India

These six tours are arranged through Mark Butterworth whose family has lived in North India since the time of Warren Hastings. Mark was brought up in McLeod Ganj, where the Dalai Lama now has his home, at the foot of the Dhauladar range. The six routes are in remote Himalayan areas where the village culture has been little disturbed by tourism, and the Himalayan flora and fauna flourish.

These treks can be tailor-made to suit your dates, or you can join one of the set departures (dates and prices in Latest News).

ABODE OF THE GODS

The Gaddi shepherds migrate annually with their small flocks of sheep and goats in search of grazing areas, a search that will entail covering mountainous terrain and crossing high passes for six months of the year. A proud and hospitable people, the Gaddi shepherds are superstitious and devout worshippers of the Goddess Durga, whose name they invoke for protection against evil spirits and to ensure a safe journey over mountain passes. During the trek we camp close to Gaddi hamlets and sometimes share a campsite; visitors are always welcome. This trek also encompasses a visit to the Dalai Lama's present town of exile, an Indian rail journey (a fascinating experience in its own right!) and some time to glimpse a little of Delhi, India's teeming capital. This is a very pretty trek in an unspoilt part of the Himalaya. You are unlikely to see any other Europeans. The spring trek enjoys a wealth of rhododendron: the locals collect the petals to make jam.

16 day trip, London – London Mid-March – end April; late September – end November A ‘moderate’ trek at low altitude 10 days trekking: 4 – 5 hours per day Maximum height: 3,353m;  optional 4,328m 3 nights hotel and 10 nights camping

NANDA DEVI

The Nanda Devi basin must surely be one of the most legendary regions in the entire Himalayan chain. The mountain itself, revered since time immemorial by all those who live in its shadow, has long attracted the attention of pioneering mountaineers and explorers, mystics and spiritualists, writers and everyday travellers who have visited the area. Everest may well be the highest peak in the world but the beautiful peak of Nanda Devi must surely be the most fascinating.

The area first came to the attention of the Western world as a result of the 19th century explorations by Traill, Graham and Longstaff, but shot to fame in the 1930s, when Shipton and Tilman forced a route into the Inner Sanctuary. Nanda Devi is the highest mountain situated completely within India and is surrounded by a ridge wall of nearly 6,000m. The only break in this wall is the Rishi Ganga, a wild and seemingly impenetrable gorge. This amazing feat of endurance and determination was capped when Tilman later returned to conquer the peak itself. Sadly, the mystique of the area led to an excess of expeditions and ecological damage and the Sanctuary was closed in the 1980s. Investigations are currently under way to assess the recovery.

Understandably, the country that surrounds the Sanctuary now has its own attractions for walkers and pilgrims alike. The immediate landscape has been beautifully tamed by centuries of low-key habitation and cultivation but the constant backdrop of the mighty Himalayan peaks makes for a magnificence unrivalled elsewhere in the region.

17 day trip, London – London April – early June, late September – mid-November A ‘moderate’ trek at low altitude 10 days trekking: 6 hours per day Maximum altitude 3,658m, average 2,700m 2 nights hotels, 3 nights simple rest house, 10 nights camping

DALHOUSIE

Himachal Pradesh is a small state tucked away between the steamy plains of North India and the massive ranges of the Great Himalaya to the north. Given its location, the geographic spectrum of the state is vast, ranging from the rolling Shivalik foothills to the massive 6,000m peaks of the Pir Pinjal. Not surprisingly, there is a wildlife diversity to complement this, with sub-tropical forests, temperate woodlands and alpine meadows in close proximity. Similarly, given its strategic position between the former Northwest Frontier, the sub-continent and the Tibetan plateau, the region has long been a melting pot of diverse cultural and spiritual influences.

