The making of mountains
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Yani Najman gained her PhD in Himalayan geology from Edinburgh University, UK, in 1995. Since then she has been employed as a research scientist, studying the formation of the Himalayan mountain belt, at the Universities of Cambridge, UK, Edinburgh UK, and Calgary, Canada. Her research has been published in a number of international scientific journals, including the highly prestigious journal - Nature, and has been featured on television. In addition to numerous field seasons in the Himalayas of India, Nepal and Pakistan, Yani has spent considerable time cycling, ski- touring, trekking and travelling through the mountains of Asia. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1997.
Indus Tours & Travel Limited
Indus is a specialist tour operator with over 25 years experience in travel in India and Nepal. The company is fully bonded with Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL No: 4586 and ABTA W5240 offering full protection of client funds. As a premier player in tailor-made and Special interest holiday market Indus has unrivalled expertise in the Indian sub- continent.
The Himalayan mountains
The Himalayas, which means "abode of snows" in Hindi, is a mountain belt of superlatives; the highest peaks in the world, and Top of Page
still rising upwards today. Formed by the collision between the Indian and Asian continents, the intervening ocean was squeezed shut, and sediments from the bottom of this ocean were pushed upwards; today ancient marine fossils are found at the top of Mt. Everest! The heat and pressure from the collision were sufficient to cause rocks to melt, bend and break, the results of which can be seen in the mountains today. Continued convergence between the two continents ensures that the mountain belt continues to rise, and that the Himalayas provide the perfect natural laboratory for scientists to observe how a mountain belt grows and forms today. Our tour provides an excellent overview of the history of the Himalayas and an explanation of the various rock features through which we travel, combined with spectacular and varied scenery from glaciers to high altitude deserts. There is also plenty of opportunity to witness the fascinating cultures and historical sights in the regions through which we travel.
Our tour begins in the 
foothills of the Himalayas, so beloved by the British as a retreat from the heat of the plains during the Raj era. We then continue north through the Himalayan front ranges, where the monsoonal climate ensures a landscape of lush vegetation and plunging waterfalls cascading from lofty peaks. Penetrating further into the mountain belt, we travel through the arid "moonscape" of the Himalayan interior, presided over by towering snow-clad summits. The route takes us over some of the highest regions, inhabited only by nomadic peoples, before we drop down into the Indus Valley where we have the opportunity to visit the Ladakhi peoples culture.
Himalayan foothills: Shimla was the summer capital of British India and today is still an important hill station. We arrive in Shimla by the narrow-gauge toy train built in 1903, which takes us from the plains to the peaks of the foothills at an altitude of over 2000m. We spend a day sightseeing in Shimla, which still retains much of itÕs British appearance and atmosphere, strolling along the Mall, or simply soaking up the beautiful pine scented scenery of Shimla. In this region, we study the sediment eroded from the Himalayas 30 million years ago and deposited by ancient rivers.
Himalayan front ranges:
We travel up the beautiful Kullu Valley, famous for itÕs alpine scenery, ancient history and rich handicraft tradition, and originally known as Kulanthapitha, meaning "end of the habitable world". We study some of the oldest rocks in the Himalayas, more than 1000 million years old, and have time to visit the ancient stone-carved temples for which the region is known.
Himalayan interior: our journey takes us over the high mountain passes to the high altitude desert which lies in the shadow of this mighty range. This remote region of Ladakh is populated only by Khampa nomads and we camp in splendid isolation, with ample time to appreciate the forces of ice, water and earth movements which combined to create this spectacular scenery.
The Indus Valley and environs:
The Indus Valley, behind the Great Himalayan range, marks the suture line along which the Indian and Asian continents collided. The people of this area are predominantly Buddhist, with close links to Tibet, and there are many opportunities to witness their culture. We can explore the ancient labyrinth of alleyways in old Leh, the capital of Ladakh, visit the stunningly located gompas (monasteries) of Hemis and Thikse, and the former summer palace of the kings of Ladakh at Shey. A drive up to the Khardung La pass at 5600m takes us through the rocks of the Asian continent and to the top of the highest motorable road in the world.
