DAY 01: ARRIVE AT LEH
Arrival at Leh by morning flight and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drink take a complete rest for acclimatization to the altitude of Leh (3500 mtrs). In the late afternoon, drive to the city for an orientation walk in the markets‚ followed by a visit to Shanti Stupa & Leh palace. Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel in Leh.
DAY 02: LEH (EXCURSION TO MONASTERIES)
Post breakfast we visit Spituk Monastery, built in 15th century during the reign of Grags ‘bum-lde, these new Gelug-pa monastery was built like fortress on the summit of crags and also visit Hall of Fame near Leh is worth a visit for every citizen. It is a glorious museum constructed by Indian army. Post lunch we take a sightseeing tour visiting Sankar Gompa, located at a distance of approximately 3 km from the town of Leh. Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel in Leh.
DAY 03: 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 Second Highest Motorable Road in The World) at 5,602 Mtrs / 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 dinner & overnight stay. In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world.
DAY 04: NUBRA VALLEY (EXCURSION TO TURTUK)- 80 KMS ONE WAY
After an early breakfast, proceed to Turtuk (A village that was won by India in the 1971 war with Pakistan) and extremely close to the border. Places to visit here comprises of a 16th Century Mosque, (comprising of a touch of Turkish & Iranian culture), ruined fort of Dhards and a Monastery. You can also admire the magnificent view of the famous K2 peak (The second highest peak in the world after Mount Everest). Later driver back to Hunder Camp / Hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
DAY 05: NUBRA VALLEY TO PANGONG LAKE (150 KMS / 5 HRS)
After an early breakfast, we check out and drive towards Hunder where you have the opportunity to ride on a Bactrian Camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high-altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Next stop will be 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. Later we drive towards the majestic Pangong Tso via Agham & Shyok Valley. Some of the road patches in areas are extremely tough (towards Nubra side) in terms of road conditions but no doubt the journey is very scenic! Later after crossing this adventurous part, we drive further towards Durbuk & Tangtse, you will also pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you have a sudden view of the majestic Pangong lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). Upon arrival we check in at our Camp/Hotel near Pangong lake. Dinner & overnight stay at camp in Pangong.
DAY 06: PANGONG LAKE TO LEH VIA CHANGLA (140 KMS / 6 HRS)
Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of the lake which is famously known to show upto 5 shades of blue depending upon the time and location of the viewer. Later we drive back to Leh via Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs enroute visiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. And futher to Thiksey, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village and another 5 Kms driving through a picturesque landscape we reach to Shey Palace, the ancient capital of Ladakh & 3 Idiots Rancho School. Drive further to Leh Hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
DAY 07: LEH TO KARGIL (230 KMS /7 HR)
After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway visiting Gurudwara Patthar Sahib which is nestled deep in the Himalayas. A drive of another 4 km will take us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we will reach the famous Sangam Point which is the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar River. Just before Saspul a road to the right takes you for your visit to the Likir Monastery, 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, we continue our drive along the River Indus to Uletokpo or Tingmosgang enroute visiting 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. Further drive to Kargil enroute visiting the 11th century Lamayuru Monastery enroute visiting the mesmerizing MOON LANDSCAPES (you will see why the name of this area is Moonland, exactly the same formations of Land are visible as on the moon). Further drive to Kargil over Fatu-la (13,489 ft) which is the highest pass on Srinagar – Leh road. Check in to Kargil hotel for dinner & overnight stay.
DAY 08: KARGIL TO SRINAGAR VIA SONMARG (204 KMS /7 HR)
After early breakfast drive to Srinagar passing through Drass, the second coldest inhabited place on earth and enjoy spectacular view of famous Kargil War Peaks Tiger Hill and Tololing Peak. Pay a tribute to Vijay Smarak, dedicated to Indian Soldiers who laid their lives for us during Kargil War in 1999. Visiting Sonmarg (also known as Meadow of Gold). Arrive at Srinagar by afternoon. Upon arrival in Srinagar, we check in to our Hotel/House Boat for dinner & overnight stay.
DAY 09: DEPART SRINAGAR (FLY OUT)
Tour concludes Through a punctual transfer to the Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.
