TOUR PROSPECTUS This prospectus sets out the contents of the tour and together with the Booking Conditions and Booking Form is the basis of our contract with you. Ladakh Explorer 23 August – 8 September 2013 Tour 1342 Tour 08xx Flying from Delhi into This is a new adventure tour exploring the remote areas of Ladakh in the India Himalaya. Leh we spend the first four days at lower altitude to help with acclimatisation, cycling west towards Kashmir visiting Alchi and Lamayura monasteries. After this essential period of acclimatisation, we will tackle the high passes east and north of Leh entering the Nubra Valley by way of the Wuri La (5280m). Descending into the valley, we follow the Shyok river to Hundar before returning to Leh via the Khardung La (5360m) the World’s highest motorable road. Daily mileages are modest, but the long climbs, occasional rough surfaces and altitude combine to make this a very challenging and rewarding tour for fit adventure cyclists. There are 6 nights fully supported camping, and 9 nights in hotels. Vehicle support throughout. Itinerary Fri 23 Aug Fly from London Heathrow on Virgin Airways flight VS300 to Delhi, departing 2200. Sat 24 Aug Arrive Delhi at 1100. Vehicle transfer from airport to hotel. Stay 1 night. Sun 25 Aug Fly from Delhi to Leh. Short vehicle transfer to hotel in Leh. Unpack and assemble bikes. Stay 2 nights. Mon 26 Aug Day at leisure to explore Leh and acclimatize. Tues 27 Aug Cycle to Alchi. Stay 2 nights (hotel) Wed 28 Aug Cycle to Lamayuru monastery and return to Alchi. Thurs 29 Aug Cycle to Leh. Stay 1 night (hotel) Fri 30 Aug Cycle to Rumptse. Stay 1 night (camp) Sat 31 Aug Cycle to Thak Tak. Stay 1 night (camp) Sun 1 Sept Cycle over Wuri La (5,280m) to Aghyam. Stay 1 night (camp) Mon 2 Sept Cycle to Deskit. Stay 2 nights (camp) Tues 3 Sept Day at leisure to visit Deskit village and monastery and/or optional ride to Hunder to see Bactarian camels. Wed 4 Sept Cycle to Khardung Village. Stay 1 night (camp) Thurs 5 Sept Cycle to Leh via Khardung La (5360m) - claimed to be the highest motorable road pass in the World. Prepare bikes for journey home. Stay 1 night (hotel) Fri 6 Sept Fly from Leh to Delhi and transfer to hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Stay 2 nights. Sat 7 Sept Day at leisure to explore Delhi. Sun 8 Sept Fly from Delhi on Virgin Airways flight VS301 to London Heathrow, departing 1315 and arriving London Heathrow 1755. Luggage carrying Support jeeps for the transfer of luggage will accompany the group on all moving on days, with space for passengers and bikes should the need arise. Camping equipment will be transferred by jeep. Accommodation and meals On the 9 nights spent in Delhi, Leh and Alchi, the accommodation will be in 2-4 star hotels, half board, based on two sharing. 6 nights are spent in large, comfortable walk-in tents with cots, two people sharing a tent. All camping kit will be supplied. Breakfast, lunch and evening meal are included on all cycling days. Price - £2550 The price is based on a minimum number of 16 participants taking part in the tour and is calculated at a rate of 83 rupees to £1 sterling (based on exchange rates published on www.x-rates.com on 5 October 2012; please note Booking Conditions, clause 4). If there are insufficient bookings by the closing date of 15 June 2013, we will contact you and return all monies paid, though in certain circumstances the tour may still run at below minimum numbers but at the same price. Price includes: - Return flight from London Heathrow to Delhi - Return internal flights from Delhi to Leh - Coach transfers in Delhi between airport and hotel and in Leh between airport and hotel - Support vehicles to transfer luggage and camping equipment - 9 night’s hotel accommodation, half board, sharing rooms - 6 nights fully serviced camping, breakfast, lunch and dinner, 2 people per tent Passports, Visas and Health - Supplies of mineral water on cycling days EU citizens must hold a - The services of an English-speaking guide throughout the tour passport that is still valid for at - Route information least six months at the end of the tour. A visa is required for - CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours costs EU passport holders. Holders of Price does not include: non-EU passports are advised - Travel to and from London Heathrow to check whether they require a - Meals in transit visa. - Drinks with lunches and evening meals There are no compulsory - Lunches on 9 days vaccinations for EU residents - VISA costs – budget £40 (see leaders information) although it is strongly - Gratuities for support crew – budget £30 recommended that you are - Any other personal expenses vaccinated against: Typhoid; - Travel Insurance Hepatitis A and B. Tetanus and Payment schedule polio vaccinations should also A deposit of £250 per person must accompany the Booking Form and an be up to date at the time of interim payment of £500 per person is due by 31 March 2013. The final travel. You should contact your balance of £1800 per person is to be paid ten weeks prior to departure, by doctor at least 3 months prior to 15 June 2013. Cheques should be made payable to CTC Tours or travel to