Overview
Ladakh, the highest state of India and one that is guaranteed to take your breath away.This tour takes you on a journey through some spectacular mountain scenery, desertscapes and beautiful lakes, monasteries as well as local, traditional villages. Destinations include, Yangthan, HemisShukpachan, Lamayuru,Alchi, Tso-moriri , Tso-kar and Leh. One can admire pictorial landscapes, experience Himalayan villages, explore the monasteries & lakes and relish sumptuous local cuisine & much more.
Highlights of Tour:
- Visit some of the famous monasteries in Leh such as Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Shakar.
- Visit Lamayuru and the historic village of Temisgam.
- Meet the locals and stay in simple but charming homestays.
- Visit Alchi Gompa, with its unique Indian and Kashmiri paintings.
- Explore Tso-kar, also referred to as “white lake” because of salt deposits around it.
- Explore the last village of DhaHanu ,also known as the “land of Aryans”.
- Explore Leh town and shop for Ladakhi handicrafts.
Tour Details
01
Day 1 - Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival at the Delhi International Airport, you will be received by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Delhi is India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. You will have free time on your own to adjust to the new time zone. Overnight will be at Delhi.
02
Day 2 - Delhi to Leh By Flight
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Ladakh. This must be 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.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. You will need to spend the day settling in and acclimatizing since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 11,000 feet! During the afternoon, subject to how you are feeling, you can walk through the old town, beneath the Leh Palace, to allow you to get oriented to this fascinating city.
03
Day 3 - In Leh –Visit to Leh Palace & Sankar Gompa
The morning is at leisure to complete the acclimatization process. You may choose to stroll along the main bazaar, shop for souvenirs or try one of the local restaurants serving Tibetan, Indian or Continental cuisine. You can also walk to the Leh Palace & Sankar Gompa, which belongs to Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gompa is a branch of Spituk Gompa, founded by the first incarnation of SkyabjeBakula (head monk of Spituk monastery).
Return to hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
04
Day 4 - In Leh – Visit to Thiksey (3,230 M / 10,569 Ft) – Hemis Gompa (3,450 M / 11,385Ft) and Stok Palace (3,650 M / 12,045 Ft)
Begin the day by visiting Thiksey Monastery, which is 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.
Continue your drive, traveling upstream along the Indus River to Hemis Gompa, crossing over the Indus at the village of Karu. The most famous of Ladakh’s monasteries, Hemis or ChangchubSamstanling (The love palace of the compassionate person), dates back to the 17th century and was built over a period of 40 years (1602 – 1642 A.D.) After your visit to Hemis Monastery drive to Stok Palace, which is the present residence of the former royal family of Ladakh.
Return to hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
05
Day 5 -Leh to Likir (3,500 M / 11480 Ft) – By road / 52 Kms / Approx 2 Hrs to Yangthan (3,600 M/ 11,810 Ft) - Trek /Approx 4½ Hrs Walking time
Drive out early to visitLikir Monastery, which is situated at the head of the village by the same name. The gompa is believed to date back to the 11th century andit is one of the most active monasteries in the region. Afterwards, commence your trek on a jeep track as it winds down to the river, leaving behind all the greenery and entering an arid moonscape. You can either continue onthe jeep track or trek down taking shortcuts. Enjoy the scenic Himalayas throughout the day. The day will end at the village of Yangtang which has wonderful southerly views over the village to the Zanskar Range beyond.
Overnight stay will be in a home stay.
06
Day 6 - Yangthang to HemisShukpachan(3,600 M / 11,810 Ft) - Trek / Approx 3 Hrs walking time.
From Yangtang the route descends to the tree-lined WulehTokpo, crosses it on a bridge and then, between stonewalls, climbs the other side of the valley. This brings you to Sermanchan La (3,750 m / 12,300 ft).There are views down to the beautiful village of HemisShukpachan from the Pass. The trail enters the village through the fields, drops steeply down to cross the AkheurTokpo and emerges above the Gompa overlooking beautiful pastures. Hemis Shukpachan is a wonderful tranquil village with a small Gompa overlooking a beautiful pasture.
