LADAKH: THE MARKHA VALLEY

Equipment and clothing
I would definitely go for the boots over trainers, much better support on the ascents and descents, and much better if it rains. Some people (myself included) took down jackets, some had a mixture of ski/ winter jackets and fleeces. As long as you have warm layers, you should be fine. Woolly hat and gloves are needed as well.

The kitbag
I took my normal rucksack (but it can easily be a suitcase, doesn't matter). When we got to Leh, I took out the rolled up kitbag, still in it's package, and repacked what I needed for the trek into this.
This meant I wasn't carrying more than I needed on trek, but also that I could leave the extra gear in a secure bag in the hotel in Leh.

River crossings
There was one on day 8, on the way to Chalak and then a couple more on the way down to Sumda. They weren't particularly deep, mid calf or so at the most. I don't use sandals, as I find crossing in socks actually gives a much better grip on stones, so I carried a spare pair and just wrung them out and hung them off my backpack once across.
The crossings don't feel dangerous in any way, but it's useful to have walking poles to balance going across. If it looks unsafe in any way, they will move on and cross somewhere else.

Weather
It didn't rain while I was there, but you could get some. Summer is a dry time in Ladakh but the mountains can make things changeable, so a waterproof jacket is a definite. It will be cold at night, so you're definitely going to need something warm.

I loved the trip, and the area in general. I think what I enjoyed most was just hanging around in Leh, especially around the Tibetan market. Just watching all the different people, different costumes, traditional dress, faces and hearing the different languages, was amazing. Ladakh is really at a crossroads of the region, and I could spend days just people watching - fascinating!

Sometimes people ask me about taking gifts out for the local people. I didn't take anything in the line of gifts myself, and there wasn't any kind of sharing out of gifts while we were there. It's difficult as, for example in Rumbek valley, you do a homestay with a particular family and don't visit everyone in the village, so not an opportunity to present anything or share out.
Saying that, if you really wanted to take something out, anything like kids clothing, books with pictures (of home/ Europe?), small toys etc. would be used. It might be an idea to pass it to the leader though, as he would probably know best who and where to share it out so it's done as faily as possible.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

When walking in the mountains, the distance you cover each day can vary greatly due to gradient, terrain and altitude. As such it is very hard to give specific distances on each day.

For example, you might walk 7 miles one day and it takes 5 hours. The next day the trail might be very steep , rocky and gain substantial altitude and such factors mean you cover just 2 miles in 5 hours!

In the Himalaya, even the local people only ever talk about distances in the mountains in terms of how long it will take, i.e. 5 hours walk. On most trekking trips, you will walk for 3-4 hours in the morning and another couple after lunch.

Olly Leicester - Sales

During the summer, Leh is chock a block with trekking stores and pretty much everything is available for a price. However, we cannot guarantee the quality or quantities you will find, and always advise that for anything really important, you take them from home. Saying that, there are bargains to be had (if you don't mind some of the gear being an "Indian version"!).

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.

Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.
Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

For additional information please visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Charlotte Taylor - India Operations

You can find a comprehensive article covering this matter here: http://www.himalayanrescue.org/hra/article.php?sno=9

Alex Doaga - Exodus leader

A popular restaurant situated in Old Delhi on the ground floor of Hotel Broadway is the Chor Bizarre Restaurant. It has good selection of North Indian and Kashmiri cuisine. The hotel also regularly has Indian Cultural programme in the evenings that you are recommended to check with the hotel/restaurant beforehand for reservations should you want to watch it. Also being a popular restaurant it is advisable that you make an advance table booking to avoid disappointment.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

A definite place to visit when you have an extra day in Delhi is a trip to the Akshayadham temple. Situated on the outskirts of New Delhi in the embankment of River Yamuna, this sprawling Swaminarayan Akshardham spreads over 100 acres of land and is renowned for its carved pillars, water fountains and 20,000 statues. Made from white marble and pink stone this new temple was only completed in 2005 which makes it less well known by Western tourists or the guide books. A visit to the temple is the perfect way to explore the amazing world of Indian culture and get a unique view of the Hindu religion.

Another option is the Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. This building (also known as Birla House) was where Gandhi spent his last days and also the site where he was assassinated on 30 Jan 1948, giving the name of the whole street Tees (30 in Indian language) January Road.  The Museum houses pictures and articles associated with the life and death of Gandhi. You can take a tour of the building including the room where he once lived and visit the garden sight where he was shot. This visit can be combined with a visit to Indira Gandhi Museum and the market of Canaught Place which are both about 10 minutes drive away.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Fancy a night out in India just like the locals? Head to a Bollywood movie and join the local in an evening packed with entertainment. The Bollywood masala movies are a mixture of dance, drama and musical with a break in between as most of these are lengthy 3 hours movies. This gives you the option to leave the theatre should you want to do that! The songs and dances make it like a 60’s musical where you could have the whole locals singing and dancing to the tune. Some movies become hits only because of these. Movie theatres that you may want to visit are; Raj Mandir in Jaipur, Odeon in  Canaught Place, New Delhi, Filmistan, Karol Bagh in New Delhi - but all cities have theatres. A word of warning- try to avoid the rush when entering and exiting the theatre and the crowded area and keep valuables with close to you zipped at all times and enjoy the show.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Where do you start?! Half the joy of shopping in India is the sheer scale of what's on offer, from upscale boutiques in New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta to the crowded and sweaty markets of pretty much any town or village you come to. Handicrafts, art, leather goods, spices, hand carved statues, silk, the list goes on - all the way to cheap knock offs of western brands!

Remember, outside of the proper shops, haggling is the key but don't waste your time trying to split the difference over a few pence - the best result is when everyone comes away happy!

Charlotte Taylor - India Operations

Any time I go out, I normally just take sterling cash which, as long as you excercise the normal degree of common sense you would at home, is safe and easy. The India rupee is a closed currency, meaning you can only get it upon arrival in the country. There are exchange facilities at all arrival airports, and ATMs are available pretty much everywhere as well in case you need to top up along the way.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

There is a real mix available and you won't be disappointed! The local cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, with lots of rice. You can enjoy everything from traditional spicy curries to stalls selling tasty sweets and deserts and even right the way to western style grub, if it all gets a bit too much. Vegetarians and 'non-spicy' food people are easily catered for, and the leader will make sure a wide range of dishes are ordered for each meal.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Although not strictly necessary, some people do like to take them along as they can be useful, especially on the descents. However, remember to pack them in your hold luggage.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

India has delicious food to cater for all preferences but, like anywhere in the world, hygiene is important.  Keeping your hands well washed before eating, staying as hydrated as possible and sticking to bottled water is the best protection against an upset tum. Otherwise, mashed potato is apparently a good cure!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to India where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

No. Indian visas must be pre-arranged in advance. Check the Indian embassy website for details.

http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/

Will Shoubridge - Agency Sales

You can view the Grading System for our Walking & Trekking programme online.

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!