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Title:
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Sutlej River Expedition
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Duration:
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7 days
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Location:
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Himachal Pradesh
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Dates:
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October 6th - 12th
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Grade:
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III / IV
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A great river for rafters and kayakers wanting to paddle a classic big volume Himalayan river. It is a ’pool drop’ river where big rapids with waves and holes are followed by relaxing calm scenic stretches.
The Sutlej river rises near Mansarovar Lake (5550 m) high in the Tibetan Plateau. The Sutlej, along with the Indus and the Brahmaputra, are the only three rivers originating in the high Tibetan Plateau that cut across the mighty Himalayan ranges. When it leaves Tibet it passes through a fearsome steep gorge and then flows down to the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. In its passage across Kinnaur, the Sutlej river cuts through three great mountain ranges; the Zanskar range, the Great Himalayan range and the Dhauladhar range. Extensive vineyards, thriving crops and orchards of apricot, apples and grapes are to be found throughout the region.
On arrival to India you will be met at the Airport. Depending on your personal itinerary you will be transferred to the train station or hotel.
Day 1: Delhi to Kalka
Transfer to Delhi railway station and board overnight train to Kalka. We travel by A/C sleeper train, the best and most comfortable way to travel overland in India.
Day 2: Kalka to Pandowa Camp
We arrive at Kalka in the early morning. Awaiting vehicles meet us for the six hour journey to Pandowa Camp on the Sutlej. We stop for breakfast, lunch and plenty of chai (sweet milky tea) en route. Reaching Pandowa in the afternoon we settle into camp with hot drinks and snacks. We have dinner and relax around the campfire. Overnight camp.
Day 3: Luhri to Pandowa Camp
After breakfast, drive one hour upstream to Luhri, our starting point for the expedition. After a comprehensive safety briefing, we get on the water for the 20 km section back to Pandowa. This section is a great introduction to the river. We reach Pandowa in the afternoon and have a relaxing evening. Overnight camp.
Day 4: Pandowa to Tattapani
After breakfast, we paddle from Pandowa till Tattapani. This 25 km section has some nice Class IV rapids and some great scenery. We reach Tattapani in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day at the nearby hot springs, a great way to ease out any muscle aches. Overnight camp.
Day 5: Tattapani to Kadhai Ka Fer
Today we move away from the road, beginning the self-contained part of our expedition. All gear, equipment and supplies are loaded onto big dry-bags and tied onto the rafts. We raft into a beautiful gorge, down a 30 km Class IV section of the river till our camp at Kadhai Ka Fer. Set up camp, have dinner and share the days stories around the campfire.
Day 6: Kadhai Ka Fer to Second Gorge Camp
We have a leisurely breakfast, then pack up and get on the water to run a great 30 km section. We encounter mainly class III rapids on this section with some good play waves for kayakers. The scenery along this section is really spectacular as we pass many settlements on either side of the river. Overnight camp.
Day 7: To Salapper Bridge
We paddle 20 km down a Class III section to Salapper bridge, our take-out point and the end of the expedition. Board waiting vehicles for the four hour drive to Chandigarh. Board the train arriving into Delhi late in the evening. Trip ends.
Note: Please contact us for sightseeing in Delhi, or a trip to the Taj Mahal at the start or end of this trip. We can also tailor this trip with a trek or wildlife safari.
All itineraries exclude international flight days. The duration of this trip is calculated from Delhi back to Delhi again.
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