HIMALAYAN
SPIRIT
Del Monti Gianbartolomei Himalayas section specializes in small
group expeditions to the western Himalayas and Nepal. Our routes
comprise the back trails of some of the most elevated regions on earth:
Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti lying in and around the Chang Thang plateau
and on the western edge of the Tibetan plateau. Mustang and Dolpo, the
newly opened regions, offer challenging treks onto the Tibetan
frontier. Old favorites include Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu,
Langtang, Kanchenjunga and the Everest region in the greater Himalayan
range of Nepal and Dharamsala in the Dhauladhar range. Our trips allow
for profound experiences as participants witness extraordinary
villages, inspiring Buddhist Gompas (monasteries) and Hindu temples,
breathtaking mountain vistas, splendid masked dance festivals and
authentic, indigenous cuisine. We take you on an adventure where
modern and ancient cultures meet face to face in quiet admiration and
awe.
We offer four different types of trips, each carefully designed and
executed and fully supported by an experienced team leader, two
assistants, cooks and porters. You can choose from the following
adventures:
Overland journeys.
Travel through some of the most remote regions of the western
Himalayas and gain insight of the ancient cultures and traditions by
visiting small villages and monasteries. Depending on group size and
terrain, we travel by bus, van, jeep or car with intermittent day
hikes along the route. You can hike or sit back and enjoy breathtaking
views while our support vehicles follow closely. Accommodations in
guest houses or hotels with some camping.
Trekking.
Himalaya is best explored on foot. We plan and execute our treks
through the back trails which are less trekked, less crowded and more
adventurous. We offer treks to suit all levels of physical endurance.
For the more experienced enthusiasts, we offer high altitude treks
Buddhist pilgrimage
and meditation.
Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries dating from the 8th century.
Offering relief from the rigors of modern day work schedules, this
tour is designed with time to meditate in this ancient land.
Exclusively planned for our team members, Dharamsala lying in the
shadow of the mighty Dhauladhar range offers a sublime environment for
meditation
Mountaineering and
acclimatization camps.
Set foot on Earth’s upper reaches. Join our instructors on
mountaineering expeditions reaching altitudes of 15,000 to 23,000 feet.
For the more serious climbers, we customize acclimatization camps and
limited expeditions to Everest and its surrounding peaks.
Our trips are set at a pace which allows you to enjoy nature and
spend time with fellow team members, crew and local villagers. We are
not out to set any records; the plan is to have a good time. Our trip
rating provides you the ability to choose the level of strain and
stress you can comfortably bear. Time spent on the trail, the terrain,
river crossings, and degree of ascent with altitude determines each
level of rating. Certain stages of a trek can vary between different
levels of rating which our detailed trip itineraries explain. The
following are the trip ratings: MILD: Usually associated
with short treks and overland journeys in regions where our support
vehicles provide most of the transportation and are within close range
giving you the option to rest anytime you wish and ride to the next
destination. MODERATE: Includes daily walking of 6-7
hours at altitudes reaching 14,000 feet with gentle ascents and
gradual drops. Some pre-trekking training is advised. STRENUOUS:
Requires you to be physically fit but can be undertaken by a majority
of active people. Walking 8 hours or more during pass crossings with
steep ascents and high altitude camping. Involves some river crossings
and rugged terrain with altitudes up to 16,500 feet. CHALLENGING:
Only for experienced and strong walkers with a positive attitude and
ability to adjust to changing conditions resulting from inclement
weather and altered routes. Involves several river crossings with high
altitude camping and walking 8 hours or more on rugged terrain with
altitudes exceeding 16,500 feet.
Western
Himalayas
Spiti - Kibber –
Dharamsala
15-day overland trip with many intermittent day hikes. We take you
on a journey through the great Himalayan range to the western edge of
the Tibetan plateau. HIGHLIGHTS include: Kibber - The highest
permanent human settlement in the world. Simla - Former summer
capital under the British Raj. Dharamsala - Home of the exiled
14th Dalai Lama. Tabo and Nako - 1,000 year old Buddhist
monasteries
Leh/Ladakh
- Tso Morari
16-day overland journey to the Tibetan borderland.
