On the Nomad Trail
Picture gallery
The life of a nomad is a challenging one, indeed. And, On the Nomad Trail we will take you right to the heart of this centuries-old tradition. Our venue is the Changtang eastern plateau of the Indian subcontinent' s northernmost reach, Ladakh. Dipping rarely below the 4,000-meter mark, it is habitat to the proud Tibetan Wild Ass and Himalayan Blue Sheep. It is home, also, to the Changpa, some 8000 to 9000 Buddhist nomads who move seasonally in groups of 40 to 50 families. Theirs is a life tied to their livestock of yaks, sheep and goats. Producing the finest and most luxurious wool Pashmina, the latter consumes a great deal of Changpa time. But life doesn't stop here. This is a culture rich in belief, kinship design and the efficient use of scarce natural resources. We will meet up with the Changpa at the height of summer. On the Changtang, our days will be warm and comfortable, nights cool and fresh. We will trek the ancient trade route trails of nomads by day and spend late afternoons and early mornings as guests at a Changpa encampment. We'll overnight either in our own tents or in Rebus (yurts), provided by our hosts. Either way, plenty of time will be on hand to make pictures, visit and learn the intricacies of the nomad lifestyle and explore the world in which these people live.
FULL SERVICE TREKS
You only carry a day pack for items you need during the day, such as your camera, water bottle and sun cream. The main baggage is carried by pack horses or porters.
You usually arrive at the next camp site by 4pm. Camp will already be set up by the time you get there, and tea/coffee and biscuits will be ready to welcome you. Supper will be ready just before dark, and will be served in the dining tent. The standard of cooking on trek is both varied and excellent, with the style of cooking being a compromise between local and western food. Menus vary from day to day, but typically we start with soup. The main course is often a rice-based meal with meat stew or mild curry, plus separate vegetable and salad dishes. A sweet dish is provided after the meal. Our meal is finished with tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Responsible tourism
We have carefully selected our ground agents for their reliability, quality of service and their likeminded philosophy of supporting the mountain communities and people that make for a special holiday experience.
Private tailor-made treks Many clients choose to have tailor-made treks. This applies to individuals, groups of friends, honeymooners and schools who would prefer to fix their own dates and plan their own itinerary. Private treks cost approximately the same, and often less, than our equivalent brochure departures. Many clients prefer not to have a European leader and are happy to trek with the assistance of our well qualified English speaking Sherpas.
For further information please telephone 01225 868544 or email info@essential-india.co.uk
Recommended travel guide books: The India Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide to India.
If you wish to pay for all or part of your holiday, please use our new ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM or phone us directly on 01225 868544
Tashi Angchok
Your guide on this adventure is Tashi Angchok, a native Ladakhi with years of experience leading western trekking groups to some of the most remote corners of the Indian Himalaya. A devoted Buddhist and keen observer of both cultural and natural worlds around him, Tashi is a virtual "internet" resource for all that is in this part of the world. Savvy and an enthusiastic travel companion, he is guaranteed to make your journey to this "other" place and time, a very special one.
Scheduled Departure Information
Duration: 16 Days
Dates: Saturday 11.07.09 until Sunday 26.07.09 , Mid range accommodation. Deposit £300 per person
Cost: £2150 Airline: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic Land only: (excluding flights on BA or Virgin Atlantic) £1650
Car Supplement Cost: N/A
Domestic Flight Cost: N/A
- The listed price is per person for our scheduled departures in twin sharing accommodation.
- Our flight providers offer access to airfares from more than 130 of the world's leading airlines to 1500 destinations. Please contact us for a competitive price quote. To convert Pounds Sterling into Euro's or any other currency please click on this link
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- Please follow this link to read our terms & conditions.
- Prices include all Indian Government luxury taxes. If you are a single person booking onto one of our treks or special interest holidays, you do not have to pay a single room supplement. This is only payable if you wish to have a hotel room or a tent (or both) to yourself throughout your tour. The single tent supplement is £40 for the duration of any trek.
- Top range prices are based on your staying in Government approved 5 and 4 star hotels and Mid range prices are based on your staying in 4 star and 3 star en-suite accommodation.
- Train travel is in 1st Air-con carriage (fifties style 4 & 6 berth compartments) or the best available.
- During Christmas and the New Year period, many hotels charge a peak season rate. You also need to be prepared to join in (and pay for locally) any entertainment that may be arranged.
- The busiest periods for the airlines are Christmas/New Yearand Easter, July and August. If you take your holiday during these periods then please book your tour as early as possible.
- Our escorted (Delhi to Delhi) special interest/trekking holidays are based on a minimum of 4 people. The maximum number is 16. If the minimum number is not met then your tour will be led by our qualified English speaking guides and tour leaders in India. We can tailor trek departure dates for a minimum of 2 people travelling together. Details of our trek grading can be found on the 'Indian Himalayas' page of our website.
- We can offer group discounts for six or more people booking together on our fixed departures.
- It is essential that you take out adequate travel insurance if you are travelling to Asia. Essential Travel Insurance Ltd offers wordwide insurance cover at competitive rates.
- The meal plan is based on B&B and full board on our treks and culinary tours.