Agra: Top of Page
no trip to India would be complete without a trip to the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most perfect architectural marvel of Mughal Era. On our return to Delhi, we have a day to explore the Moghul treasures of Agra; not only the Taj, but also Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, the now deserted but excellently preserved Moghul capital city.
Day 1
Fly from London to Delhi by direct British Airways flight*.
Day 2
Arrival Delhi. Stay at Welcomehotel marriott. Half day city tour of Delhi. Free afternoon.
Day 3
Travel by Himalayan Queen upto Kalka and then by toy train to Shimla. Stay at Woodville Palace.
Day 4
Morning Geological Talk followed by sightseeing in Shimla. Visit Jakhoo Hill, for panoramic view of the town, hills and mountain ranges. Institute of advanced study - this is a spectacular English Renaissance grey stone structure. Also visit Himachal State Museum.
Day 5
Day at leisure in Shimla. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6
Drive from Shimla to Mandi, the gateway to the Kullu Valley. Stay at Palace Hotel. Study the deposits formed by the erosion of the Himalayas since 55 Million years ago.
Day 7
Mandi to Manali, through the Kullu Valley. Study rocks of the Indian continental plate more than 1000 million years old. Stay at Holiday Inn.
Day 8
Travel from Manali, over the Rhotang Pass at 4000m, to Keylong. Study the rocks of the Indian plate deformed by the heat and pressure generated by the collision.
Day 9
Travel from Keylong, over the Baralacha Pass (4883m) to Sarchu. Study rocks which were once molten, and the modern day forces of nature which combine to sculpt the present day geomorphology and glacial landscape.
Day 10
ravel from Sarchu, over the Lachalang La (5100m) to the More Plains. Study the intense folding of the rocks which took place as a result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plate, the sediments which were laid down on the ancient ocean bed, and the amazing landscape of the "fairy chimneys".
Day 11
Travel from the More Plains, over the Taglang La (5300m) to Leh.
Visit Tso Kar saline lake and the line of collision between India and Eurasia. Stay at Larimo Hotel
Day 12
Day at leisure in Leh. Evening visit of Shankar Gompa
Day 13
Drive up to the Kardung La Pass (5600m), the highest motorable road in the world, and study the rocks of the Asian plate which welled up from deep below the earths crust as the ancient ocean was squeezed shut.
Day 14
Morning at leisure to explore Leh Market - afternoon visit of a local home for tea ceremony.
Day 15
Sightseeing in Leh, visit Thikse and Shey and Hemis gompas.
Day 16
Fly from Leh to Delhi, a spectacular one hour flight over the Himalaya. Stay at Welcomehotel marriott.
Day 17
Day optional tour to Agra l , visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatephur Sikri.
Day 18 Top of Page
Fly Delhi to London on direct British Airways.
Travel between Shimla and Leh will be by private super-deluxe coach. Travel from Delhi to Shimla will be first class air-conditioned rail travel, from Delhi to Kalka on the Himalayan Queen, and from there by toy train to Shimla. Leh to Delhi involves a one hour spectacular flight over the Himalayas. Delhi to Agra day tour will be by Shatabadi Express Train (Executive Club Class journey two hours each way).
Accommodation will be in superior quality hotels. However, as we travel north into the uninhabited Himalayan interior, existing facilities become non-existent. In these regions, accommodation and food will be tent-based, and all such logistics are handled by an excellent and experienced road crew who travel with the tour.
Cost
Per person sharing twin or double room accommodation: £1975.00
Single room supplement: £290.00
Agra visit optional: £64.00
The cost includes:
- International air fare on direct scheduled British Airways in economy class
- UK and India departure taxes
- Sharing accommodation with all meals except in Delhi where only breakfast is included
- All transfers, geological visits and sightseeing by deluxe coach
- Entrance fee to monuments and places of interest
- Internal flights in economy class
- Services of Dr Yani Najman
- Train tickets on executive club class
- Full ATOL and ABTA bonding
Cost does not include:
- Travel insurance (our elite plan costs £56.40)
- Visa fee (currently £30.00)
