Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Where It’s Not 45C: The Sham Trek

As the mercury soars in New Delhi, India Real Time presents destinations for beating the heat that have been tried and tested by WSJ correspondents in India.

Manpreet Romana/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Tourists trekked towards the village of Rumbak in 2007.

WHERE: Ladakh.

WHAT: The Sham trek, a three-day hike just north of the Indus river, from Likir to Yangthang village, and then to Hemis Shukpachen village, ending in Ang or Temis village. In all, it involves approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) of walking and two overnight stays in village homes.

HOW WE GOT THERE: Kingfisher Red to Leh, which was 14,000 rupees round trip (about $300) from New Delhi.

CONTACT: +91 9419177245; +91 9797467330. Although many trekking tour groups offer this hike, we went through Mountain Initiatives, a travel outfit founded by Rigzen Wangchuck, the man behind Ladakh's Snow Leopard Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit that pioneered the homestay concept in Ladakh.

THE PRICE: 7,000 rupees ($155) a person for the trip, which includes a guide, a pony for hauling backpacks, meals and homestay costs. (No matter how light your backpacks are, take the pony. Really.)

WHAT WE FOUND: We were recommended the Sham trek because it's at a lower altitude than some of the other options. We were there at the start of summer, in the middle of May, when snow is still possible in higher areas.

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Thanks, Admin,

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