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Well I've only gone and agreed to Trek the Himalaya's!

April 2009 will see me trekking for around 8 hours a day, from Dharamsala (home of the Dalai Lama), across mountain trails to heights of over 3500 metres! (Full itinerary at the bottom of this page)

I've decided to take up this challenge to support Beds and Northants MS Therapy Centre, as my girlfriend, Helen, gets immense support and help from them, and this is my way of giving something back to the centre.

The scenery and views will be second to none, but it's certainly not going to be easy, my current lifestyle of sitting behind a computer most of the day, and with a wine glass the rest of the time is going to need a big change!

Anything you can give to help will be appreciated, and if any companies want to sponsor me, please get in touch, I'm more than happy to wear your company logo and get some great photo's of it with the Himalaya in the background, for example..

Thanks for your support.

Pete

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Full ITINERARY

Nothing in India is ever quite what you expect! The fifty years of freedom from colonial rule have seen a remarkable transformation.  Despite the rapid pace of change after fifty years of freedom from colonial rule, many traditions remain firmly rooted and India has retained a profound cultural distinctiveness.  Today India is one of the most richly rewarding regions of the world to visit.  Its scenery is amongst the most varied and exciting anywhere.

This superb trek is located in the Himalayas, in the north-eastern province of Himachal Pradesh. The Himalayas are one of Nature’s most magnificent mountain ranges spreading 1,550 miles across South Asia.  On the trek we pass through the Kingdom of Gaddi, a semi nomadic race who spend many months wandering the high pastures with their sheep, and enjoy some of the magnificent views of the Dhauladhar mountain range and explore the Dalai Lama’s home and monastery.

Duration   11 days
Trekking   5 days
Accommodation: A combination of camping, hotels and sleeper trains
Physical Challenge: Moderately challenging
Focus:  Mountain views, monasteries, Buddhist people and Laka Glacier.
Highest Point: 3600 metres above sea level

Day 1: Saturday 18 April
Evening flight from London Heathrow to Delhi.

Day 2: Sunday 19 April
Delhi
Arrive late morning at Delhi International airport and transfer to a hotel where there will be a few day rooms available to freshen up.  After a welcome briefing and lunch there is an opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of Delhi. We have dinner then transfer to the train station for Pathankot.  The train is scheduled to depart at 2235 (subject to change).  

Overnight: Sleeper train –  6 berth carriages. The air-conditioning means the carriages can feel cold therefore you are recommended to use sleeping bags for the train journey.

Day 3:  Monday 20 April
Pathankot - Dharamsala      
Early morning arrival at Pathankot and transfer by coach (2 ½ -3 hours) to Dharamsala, an enchanting town located in a very picturesque setting high up on the slopes of the Kangra Valley. Kangra valley is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most beautiful valleys.  It is on the southern side of the Dhaula Dhar range and its gentle slopes are covered with pine forests, green tea gardens and terraced fields. Dharamsala is the residence of the Tibetan leader in exile, the Dalai Lama, and there is a distinct Tibetan influence.  The afternoon will be free to explore Dharamsala, visit the Dalai Lama’s house and impressive monastery or pick up Tibetan handicrafts at the colourful bazaar. This evening we meet the team and hear about the challenge ahead.

Day 4:  Tuesday 21 April
Mcleod Ganj (Dharamsala) to Kareri (2050 m)     approx. 13 kms  / 7-8 hours
After breakfast we set off into the majestic mountains with the bare essentials.  We set off along a paved road through Mcleod Ganj, home to the Gaddi, a semi-nomadic tribe of mountain shepherds. A few metres on we join a mountain path leading gradually uphill to a Tibetan Children’s Village. On our way up we may glimpse the Himalayan Languor monkeys which inhabit this area. Shortly after the village, we pass Dal Lake and follow a pathway of steps cut into the mountainside, it descends sharply down to Gaj River which we cross and stop for a leisurely lunch in the shade of the ubiquitous pine trees. After lunch it is a steep climb back up the other side for the first 3km, where the trail evens out and leads us to Kareri where we end our first day’s hike. The location is idyllic, as we camp near the village surrounded by a cool pine grove and lush green meadow near a mountain spring. Overnight: Camp

Day 5: Wednesday 22 April
Kareri to Bahl Village (2300m)     approx. 13 km / 7-8 hours
From the campsite we start a gradual ascent into the forest, the path then levels off and dips steeply downhill to the valley floor at the end of the morning taking us to a wooden hanging bridge over Gaj River and the village of Rawa, where we have a lunch stop on the riverbank. Most of the first half of this day we will pass through small villages. Walking poles will come in useful for this day. After lunch we begin the next 8km along a gradual uphill path following the mountain slopes along the valley, shaded by pine and oak forest. The route then becomes more undulating as we hike up and over two mountain ridges and finally down to the village of Bahl where we pitch camp for the night and take a well-earned rest. Overnight: Camp beside the gently flowing Bahted River

Day 6:  Thursday 23 April
Bahl to Triund (2975m)      approx. 10 kms / 6-7 hours
Early start as the mountain trail continues uphill for most of the day.  Cross the Bahted River and pick up a rough mountain trail which climbs steeply through the forest. Catch our breath at a small tea shop on the way up and admire the view. The terrain changes to a wide paved mountain path as we continue our gradual uphill for a further 3 km. The climb is well worth the effort as our lunchtime spot affords wonderful views of the Dhaula Dahr mountain range. A short trek in the afternoon brings us to Triund, our base for the next two nights. Triund is set on an alpine meadow, high up on a ridge facing snow-capped peaks of the surrounding Dhaula Dahr. The location of great natural beauty as it affords breath-taking close up views of the impressive Dhaula Dhar mountain range to one side and views of the entire Kangra Valley sweeping away on the other side.
Overnight: Camp

Day 7:  Friday 24 April
Triund - Laka Got (3500m) - Triund    approx. 10 kms / 7-8 hours
This is perhaps one of the most challenging days. Leaving Triund behind, the guides take us up a gradual uphill path to Laka Got, the site of a temporary shepherd camp in summer, situated at the tip of a small glacier. There will be an opportunity to walk on the glacier to reach Lahes cave, this is quite strenuous but well worth the effort. Lahes cave is used as an overnight shelter by the shepherds travelling over the mountain with their sheep. We return to Triund for our final night under canvas.
Overnight: Camp

 Day 8:  Saturday 25 April
Triund to Mcleod Ganj ( Dharamsala) via Laheta  approx. 12 kms / 6-7 hours
The final stretch trekking in the mountains will be the return journey back to Dharamsala, which is downhill. The first part of the day will be walking across a 3km grassy ridge with panoramic views across the valley below and the snowy peaks in the background. It is then a steep descent down the mountainside through Laheta then on to Bhagsu river where we celebrate the finish of our challenge. We meet the road and walk 500m to Baghsu where we make a short visit to a Hindu temple. From here we transfer by jeep to our overnight hotel in Dharamsala. Celebratory dinner tonight and say goodbye to our guides.
Overnight: Hotel
 
Day 9:  Sunday 26 April
Dharamsala
Free time in the morning or optional tour to a nearby temple. Afternoon transfer to Pathankot for overnight train to Agra travelling in air-conditioned sleeper coach. Lunch not included today.
Overnight: Sleeper train (berth details as before)

Day 10:  Monday 27 April
Delhi
Arrive Agra at 13.50 and transfer to our hotel for lunch. After freshening up after the train ride we have time to visit the Taj Mahal. Dinner and overnight in Agra.

Day 11: Tuesday 28 April
Early start today (5am) for the transfer to Delhi. Fly Delhi to London.