Day 1:
Arrival Leh by morning flight and transfer to the
hotel. After welcome tea/ coffee/ breakfast on arrival, take complete
rest for acclimatization to the high altitude of Leh (11,500 ft / 3500
mtrs). In the late afternoon drive to the city centre for an orientation
walk in the markets, followed by a visit to Shanti Stupa. Dinner &
overnight at the hotel.
.
Day 2 :
The morning is at leisure for adjustment to the high altitude and
rarefied air of Ladakh. After leisurely breakfast, visit Shey Palace,
Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery & Stok Palace Museum. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 3 :
Early departure for Lamayuru (127 kms.), which is believed to be the
oldest site where a monastery was founded during the 11th century AD.
Lamayuru monastery is famous for the spectacular setting in the backdrop
of the ‘Moonland’ feature. After sightseeing and lunch here, drive back
towards Leh upto Uleytokpo and check-in at the Uley Ethnic Resort, or
further ahead to Alchi for overnight stay in hotel or fixed camp.
Day 4 :
After breakfast, take a tour of the 11th century
Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic complex of the region and
famous for its paintings and architecture. Thereafter drive back to Leh,
enroute visiting the 15th century Bazgo Castle, Magnetic Point,
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the ‘Temple of Guardians’ (Gon-khang) in Spituk
monastery which is revered by Hindu devotees as Kali-Mandir and Hall of
Fame. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 5 :
After breakfast leave for Nubra Valley, driving
across Khardong-la (alt: 18,380 ft.), highest motorable pass in the
world, recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records). After descending
from the pass, drive on to Tirit / Tegar and check into a fixed camp.
Post lunch, you can go on sightseeing around Sumoor village including
the Samstaling monastery. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 6 :
In the morning, drive to Deskit (headquarters of
Nubra) for sightseeing of Deskit, Hundar and the Sand Dunes. Later,
return to Leh, reaching in the late afternoon. Rest of the day free for
rest or to explore the local markets. Dinner & overnight at the
hotel.
Note: The Nubra Valley tour can also be undertaken
by driving first to Deskit or Hundar for sightseeing & night stay in
fixed camp or Hotel / Guest House, while Samstaling / Sumoor area can
be covered the next day.
Day 7 :
Early departure for Pangong Lake (approx. 300 kms
round trip) via Chang-la Early breakfast (6 AM) leave for Pangong Lake
(approx. 300 kms round trip) via Chang-la pass (alt: 17370 ft.). Pangong
Lake (alt: 14,500 ft.) is 4-5 kms wide and over 135 kms long, about
two-third of which lies on the other side of the Indo-China Border.
After sightseeing and lunch at the lakeside, drive back to Leh, reaching
in the late afternoon / evening. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 8 :
The morning is at leisure for resting after the
Pangong Lake journey. Post lunch visit Sankar Gompa, Leh Palace &
the markets. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
Rafting Option: On this day, you can opt for a
rafting trip on the Zanskar River between Chiling & Nimu
(difficult) or on the Indus between Phey and Nimoo (easy), on extra
charges.
Day 9 :
Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight for onward journey.
Tsomoriri-Tsokar Extension.
Day 9 : Leh-Tsomoriri / Korzok (15070 ft. / 220 kms.)
After early breakfast drive upstream the Indus, past
the hot springs of Chumathang, to Mahe village and cross over to the
left bank of the river to drive on to Puga Sumdo. Here the road
bifurcates, the right side road leading to Lake Tsomoriri (alt: 15,000
ft.), about 28 km long and 8 km wide, and famous as the breeding ground
of the bar-headed geese. The village of Korzok with its ancient
monastery is the only major habitation in the area. Dinner &
overnight in fixed camp or Guest House.
Day 10 :
Tsomoriri-Tsokar-Taglangla-Leh (17582
ft.)-Leh-approx 200 kms): In the morning, drive back to Puga Sumdo and
then take the left road to the Polokongka (4920 mtrs.), a long and wide
tabletop pass. Upon descending to its base, one can see the salt lake
system called Tsokar in the distance on account of the white salt
deposits around it. After lunch & sightseeing here, drive to Leh via
the Manali-Leh road, crossing the Taglang-la (alt: 17,585 ft.) enroute.
Dinner & overnight in the hotel.
Day 11 :
Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight for onward journey.
