Leh & Ladakh: Heart of The Himalayas

Day 1 : Arrival : Leh 

Arrive at the Leh Airport, where you will meet our tour representative. Get assistance with transfer to the hotel. Complete the check-in formalities and Relax and acclimatize to the high altitudes of Ladakh. In the evening, leave your hotel room to visit the very popular Shanti Stupa. The white dome-shaped Buddhist stupa was built in 1991 on a hilltop in Chanspa. Next, proceed to visit the Jokhang monastery. Feel spiritual bliss as you watch the fluttering prayer flags in the cold winds. Next, proceed to the local markets of Leh, where you can indulge in shopping. The best bargains include Buddhist masks, prayer wheels, Thangka paintings, woolen items like Pashmina shawls, gloves, sweaters and more. Later, return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Leh – Indus Valley Tour – Leh (Approx - 8 hrs.)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Later, set out for a full day tour of the Indus Valley. The amazing sights covered on your sightseeing tour will include the Royal Museum at Stok Palace. The displays here offer an insight into the heritage of Ladakh. Next, proceed for a visit to the Thiksey Monastery. It is one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh region. Move on for a visit to the Stagna Monastery. Set on a barren mountain top, from here you can enjoy scenic views. Next stop for the day is the Changchubling monastery. Also known as Rizong monastery . The monastery has a reputation for the high standards of monastic disciplines. The last stop of the sightseeing tour is the popular Hemis Monastery. Known as India's wealthiest monastery, it is also among the biggest ones. Furthermore, it hosts the annual Hemis festival in June-July, a colorful occasion which is famous for the wonderful Cham Dances, the unique mask dances of Ladakh. After the excitement of the day, get back to the hotel for overnight stay in Leh.

Day 3:  Leh - Nubra Valley : Valley of Flowers (approx - 4.5 hrs)

After an early breakfast, begin your road journey to Nubra Valley. The beautiful tourist attraction in Ladakh is a beauty beyond words. On the way, cross the popular Khardungla Pass at an altitude of 18360 feet, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Upon arrival in Nubra valley, check in at your camp. Later on, pay a visit to Hunder Village, known for the silver sand dunes. The unique spectacle of a cold desert at such heights is a wonder. Here, embark upon desert safari. Besides the beautiful sand dunes, it is home to the double-humped Bactrian Camels. Enjoy a memorable camel safari. Later, pay a visit to the villages of Diskit and Hunder (80 km round trip that will take 6-7 hours). Besides the beautiful journey, enjoy visits to the monasteries and hot springs. Also, know more about the lifestyle of the locals.Stay overnight at the camp.

Day 4: Nubra Valley - Leh 

Start the day with sumptuous breakfast. Enjoy the surroundings of your camp in the mesmerizing early morning light. Later, proceed for a visit to the tiny yet beautiful Yarab Tso Lake. The crystal-clear lake also referred to as the hidden lake is bounded by barren yet beautiful surroundings. Later, begin your drive back to Leh via Khardungla pass. Upon arrival in the city, check-in at a hotel. You can opt to rest or spend the evening by leisurely walking in the Leh market.Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 5 : Leh - Pangong Lake

Today you will embark on a visit to one of the best in Ladakh, the Pangong Lake. Start your drive early in the morning for Pangong Lake. On the way, cross the Changla Pass at 17500 ft, also one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. Pass by Durbuk and Tangtse villages in the Changthang region of Ladakh. The scenic beauty all around is a treat to all your senses. On reaching, set up your camps near the lakeside. Explore the charming surroundings. Spread both in India and China, Pangong glitters like a gem in sunlight. In fact, it presents myriad shades of blue. Bask in the heavenly bliss in the campsite. Stay the night in the camps.

Day 6: Pangong – Leh

Wake up in the early hours of the day. The view of the sunrise at Pangong is spectacular. Enjoy the bliss and capture the moments in photographs. Later, have breakfast, check out of the campsite and drive back to Leh. Also, if you desire then you can embark upon a trip to Hemis Monastery. Return to Leh by noon. The day is free at leisure. Choose to explore the city markets for some mouthwatering treats and last minute shopping. Stay the night at the Hotel.

Day 7:  Leh - Tsomoriri Lake (approx - 10 hrs.)

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, start driving towards Tsomoriri Lake. It is the largest lake in Ladakh. Drive up to Kharu and proceed to Moriri Lake. On the way, stop at the Chumathang Hot springs. Drive past Mahe Bridge and continue towards the beautiful Lake. Also, spot Himalayan marmots. By evening, arrive at the Lake. Check-in at the campsite near the lake. Here at the lakeside you can easily spot as many as 34 avifauna species, many of which are migratory birds flying from far ends of the world. Moreover, the lake has been declared a Wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003. Stay overnight in the camp.

Day 8 - Tso Moriri Lake - Toskar Lake - Leh (approx - 9 hrs)

Wake up early to enjoy the view and to spot the birds visiting the lakeside. Photography here is amazing as it guarantees memories of a lifetime. After a sumptuous breakfast, proceed for a visit to Tsokar Lake. On the way, halt to visit Puga Geo-Thermal Gas springs and the Nomadic Rebo tents at Polo-Kongka pass. Continue towards the Tsokar Lake, a beautiful wetland area in Ladakh region. You can stop here for photographs as the landscape is pretty amazing. Also, if it suits you, proceed for a visit to the monastery of the tiny Thukje village. After the day's excitement, I returned for an overnight stay in Leh Hotel.

Day 9 - Leh - Uleytokpo (Approx - 3 hrs)

Start the day early with delicious breakfast at the hotel. Later leave by road to the next destination. Enjoy the views en route. The first stop of the day is the region popular for its moon like landscape, Lamayuru. The beautiful lunar landscape is truly out of the world. Here, pay a visit to Lamayuru Monastery. One of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh, it is rather a treasure that houses wall paintings, thangkas, murals, old scriptures and various statues of different forms of Buddha as well as other deities of Buddhism. Here also explore the Rizong Nunnery, which is a residence of 40 monks. Built in 1831 by the great Lama Tsultim Nima it is one of the amazing places to see in Ladakh. Overnight stay at Uleytokpo.

Day 10 - Uleytokpo - Leh    (Approx - 3 hours)

Today return to Leh. On the way, pay a visit to the great statue of Maitreya Buddha in the Likir monastery, Alchi monastery, listed among the best Buddhist miniature paintings. Continue your road journey. On the way, halt to visit the 11th century Spituk Monastery also known as Pethup Gompa. Wonder at the magic of Magnetic Hill that defies gravity in a very interesting sort of way. Proceed for a visit to the Military Hall of Fame, a museum and memorial of the war heroes that is established and managed by the Indian Army. Arrive in Leh by afternoon. Rest of the day is free at your own leisure. Indulge in some last minute shopping at the popular markets of Leh such as Moti market, Balkhang chowk and Super Market. Stay the night at the hotel.

Day 11: Leh - Departure

Today the best of Ladakh tour ends. In the morning, avail assisted transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward journey.