Author: Koko Singh
: Annu Sharma / Ipshita Barua / Pranab Dutta
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 157
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8129107821
Description
Driving Holidays in the Himalayas is a series of books that endeavour to give the reader a glimpse of many exciting, exotic locales that can be easily accessed by road and hopes to provide enough insight to make your trip a comfortable and memorable one.
While this book focuses on Zanskar, and the Suru valley, others in the series take you through Ladakh, Uttaranchal, Himachal & Sikkim. Originally this was to be part of the book on Ladakh but after visiting the area, its seemed too magnificent and diverse a region to do justice to as part of a book. Also, unless you have the luxury of time and a real penchant for rugged beauty, two separate trips seem a more enjoyable proposition. The two books should provide you with enough information on the entire region to make your choice.
These books especially focus on travellers who are fond of driving, have their own wheels (two, four-or even hired will do!), and love the mountains. Given the time constraints to our lives today, each book is designed to cover a fair degree of terrain in a week to ten days. Although it does not cover every place possible in the region, aim to visit every place possible in the region, it does reflect the author’s own preferences of picturesque places to visit.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KOKO SINGH, has traveled extensively through the Himalayas for over twenty-five years. Having opted out of the corporate main steam, he has been volunteering as a consultant to an NGO (SRUTI), for over fifteen years now. This shift allowed him the time to indulge in his love for travel ad this set of books is an effort to share the beauty and adventures of Himalayan travel.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FOREWORD
The Himalayas
Where it is
Getting There
Travel within the region
Climate and when to visit
Agriculture and economy
Flora and fauna
History and people
Religion
Festivals
TRAVEL PLAN
En route to Srinagar
Drive to and stay at Srinagar
Around Srinagar and drive to Sonamarg
Sonamarg-Kargil and Beyond to Panikhar / Purtickchey
Around Panikhar
Drive to Rangdum
To Padum, Visit Sani Gompa and take an optional trek to Zongkhul Cave Gompa
Around Padum, Visit Karsha and Bardan Gompas
Drive to Zangla, via Stongde and Tsa Zar
The Journey Back
Suggested itineraries and costs
Trekking and rafting
The environment and you
Staying and eating recommendations
What to Carry
Shopping
Acute mountain sickness (AMS)
Driving Tips
Medical Facilities
Travel and tour operators
APPENDIX
INDEX
DISCOUNT COUPONS