Uncharted Himalayas 2009 - India

Product Details

Experience high altitude mountaineering and explore untouched habitats as an active member of a research team for one month.

Ladakh, known as the land of the high passes, is one of the most remote regions of the India Himalaya. The region forms part of the Tibetan plateau and the semi-nomadic mountain people that live there are predominantly Buddhist.

You will be visiting the scarcely visited Nubra Valley area which offers unrivalled mountaineering and endless opportunities for exploration and adventure including the chance to bag some unclimbed 6,000m peaks.

The main fieldwork focus is on human interaction with the environment. You will be investigating both the impact on human physiology, through high altitude physiology studies and the impact on the mountain ecosystem, through environmental science work on the unique local flora and fauna. You will also be updating the existing maps of the area contributing to a greater understanding of this important though rarely accessed region.

Location

Your journey begins, after a brief stop in Delhi, by flying over the Greater Himalayan ranges into Leh, the capital of Ladakh. This is one of the highest cities in the world and you will spend three days here acclimatising to the altitude of 3,500m and exploring Leh’s rich scenic and cultural aspects. It is an important period as it will allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied oxygen levels in preparation for the trekking, climbing and the higher altitudes to come.

From Leh you travel to Hundar Dok via the Khardungla pass, which at 18,360 ft is the world’s highest motorable road you then embark on three days of superb trekking through the dramatic landscape to establish base camp for further acclimatisation, training and packing before dispersing into two groups to begin the research and adventure projects.

Research

Two main areas of fieldwork
1. Human interaction with and impact on the environment
a. High Altitude Physiology. You will be contributing to work examining the effects of altitude on the human body.
b. Environmental Science investigating the human impact on the mountain eco-system determined by conducting census and survey work on flora and fauna.

2. Mapping the Nubra Valley
The Nubra Valley is generally unknown and poorly mapped. You will be exploring, surveying and mapping the expedition area and thus contributing to a greater understanding of the region.

Adventure

No mountaineering experience is necessary as our experienced mountain leaders will provide full training in the safe use of all equipment. However expedition members will require a good level of personal fitness along with the ability to cope with cold weather.

Cost:

The cost excluding the flight, taxes, visas and vaccinations will be in the region of £3,050. A deposit of £500 must be paid when accepting the offer of a place. The cost includes all in-country travel, food, fuel, specialist equipment, insurance and a contribution to the general funds of the charity. The airfare is paid direct to the travel agent and is expected to be around £1,000 including all taxes though is subject to fluctuations in fuel charges.

BSES Expeditions is a youth development charity which strives to keep expedition costs as low as possible. Please note that advance planning to remote and often difficult to access wilderness areas is subject to many variables and the costs may vary. These will be confirmed six months before departure.

You are required to organise and run your own fundraising activities, lots of advice and encouragement will be given. We can offer mentoring support, for those who feel completely daunted by the prospect of fundraising, to ensure you reach your targets.

Application Deadline: Monday 6th April 2009
Compulsory Briefing Weekend: Friday 17th to Sunday 19th April 2009
Expedition Dates: End-July to end-August 2009
BSES Annual Presentation of Expedition Reports: Saturday 30th January 2010

How to Apply:

Complete the enquiry form and we'll be back in touch with more information and an application form. Places are limited and issued on a first come first served basis after interview. Good luck!

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Our Users Say...

"I will never forget this summer, from the moment that everybody met up at Heathrow, to the time when we said our goodbyes I have had some of the best times ever. Experiencing the Ladakhi culture first hand is something that I will always remember. Going to Leh was amazing, and although we were there to work I had a brilliant time, and it was a great place to get to see. Summiting a 6000m peak was also a special moment for me, as it was something that I never thought I would have been able to do. The struggle on the way up was well worth the feeling of achievement I had when I reached the top. This really was a once in a lifetime experience!" - My Ladakh Experience - Kiri Gascoyne