Himalayan Epic

IMP Notes

• GST 5% applicable on above rates 
• Vehicle are NON AC only.
• AC supplement will be 17% on above rates
• Eco car has no AC facility 
• Vehicle duty is based on point to point as per itinerary and on non-disposal only
• Any additional sightseeing not mentioned will be collected directly from the guest.
• Airport transfer could be done in small cars like OMNI during vehicle shortage.
• For Rafting the supplement cost of the vehicle will be applicable . So the cost of Rafting & the vehicle cost to be paid directly by the guest.

• RATES ARE DYNAMIC AND SUBJECT AVAILABILITY. IT WILL FLUCTUATE AS PER HOTEL INVENTORY, FESTIVAL PERIOD, PEAK DATES, CITY SOLD OUT DATES,ETC…..
• Transportation consider Garage to Garage as per valid kms. Extra kms rate will be direct payable by guest only.
• Given cost is estimated, based on lowest hotel rates existing as of now. We Don’t Hold Any Confirmation For Hotels. It’s Subject To availability at the time of booking. Any difference in cost shall be borne by Passenger.
• In Hill station places (like shimla , Manali , nainital , kausani , Munnar , Thekkady) the AC facility will not be there in the rooms.
• At some places & at some hotels the higher category rooms are there with AC but that will be possible with the supplement cost.
• The vehicle like tempo travelers are not of very good condition so rather opt for Innova.
• Check-in time at Hotel is 1400 Hrs & Check-out time is 1100 Hrs.
• Your tours and transfers are based on tour itinerary & not at disposal basis. 
• Your Itinerary will be strictly on timings.
• Room Rates based on Standard Rooms. Supplement cost will be applicable for Valley Facing / higher category rooms.
• Breakfast will start from Day 2 of the itinerary.
• Services will be given in exchange of Original vouchers/Itinerary only.
• Portages and  Driver Tips  are extra
• Optional sightseeing has to be booked in advance on your own by paying an additional cost. 
• There is No Refund for un utilized Service
• All cost are per person based on twin sharing
• Car cost is counted as per children & adults sharing a car
• On hilly areas the CAR AC will not work.
• During sightseeing the vehicle will go up to permissible point only, from that point any arrangement to be made all extra expenses shall have to be borne by the passengers.
• Extra bed in the room means only extra mattress.(no cot)
• Any govt. tax levied must be borne by the passengers only.
• Pre ponement of journey is not allowed. It will be treated as cancellation & accordingly the cancellation charges will be applicable.
• If accommodation is not available in the identified / specific hotel for the particular package tour due to reason beyond our control, we shall make our best efforts to shift the clients to hotel maintaining / having more or less the same standard. No complaint or claim shall be made by the client in this respect.
• If any airline is delayed or cancelled, Flamingo Transworld Pvt. Ltd. is not responsible for any compensation for hotels, meals, sightseeing or any other claim.

Leh Important Notes

Nestled in the midst of the Himalayas Ladakh is a beautiful Himalayan destination becoming popular every year.  Ladakh which means “the land of may passes” is a treasure of rich cultural and natural resource as well as a haven for adventure enthusiasts.  Situated at an altitude of 11500ft above sea level the region is a perfect gateway to relieve yourself from the hot summer months & experience something is unique and different.  This land of barren yet colorful mountains, the great ancient Buddhist Monasteries with picturesque locations,  the traditional folk songs and dances, the colorful masked dances of monastic festivals, fantastic landscapes, clear blue sky, the grandeurs of snow-capped mountains, the huge crystal clear lakes, the silence of the valleys,  the charms and hospitality of the Ladakhi people all go into making this mountainous region, a great attraction for tourists of all categories.  Therefore in a nut-shell this is one destination is Indian Himalayas which you should not miss.  So next time you pack your bags & load you cameras…… think of us… think of Ladakh.

LADAKH…..shining as ever

Despite the floods of 2010…. Ladakh is lovely and shining as ever.  Sadly many News channels in India grossly exaggerated the events & carried out a negative publicity of Ladakh with their vested interest to increase viewership.  The District authorities in Leh and the Jammu & Kashmir Government has already declared Ladakh safe to travel for tourism purpose.  None of the tourist infrastructure facilities be it hotels/ guest houses/ transport facilities/ airport/ main markets/ restaurants etc has been effected and you can travel nad explore all tourist destinations with complete ease as ever before.

