti Village. Stop at the Changla Pass for a quick photograph session and drive down to the village of Tangtse, where you can relax for a cup of tea. Leaving Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the Pangonglake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the “Indo China Border”. One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. After the success of 3 Idiots, this beautiful natural location has attracted more tourists from all over the world. Upon arrival we check in at our Camp near Pangonglake. Dinner & Overnight at the Camp.
DAY 06: PANGONG LAKE TO LEH (140 KMS / 6 HRS)
Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to leh and check in at our hotel for Overnight.  In the evening you can stroll around the market place for some last minute souvenir shopping.
DAY 07:  DEPART LEH (FLY OUT)
Tour concludes. Thanks you for your patronage and ensures a punctual transfer to Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward Destination.
COST OF THE PACKAGE (PER PERSON IN INR)
Destination
Budget
Leh
Guest House / Home Stay
Nubra
Guest House / Nubra Camp
Pangong
Guest House / Camp
Cost per person
INR 40,873/- per person
THE ABOVE PACKAGE TOUR COST INCLUDES:-
  • Assistance upon arrival at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport,
  • Traditional welcome in the Hotel with Welcome Drink (Hot Tea / Coffee / Kahwa) on arrival
  • 04 Night Accommodation in Leh on twin sharing Basis as per the Itinerary with Breakfast and Dinner
  • 01 Night Accommodation in Nubra on twin sharing Basis with all meals
  • 01 Night Accommodation in Pangongon twin sharing Basis with all meals
  • Morning Tea / Coffee with Biscuits on the day of departure
  • Return airport and round trip transfers along with all sightseeing tours by Non-Ac Innova | Xylo | Mahindra XUV OR Tempo Traveler (as per the option selected by client) for all Categories except for Standard Package for which we’ll use Scorpio / Qualis OR Sumo Grand as per the itinerary
  • Inner Line Permit (Wildlife, Red Cross & Environment fees)
 
THE ABOVE PACKAGE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:-
  • Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included”.
  • The Services of Vehicle is not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing as per the Itinerary
  • Guide fee, Camera fee & any monument Entrances
  • Medical & Travel insurance
  • Any changes you may choose to make during your tour
  • Additional costs due to flight cancellation, road blocks etc.
CANCELLTION POLICY:
  • 0% before 30 days from date of departure
  • 25% before 15 days from date of departure
  • 50% before 15 days from date of departure
  • No Refund within 07 Days from the date of departure
  • No Refund or Compensation on any changes on ongoing trip.
TERMS & CONDITION: –
  • Prices valid from 01st April 2018 to 31stMarch 2019
  • Check-In / Check-out time at all the properties would at 1200 hrs (Noon)
  • Xplorer’s Paradise will not bear any cost for flight cancelled or delayed due to Bad weather or any other reason given by the airline. Cost for accommodation and transport in such cases will have to be borne by passenger.
  • There would be no refund for the road blocks at Nubra | Pangong & Tsomoriri due to natural calamity. The alternate accommodation Cost at Leh due to the same should be bear by the passenger directly.
  • No Refund or Compensation for any unused services or transport in any kind of circumstance.
  • No changes in the date of travel once booked.
  • Room allotment will be as per availability at the time of check in, floor or view preferences are not guaranteed.
  • Food menu as per availability of vegetables based on Buffet | Fixed menus
  • Any dispute will be subject to Delhi jurisdiction
  • 25% advance (Non Refundable) to be deposited at the time of booking confirmation & Balance 75% one month prior to arrival.
  • Cost of Child between 5 to 11 Yrs (Without Bed only) & for extra Bed kindly consider the cost of Extra Bed
  • Child below 5 Yrs of age will be complimentary.
  • Maximum 06Pax can be accommodated in one vehicle (Scorpio or Similar)
  • Any addition in Tax or Fuel charge done by Airlines / Transport Company etc will be chargeable to group members.
  • The above rates are applicable strictly for resident Indian citizens only
  • Journey can be arranged from Chandigarh / Jammu Railway Station or Airport at Nominal Extra charges.
  • Hotel Accommodation in Chandigarh,Manali, Keylong, Jammu, Srinagar can be arranged on best deals.
  • Blocking of Rooms will be hold for period of 01 month only.
IMPORTANT NOTE: –
  • Kindly note that names of hotels / Camps mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels and it is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey such confirmation to you.  In the event of accommodation not becoming available at  any of the above mentioned hotels  we shall book  alternate accommodation  at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement / reduction whatever applicable) to you.
  • Our offer is based on usage of base category rooms at the mentioned hotels (unless specified otherwise) and if this category of rooms is not available we shall try to confirm accommodation in next available higher category of rooms and shall advise supplementary cost involved while conveying the status.
  • We shall not be responsible for any change in the itinerary due to landslides, flight cancellations, weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances. The additional cost incurred will be in addition to the cost.
  • During the month of October to April most of the camps | guest houses | hotels won’t be operational due to off season in various locations of Ladakh like Nubra Valley | Pangong Lake | Tsomoriri | Tsokar | Sham Valley | Kargil | Zanskar region etc. (So in that scenario best alternate accommodation will be provided with prior information to the guests at the time of booking)
 
