Herewith I would like to give you some ideas to trek around the Indian Himalaya on your own. (It will cost you only the half of a package tour and brings you a unique life experience!)
A good place to start is Padum, somewhere hidden between the huge mountains. If your once in Delhi, the most of your way is behind you. But the last kilometre are a little tricky! - Flights up to the north, are often full during the summer time, which is the only to access the mountain range. So, if your time is limited book the ticket at home thru the internet. Plan at least a three weeks in total, especially if you are first time in India! Time to go: June to October
Favourite spots:
We went from Delhi to Srinagar/ Kashmir by air, for about EUR 100,00 (one way), taken a bus to Kargil (about 12 h) we spend a night there and got luckily a bus ticket the next morning by 3 am to Padum. If you like to find it on your map, check: ~ 77,0 East/ 33,0 North. After the journey we feel more dead than alive sitting 17 hours on the backseat of a 50 years old bus sharing with about 50 farmers the experience. If you are deciding to go on such a tour with your friends, you might hire a jeep in Kargil!!! the bus goes about 1 or 2 times a week only. Padum is a small, developing village with some simple stores, restaurants and guesthouses too, even a campground for package groups. The two of us bring everything on provisions, just need to get a kerosene for the stove, available in the village.
What's really great:
For any detailed questions in your equipment or even treks routes just send me an mail! One of the most important things: do not stuff more in your backpack than a third of your own weight (70kg weight, means about 25kg on your back) else ELSE you return after a day back to Padum, change your plans totally and hire a horseman. Get you a guide? available in Padum, just ask around. Sometimes the also cook for you, bringing all the equipment. Generally you can rent everything there, especially in Leh. But where is the challenge??? We agreed from the beginning that our horseman is only responsible for feeding the two packing horses (they do not rent out one only!), cooking we did together and such things a GPS or a guide is not really necessary if you are good in orientations and planning the tour well in advance.
Accommodations:
The trail I planned to do, crossed the mountains north to Leh, takes about 10 days crossing three times passes more or less 5000 m and several rivers.
To save some time we decided to walk south, following the valley to
Purne, Kargyak, Shingo La (5090m) ending up on the road at Darcha.
After the crossing pass the trail descends steeply, so I do not recommend the opposite direction!
From there we took the bus to Manali (read Ravis report)
http://www.globosapiens.net/ravinderkumarsi
Nightlife:
hmm... right now I remember one only, but forgot the name! its round, and the roof its an old parachute on half way to Darcha.
Hangouts:
...hmmm, well if you like butter tea, you will find some pubs. Butter tea: green tea with salted yak butter, 50:50 mixture. Watch out! - mostly your tea glass is outside oily too so that our drink might flipp away!
Hi Ralph
Why I did not see this excellent report earlier? Is very useful! Few people risk travelling to that area. Congratulations. Only for your audacity you deserve 5*. You have written few reports but all are super class.
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