The Dhaula Dhar range forms part of the outermost Himalaya and rises dramatically from the low foothills to stark peaks of over 5,000m. These mountains are the traditional stronghold of nomadic traders and shepherds. The Gaddis are charismatic folk of Aryan descent who raise flocks of sheep and goats between the foothills and the high grazing meadows bordering Ladakh and Tibet. The Gujjars are hardworking Muslims who tend buffalo herds, selling much of their milk based produce to the sweet makers in the plains. The steeply sloping flanks of the Dhaula Dhar provide winter homes for these traditional traders, as well as a base for their families who make a good living from the land in their absence.

In recent years, the lower hills have become home to many followers of the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. Thankfully, Himachal Pradesh has escaped the notice of mainstream trekkers and is still an unspoilt part of the Himalayas with most of the local customs, cultures and landscapes still intact. Outside the main tourist destination of Mcleodganj, foreign groups are rarely seen.

18 day trip, London – London Late March – early May;  late September – early December A ‘moderate/vigorous’ trek at low altitude 12 days trekking: 6 hours per day Maximum altitude 4,380m (optional);  average 3,250m 3 nights hotels, 2 nights sleeper train, 12 nights camping

THE VALLEY & FLOWERS OF LAHOUL

The unspoilt Miyar Nullah (nullah = valley) is situated in Lahoul and beyond the major effects of the monsoon rains of lowland India. It is very similar to Ladakh and Zanskar, both in its high and dry mountain scenery and Buddhist culture. During July and early August it is also awash with a multitude of Himalayan flowers, including the rare blue poppy. This is an excellent trek for those interested in superb scenery, unique culture and flora, but who do not want the tough trekking normally involved when visiting Zanskar. There are no high passes as the trek is designed as an exploration of the valley itself. The mountain scenery is second to none, as the valley is flanked on its north eastern side by the Great Himalayan Range, which separates it from the valley of Zanskar. As a contrast it also offers the chance to see part of the beautiful alpine scenery of the Kulu Valley and to cross the Rhotang Pass, which is only open for four months of the year.

18 day trip, London – London Late June – end August A ‘moderate’ trek at high altitude 9 days trekking: 5 hours per day Maximum altitude 4,075m; average 3,300m 4 nights hotel, 3 nights lodge, 9 nights camping

MARKHA VALLEY

The Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh is one of the most varied and beautiful treks in the Himalayas. It has giant rock pinnacles, beetling cliffs, narrow defiles and prayer-flagged passes. The route takes you high into the Himalayas, crossing over two passes, the Ganda La (4,850m) and Kangmaru La(5,306m). The trail leads past hilltop monasteries, elaborate Tibetan ‘chortens’ (shrines) and ‘mani’ (prayer) walls. You may well spot Himalayan Blue sheep, ibex and, if you are lucky, the rare snow leopard. The views are spectacular and towards the end of this trek you will be able to see the snow-capped peaks of Tibet and the Karakorum range of mountains.

17 day trip, London – London July and August A ‘strenuous’ trek at high altitude 8 days trekking; 6 hours per day Maximum altitude 5,306m: average 3,600m. 6 nights hotel, 8 nights camping

ZANSKAR

This is one of the best adventure treks in the Himalayas. From the heat of Delhi you experience the joys of an Indian train journey and a drive through the cooler foothills of the Himalayas. You drive up the Kulu valley to Manali, surrounded by pine forests, terraced fields and orchards of apple and orange trees. After a rest in Manali, you drive over the famous Rohtang Pass and descend into the Lahaul valley, which is surrounded by snow capped mountains. At Chika you meet your trek staff and horses, and set off on foot into the Himalaya. The terrain immediately becomes dramatic and arid as you enter a land of Tibetan Buddhism. The white chortens and prayer flags form part of this striking landscape with its ancient monasteries and friendly local people in their colourful traditional dress. At the end of the trek you drive to Leh for a flight back to Delhi.

21 day trip, London – London July and August A ‘moderate/strenuous’ trek at high altitude. 10 days trekking: 6 hours per day Maximum altitude 4,380m, average 3,400m. 7 nights hotels/guest houses, 10 nights camping