HIGHLIGHTS OF LADAKH (EX – MANALI)

Today we start our journey to Leh with stopover at Jispa for a night. We will cross Rohtang Pass (3978 m) & Keylong (3350 m). On arrival in Jispa we check in at our camps/Hotel for dinner & overnight stay

After an early breakfast we check out from the hotel and ride north on the Manali-Leh Highway. You get to see some of the most breath-taking landscapes that the Western Himalayas can offer. The scenery gets starker and barren as we climb up to the 16,500-foot high Baralacha La, the second mountain pass on our journey. From the pass beautiful views of meadows and snow-capped mountains can be seen. And we proceed further through Nakeela and Lachangla Pass 16,617 ft. Stopover for lunch at Pang. After lunch drive towards tsomoriri passing through Skyangchu Thang (biggest and highest plateau on Earth stretching for 42 kms). The journey is full of beautiful landscapes on the way when you reach at Tsokar & after 85 km is Tsomori-ri Lake. Tsomoriri is full of natural landscapes which includes beautiful small lakes on the way and mountains after this drive you reach to the Rupshow valley. Tsomori-ri is the biggest brackish water lake which has no outlet. Dinner & overnight at hotel or camp in Tsomoriri.

Post breakfast proceed for excursion around lake and Korzok Monastery (350 years old Korzok Monastery which has about 33 resident monks) which belongs to the yellow sect. Tsomori-ri or "Mountain Lake" is situated in the middle of the elevated valley of Rupshow surrounded by 6000 M peaks which completely shut the lake in. This valley is inhabited by a small scattered population of "Changpas" nomadic shepherds who also engage in trade and work the caravans in Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti. The area is rich in wildlife including the "Kyang" (Wild Ass) red fox and the rare highly endangered snow Leopard. Black necked cranes and geese flock to the lakeside for breeding during the summer months. Later we drive for 7 hours to Leh via Sumdo and Chuma – Thang (3965M). Enroute stop at Mahe Bridge from where the road crosses to the south bank of the river by a bridge; it then follows the un-metaled road through Sumdo village up to join Puga stream. The drive from Sumdo to Mahe follows a narrow mountain gorge through green bushes. Chuma-Thang is known for its famous medicated hot water springs where people from various parts of Ladakh come for relieving their pains. Enroute drive past beautiful villages of Nurnis, Kery and Kadgam. The Jeep drive through this part of the Indus valley is quite flat without much uphill or downhill drive, a wide-open village. Upon arrival in Leh transfer to your pre-arranged hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. And start our sightseeing with Hall of Fame (Museum Constructed by India Army) near Leh is worth a visit for every Indian, and proceed further to Gurudwara Patthar Sahib situated at an altitude of 3600 Mtrs about 22 Kms from Leh, the Gurudwara was constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev ji. A drive of another 4 km will take you to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity. As you move ahead from Magnetic Hills, just before Nimmu Village, there comes a famous point, popularly known as Sangam Point which displays the confluence of Two Rivers, Indus River coming from Tibet (left) and Zanskar River coming from Zanskar Valley (right). Next, we head to Alchi Gompa, The complex of temples located within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh’s monasteries and dates back to the 11th century. After visiting Alchi we return back towards Leh enroute visiting Likir Monastery which was built in the 11th century and was again re-built in the 18th century and houses a 25 feet gold covered statue of Lord Buddha. Later we drive back to Leh Hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

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.

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.

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.

Tour concludes Through a punctual transfer to the Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward destination