Overnight stay will be in a home Stay.
07
Day 7 - HemisShukpachan to Temisgam – Trek/ Approx 4 Hrs
Start from HemisShukpachan in the morning. Pass through various Himalayan villages on the way such Ang and finally reach the Temisgam village. Temisgam is the largest and most prosperous village on this trek. Set amongst fertile fields and sprawling orchards there are some fine examples of large, whitewashed traditional Ladakhi homes.
Overnight stay will be ina homestay.
08
Day 8 - Tingmosgang to Lamayaru (3,460 M / 11,418 Ft) – Approx 30 Km / 1 Hr
Drive from Tingmosgang to Nurla from where you turn right for Lamayuru along the main highway.After checking in to your accommodation, proceed to visit the 11th century Lamayuru Monastery
Overnight stay will at your hotel.
09
Day 9 - Lamayuru – Excursion to the village of DhaHanu
After breakfast, meet the Drokpa community, considered the last line of the valley Aryans. The Indo-Aryan people have retained their physical characteristics through the centuries. Their culture and religious practice are very similar to that of the pre Buddhist religion of this region.
Evening return to Lamayuru for dinner and overnight.
010
Day 10 - Lamayuru to Alchi (3,250 M / 10,725 Ft) – By road / Approx 1½ Hrs to Leh – By road 70 Kms / 2Hrs
Return to Leh from Lamayuru. Crossing the Indus River you’ll drive uphill to Alchi to visit the Alchi Monastery. It is complex of temples located within the village. Alchi Gompa is the only monastery, built on flat ground. It is very famous for its paintings and architecture, which have Indian as well as Kashmiri influences in them.
After lunch you will proceed to Leh, reaching there by the evening.
Overnight stay will be at a hotel
011
Day 11- Leh to Tso Moriri to Korzok (15,075 Ft) – By road - 227 Kms / Approx 7 Hrs
On your way to Tso Moriri you will cross over Namshang La (4800 M), which is a very wide pass. Shortly after this crossing you will come across a small lake called TangtseKaru. It is a small, brackish water lake at an altitude of more than 4000 metres above sea level. Continue onto Tso Moriri or “Mountain Lake” which is situated in the middle of the elevated valley of Rupshu surrounded by snow-capped peaks. This valley is inhabited by a small-scattered population of “Changpas” who are nomadic shepherds. The area is rich in wildlife including the “Kyang” (wild ass), red fox, black necked crane and geese.
Overnight stay will be at Tsomoriri Camp & resort/Similar.
012
Day 12 - Tso Moriri to Tso Kar(4485 M) - Approx 55 Kms / Approx 2½ Hrs
Rise early in the morning to capture some unforgettable snaps of the deep blue waters of the lake against the backdrop of Rocky Mountains of unimaginable hues. Later explore the surrounding areas of the Lake andthe village of Korzok.
In the afternoon continue your journey to TSO KAR. The journey to this lake is filled with breathtaking views. Tso Kar is also called the “White Lake” because of the salt deposits around it. The waters are deep blue in colour and the mountains, like the rest of the Ladakhi landscape are of varying shades of brown and purple with snow-capped peaks.
Overnight will be at pastureland camp / similar.
013
Day 13 Tso Kar to Leh – By road / Approx 145Kms / Approx 5 ½ Hrs
Commence your journey back to Leh. A 20 minutes’ drive gets you onto the Manali – Leh highway. On this route you cross over Taklang La (5260 M / 17, 582 Ft), the second highest motorable road in the world.
Overnight in Leh.
014
Day 14- Leh to Delhi By Flight
In the morning, board the flight to Delhi and as per your flight timings, you will be transferred to the airport to take a flight back home with sweet memories of the tour.
TOUR ENDS !