47 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com Fearsome mural, Likir Photo: Steve Berry Spiti Exploration Travellers to Ladakh have long been aware of existence of places like Spiti and Nubra. In fact the very first known photographs of the Himalaya were taken Spiti by Philip Egerton in 1862. Until recently, these places have lain beyond India’s ‘inner line’ – a sensitive border area. Only a handful of Europeans have ever been to Spiti. was first ‘discovered’ by an Indian Pundit, one of that brave band of cartographers in disguise who counted their steps use of prayer beads and recorded their findings on notes hidden in their prayer wheels. When Ladakh was at the height of its power, Spiti was outlying province and there has always been a tradition marriage between the Ladakhi royal family and the rulers Spiti. Indeed, Spiti is very similar to Ladakh: arid Himalayan mountain deserts and gorges, scattered with villages that seem as oases, and dominated by monasteries and snowcapped mountains. This trek crosses from the lush Kulu Valley in Himachal Pradesh over the Pin Parvati pass 5,100m/ 16,700ft, and then drops down to Spiti. Fantastic Himalayan scenery, but off the beaten track! £2,495 £2,025 Dates: Fri 19 Sep – Sun 12 Oct land only Grade: Vigorous/Strenuous On Trek: 13 days European Leader: tbc Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 7 Camping: 16 Optional: Single Room £180 Single Tent £50 Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 24 days 1–2 Fly to Delhi, rest 3–4 Train to Chandigarh, drive to Kulu 5–18 Drive to roadhead, trek to Spiti 19–21 Visit Key monastery, drive to Manali 22–24 Fly to Delhi, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of5clients The Kingdom of Zanskar Trek From the pine forests and Hindu temples of Manali on the Indian side of the mountain barrier, we move to the barren land of Buddhist Zanskar by way of the Phirtse La Pass, 5,090m/16,700ft. The route winds towards the snow-covered, prayer-flagged pass and for days we are surrounded by nothing but snow and ice peaks. The arid valley of Zanskar is cut off from the outside world for all but the summer months. It is scattered with mysterious high-altitude villages with ghost traps and chortens. Zanskar women wear the wealth of the family on their heads as they work in the barley-fields, their head-dresses covered in turquoise, jade, and silver charm boxes. We visit the lonely monastery of Phuktal, which clings to a cliff face, a place for meditation for many centuries and imbued with the essence of mysticism. In Padum, the tiny capital of Zanskar, we expect to meet Punchok Dawa, one of the two kings of Zanskar. We then head towards Leh, the seat of power of the old Ladakhi kings. This finally brings us to the huge monastery at Lamayuru, where jeeps will be waiting to drive us to the capital, Leh. £2,450 £1,980 Dates: Sun 13 Jul – Tue 12 Aug land only Grade: Strenuous On Trek: 22 days European Leader: tbc Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 7 Camping: 23 Optional: Single Room £250 Single Tent £70 Insurance: £106 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 31 days 1–4 Fly to Delhi, at leisure, fly to Kulu, drive to Manali, rest 5–12 Drive to roadhead, trek to Purne, via Phirtse La 13–16 Visit Phuktal gompa, trek to Padum 17–28 Trek to Lamayuru, drive to Leh 29–31 Fly to Delhi, at leisure, fly to London Land of the Lamas – The Phuktal Gorges Trek, Zanskar There exists a set of gorges that lead into the Kingdom of Zanskar that have, in places, such narrow paths that horses cannot be used for load carrying. We will use porters instead. The scenery is utterly dramatic – box canyons, tilted gigantic rock walls, forgotten villages and traditional suspension bridges of woven twigs. From the Manali-Leh highway these gorges lead to the quintessential cliff monastery of Phuktal. Beyond here we regain the main trail leading to Padum and Zangla. Now for some real fun! A rafting expedition lasting three days following the Zanskar River seventy miles through continuous gorges until it meets the Indus. This is not a trek for the faint hearted! You need a head for heights and sure-footed feet for this totally unique trip! £2,795 £2,225 Dates: Sat 30 Aug – Sun 21 Sep land only Grade: Strenuous (Exp Gr) On Trek: 11 days European Leader: tbc Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 7 Camping: 14 Optional: Single Room £195 Single Tent £50 Insurance: £149 (Insurance Plus) Maximum group size: 8 persons Days Itinerary Duration: 23 days 1–3 Fly to Delhi, at leisure, fly to Kulu 4–7 Rest day, drive to roadhead including acclimatisation, begin trek 8–15 Trek the Phuktal gorges to Padum 16–17 Drive to Zangla, rest 18–20 Raft the Zanskar gorges, drive to Leh 21–23 At leisure, fly to Delhi and London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of5clients Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Improved itinerary 4

The Karakoram Mountains 48 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com The K2 Region The mighty Karakoram is a continuation of the 1,500-mile crescent of the Greater Himalaya. It rises in Northern India and spreads north and west across the tip of Pakistan to abut the Pamirs and the Hindu Kush. Its most notable peaks are in Pakistan, along its border with China. Around the giants of K2, Broad Peak and others too numerous to mention, lies the greatest non-polar concentration of ice to be found anywhere. Many huge glaciers lead into its depths, rewarding adventurous trekkers with the finest mountain scenery. Interesting Facts K2 8,611m/28,250ft – not visible from any inhabited place Local name: Mount Qogori Location first recorded: 1856 by Lt T.G. Montgomerie First seen from the north: 1887, 1st European – Lt F. Younghusband First ascent: 31 July 1953 – Italians A. Compagnoni & L. Lacedilli. On the first ascent, the expedition was 700-strong trekking up the Baltoro Glacier. First British ascent: 4 August 1986 – Alan Rouse & Julie Tullis. Both died on the descent Cheerful local Photo: Steve Berry Approx. Statute Miles 0 Approx. Kilometres