obtain these complete the credit/debit card slip in the booking pack. vaccinations and the latest advice to travellers. Cancellations Should you be forced to cancel your booking for any reason you must notify us in writing. Cancellation charges are as follows: Travel Insurance Written notice received: Cancellation charge: Before 31 March 2013 Deposit (£ 250) It is a condition of booking that 31 March 2013 to 15 June 2013 30% (£ 750) you are adequately insured for 16 June 2013 through to departure 100% (£2550) this tour. To make a booking Complete, sign and return the Booking Form together with your deposit and the relevant part of the Travel Insurance Declaration Form directly to the leader (address on Booking Form). Whether you already hold a policy or will be taking out a new one, the cover it offers must be comparable to that stated in clause 8 of the Booking Conditions, and you must complete the enclosed Insurance Declaration Form and return it with your Booking Form. CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours Ltd can accept no responsibility for any costs you may incur due to insufficient insurance cover. CTC Cycling Holidays & Tours Ltd, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX LEADER’S INFORMATION SHEET The information below is given by the tour leader to help enquirers decide if the tour is suitable for them. Ladakh Explorer 23 August – 8 September 2013 Tour 1342 The area covered by the Tour Geographically isolated by the Tibetan plateau to the north and the heart of the Himalaya to the south, Ladakh existed for centuries as an independent Buddhist kingdom. It is now India’s most northern state. From the town of Leh we initially cycle a loop west to Alchi and Lamayuru monastery on the road to Kashmir before returning to Leh. From Leh, we’ll take the road south passing close to Stok, Hemis and Thikse Monasteries and on through a geologically stunning gorge to the first campsite at Upshi at the base of the Taglang La. It will be harvest time and the rural scene is a wonderful sight. Cycling a short distance back towards Leh, we turn off north-east heading for our first high pass, the Wuri La. There are spectacular views of the Greater Himalaya and the Karakorum ranges. A long descent will take us into the Shyok and Nubra Valleys, a fabulous high altitude desert, encircled by lofty mountains. It is lightly populated by a hardy people, clinging to life where altitude and climate permit road travel and access to the outside world for only 4 months of the year. The Shyok River, fed only by glacial melt water, is the life blood or this area and runs like a silver thread through wind sculptured sand dunes. Three more camps will get us to the well preserved monastery town of Deskit where we spend 2 nights. There will be the opportunity to explore the village and monastery or/and cycle out and back to Hundar where we will see, and perhaps ride, the double-hump Bactarian Camels, descendants of the silk route era. Our return to Leh is by way of the Khardung La. This is a monster climb over the World’s highest motorable road. At 5360 meters it is the same height as Everest base camp in Nepal and higher than Everest base camp in Tibet! We will complete this climb over 2 days by camping in the village of Khardung, approximately a third of the way up the pass. Khardung is one of the World’s highest permanently occupied villages, a gold and green oasis in stark contrast with the surrounding peaks. At the summit, a very emotional celebration will be followed by the huge descent into Leh. This is a unique and demanding tour. Your endeavors will be rewarded with spectacular scenery and the satisfaction of having cycled the World’s highest motorable road. Rides and rest days This tour is best suited to experienced enthusiast cyclists with a sense of adventure. Daily mileages are not excessive and allow for adequate altitude acclimatization and the difficult terrain. There are several very long climbs, and road surfaces are poor over passes. Re-routing or itinerary changes are a possibility in the Himalaya. There are rest days for sightseeing in Leh, Deskit and Delhi. Altitude Travellers to the Himalayas may suffer breathlessness and headaches before becoming acclimatized. It is important to be cycling fit at the start and to take things gently at first and to drink plenty of water. When climbing high passes, you may experience breathlessness, headaches, mild nausea and/or lack of appetite until your body adjusts to the elevation. These symptoms generally disappear after a few days. Accommodation / Meals We will use a mixture of 2-4 star hotels and camping. All camping equipment, large 2 man tents, cots, bedding, hot water for washing and 3 meals per day are provided, but bring a torch. Tents are erected and dismantled by the support team and food is varied and plentiful. Visas It is necessary that all travellers to India obtain a tourist visa before departure from the UK. All applications have been outsourced to VFS Global – see http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ – where application forms can be completed online. Budget £40. Group information The maximum group size will be 20 