Charity Challenge: Ladakh, India

Friday 16th July – Saturday 24th July 2021

Overview
Itinerary
Charity Project
Challengers

The Markha valley trek, through the Hemis National Park, home of the elusive snow leopard, is one of the most popular treks in Ladakh, India. This trek passes through beautiful villages tucked in the deep valley surrounded by towering mountains, and from the high pass of Kongmaru La, trekkers can enjoy spectacular views of the Kang Yatse peaks. We will be staying in homestays throughout the trek providing an excellent opportunity to discover the everyday life of locals.

FUNDRAISING: This charity challenge will support the renovation and upgrade of family homes for more than 530 children in need directly, and 1,861 indirectly through wider positive impacts in the community.

Together, our goal is to raise 96,500 for Tibetan Children's Villages, Leh-Ladakh, India.

To support our goal, we advise each individual to fundraise USD1,375 so that together, we can succeed with this incredible housing project and support children in need in Ladakh.

FITNESS LEVEL: This will be an extreme test of fitness and determination. There is no technical climbing, but there will be plenty of challenging sections and trekking at high altitude. Regular fitness training and long-distance walking is highly recommended. Click here to read more about the challenge difficulty levels.

TRAINING: In the run up to the challenge Gulf for Good runs a variety of free, weekly training sessions that we encourage you to join. In addition, registering for this challenge grants you an unlimited membership to Gulf for Good’s soulFIT fitness and hiking community. Click here to read more about soulFIT, our hiking community and view the upcoming schedule of activities.

Join our public WhatsApp group to keep informed of all of our news, events and activities.

COST INCLUDES:

A challenge, adventure and charity experience of a lifetime!
An opportunity to visit the charity visit and experience the difference your fundraising will make
soulFIT training membership
Unlimited access to all Gulf for Good hikes, fitness and training activities in UAE mountains
Fundraising approval and support with fundraising events
Pre-challenge briefing and get-togethers
Discount with Gulf for Good partner outdoor outfitters
Safety, medical and equipment advice
Internal flights and transfers
Accommodation, food and water
Experienced Outdoor First Aid certified, Gulf for Good support team
In-country medical and vehicle back up
Ethical, global standards for in-country guides and porters

PAYMENT DEADLINES:
Either pay at once or opt for our easy instalment plan below.

On registration AED1,000 (USD275) deposit toward the Challenge Expenses (non-refundable and non-transferable) paid to Gulf for Good to reserve your space on the challenge
Thursday 22nd April 2021: AED897 (USD244), 50% remaining balance towards the Challenge Expenses paid to Gulf for Good
Thursday 3rd June 2021: AED897 (USD244), 50% final balance towards the Challenge Expenses paid to Gulf for Good
Thursday 8th July 2021: AED5,000 (USD1,360) minimum Charity Donation paid to International Humanitarian City

(USD1 = AED3.67)

EXCLUDES:
• International flights
• Visas
• Tips and spending money
• Vaccinations
• Insurance
• Kit items
• Drinks (other than water)

This event is under process for approval by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.

Day1

Friday 16th July – Arrival in Leh City, India (3,524m)

Leh is the historical capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh, and the perfect destination to rest and explore the town’s history and landscape. After transferring to the hotel trekkers can take the opportunity to relax during the morning before meeting for lunch at the Tibetan Kitchen restaurant to sample authentic local dishes. After lunch, we will visit Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery and finally Shanti Stupa for sunset.

This is your first of 2 acclimatisation days.

Overnight in Leh at Hotel Charu Palace. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day2

Saturday 17th July – Charity visit day

We will journey 20km west of Leh to visit the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) campus which was founded by engineer Sonam Wangchuk to promote and develop education in Ladakh. Wangchuk is currently leading Ice Stupa, an artificial glacier project to resolve Ladakh’s water scarcity.

In the afternoon, we will head to Nimmu village to see the famous Sangam viewpoint, and confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. On the way back to Leh, we will stop at the mysterious Magnitic Hill and Gurduwara Pathar Sahib (Sikh place of worship).

This is your final acclimatisation day before beginning the trek.

