The Land of High Passes, Ladakh. It is a place where the landscape changes dramatically; it is truly astonishing to see the mountains, snow, cold desert, alpine meadows and lakes at a short distance from each other. Tourism in Ladakh is an absolute delight for nature lovers as well as adventurers. Adorned with the lofty barren mountains, Ladakh is home to some of the highest motorable passes like Khardung La, Marsimik La, Chang La and alpine lakes like Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Ladakh is majorly popular amongst the adventurers who feel welcomed by the number of adrenaline rushing activities offered here. The Ladakh is amongst the top trekking destinations in India with amazing and unmatched treks like the popular Frozen River Trek / Chadar Trek, also has opportunities for mountaineering, motor biking, mountain biking, white water rafting and many more. Adding to its exceptional beauty are the ancient Buddhist monasteries that are mostly nestled in the mountains and are thousands of years old.
Arrival Leh, driver com representative will meet, greet, assist and transfer you to Hotel in Leh. Leh is known for its stunning scenic locales, Buddhist temples and pristine environment. Due to the strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism, Leh is also known as Little Tibet or the Land of Lamas. Rest of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Morning after breakfast drive to Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Confluence of Zanskar and Indus river and drive back to Leh. Just before reaching Leh visit Ladakh Hall of fame & Spituk Monastery. Overnight stay.
MAGNETIC HILL: Defying the Law of gravity. This place is close to the Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up-hill that’s the Believe it or not of Ladakh!
GURDWARA SHRI PATTHAR SAHIB: The Shrine known as Gurdwara Patthar sahib is situated about 25 kms. Short of Leh town on the Leh-Srinagar road. Built in the everlasting memory of Shri Guru Nanak Deve Ji the great prophet who sanctified the place by his sacred visit during the year 1517 while on his second missionary tour (2nd Udassi 1515-1518). The boulder having imprint of the Guru’s back is lying in the Gurdwara to his day.
CONFLUENCE OF THE ZANSKAR & INDUS : On way to Sham Valley before Nimu village one can have this magnificent view of two rivers in wed-lock! In seasons they have different colors and flow and wildness.
SPITUK GOMPA: 8 Kms from Leh, it stands prominently on the top of hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The Gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakaal. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and is revealed only at the annual function at January every year.
LADAKH HALL OF FAME (Monday Close): : The Hall of Fame is a glorious museum constructed by the Indian Army. It is worth a visit for every citizen. You can see the memorabilia, eminent defense personalities with biographies, images and weapons used during the Kargil and other key strategic battles fought in Ladakh. And belongings of the enemy soldiers found at war site. All the martyr and the gallantry awards…“Here’s something that you will be proud of our defense personnel who sacrificed themselves so that we could live in peace.”
Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. Arrive Nubra and proceed for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can enjoy the camel ride (at your own). Later if time permits visit Hunder and Deskit monasteries and check in at Deluxe Camp/Hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight Dinner & Stay.
KHARDUNGLA PASS: The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.
DESKIT GOMPA: Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar. Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular view of the valley can be seen form the monastery.
HUNDAR VILLAGE: Hundar is a beautiful village to stay with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump bacterian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes is wonderful (at your own).
MAITREYA BUDDHA: The 108 feet tall statue of Maitreya Buddha is located just below the Diskit monastery, at an altitude of 10,308 feet, 15 kilometers northwest off the Khalsar-Panakil route, right at the edge of the desert in the Nubra Valley.
Morning after Breakfast proceed for Pangong. After reach check-in at camp. Evening relax, Dinner & Overnight at tent.
THE PANGONG LAKE : This route takes the visitor past the picturesque villages and turns off the Indus valley by the side valley of Chemrey and Sakti. The Ladakh range is crossed by the Chang-la (18,000 feet / 5,475 M) which despite its great elevation is one of the easier passes, remaining open for much of the year even in winter, apart from periods of actual snowfall.
The main attraction of this circuit is the Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 M). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometers at its widest point to which foreigners are permitted, is only some seven km along the southern shore from the head of the lake, but it affords spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflection shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lakes brackish water. Above Spangmik are the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range.
After breakfast drive back to Leh Via Changla Pass. On the way visit Shey, Thiksey Monastery and Rancho School. Arrive Leh and relax at the hotel or free for individual activities. Dinner & Overnight stay. CHANGLA PASS:-Chang La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh at an elevation of 5,391.3024 m or 17,688.000 ft in the Ladakh Range between Leh and the Shyok River valley. The Chang La, on Leh to Pangong Lake road, lies on the Leh-Karu-Sakti-Zingral-Chang La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Pagong Lake motorable road. SHEY GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here. THIKSEY GOMPA: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite. RANCHO SCHOOL: The school was started at the request of the people of Ladakh who wanted a school that would help maintain their rich cultural traditions, based on Tibetan Buddhism, while equipping their children for a life in the 21st century. The master plan and school buildings, designed by architects and engineers from Arup Associates and Over Arup & Partners, combine local building techniques and materials with leading edge environmental design to make them effective in the extreme climate.
Today morning after an early breakfast, depart to the airport for onward destination.
Cities
Kargil, Leh, NUBRA VALLEY, Pangong, Tsomoriri
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Manali, Sarchu, Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Tso moriri
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Srinagar, Pahalgam, Kargil, Leh, Nubra, Pangong