7 Nights – Explore Ladakh

Arrival at Leh Kushok Bakula Airport (This must be one of the most sensational flights in the World. On a clear day, from one side of the aircraft, the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum can be seen and the other side of the aircraft feels so close that you could reach the Nun Kun massif). Upon arrival, you will meet by transferred to the Hotel for Check-in. Complete Day for rest and leisure to acclimatize, followed by Welcome tea or Coffee at the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel will be arranged.

This morning, after breakfast, proceed to visit Shanti Stupa built by Japanese monks to promote world peace. This large hilltop stupa has brightly colored reliefs on its mid-levels and is topped by a spired white hemisphere (smoking is prohibited here). Visit the eye-catching Sankar Gompa monastery. Lastly, visit Leh Palace, dilapidated yet interesting, which was built in the 17th century in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Leh.

This morning, drive to Nubra Valley, popularly known as Dorma or ‘the valley of flowers’ via Khardungla Pass – the world’s one of the highest motorable road (5602 mts). On arrival, check-in to your camp. Later in the afternoon, visit the Diskit Monastery and the giant statue of Maitreya Buddha which is the tallest Buddha statue in Ladakh. Later, visit the white sand dunes at Hunder where you can enjoy the Double Humped Bactrian camel ride (ride on direct payment basis).Overnight in Nubra Valley.

After breakfast, drive back to Leh. En-route visit Khardungla Pass which is 39 kms away from Leh (Mountain Pass at 5578 m / 18300 ft.). Khardung-La which means ‘Pass of Lower Castle,’ is a major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Leh.

This morning, after breakfast, visit Alchi, (3500 m / 11500 feet) a small village in the Indus Valley, 67 km west of Leh. Abandoned centuries ago the Gompa or monastery is known as Chos-kor or religious enclave and comprises of five temples. Enroute see the majestic Sangam – Confluence (where two rivers meet each other). Zanskar is the river formed from the junction of two streams, Lungnak means “dark gorge” and Stood, which carries the melted water of the great Drang-drug glacier. See the marvelous Magnetic Hill, a gravity hill located near Leh. The hill is alleged to have magnetic properties strong enough to pull cars uphill and force passing aircraft to increase their altitude in order to escape magnetic interference. Visit Military Hall of Fame, a glorious museum instructed by the Indian army. You can see biographies of eminent defense personalities, images and weapons used during Kargil war, Siachen and its heroes and their daily instruments and lifestyle of Ladakhi people. You will also visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a beautiful Gurudwara constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak, about 25 miles away from Leh and Spituk Monastery, famous for its wide and varied collections of ancient masks, icons, antique arms and numerous Thangkas. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Leh.

This morning, after breakfast, proceed to Pangong Tso, a lake which is 134Â km long and extends from India to Tibet. 60% of the length of the lake lies in China. During winter, the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. En-route visit Shey Palace, the 15th-century summer palace and monastery of Leh’s Royal family; the 800-year-old Gompa at Thiksey built on a hilltop and modeled on the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa. Before reaching Pangong Lake, you will pass through the Changla, a high mountain pass and the world’s 3rd highest motorable road. It is on the route to Pangong Lake from Leh. The name literally means “Pass towards the South” or “Pass in the South” (Chang = south, La = Pass). The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Pangong.

This morning, after breakfast, drive around the Pangong Lake and don’t forget to click photos! Continue to Leh. En-route visit Hemis Monastery hidden in a gorge, the largest and wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh. Visit Stok Palace, famous for beautiful gardens and the view of the sunrise, as well as sunset, is amazing from the palace. At present, the palace is open to visits and presents a collection of royal attires, crown and other royal materials. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Leh.

Return home with happy memories Today, bid farewell to your ‘Explore Ladakh’ tour, as you are transferred to Airport in Leh for your onward journey.