including the leaders. Weather and Clothing Temperatures and climate vary according to the altitude. The summer days are warm with brilliant blue skies (max 25°C. min 10°C), but the weather in mountainous areas can be very unpredictable. Come prepared for chilly evenings and a small possibility of rain or even snow. Early morning starts and descents at altitude require good quality weather gear. Cycles / Equipment A lightweight mountain bike or sturdy touring bike will be suitable if well maintained and fitted with good wheels and fairly wide road tyres. You will not need to carry luggage, but a bar bag or rack-top pack will be useful for spare clothing, camera, sun lotion, snacks etc. You should be able to carry 2 water bottles. It is advisable to fit a calibrated cycle computer, as this will aid navigation. Lights should not be necessary. Each participant will be expected to carry sufficient spares and tools to deal with punctures and minor repairs. Once we leave Delhi, cycle spares will not be available on route. Helmets are not mandatory but if you do not intend to wear one, please check that your travel insurance will cover you in the event of a claim. Money There will be very few opportunities to spend money other than in Delhi and Leh. Currency can be exchanged for Indian Rupees at Delhi airport. Daily drinks and snacks should cost no more than £10 per day; budget £30 for crew tips. Maps There should be no difficulty with route finding. A map showing the route will be provided. Travel Insurance and Advice Make sure you have read Clause 8 in the Booking Conditions. Travel insurance which covers you for high altitudes and cycle touring is essential. Before booking you should check the Foreign Office ‘Travel Advice by Country’ at www.fco.gov.uk or on 0845 850 2829. About the leaders We are both enthusiastic cyclists and have been CTC members for 21 years. We have led tours to many worldwide destinations and have cycled in Ladakh several times. Each year we look forward to the reunion with regular travelling companions but also get great satisfaction from introducing new members to the unique camaraderie of CTC holidays. We do not have a set style of leadership but adapt to suit the needs of the group. We encourage all prospective participants to contact us to talk through the tour prior to booking. John and Pat Ashwell 2 The Retreat, Off Camp Road Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 2EN Tel: 01934 746638 - Mob: 07766 091627 comebiking@btinternet.com www.comebiking.com Ladakh Explorer Detailed Itinerary H = hotel Date From – To Fri 23 Aug Heathrow Delhi Sat 24 Aug Arrive Delhi Sun 25 Aug Delhi - Leh Mon 26 Aug Cycling kms Maxi alt. (metres) C = camping H or C Sleeping alt (metres) Notes Fly from London Heathrow on Virgin Airways flight VS300 to Delhi, departing 2200. 200 H 200 Arrive Delhi 1100. Vehicle transfer from airport to hotel. 0 3470 H 3470 Transfer to Delhi domestic airport for flight to Leh. Short vehicle transfer to Leh. Assemble bikes. Leh 0 3470 H 3470 At leisure in Leh to aid acclimatisation. Tues 27 Aug Leh – nr Alchi 66 3550 H 3100 An easy ride cycling west from Leh on the road to Kashmir, Two 400m climbs. Summits at 20kms and 43kms. Wed 28 Aug Alchi – Lamayuru Alchi 86 3600 H 3100 26kms flat, 17kms climb – 17kms down, 26kms flat. Thurs 29 Aug Alchi - Leh 66 3600 H 3470 An easy ride back to Leh. Fri 30 Aug Leh - Rumptse 80 C 4320 The road undulates downwards past chortens and monasteries to the Indus river at Upshi then climbs through a spectacular gorge to the pretty village at Rumptse. Sat 31 Aug Rumptse – Thak Tak 73 4320 C 3800 We descend to Upshi and after 13kms turn right at Karu onto a road less travelled. It is gently uphill to the campsite at Thak Tak at the base of the Wuri La. Sun 1 Sept Thak Tak – Wuri La Aghyam 75 5300 C 3400 The day begins with a 1500m climb over approx. 25kms to the summit of the Wuri La followed by a long descent to the campsite at Aghyam. Mon 2 Sept Aghyam – Deskit 60 3400 C 3200 A short undulating ride – no major passes. Tues 3 Sept Deskit 0 3400 C 3200 Day at leisure to visit Deskit monastery and explore village. Optional short ride to Hunder to see double hump camels. Wed 4 Sept Deskit – Khardung Village 44 3900 C 3900 Easy for the first 20kms. 700 meters accumulative climb, approx. 6% grade. 3500 Thurs 5 Sept Khardung Village Khardung La Leh 70 5360 H (Khardung La) 3470 From Khardung Village it is 32kms to the summit of the Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the World, taking you to a dizzy 5360 metres! A fitting end to a challenging bike ride. The view from the top is spectacular, stretching from the Indus valley in the South over the endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range to the giants of the Saser Massif in the North. You can feel proud of a true achievement as you finish the trip with a fantastic 38kms descent into Leh. Pack bikes for journey home. Fri 6 Sept Leh - Delhi 0 H Sat 7 Sept At leisure Delhi 0 H Sun 8 Sept Delhi – Heathrow Transfer to Leh airport for the flight back to Delhi Fly from Delhi on Virgin Airways flight VS301 to London Heathrow, departing 1315 and arriving London Heathrow 1755.