The Ladakhi Trekking Guide

Jullay!!

I am Thinlas Chorol from Takmachik in the Sham region of Ladakh. I love being out in the mountains, trekking and climbing. I can guide you on anything from a simple easy village-to-village trek where you can stay and eat in village homes, to an attempt on one of Ladakh’s Himalayan mountain peaks.

I am the only Ladakhi woman who is trained to work in this field. Although Ladakhi society strongly discourages women from independent work like this, I prefer this to any other kind of work. I have been doing this kind of work in Ladakh for the past four years.

I have completed the Mountaineering Course at NIM (Nehru Institute of Mountaineering) in Uttaranchal, India, and the Advanced Mountaineering course at NIM in May 2008, and a Mountaineering course with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School, of USA) in April 2008.

Contact me Thinlas Chorol via email phinlas [at] rediffmail.com or contact me on +91 0946915037

Update July 2009
I have started my own company called the

Ladakhi Women's Travel Company
Ph: +91(0) 1982 250973
Mob. +91 09622963730
E-mail: ladakhiwomenstc @gmail.com
Address: Shop number 14, Zangsti Complex Leh, Ladakh
www.ladakhiwomenstravel.com

VILLAGE TO VILLAGE HOME STAY TREK

If you prefer a trek that lets you see into the real life of Ladakhi farmers in villages at 3500 m altitude, let’s do a home-stay trek.

You will stay in guest rooms of houses in remote villages that you reach by walking -- you can plan with me whether you want short walking days or longer days. You will eat food prepared by the farmer’s families.

• Ladakh Trekking tips and maps
  
• Experiences of the Puteny Group
  

Homestay in Takmachik:

Our guide, translator and ambassador, Thinlas Chorol, is a graduate of SECMOL and Ladakh’s only female trekking guide. She is a pioneer and extremely knowledgeable. She arranged for our extended home-stay in her village, Takmachik. This was the first time that Takmachik had overnight visitors.

We worked in the fields, picking apricots and hauling barley. Many of us slept on rooftops, just like the Ladakhi do in the summertime. We visited a local school where we taught English and exchanged songs. One afternoon we went to a spring-fed pool, which led to the inevitable water fight. Another afternoon we hiked up a narrow, twisting canyon to the summer pastures.

With much sadness, we left our home-stays after four nights. However, everyone was excited to be back with the gang at SECMOL. It kinda feels like home. We stopped at Alchi Gompa on the way – it is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, as well as one of the few containing Kashmiri-influenced, as opposed to Tibetan Buddhist, art.

I can plan any lengthy or difficulty of treks for you, such as:

1. SHAM TREK (Likir monastery and village to Tingmosgang, 4 days, or shorter or longer)
   
2. HEMIS NATIONAL PARK / STOK-LA PASS (Spituk or Zhingchen to Stok via Rumbak, with a nature walk day in the middle if you like, 2-3 days)
   
3. MARKHA VALLEY TREK (one week in Hemis National Park)
   
4. MOUNTAINEERING AND MORE STRENUOUS TREKS
   

I can plan any tougher trek's or mountaineering expedition's with you individually.

Contact me Thinlas Chorol

Ladakhi Women's Travel Company
Ph: +91(0) 1982 250973
Mob. +91 09622963730
E-mail: ladakhiwomenstc @gmail.com
Address: Shop number 14, Zangsti Complex Leh, Ladakh

Jullay

Thinlas Chorol