HIGHLIGHTS: Leh, land of monasteries; Puga, hot water springs above
treeline; Tso Morari, beautiful turquoise lake sitting at an elevation
of 15,000 feet and home of migratory birds
Pangong Tso (Lake)
in the Changthang Plateau
13-day overland trip with intermittent day hikes and heavy camping.
HIGHLIGHTS: Pangong Lake situated at14,000’ across from Changla Pass
(18,000’); largest natural salt water lake in the country; one-third
in Indian territory, rest in Tibet.
LADAKH
TREKS
Our treks cover the trans-Himalayan regions of
Ladakh and western Tibetan borderlands. Visit the highest elevated
region in the world. Treks in this region are unmatched anywhere in
the world. Our routes are designed to give you the best of the natural
world with numerous river crossings, high passes and breathtaking
views of many Himalayan ranges. Ladakh trails are new and relatively
unexplored. Ladakh is what Nepal used to be thirty years ago.
Markha Valley
- Spitok - Hemis
Gain an insight into Ladakh’s culture on this 18-day trip. Trek
for 9 days with many river crossings and breathtaking views of the
high mountain peaks. HIGHLIGHTS: Spitok is the oldest monastery in the
upper Indus valley. Hemis is the principal monastery of the ‘Red Hat’
Drupka order of Buddhism
Zanskar
- Padum - Darcha via Shingo La
19-day trip including 9-day trek through high passes and gorges of
Zanskar highlands. HIGHLIGHTS: Shingo La (pass - 16,700’); ancient
prominent monasteries of Phugtal and Padum.
Back trails of
Ladakh - Lamayuru
- Chiling via Dung Dung La
17-day trip including a 8-day trek crossing the second
highest motorable pass in the world. HIGHLIGHTS: Dharamsala, home to
the 14th Dalai Lama; Lamayuru, the oldest 10th century Buddhist
monastery of the Indus Valley.
Pin
Valley Mani-karan
- Pin Valley (Himachal) - Kaza (Spiti)
A 20-day trip under easy trekking conditions in a
natural wildlife preserve. Highlights: Hot water springs at Mani-karan;
abundant fauna; Pin Valley land of ibex and the ever elusive snow
leopard. Spiti region of the ancient Tibetan kingdom of Guge.
Wild Ladakh!
Leh - Padum - Leh via
Cha Cha La - Rubrang La - Markha Valley
A 22-day trip for the fit adventurer with several river crossings
and reaching 16,500’. HIGHLIGHTS: The wild side of Ladakh!
DHARAMSALA
A short uphill drive of 6 miles from Dharamsala
takes us to our meditation and medical camp site at Mcleodganj. 'This
tiny Tibetan kingdom in Exile' sits at an altitude of 7,000' with pine
covered mountains, perfectly matched by the snow capped peaks of
Dhauladhar range in the backdrop. The natural surroundings here
provide just the right environment to relax, meditate and explore.
HIGHLIGHTS: Norbulingka School of Cultural education and summer palace
of Dalai Lama; Gelugpa Sect Monastery; School of Buddhist Losel Dolls;
Triund (11,400')
Dharamsala -
McLeodganj
A 12 day cultural journey to Dharamsala. Experience Tibetan culture
trying to revive its near lost legacy. Stay at McLeodganj located on
the slopes of the mighty Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. Visit
local attractions with a day hike of 7 miles to Triund for a close-up
look at the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar range.
Dharamsala(Meditation
camp)
NOTE: We can combine your meditation camp with an adventure of
your choice.
A 21 day trip that includes a meditation and overland cultural
journey to Ladakh. Travel over the highest motorable roads and
passes in the world. En route visit ancient monasteries of the
Buddhist world. HIGHLIGHTS: Rohtang Pass (13,050'); Tanglangla Pass
(17,580'); Khardongla Pass (18,300') Panamik hot water springs
(10,600')
Nepal
Mustang
Catch the splendor of the high Himalayan peaks on
this trek to the plateau of Mustang. Witness a total transformation of
landscape, architecture and humanity in this moonscaped land of
canyons and ridges. The trail from Jomosom winds along the Kali
Gandaki Gorge (deepest in the world) and crosses many high passes as
it enters the ancient 8th century kingdom of Mustang or Lo Manthang as
known to the natives.