What Ladakh Offers:

• A rich Culture with magnificent monasteries
• Thrilling adventure activities
• Amazing mountainous landscapes
• Spiritual solace and peace of mind
• High altitude wildlife and bird watching
• Exquisite Arts & crafts
• Rhythmic folk dances & music
• Smiling and hospitable people

DO’S & DON’Ts---A Must In Ladakh:

• Say “Julley” while meeting people and receiving favors in Ladakh, it means both “Namaste” and “Shukriya”
• Avoid bringing or using polythene bags as it is strictly banned in Ladakh.
• Avoid taking bath/washing in Pangong and Tsomorriri Lakes.
• All personal garbage like pack lunch  boxes, wafers, mineral water bottles etc must be brought back to your hotel, as littering is prohibited in Ladakh.  You can also put in your taxi and the driver will bring it back to Leh.
• Always put off your shoes before entering a monastery prayer hall.
• Take permission from the monks before taking photos inside the monasteries.
• Avoid offerings sweets/tips etc to local children.
• Always take clockwise direction while visiting Stupas and Monasteries.
• Smoking/drinking around religious shrines are not welcomed.
• And always wear your smile, you will win many friends.
• Do not pluck wild flower/plants.
• Do not disturb wild animals.
• Bring back your garbage from your trek.

Must To Bring:

• Good U/V protected sun goggles
• Sun Cap
• Sun Cream lotions
• Personal Flash torch
• Comfortable clothing
• At least one warm jacket & a sweater
• Personal medicines
• Binocular for wildlife viewing

Proper Acclimatization Is Must To Explore Ladakh

Ladakh being a high altitude arid region where amount of oxygen is less needs proper acclimatization.  Therefore initial 1 or 2 days on your arrival in Leh must be utilized to take rest.

The main symptoms of altitude sickness are:

• Headache, Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Difficulty sleeping

All of these symptoms may very from mild to severe.  There is no significant effect of age, gender, physical fitness, or previous altitude experience.  Some people acclimatize quickly, and can ascend rapidly others acclimatize slowly.

Treating High Altitude sickness : The mainstay of treatment is talking complete bed rest for minimum one fullday and keeping yourself property hydrated but not over drinking too.  Improvement usually occurs in one or two days, but may take as long sometimes.  Descent/loosing altitude is also an option.

Medicines:

Acetazolamide(Diamox) Acetazolamide(Diamox®) is a popular medicine that forces the kidneys to excrete bicarbonate, the base form of carbon dioxide this re-acidifies the blood, balancing the effects of the hyperventilation that occurs at altitude in an attempt to get oxygen.  Its net effect is to accelerate acclimatization.  It works well if you take it before reaching the altitude region.  Acetazolamide/ Diamox is a sulfonamide medication, and persons allergic to sulfa medicines should not take it.

Note of caution:

Incase you are not feeling better in initial one or two days & symptoms persisting you must immediately consult a specialist medical doctor available easily in Leh as otherwise condition could worsen and prove life threatening.

SNM Hospital-Leh

Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital in Leh is the main and hospital in Leh is the main and hospital in Leh which is 5-10 minutes drive from any hotel in Leh.  The hospital has excellent medical specialist and a separate ward for tourists.  All emergency facilities are available 24 hours at the hospital.

Acccommodation Facilities In Ladakh:

Ladakh has all categories of accommodation suited to every budget.  From high end hotels to family run guest houses.  Most of the Hotels in Leh are well Equipped with CTV with multi cable channel, running hot & cold water, STD-ISD and intercom facilities and provide laundry, doctor-on-call provide multi-cuisine buffet meals.  Places like Nubra, Pangong Lake, Tsomoriri Lake has swiss deluxe Camps as well as hotels and guest houses in some areas like Nubra valley.  The Camps are usually open from May till September.

Tourist Transport Facilities:

Leh has a very good fleet of tourists transport facilities numbering more than 2000 vehicles.  Every taxi be it Toyota Innova / Mahindra Scorpio/ Mahindra xylo / Toyota Qulais / Tata Grande / Maruti Van are maintained in excellent condition which is something very appreciable in Ladakh.  Drivers who are locals are well acquainted with all the tourist routes of the region and they are very friendly and well mannered with their guests taking every care to see to it that their passengers are comfortable and safe.

Adventure & Spiritual Activities:

Some of the adventure activities that you can participate are:

• Exciting valley and mountain Trekking/hiking (May to Oct)
• White water River Rafting on Indus & Zanskar Rivers (May to Sept)
• Mountain Biking (cycling) & Motor biking (May to Sept)
• Mountaineering (June to Sept)
• Camel and Horses safaris. (May to Sept)

On the Spiritual front, you can experience Vipassana Meditation and seek spiritual teachings from some of the revered Gurus.Beside traditional oracle healing and the age old local Ayurvedic Amchi medicines can also be tried & Leh has some of the best Amchi Practitioners in India.

General Information

Best Season:

• April to Mid October, Rush period July & August

How To Reach

By Flight:

Both Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Go Airways almost daily scheduled flights on Delhi-Leh-Delhi sector. It is advisable to book your flight tickets well in advance.

By Road:

Manali to Leh: in 2 or 3 days 474 kms via Keylong/Jispa and Sarchu. Open around end May till October end.

Srinagar to Leh: In 2 or 3 days 434 kms via Drass/Kargil/Lamayuru. Open after mid April till October end.

Regional Facts: