Zanskar Rafting Expedition

The Zanskar Rafting Expedition begins with a couple of days to acclimatize in Leh, and then onward into the Zanskar Valley, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth. You'll be able to explore at close range the desolate, remote Zanskar gorge with walls rising a few thousand feet out of the river bed, culminating on the mighty Indus river.

The trip is a demanding one of medium difficulty. As this is an expedition, everyone will be expected to participate in pitching tents, washing dishes, and helping to load and unload the rafts.

Thanks to the rafts, you'll be seeing locations you wouldn't be able to access otherwise, but days can be long. A typical day begins at 7 a.m, and we stop only by 14:00 or 15:00 hrs. We eat lunch on the river, and have relaxed evenings and cocktail hour every day, to discuss the adventures of the day.

Destination

Ladakh has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Its incredible elevation makes it remote and its climate makes it challenging to explore for long periods of time. With gompas dotting the slopes of snow-capped mountains, and an otherworldly, barren terrain, this region is truly fascinating.

There are sheer rock faces rising out of the river, and beautiful, desolate locations around every bend.

Destination highlights

Take on up to Grade IV rapids to test your skills | Spend a night on a houseboat in Srinagar | Explore Leh's most famous sights while you acclimatize | Spend entire days on the Zanskar and relax in the evenings under the stars

Grade II-IV

Yes

115

10-20 ft

5 hrs

180 kms

-

4 or 8 seater raft

Srinagar

Get Direction >

Leh

Non A/C car or jeep or coach

Remala Kaisam 194302

Get Direction >

07:00

18:30

Today we arrive in Srinagar and transfer to a beautiful houseboat via ferry shikhara. We enjoy a traditional Kashmiri meal, and attend a trip briefing in the evening. Overnight in houseboat.

Houseboat in Srinagar

Food

Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 1 Milestone

Delhi

Srinagar

00:00 AM

After an early start, we start our drive to Kargil along a very scenic route. We take a break in Sonmarg on the way to admire the scenery. After this, the landscape begins to change from meadows and lush vistas to a more rocky look. It's a long drive, and we break in Drass as well, to pay our respects to our fallen heroes. By afternoon or late evening, we reach Kargil where we check into a hotel. Enjoy your hot showers here, because it's the last we'll have until we return to civilization. Overnight in hotel.

Hotel D'Zojila in Kargil

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 2 Milestone

Srinagar

Kargil

00:00 AM

Our drive today marks our ascent past the Nun and Kun massif, which is about 30,000 feet high, as well as hanging glaciers and mountain meadows. We'll camp outdoors overnight in Rangdum.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 3 Milestone

Kargil

Rangdum

00:00 AM

The drive today will take us over Pensi La, the 14,500 feet high pass close to the entrance of the Zanskar. We reach Remala, on the River Stod, a tributary of the Zanskar. Look out for fabulous views of peaks all around. Overnight in tents.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 4 Milestone

Rangdum

Remala

00:00 AM

Finally, now that we are all acclimatized, the rafting begins. Today we raft 30 kms in Grade II rapids, serving as an introduction to the river. By afternoon, we reach Padum and break our journey for the night. Overnight in tents.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 5 Milestone

Remala

Padum

00:00 AM

Today we start later in the morning and raft for 25 kms. This takes us through Grade II and III rapids up to Honyo/Pidmo. Camp overnight in tents.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 6 Milestone

Padum

Honyo/Pidmo

00:00 AM

Our route today takes us through an exciting gorge that narrows on the river. Construction activities (and a fallen construction vehicle!) have contributed to the formation of a new rapid called the Dislocator. We end this exciting Grade III rafting day in Nyerak. Overnight in tents.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 7 Milestone

Honyo/Pidmo

Nyerak

00:00 AM

Today we take it easy in Nyerak and exchange anecdotes about the adventures of the last few days. There is a short hike to Nyerak village for those who are interested, but the campsite has a cool stream and willows to rest under, for those less inclined to doing anything. Overnight in campsite.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 8 Milestone

Nyerak

Nyerak

00:00 AM

Today is a thrill-a-minute white water rafting day, as we take on continuous Grade III and even some Grade IV rapids. It's also a long day, with 6 hours on the river as we cover the 35 km stretch to Lamaguru. One of the highlights is our lunch picnic spot - a beautiful waterfall. Overnight at campsite.

Camping in tents

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 9 Milestone

Nyerak

Lamaguru

00:00 AM

The Zanskar river plunges out of the canyon and into the Indus, and we'll be riding the rapids right here! After a tough day of 4 hours of Grade III and IV rapids, we finally reach the confluence of the rivers. With this, we're done with the rafting. Leh is a one-hour drive from here, and we head back for showers and hotel rooms. Overnight in hotel in Leh.

Hotel in Leh

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 10 Milestone

Lamaguru

Leh

00:00 AM

Today we explore Leh, visiting monasteries, local markets and outdoor restaurants. Overnight in hotel in Leh.

Hotel in Leh

Food

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Veg|Non-veg

Day 11 Milestone

Leh

Leh

00:00 AM

Transfer to Leh airport, and onwards by air to Delhi. Trip ends here.

Trip ends before nightfall

Food

Breakfast

Veg|Non-veg

Day 12 Milestone

Leh

Delhi

00:00 AM

Includes / Excludes

Includes

  • All transfers by non-A/C jeep or car or coach
  • All arrangements for camping in tents or staying in guest-houses/rest houses on twin sharing basis while on trip
  • All meals on trip including in Leh and Kargil hotels
  • Professional guide fees
  • Crew and kitchen staff
  • Rafts or kayaks
  • Wetsuits
  • Wet booties
  • Wet gloves
  • Life jackets
  • Splash jackets
  • Safety gear
  • Tents, including sleeping tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents
  • Safe drinking water
  • First aid kit

Excludes

  • Visa and passport charges
  • Vaccination charges if needed
  • Departure, airline and airport taxes
  • Extra meals that are not in itinerary or outside the hotel in Leh, Kargil and Srinagar
  • Bottled water, alcoholic beverages outside the hotel in Leh, Kargil and Srinagar
  • Additional charges like postage, laundry, personal clothing, medical expenses, etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Emergency evacuation charges
  • Tips and excess baggage charges
  • Costs incurred if trip is delayed due to weather, acts of god, or any situations out of the control of Aquaterra Adventures India Pvt. Ltd.

What to Wear

What to Wear

  • Quick-dry shorts and tees for wearing over wetsuits
  • Swimsuits or bikinis for women to wear inside wetsuits
  • Warm gear for nights and evenings
  • Long-sleeved tees and tops for evenings
  • Not to wear - Expensive jewellery or watches
  • Avoid clothing that will not protect you from cold or harsh sunlight

What not to Wear

  • Loose clothing that will tangle around you while swimming
  • Restrictive clothing
  • Flip-flops

Equipment / Gear

We Provide

  • Rafts or kayaks
  • Wetsuits
  • Wet booties
  • Wet gloves
  • Life jackets
  • Splash jackets
  • Safety gear
  • Tents, including sleeping tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents
  • Safe drinking water
  • First aid kit

You need to get

  • Warm sleeping bag (0 degrees C to -5 degrees at least)
  • Woollens or thermal wear
  • Wind/rain-proof jacket
  • Hiking/trekking shoes
  • Spare sandals
  • Woollen socks, gloves, hat
  • Water bottle
  • Flash light with spare batteries
  • Sunshade or hat with brim
  • Sunglasses with case
  • Sunscreen/sunblock above SPF 70
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal toiletries like towels, soap, etc
  • Duffel bag or rucksack
  • Karimat or Thermorest (optional)
  • Small daypack for daily necessities
  • Long trousers or skirt
  • Long-sleeved tees or tops
  • Quick-dry shorts for over wetsuit
  • Swimsuit or bikini for women to be worn inside wetsuit
  • Personal cigarettes or alcohol (not available on trip)

Medical Kit

  • Specific personal or prescribed medication

Cancellation policy

Please inform (in writing) Aquaterra Adventures India Pvt.Ltd about any cancellations. The following charges are applicable for cancellations:

45 days prior to departure: Full refund minus INR 5000

Between 30-45 days prior to departure: Refund of 50% of full cost

30 days or less before departure: 100% of full cost will be forfeited

During the trip, if the Tour Leader decides a traveller is unfit to continue the trip (for any reason), the decision is final and binding. In this case, there is no refund. However we may offer the option of taking another trip.

Rules on trip

All travellers will have to abide by the decisions taken by the Tour Leaders when it comes to safety and trip participation.

Do not overpack; on rafting days, you will have to re-pack only essentials and share a dry bag with another person.

There are five days of rafting on this trip. On these days, while we have a sufficient crew to manage living and cooking arrangements, you will be expected to pitch your own tents.

During the rafting days, you will be informed of day start times and will have to be ready on time. Timing is important on the river.

Consumption of alcohol or drugs is not permitted upto 6 hours before or during a rafting trip. We will, without refund, refuse intoxicated persons.

Additional instructions, booking policies, terms and conditions

There is no prior experience needed for this expedition. However, it would help if the travellers are enthusiastic, energetic, fit, and willing to pitch in.

We recommend that you obtain travel insurance upon booking.

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