Dolpo-Phoksumdo
Veiled in mystery and isolated from the rest of
Nepal by high passes to the south and the Tibetan Plateau on it’s
north, Dolpo is known as Ba-Yul or the hidden land. The people and
their culture represent a civilization that has stood still since the
first settlers moved in centuries ago. Set out from Jumla on a trail
that passes through thick forests of oak, birch and rhododendron. Walk
along riverside and streams and on narrow paths cut out of sheer cliff
faces. Visit the legendary Phoksumdo Lake( 11,800 feet. ) Further
cross high passes as the trail loops around Tarap valley where the shy
snow leopard roams the higher elevations. A challenging trek.
Annapurna
Treks
Annapurna
Sanctuary
We offer three treks to and around the five peaks of
Annapurna, the most sought after trekking region of western Nepal. The
trail begins in the lower lying terraces, traverses along a deep
gorge, then climbs through forests into the Annapurna Sanctuary and
finally turns into a narrow passage with the towering peaks of
Annapurna and Machapuchare flanking the sides. Meet friendly Thakali
natives along the way. Moderate trek
Annapurna
Loop (Circuit)
Trek around Annapurna massif through the lowlands to
the remote region of Manang. Cross the17,765 feet Thorung La pass.
High altitude trekking with some acclimatization before ascending the
pass. Moderate to Strenuous
Annapurna
Panorama
A 14 day adventure with 7 days on the trail, with
fascinating views of the Annapurna range. Trek up to Ghorapani and
follow your Himalayan crew to Poon Hill which offers splendid
panoramic views of Machhapuchhare(22,937 Feet), Hiunchuli(23,767 feet)
and Annapurna(26,538 feet.) We take a day’s rest to enjoy sunrise
views of the Dhaulagiri (26,787 feet) and sun bathed sunset views of
the Annapurna. Trekking conditions Easy
Everest
Base Camp
Kala
Pather-Everest base camp
Standing atop Kala Pather (18,298 feet) provides
commanding and exciting views of Lhotse (27,932 feet), Nuptse (25,764
feet) and Everest (29028 feet). We begin this high altitude trek out
of Lukla that takes us through the Sherpa Land with interesting
villages dominated by friendly Buddhist inhabitants. A stop at the
Monastery in Tengboche provides an in-depth look into a centuries old,
Monastic way of life. Our trail to Kala Pather and then onto the
Everest base camp will pass through glacier area. This is a high
altitude trek and we have included time to for you to acclimatize as
we gain height. Strenuous
Langtang
Valley
Inner
Langtang Valley
The Valley of Langtang was once introduced as the
most beautiful valley in the world by the British mountaineer and
explorer Tilman and has become famous ever since. We trek to the inner
Langtang Valley and set up a camp north of the famous Kyanjin
Monastery and explore higher regions. Langtang mountain range is
situated southeast of Xixabangma (26,328 feet) in Tibet. The trail
contours through a forest which is home to a number of wildlife
species, then climbs along a series of waterfalls and gives way to a
steeper and higher path into Langtang. A moderate trek with lots of
flora and fauna and tantalizing views.
Manaslu
Around
Manaslu
We take you on a challenging trek reaching an
altitude of 16,950 feet. Test your stamina and legs as we take you on
a trail, that is rough and steep and often hangs on a bluff high above
the river. We make a circuit around Manaslu (26,914 feet) and visit a
region of strong Tibetan influence. The mountain views are sensational
and the pass crossing at Larkya is one of the most dramatic of any
pass in the Himalaya. Our instructors lead the way
Kanchenjunga
Kanchenjunga
Base Camp
Kanchenjunga means "five great treasure houses
of snow" in the Tibetan language. Trek to the fascinating north
side of Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world. From
Kathmandu fly to Taplejung and begin this adventure walking through
Tibetan settlements, to the high alpine pastures above Gunsa. We set
up a one day high altitude camp at Pangpema to capture the grandeur of
this great mountain and it’s adjoining peaks. From Pangpema we
return to Gunsa and traverse the Mirgin La and Sinelapche La, two high
passes on our way to Yalung Glacier. Strenuous but a very rewarding
trek.
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