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Mike's Zanskar Dream Trek
Last summer trek leader Mike Ford led our Zanskar Dream Trek(renamed in 2018 to Wild Zanskar Trek) in Ladakh, India. He described it as an "absolutely amazing high-altitude trekking experience".
"The Zanskar Dream Trek, run by Mountain Kingdoms was an absolutely amazing high-altitude trekking experience. It started with a carefully-thought out acclimatisation programme including days in Leh and some amazing Tibetan Buddhist monasteries on the way to the trek starting point beyond Lamayuru.
The trek itself was 23 days (and tent-nights) of sheer unadulterated Himalayan beauty with magnificent views, five 5,000m passes, extraordinary scenery and the very occasional small settlement. It was a wilderness experience par excellence with amazing geological features, crisp clean air, photogenic views at every turn and just the sound of the wind and rivers to meditate upon. The geologists on trek could not believe some of the folds and gorge scenery (including imbricated thrusts) and the photographers clicked perpetually (or was it just their shutters)? There was an incredible sense of achievement both during and at the end - 250km of trekking through wild, mostly uninhabited terrain which was, quite honestly a once in a lifetime treat (and challenge).
The beautifully-crafted trek route was in stark contrast to the many busy trekking highways of Nepal. The end of the trek was particularly emotional – watching the mighty snow-capped massif of Kang Yatse disappear from view as we began the 1,700m descent to the road-head in the small settlement of Shang. Even the lure of a hot shower and cold beer after 23 days in the mountains did little to ease the feeling of loss as we parted company with the stunning Zanskar mountains.
The ground crew and horsemen handled the complex logistics with great professionalism and the kitchen crew provided excellent food throughout. The weather was amazing – lots of sunshine, clear starry night skies and only the one blizzard at 5,000m. We survived the 100 + river crossings, herds of Himalayan wildlife, prowling snow-leopards (we saw paw-prints twice) and a couple of seriously challenging scree-slopes. Not for the faint hearted but what an experience! Thoroughly recommended."
Mike Ford
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Farewell to Wilderness Lectures
One summer’s day in 1987 Steve Berry (our MD) and fellow adventurer, Steve Marriott, were standing at the foot of the cliffs in Avon gorge. Having agreed that it was too hot to climb, they had been killing time in a ‘Wouldn’t it be great if…’ competition. This was when the fantasy of listening to the epic stories of their favourite heroes became a solid plan…
Since then, the two Steves and their caving friend Dick Willis, have organised more than 400 lectures whose general theme has been ‘Worldwide Adventure’. These epic stories have taken the audiences from the deepest point of the deepest ocean to the summit of Mount Everest, and from darkest, dankest inner spaces of our planet to even darker journeys in Outer Space. There have been mountaineers, sailors, cyclists, divers, balloonists, and even a man who cycled around the world on a penny farthing, and another who flew his car from Europe over the Straights of Gibraltar to Africa. There have been world famous explorers, record breakers, and people who have headed out into the remote unknown just for the hell of it.
Having run Wilderness for 36 years the three friends have decided to step back and retire so there will be no series this winter. However, they would be really happy if a younger individual, or a group of friends, would step forward to take over Wilderness and pick up where they are leaving off. If anyone is interested contact Wilderness Lectures here.
NEW Naar Phu Circuit Trek
We've just launched new tea house trek in the heart of the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal. An exhilarating, 18-day trekking trip, the Naar Phu Circuit takes you away from the popular trails of the Annapurnas, into a genuinely remote and truly spectacular region where access remains restricted.
Take a look at the full trip details here or speak to Harry in the Mountain Kingdoms office who completed the Naar Phu Circuit Trek earlier this year and rates it as the best he's ever done.
Holidays with Festivals
If you love a festival, but hate muddy fields, tent villages and rubbish food then it may be time to look beyond Glastonbury and Reading. In our latest enews we reveal alternative festivals in the Himalaya and Mongolia that offer amazing music, unusual sports and unique cultural experiences.
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