'athithi devo bhava' Overview of Himalaya on Wheels Himalaya on Wheels invites you to explore the spectacular mountain region of Ladakh in your wheelchairs, with your family and friends. PAGIR, a group of people with disabilities, has helped identify sites you can visit, sometimes with a little help, to get a glimpse of the Ladakhi way of life. You will be accompanied by a Helper and a Driver who have been specially trained to make your journey through Ladakh comfortable. A guide book will tell you about the history of each place you will visit along with details of the accessibility issues there. If you do not use a wheelchair and would like us to organise your Ladakh holiday for you writetous@travelanotherindia.com or call at +91 9940 559 513. In Leh, you will stay at the Hotel Grand Dragon, a 4-star hotel. The hotel is built using facets of traditional architecture with modern rooms to ensure a comfortable stay. The double glazed windows and central heating ensure that the rooms are warm even in winter. Facilities Accessibility The guest rooms have a wide door for wheel chairs to go in. There is a small threshold at the entrance which is covered with a ramp in one room to make it accessible. The bed and study table are at a convenient height for wheelchair users and there is sufficient manoeuvring space. The shower-cum-toilet door is narrow (upto 63 cm of clear space). The hotel wheelchair will have to be used to use the bathroom. There is a 5 cm threshold over which a ramp is placed at the bathroom door. The washbasin is 79 cm high with a lever-type tap making it accessible. It will not be possible to enter the shower cubicle using a wheelchair, as there is an 8cm threshold and a door that is 72 cm wide for the cubicle. The shower area can be used by those who have the option of taking a few steps. Accommodation - Standard The family-owned Zik Zik guest house has recently added four rooms to their existing set of rooms. Of these, they have made two rooms accessible to guests using wheelchairs. Facilities Accessibility The guest rooms have a 78 cm wide door for wheelchairs to go in. The door of the attached bathroom is 76 cm wide. The washbasin is 84 cm high with a lever-type tap. There is manoeuvring space in front of the water closet and wash basin. There are two grab bars - one horizontal and one vertical - near the water closet and wash basin respectively. Uley Tokpo Camp Facilities Accessibility While there is a ramp to the dining room, if it is found to be too steep, food will be arranged in the lounge area for our guests.
Cost in Indian rupees per person on twin-sharing basis Prices valid up to 31 December 2010 To find out more writetous@travelanotherindia.com or call at +91 9940 559 513. Price excludes Normal Payment Policy Normal Cancellation Policy Payment options If you would like to know more or make a booking, do email us at writetous@travelanotherindia.com or call us at +91 99940 59 513 If you would like to know more or make a booking, do email us at writetous@travelanotherindia.com or call us at +91 99405 59 513 The first day of any trip to Ladakh is a mandatory day of rest, giving the body time to get used to the high altitude with its low oxygen levels. Try not to sleep during the day. Read a book (the guide book?), chat with friends, soak in the view of the mountains or just be. Drink a lot of water throughout your trip and especially on the first day. Once you are better adjusted to the high altitude, get ready to visit the monasteries of Shey, Alchi and Likir, see the Indus or Sindhu wind its aquamarine path through the majestic mountains, do a little shopping and watch a cultural programme in the evening. Shopping will include hunting for typical Ladakhi souvenirs as well as products made out of waste by PAGIR members. The camp at Uley Tokpo will give you views of the looming peaks around and the gushing river below, while you make your way through orchards. If you choose to stay on for an additional day, you can hold your breath at the exquisite Pangong Lake (made famous by Aamir Khan in “The Three Idiots”) on the Tibetan border. Of course, no visit to Ladakh is complete without a taste of momos or the famous noodle soup thukpa. Also take a sip of the butter tea that is unique to Ladakh. The cheerful disposition of the Ladakhis and the magic of their universal greeting, Julley, will keep up your spirit throughout your visit and in your memories.
Leh is connected by daily flights to Delhi as well as weekly flights to Jammu and Srinagar. By road, it is a two-day trip from either Srinagar or Manali. Going to Leh was an exceptional experience for me. Most friends and family dissuaded me, being aware of the oxygen shortage in the air there and my breathing problems caused by a high-level spinal injury. But I managed well. Initial hiccups were cured by religiously acclimatising on the first day, drinking lots of water, eating light and using Vicks vaporub inside my nostrils! Each mountain in this dry land is of a different colour. Each view is such that you would want to photograph it. Two significant tourist locations are Khadungla pass, the world’s highest motorable road, and the Pangong Lake, a 134 km long lake extending from India to Tibet. Being nature’s gifts, both these places are fully accessible. For me, the beauty was so overpowering that it was easy to overlook some inaccessibility. Moreover, Ladhaki people are very welcoming and helpful. Members of the Himalaya on Wheels team went out of their way to ensure I enjoyed the trip, assisting me wherever required. Given a chance, I would run back every year to de-stress and be one with nature. Pictures How this holiday makes a difference Himalaya on Wheels has been set up by Travel Another India with expertise provided by PAGIR. People’s Action Group on Inclusion and Rights or PAGIR is a group of people with disabilities and their families who have come together for their collective rights as well as to ensure livelihood options for people with disabilities. The President of PAGIR, Mr Mohammed Iqbal, was recently conferred the “Real Heroes” Award by CNN-IBN. You can see a video about his work at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bNoPqFu-rs Profits from Himalaya on Wheels will flow back to PAGIR to help them take forward their work. During the trip, you will visit the PAGIR shop Jungwa Shrungskyob, where their members have transformed waste into craft, making beautiful products such as mobile pouches, letter racks, folders, etc. These products are Jungkwa Shrungskyob’s contribution to a cleaner Ladakh and towards the economic independence of people with disabilities. So go ahead, indulge! And do your bit for the land of limitless beauty and opportunity. To find out more writetous@travelanotherindia.com or call at +91 9940 559 513.
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