Our trek through the ancient & arid landscapes of Ladakh will take in one of the most impressive mountain regions in the Himalaya. The area is known as 'Little Tibet' for its cultural heritage & spiritual influence. The trek will take us over 4000 metres & as high as 5200metres on a long pilgrimage highlighted by the ancient monasteries of Ladakh, Lamayuru & Hemis, & providing a rich experience of the region, its people & its culture.

The trail passes through Gompas at Wanla & Sumdahchoon, believed to have been built by Rinchen Zangpo in the 11th century. Unique woodcarvings of the same era are partly embedded in the ground at Sumdachenmo. Winding through dramatic desert mountainscape, interspersed with pockets of vivid green, the trail reaches its highest point at the Kongmaru La pass. We will also make the majestic passes of Prinkti La (3729 m) & Konke La (4895 m), spotting musk deer, blue sheep & marmots while the Himalayan griffon circles overhead.

We have chosen this trek for its exposure to the natural beauty of the region, its demanding itinerary and the chance to meet local villagers, monks & experience thousands of years of cultural, spiritual & community heritage along the way. We have been exceptionally blessed to have the guidance of Gary Weare who writes the Lonely Planet guide books to the Himalaya & has a personal love affair with Ladakh & its people spanning several decades of explorations & friendships in the area. He has recommended this as his personal favourite & assisted us in our plans.

After 12 days in the hills, Girls on Top will head back to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, to meet ambassadors from the Women's Alliance there for an exchange of stories, insights & questions about our different worlds in a cultural share. We will then have the extrordinary experience of five days living, working, weaving, cooking & sharing the realities of daily life in the home & gardens of a Ladakhi farming family.

Why are we doing this?

Inspired by the work of ISEC, creating bridges of learning, insight & human integrity between East & West, Girls on Top this year support work which builds the foundations of happiness by encouraging a sharing of cultural wisdom. We will take our own personal journey in mind, body & spirit on our expedition then create a cross-cultural 'women's share' with leaders of the Ladakhi Women's Alliance before spending five days experiencing daily life in a remote farming village.

Our project is designed to enrich & widen the team's perspective of what matters in life, what brings happiness - and to inspire you to join and support us in the journey. Funds raised will support the cultural exchange, fund work of the Ladakhi Women's Alliance and pay a salary for a co-ordinator of this project in 2007.