Sono queste le cose che più mi hanno colpito di Venture Ladakh. Ho conosciuto Chosphel e la sua agenzia l'anno scorso per caso. A causa dell'alluvione di inizio agosto 2015 parte dei sentieri in Markha Valley erano stati spazzati via e alcuni paesi erano isolati o difficilmente raggiungibili. Stavo facendo il giro delle agenzie per raccogliere informazioni. Nessuno era in grado di fornire dettagli utili. Chosphel, tuttavia, si è preso il tempo di indicarmi sulla cartina le zone maggiormente colpite, i sentieri percorribili, e quelli problematici, pur sapendo, perché gliel'avevo detto subito, che non stavo cercando un'agenzia a cui affidarmi. Mi ha anche detto che stava aspettando news da una sua guida e, se fossi passata nei prossimi giorni, avrebbe potuto darmi informazioni più aggiornate. La sua disponibilità, motivata dal solo desiderio di essere d'aiuto, e il suo sincero sorriso di benvenuto mi hanno colpita. Nei giorni successivi mi ha aiutato ad organizzare il mio trekking con consigli e suggerimenti che ho avuto modo di apprezzare. Nel 2015 sono rimasta in Ladakh quasi due mesi, nel 2016 ci sono ritornata. Ho fatto diversi trekkings e scalato lo Stok Kangri affidandomi a loro. Ho avuto modo di apprezzare la professionalità e la competenza del servizio che offrono, la profonda conoscenza del territorio con varie proposte di trekkings e montagne "off the beaten traks" e la disponibilità di attrezzatura di ottimo livello. A differenza di altre agenzie che ti affidano a guide senza una formazione professionale specifica, la guida con cui ho scalato lo Stok Kangri era di provata competenza ed esperienza con un addestramento specifico d'alta montagna, equivalente allo standard che conosciamo in Europa. Ringrazio Chosphel e tutti i suoi collaboratori per le bellissime esperienze che mi hanno permesso di vivere e consiglio vivamente Venture Ladakh a chiunque desideri scoprire ciò che questa bellissima regione ha da offrire!

While traveling in Ladakh, my plans changed suddenly due to a friend's illness, and I wound up with a few spare days in Leh. Before coming to India on this trip, I'd thought about the possibility of finding gear and a guide to go up Stok Kangri, and now that idea suddenly returned. If I wanted to do the climb, though, I had to find the right guiding and outfitting company fast, because I only had a few days to spare. Most of the trekking companies in Leh did not impress me, but Venture Ladakh's office caught my eye at first sight. It was clear at a glance that the company was orderly, efficient, no-nonsense, competent, and responsible, simply from the way the office and the gear in it were arranged. All of these impressions were reinforced when I went in and spoke with Sonam Chosphel. He has a strong professional ethic and a deep background of experience, and I had the feeling that he was sizing me up quickly and accurately not just as a potential client, but as someone that one of his guides would be tied to high up on a mountain. He was straightforward about the uncertainty of reaching the summit and the high proportion of trekkers who have to turn around due to altitude sickness, and he went well out of his way to convince a friend of mine who could have been a paying customer NOT to sign on for the climb, because the situation didn't square with his judgment. The guide I went with, Thinless Tamchos, had twelve years of experience working his way up in his profession, and had climbed Stok Kangri so many times that he was completely at home. We communicated well; I trusted him; he was fast when I wanted to go fast and patient when I needed a moment to breathe or some help with unfamiliar equipment; and he was good, steady company, too. Logistics worked perfectly, and the gear was solid. They found me a pair of hardshell boots that may have been the second-biggest pair in town, as well as corresponding crampons, without which I couldn't have done the climb at all. Throughout my experience with Venture Ladakh, I felt like I was dealing with my kind of people. Visited July 2015.

Sonam Chospal and Venture Ladak were recommended to me by a friend in Oxford and it was reassuring to discuss plans for a trek that I had in mind and receive feedback by E-mail. I asked Sonam to recommend a good guest house (not a smart hotel) so arriving at Leh Airport, Sonam picked us up and took us to where we were staying (a fantastic place - The Dawa Guest House). We settled on the Sham Valley trek from Likir to Temisgram ourselves - easy trekking (great for acclimatising) and staying in homestays. Sonam organised a driver to take us to the start at Likir and then for our trek proper we had a horseman, guide plus assistant guide meet us at a guest house in Temisgram and drive us to Lamayuru. We had a 6 day trek from there to Chilling over passes up to 4900 meters. A fantastic experience, wonderful views, great food and a brilliant way to get to know something of local life and meet local people along the way. Kanchock our guide and cook was supportive and attentive to our abilities on the trek. We paid our agreed price for our trek, other assistance provided by Sonam was at a minimal extra cost. Thanks to all for a great time! It is tempting to think about a return sometime!

We went rock climbing near Leh, which was a great experience! Despite it being arranged very spontaneously, the guys provided all the equipment and had patience with us beginner climbers to try out the routes and they advised us where to go and what to grip. Always happy to support the local business and these guys are bringing some novelties into the region, so do reach out to them!