ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Leh- On arrival at Leh airport our representative will meet you and transfer to the Hotel. This flight to Leh is one of the most sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif. You would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation to an altitude of over 11,000 feet. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2, Leh- Breakfast. Morning drive to “Sangam” the confluence point of Indus and Zanskar river, here if to your interest one can enjoy river rafting in Zanskar river. Later visit Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, built in 1517, a beautiful Gurudwara constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak to commemorate his visit to the Ladakh region. At Magnetic Hill it has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral the vehicle slides up-hill due to the magnetic force. On the way back to Leh, visit the Hall of Fame, a museum maintained by the Indian Army. One can see the memorabilia, biographies of eminent defense personalities, images and weapons used during the Kargil War. Also visit the Spituk Monastery: The Spituk Gonpa “Exemplary”; 7km southwest of Leh, was founded by Od-Ide, in the 11th century AD; when the monastic community was introduced. Meanwhile, Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo (the great translator) visited this monastery. In those days the Gonpa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the reign of king Dragspa Bum-Lde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery. Also visit Leh Palace, modelled on the Tibetan Potala Palace in Lhasa, a nine storey Palace built in 17th century by the famous Ladakhi King Senge Namgyal. Later visit the Shanti Stupa, built by Japanese master in 1995, from here we can enjoy panaromic views of Leh and surrounding areas of Indus valley. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3, Leh/Nubra Valley- Breakfast. Embark on your scenic road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley crossing over the Khardung La Pass (the highest motorable road in the world) at 5602 M, 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. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The road after crosses Khalsar Bridge at Shyok River & enters Nubra. This afternoon visit the Samstanling monastery and Panamik Hot Spring, this is the last point on the ancient Silk Route to which civilians are allowed. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4, Nubra Valley- Breakfast. Following an early morning breakfast, embark on an adventurous journey driving through spectacular landscape into the realms of the Balti dynasty, to the quaint village of Turtuk. This village is about 115 kms from Nubra valley and can take about 3 to 4 hours to reach here, the total population of Turtuk is just 4000 and follow Islam as about 40 years back this village was under Pakistan and the local people speak Baltistan language, Enjoy exploring this frontier hamlet admiring the traditional houses, called “nangchung’’, unique traditional kitchen implements and savour the delicious apricots grown in the region. Later return to your camp. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5, Nubra Valley/Pangong Tso Lake- Breakfast. Morning drive to Pangong Lake which is the largest brackish lake in Asia, with a larger part of it extending into Tibet. The lake is 130km long and 5km at its widest point with half of it running to the other side of the Indo-China border. Despite of being a salt-water lake, it freezes completely during winter. There is no marine life here, save for a few migrating birds now and then like gulls and brahminy ducks. Being at the border, the furthest point one is allowed to go to, is Spangmik, about 7km along its western bank, but it is enough to take back the most beautiful memories of Ladakh. The very barren-ness and vastness of the area contributes to its striking beauty. Spangmik offers spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, and their reflections in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake’s brackish waters. Above Spangmik, one can see the glaciers and snowcapped peaks of the Pangong range. Dinner & Overnight in Camp.
Day 6, Pangong Tso Lake/Leh – Breakfast. Wake up to the sight of Lake Pangong in resplendent glory & begin our drive back to Leh via Chang La Pass 5300m, en route visit the “Rancho School” (which rose to fame from the “3Idiot’s” Bollywood movie) and also visit Sindhu Ghat, the site for the Sindhu Darshan festival at the bank of Indus river. Continue on your drive back to Leh visiting en route Shey Palace and Monastery, which was the seat of power of the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Spalgigon, who constructed the hill top fortress. This ancient monastery of Shey at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus Valley, offers some dramatic panoramic views from its complex. It is a twelve-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. Also visit the Thiksey Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region. It dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Gelug-pa sect. Later, wander through the Leh bazaar. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7, Depart Leh- Breakfast. Morning transfer to the airport to board your return flight, to enjoy yet again, a beautiful flight over the mighty Himalayas.
