Geology Field Trip to Kashmir & Ladakh
Led by Dr Danny Clark-Lowes
03 to 18 August 2019
Dr Danny Clark-Lowes
Dr Danny Clark-Lowes is a geologist, educated at Cambridge and London universities, who has given industry training courses on geology at locations throughout the world, as well as publishing scientific papers and books. He is also a mountaineer who has climbed in the Swiss Alps and in the Himalaya. He will lead this tour to Nepal which will look at aspects of the geology and geography of the spectacular Himalaya, and will help participants achieve an understanding of how mountain belts and their associated rock types are created through plate movements.
London • Delhi • Srinagar • Khunamah • Sonamarg • Kargil • Nurla• Leh • London
Depart London Heathrow by direct British Airways for Delhi.
Arrives Delhi 0820hrs
Transfer to Hotel for an overnight stay. Rest of the day at leisure.
Fly Delhi to Srinagar (altitude 1730 m).
Enjoy the ambience of life on a houseboat and take a late afternoon shikara ride on Nagin Lake. Check in Deluxe Houseboat for 3 nights.
Srinagar. Visit the Mughul gardens and historic old town and enjoy free time to explore.
Day trip to Khunamah (Guryul Ravine) to look at sedimentary rocks of the Permian /Triassic boundary and the basic volcanic rocks of the Panjal Traps. Return to Srinagar, overnight stay in Houseboat
Drive to Sonamarg. Afternoon walk to Thajiwas glacier, observing typical glacial features.
Overnight stay at Sonamarg at The Villa Himalaya
Drive to Kargil (altitude 2676 m) via the spectacular Zoji La pass (3528 m), looking at the geology on the way. The geology includes highly deformed Triassic limestone, metamorphic rocks of Zanskar Crystalline, basic volcanic rocks of Panjal and Drass, granitic rocks of Kargil igneous complex and Indus Molasse.
Night at Kargil at The Highland Mountain Resort & Spa
Morning visit to the Museum of Central Asia (Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum) in Kargil, then drive to Nurla via Shergol valley and the Namika La (3718 m) and Fatu La (4108m) passes, taking in the rocks of the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ).
Visit Lamayuru monastery with panoramic views of the sediments of the now-empty Lamayuru lake (Moonland), considering why it is now empty. Descend to Nurla (altitude 3040 m) for overnight stay in Nurla The Apricot Tree
Morning relaxing at Nurla (optional walk along the Indus) then drive to Leh (altitude 3524m) after lunch, looking at geology en route. Evening visit to Leh market and Shankar Gompa and Leh market. Check in to The Grand Himalaya Leg for 3 nights.
Visit Thiksey monastery and Shey palace, getting both a close up and bird’s eye view of the rocks of the Ladakh Batholith on which they sit. Lunch at Shey.
Visit Hemis monastery, which sits on the Indus Molasse, in the morning. Lunch and afternoon in Hemis National Park to look at the rock formations of the surrounding peaks. Visit Karu to see the contact between the Indus Molasse and Ladakh Batholith. Possible evening talk on Snow Leopard conservation.
Leave after breakfast for Tso Morari high altitude lake. Observe the changing geology and glacial features displayed on route to the lake, as we leave behind the rocks of the Ladakh Batholith and see the dramatic turbidites of the Indus Tsangpo basin. 2 nights stay in well-appointed tented camps at Tso Morari.
Study the mineralised Ordovician rocks around Tso Morari and consider their Tethyan origins. Walk around part of the Lake and note the varied birdlife.
Return to Leh via mineralised hot springs. Afternoon free in Leh.
Overnight in Leh The Grand Himalaya.
Early morning transfer to Leh airport for flight to Delhi and stay Overnight at The Shangri La's Eros
Transfer to Delhi International Airport for your direct flight to London on British Airways (arrival in London the same day).
- Cost
- How to Book this Tour
- Travel Insurance
Cost Includes:
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International flights on British Airways.
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Internal flights for Delhi-Srinagar & Leh - Delhi sectors in Economy Class.
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Accommodation as per the itinerary in Double / Single rooms.
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Meal Plan: All Meals except 2 nights in Delhi where breakfast and dinner is included.
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All transfers and sightseeing by a chauffeur driven private air-conditioned vehicles throughout.
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Services of English speaking guide during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
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Services of Dr Danny Clark-Lowes (Geologist) as Trip Leader
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Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in your itinerary.
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Complimentary mineral water whilst driving.
Cost does not include:
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Visa Fee for India.
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Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, gratuities etc
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Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
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Travel Insurance.
- To book this tour , please compete the booking form, sign and e-mail it to us. A non-refundable deposit of £500.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 8 weeks before departure. You can make the deposit payment by debit card or electronic transfers to our bank. Our Bank details are on the booking form. Bookings are confirmed on first come first served basis. When the tour is full we will take about 5 additional names on the waiting list to replace their booking with any cancellations etc.
- If you wish to join the tour and fly from any country other than United Kingdom please contact us for land only arrangements.
It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
Please ensure:
- It includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
- It provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
- It covers you for all activities.
- Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
- Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact numbers with you.
- If you are making multiple trips we recommend that you take a yearly travel insurance policy.
If you have any question about your cover, please check with your insurer.
For a comprehensive travel insurance quote - please click here