Overnight in Leh at Hotel Charu Palace. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day3

Sunday 18th July - Start Markha Valley Hike

Our first hike day will be a relatively short yet refreshing hike as we stretch the legs and prepare for the longer days to come. An initial transfer to the start of the hiking trail will take around 1.5hrs, a 60km drive. We begin the stunning hike from Chilling (3,195m) to Skiu (3,366m) which will take up to 3 hours covering a distance of 6.9km.

Elevation gain / loss: +189m / -18m

Overnight in a traditional homestay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day4

Monday 19th July : Skiu – Markha

Fom Skiu (3,366m) we will hike to Markha (3,760m) which will take up to 7 hours covering 21.2km. The route will take us along a river trail passing through small villages, before arriving at Markha, a pretty village with around just 20 households. While here we will have an opportunity to visit an old monastery and a ruined fort above the village.

Elevation gain / loss: +451m / -57m

Overnight in a traditional homestay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day5

Tuesday 20th July: Markha – Hankar

We will srat to gain some serious altitude on the trek from Markha (3,760m) to Hankar (4,030m), which will take up to 5 hours covering 11.2km. Some may start experiencing the effects of the altitude here, you are advised to seek medical advice on taking altitude sickness tablets to ensure your enjoyment of the trek.

Elevation gain / loss: +305m / -35m

Overnight in a traditional homestay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day6

Wednesday 21st July: Hankar – Nimaling

We will cover 10.7km, trekking up to 6 hours from Hankar (4,030m) to Nimaling (4,841m), a grazing area where villagers bring their cattle for grazing during summer. There is a possibility for enthusiastic trekkers to hike to the base of the Kang Yatse glacier a few hours from Nimaling.

Nimaling will be the first of 2 days wild camping.

Elevation gain / loss: +836m / -25m

Camping in Nimaling. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day7

Thursday 22nd July: Nimaling - Kongmaru La – Changdo

The trek will cross Kongmaru La, a high mountain pass offering excellent views of Kang Yatse and Karakoram peaks. We have a long descent to Shang Gorge where we might need to cross the river several times before reaching Chogdo. From Nimaling (4,841m) to Kongmaru La (5,260m), we then descend to Shang Sumdo (3,680m) which will take up to 6 hours covering 12.1km in total.

This is our final night of wild camping.

Elevation gain / loss: +439m / -1601m

Camping in Chogdo. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day8

Friday 23rd July: Shang Sumdo - Hemis

From Chongdo (3,905m) to Hemis (3,678m), the short final hike should take around 2 hours covering 4.9km before we reach our transportation which will take us back to Leh city. On the way, we can visit Hemis, Stakna, Thiksey and Shey monasteries for some last doses of culture.

Elevation gain / loss: +281m / -283m

Overnight in Leh at Hotel Charu Palace. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Notes: This itinerary may change due to changes outside our control. We will endeavour to keep to the planned itinerary but cannot be held responsible for last changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, the group leader will have the final say.

Tibetan Children's Villages, Leh-Ladakh, India

This challenge will support Tibetan Children's Village, Ladakh to install 23 individual kitchens in family homes as well as upgrading the village’s central kitchen, study and dining area. At present children in the village cook on the floor and study on their beds. This project will benefit more than 1,550 students currently under the charity’s care, 500 students under our further study programme and 300 senior citizens, in addition to providing better resources to deal with the severe winter weather conditions.

Please note that this challenge will support the priority needs of Tibetan Children’s Villages at the completion of the challenge, which may vary from the above. We promise to keep you updated with any changes.

About the Tibetan Children’s Villages: Tibetan Children's Villages or TCV is an integrated community in exile for the care and education of orphans, destitute and refugee children from Tibet. Formally registered in 1972, Tibetan Childrens Villages, is a registered, non-profit charitable organisation with its main facility based at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, North India. Across its Indian network, TCV cares for more than 12,000 children. Tibetan SOS Children’s Village Ladakh looks after 1861 orphan and destitute Tibetan and local Ladakhi children who come from all parts of Ladakh.

https://tcv.org.in/school/tcv-ladakh/

Fundraising goal: USD96,500

Number of children impacted: 536 directly, 1861 indirectly

United Nation's Sustainable development goal: housing and wellbeing

Charity registration number: 1860

Michael Hansen

Renuka Alvares

Sarka Zimova

Read more about Tibetan Children's Villages, Leh-Ladakh Join our WhatsApp group

View All Partners