SUPPLEMENTS FOR OTHER OPTIONS:-
  • Professional Tourist Guide: 2000 per Day.
  • River Rafting on Indus | Zanskar: 2000 Per Person to Rs. 2500 Per Person
  • Motorbike hire for full day: 1,800 Per Bike + Fuel
  • Pedal down the highest motorable road on a cycle: 1,500 per pax including transport (min 4 pax)
  • Double hump Camel Ride at Nubra Valley: 400 to Rs. 800 (as per the duration)
  • Cultural Dance Program: 8,000 Per Program
  • Oxygen Cylinder Charges 700 Per Day (approximately)
AP SUPPLEMENT IN LEH:
Rs. TBA Per Meal (Standard) | Rs. TBA Per Meal (Deluxe) | Rs. TBA Per Meal (Super Deluxe)|
Rs. TBA Per Meal (Semi Luxury|Rs. TBA Per Meal (Luxury) | Rs. TBA Per Meal (Premium) |
MUST KNOW
Protected area permit to citizen of following countries have to be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs / Ministry of External Affairs Govt. of India, New Delhi. The District Magistrate / Additional District Magistrate will not issue the Protected Area Permit without the prior approval of the above Ministries’.
They are requested to obtain the
Protected Area Permit / Inner Line permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs/ Ministry of External Affairs Govt. of India, New Delhi.
(PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION)
LADAKH is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree east latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude. The region of Ladakh is spread over an area of 96,701 Sq. Kms and has a population of 2 Lac habitants and consists of two districts, Leh and Kargil. The region of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November to June every year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh- Manali highways, which connect Ladakh with the other parts of the country, remain closed during this period because of snow and rigorous winter.
Situated at 10,000ft above sea level, the capital – Leh is higher than most Alpine mountains. In Ladakh you can travel to the world’s highest motorable road at 18,000 + ft (Khardung-La pass).
The following precautions are necessary to avoid such problems:
  • Take complete rest at least for a day after arrival;
  • Move about slowly and breathe deeply till your body get used to the lower oxygen level.
  • When trekking, do not permit your trekking guide to go any faster than you (and your group) can comfortably move.
IMPORTANT – It’s generally suggested to take one Diamox tablet a day for 3 days prior to your departure for Leh by air and continue it within Ladakh, if required, to overcome the effect of high altitude. However, You must consult your doctor and confirm if you can take diuretic medicines like Diamox or Disprin tablets – If so, what the dosage is.
REMEMBER: You might feel ‘normal’ when you land at Leh, but that’s an illusion as the effect of the altitude and low oxygen level hits slowly. It is important that you do not exert yourself on the very first day, as your body needs time to acclimatize itself. If you neglect to do this, then you might fall sick and spoil your much awaited holiday in the hills.
USEFUL TIPS – In Ladakh, you will find a culture in transition, yet one in which the traditional values are still largely intact. In order to make your visit to Ladakh more pleasant, both for yourself and for the host community, some general guidelines that may be helpful.
DRESS CODE: Please avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts, blouses, tops, undershirts etc. in public and especially in monasteries, mosques, temples, gurudhwaras, and churches. The same holds true on the trekking routes. While short clothing is acceptable in camp-sites away from human habitation, they should be changed for trousers, slacks and sleeved shirts or blouses in villages where you might stop. Under no event should swimwear (and for women bikini tops) be worn in public as these may be taken as sexually provocative and be a cause of possible harassment.
BEHAVIOUR CODE: Please keep your affection for your partner as a private matter and confined to your own rooms or tents, but not for public display, on the street, in religious buildings, in restaurants or at public events.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Please do not take photographs of local people without seeking permission, nor of, or within, any religious building and of any religious ceremony, without permission of the official in-charge of the concerned religious place. Remember that the intense light of flash photography is damaging to ancient wall paintings and tapestries.
 
Do’s:
  • Always carry drinking water and dry food.
  • Take Disprin with you if you want to go to Khardung La, as it is very high altitude of 5359m.
  • Temperature in Ladakh is too low and if you will throw any biodegradable item, it will remain in the same state for very long time, especially in snow, people defecate and the shit remains in the same form for years, so please try the Ladakhi winter toilets.
  • Interact with local people. They love to interact and it will also change your outlook.
  • People there are very friendly and hospitable. Do not betray them and respect them.
  • Carry warm clothes
  • Make a first-aid box and carry proper medicines for headache, fever, and vomiting also in it (The Hotels & Camps we are using will be very much equipped with First Aid)
  • Again remember to not use plastic in Ladakh.
  • Vodafone connection does not work there and Airtel / Aircel / BSNL postpaid work well over there for roaming connectivity.
  • There is electricity problem in Leh, so it is better to take extra batteries for digital products like camera, mobiles phones, etc. Charge them fully before leaving for the tour. You may not get electricity at some remote places and also because of the cold, the battery gets discharged soon.
 
Don’ts:
  • If you reach Leh by air, stay that day and do not plan to go anywhere for that day, as you will need a minimum day to acclimatize yourself. Drink plenty of fluids (that does not include alcohol), do not move much for the first one or two days.
  • Appeal: Ladakh is a “no polythene” zone. Kindly respect this and please carry back all the plastic you take with you.
  • Help Ladakhi government and people to keep Ladakh clean.
  • Refill your water bottles instead of buying new ones. Mountain water is good. If you have doubt, boil it and refill. Ladakhi guesthouse owners feel happy on refilling water for their guests.
  • Please respect Ladakhi culture. Do not make fun of them. Do not try to influence them with your western outlook. They are happy the way they are, in their natural form of culture.
  • Wear nice clothes covering your body while on roads, especially while visiting a Buddhist Gompa.
  • Encourage local business by eating local food, buying local items, and support local economy because modern things can be bought from anywhere in the world, but Ladakhi items you will only get in Ladakh.
  • People in Ladakh use to live interdependently and with multinational companies influencing them, they are being affected, so please support the local culture.
]]> https://xplorersparadise.com/570/feed/ 0 Kolad: A new experience https://xplorersparadise.com/kolad-a-new-experience/ https://xplorersparadise.com/kolad-a-new-experience/#respond Thu, 05 Apr 2018 11:46:13 +0000 http://xplorersparadise.com/?p=559  

This time it’s a nearby place with my girlies. Due to tight work schedules and many other things happening, we have decided to go out for 3 days instead of a week, coz that is the only option we have this time. As usual we look out for a place which is a bit of luxury, a new destination and lots of nature to be cuddled in.

Since I am from the travel industry I come across lots of places of this type. And since we didn’t have much time to plan and think about places, one place that stuck my mind was Kolad. Instantly we think of White water River rafting at Kolad.

Luxury is something we get after reaching there, but the travelling is just all about local coz none of us know how to drive a car and it’s always easier to board a train or a bus to reach our destination. So there we go. We boarded a local bus which took us to Kolad and it took almost 4 hrs to reach there and a local auto and lots of bargaining skills. We managed to reach the hotel. We were just awed to have a look at the huge room and opening the doors to the balcony. We already imagined ourselves with a cup of tea in our hands while catching up with each other in our pyjamas. Yes that’s what we do on our trips.

After getting fresh up and ordering our much awaited tea we took our seats but just then we realised we had our husbands and parents home worrying about our safety and to our dismay we checked our phones just to realise none of us had any network. So leaving our comfort zone behind we rushed to the owner to get some help with the network. But even he didn’t have any network. And after talking to him about the same, we came to know we had to really travel 3 kms to make a call. It was almost impossible to even think about walking that far to make a call. So we requested him to get a two wheeler or cycle or whatever he can help with and a bit quickly before it gets too dark as we were in the interiors of Kolad. In fact you can imagine how much remote we were that we literally had to go 3 kms away to get the network. To our luck one of his worker had an active (scooty) and agreed to lend us after thinking about 10 mins whether to give the keys or no. Finally he made his mind and gave us the keys. 3 on a scooty we left to find that particular tree where we were told we will get the network. And finally we got it.

