LEH – LOCAL SIGHTSEEING – PANGONG LAKE – SHAM VALLEY – LAMAYURU – NUBRA VALLEY – LEH

Day 01: ARRIVE AT LEH

Arrival Leh in the morning and transfer to the hotel. Full day of rest for acclimatization to the high altitude of Leh (11,500 ft / 3500 mtrs).Evening Visit to LEH MARKET & SHANTI STUPA.Dinner & Overnight at Hotel.

 

Day 02: LEH – EXCURSION TO MONASTERIES (50 KMS / 02 HRS – ONE WAY)

Post Breakfast we proceed for Indus Valley Monastery tour including SHEY PALACE, The ancient capital of Ladakh, THIKSEY an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village, HEMIS GOMPA, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, SINDHU GHAT. Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel .

 

Day 03: LEH – EXCURSION TO PANGONG LAKE – 14,000 FT. (140 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS – ONE WAY)

After an early breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake through Changla pass 5486 Mtrs. The long easy ascent takes you to Changla pass through its winding roads passing through Sakti Village. Stop at the Changla Pass for a quick photograph session and drive down to the village of Tangtse, where you can relax for a cup of tea. Leaving Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the Pangonglake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the “INDO CHINA BORDER”. One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. After spending some time at Pangong We drive back to Leh in the Late afternoon. Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Leh.

 

Day 04: LEH TO SHAM VALLEY (92 KMS / 4 HRS)

After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. Enroute visiting GURUDWARA PATTHAR SAHIB Nestled deep in the Himalayas, which was built by the Lamas of Leh in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev. A drive of another 4 km took us to MAGNETIC HILL which defies the law of gravity. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the CONFLUENCE OF THE INDUS AND ZANSKAR RIVER 4 km before Nimmu village, Just before Saspul a road to the right takes you for your visit to the LIKIR MONASTERY. The name Likir derives from the word Lukhgil (coiled snake) as the site appears to be encircled by two great serpent spirits – Nanda and Taksako. Likir is one of the most active monasteries in the region. As you drive up to the monastery a recently installed colossal gilded image of the Maitreya out in the open is one of the most impressive sights in Ladakh. After visiting the Monastery you continue your drive along the River Indus to TINGMOSGANG or ULETOKPO, where on arrival you check into a Fixed Camp. In the afternoon you visit RIDZONG MONASTERY. There is the option to walk up to the Monastery for those that wish to do so. Hidden at the end of a steep valley, the first view of the Monastery is dramatic. There are fine silver chortens that contain the relics of the founder and his son. Later walk back to Uletokpo or drive to Tingmosgang for an overnight stay at a Fixed Camp.

 

Day 05: SHAM VALLEY TO LEH VIA LAMAYURU (158 KMS / 05 – 06 HRS)

Post breakfast you proceed to the 11th century LAMAYURU MONASTERY enroute visiting the mesmerizing MOON LANDSCAPES (you will believe why the name of this area is Moonland. Exactly the same formations of Land are visible as on the moon), Lamayuru is spectacularly located along the valley plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides. The monastery has gradually expanded over the years and newer structures have been built around a large courtyard. The antiquity of this site is evident from the large number of chortens, similar to those at Alchi. On your return drive to Leh you first visit the ALCHI GOMPA. The complex of temples located within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh’s monasteries and dates back to the 11th century. After Alchi you proceed to BASGO, which lies astride the road to Leh. The jagged skyline of the ruins of the 15th century capital of Ladakh dominates the village of Basgo. It was an important center in the old days, having been the capital of lower Ladakh when the kingdom was divided in the 15th & 16th centuries, and the seat of that branch of the dynasty, which eventually unified Ladakh and took the surname Namgyal. Finally you arrive back at Leh for an overnight stay at your Hotel.

 

Day 06: LEH–NUBRA VALLEY VIA KHARDUNG LA 18,390 FT. (120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS)

Post breakfast we drive to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over KHARDUNG LA (THE HIGHEST MOTORABLE ROAD IN THE WORLD) AT 5,602 M / 18,390 FT, around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. Upon arrival in Nubra we check in at our Camp / Hotel in Hunder for Overnight stay. In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world. A visit to a Ladakhi home can be arranged. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

 

Day 07: NUBRA VALLEY– LEH (120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS)

After an early breakfast we check out from the Camp , drive to Panomic Village including sumur. After that drive to HUNDER where you have opportunity to ride on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon &HunderMonastry. Between Hunder and Diskit you come across sand dunes besides the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are rocky mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains. On the return stop at DISKIT which is the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Diskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley. Later we drive back to Leh in the late afternoon via Khardungla Top. On arrival at Leh you will check in to your Hotel.

 

Day 08: DEPARTURE LEH

Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight back home.