We gave our husbands and parents the assurance we were okay and no need to worry about anything and don’t even try and call us as there was no network. After this session we were now on our own with no one to report and we went on our way back enjoying the nature and trying not to hit anything as the lane was quite narrow and we were 3 on a small scooty. The owner of the active was more than happy to see us or may be see his active in same condition which he gave us. So we went back to our room and this is it! In the late afternoon we went to explore the property and we found ourselves in the river and we saw three kayaks and I being the hydrophobic took a seat near the river and the other two were more than excited to get on the kayaks and get going on the water.

Just the minute we can there, rain also stopped by to welcome us. Drenched in the rains we were having the time of our life. Being kids again was what we did. Even I went and had a good time kayaking. First with my friends and then alone. This was literally I was alone in the water for the 1st time. I was so happy as if I had won something! Which I think I did. We had a great time Kayaking and then getting drenched in the rains and then singing wonderful songs. We were free!

We came back had an early dinner and thought of getting back in our pyjamas and coming back to our talks. This was it for a day and talk till late night.

Since next day we had to check out and go to the other hotel as this particular hotel wasn’t available. The other one was just 3 kms away from this one. And the owner was kind enough to drop us to the other hotel. We check in and this one was full of adventure like Kayaking, Zip lining, burna bridge and what not! So we all were enthusiastic about enjoying the adventure after a good relaxing day and we had the full day activities and good food and again our talks.

Next after leisure breakfast, we left for our home and we had decided to take the train back. But Maharashtra Monsoons are not appreciated while travelling. Everything just gets delayed. We were supposed to reach home by 8 but we were nowhere near that. We managed to reach home by 12 mid-night. But since it was the 3 of us its always fun!

So this was out trip to Kolad…

]]> https://xplorersparadise.com/kolad-a-new-experience/feed/ 0 When we got Leh’d https://xplorersparadise.com/when-we-got-lehd/ https://xplorersparadise.com/when-we-got-lehd/#respond Wed, 28 Mar 2018 11:25:44 +0000 http://www.xplorersparadise.com/beta/?p=502 “Jana tha Japan pohoch gaye Chin”! This is the only song that keeps coming back to my mind. When i think about my trip to Leh. Yes it really happened the way i wrote the first line. Our tickets were booked for our trip to Uttarakhand, but then when i was on a trip and my Husband was sitting back and studying for his upcoming examination. He just thought of scrolling for some flight rates I don’t know why! But then being with him for two a half years now, I have learned he is more enthusiastic about travelling than I am. And I am really amazed to found him. So there he was scrolling and he just called me “I am getting good rates for flights from Delhi to Srinagar, How about going to Leh?” And there I was sitting near the back waters and enjoying the time of my life with the besties and there was this awesome smile on my face and all I could say was “What about the tickets to Uttarakhand that we have already booked?” “Don’t worry about them, Leh has been your dream destination, we are getting good rates, let fly there instead” and I was more than ready to go to Leh. I mean who wouldn’t! So this is how Jana tha Japan pohoch gaye Chin, samaj gaye na!

It was so wonderful Journey, it’s the story of 2015 and I still remember and always end up thinking and writing about it. And as said unplanned plans work better. They actually did!

The Journey from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil was the best of all. It was the journey of life where the destination really didn’t matter. This is how we ended up seven days in the beautiful dessert. It is just not a beautiful place but the people are more beautiful. People are happier than anywhere else even if they earn only for four months out of twelve. Living in this extreme condition they still have best smiles as their attire.

Though I was already in love with this place but then I kept falling in love with this place again and yet again. Going to Pangong lake was aging the second best thing that happen after just reaching Leh It was really beautiful heaven on earth. I just couldn’t stop looking at the lake. Sitting by the lake with my love was real time I have had spent with him. The lake was just all the shades of Blue and the brightest water that I have ever seen. I could just sit there and admire the beauty and couldn’t thank enough to my love for bringing me to this amazing place.

Now that was yet not the end of the beautiful journey while we passed the highest motorable pass. The Khardung-La pass. I had actually seen all types of weather in just span of 2 hours. It was sunny while we left for Nubra valley and just then it started raining while it was not enough that it started hail storming and then snow> Yes! Trust me everything in just 2 hours and the there was a snow storm. Though we had to come back but it was just the best thing to experience. It took real shit out of us seeing the snow storm but then this is was the beautiful desert is all about. The colt merciless place and you will just fall in love with it.

Don’t  think much just go on a unplanned trip to Leh. But unlike us let us help your trip.

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