Ladakh- A Wanderers Delight

Highlights: On your 10 day active vacation, we will feast on the awe-inspiring natural beauty of this amazing landscape, visit monasteries lost in times including the famous Lamayuru and Hemis gompas and the beautiful Alchi gompa., cross the world”s highest motorable pass and walk in the wilderness of Nubra valley, where double humped Bactrian camels roam in the sands of Hunder! The journey will take us further to the largest saline water lake in Asia, which is also the highest lake in Ladakh - Pangong Tso. This trip is ideal for those who wish to wander through Ladakh in “comfort and style”, the hallmark of all travel with The Wanderers.

EX - LEH AIRPORT

ITINERARY:
Tour code: 9LADAKH20A

Day 01: Arrive Leh: Altitude 11500ft.          
Upon arrival in Leh, you will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred by car to your Hotel. You are advised to take complete rest for acclimatization, a must at high altitude. Overnight at hotel

Day 02: Leh: Acclimatisation and a bit of sightseeing.    
After lunch, if you are feeling fine, we will go on a 2-hour jeep tour starting with Sankar Gompa. Located on a valley floor it is the home to Lamas who belong to the yellow sect of Buddhism and worship his Holiness - The Dalai Lama. Next, we will visit Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist religious monument built by an Indian based Japanese Monk whose intention was to spread Buddhisim by building such stupas throughut the world. Later we will visit Leh Palace, built in the 17th century and looking for all the world like a miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa. The rest of the day is free for personal activities. Meals and overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Leh to Ulletopko Camp
If  you are interested in rafting on the river Indus, this can be arranged on the way to Uleytopko at a place called Spituk. (inform in advance, amount payable extra). Morning depart for Uleytopko with an excursion to Lamnayuru Monastery. The drive is over a flat and often winding road, which follows the greyish brownish River Indus. The barren landscape is interspersed with oasis of greenery around villages en route. Lamayuru was founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This gompa is located in the midst of massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this gompa and its renowned collection of carpets, thangkas and frescoes attract many a tourist. It is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh. Overnight at Ulletopko camp - Fixed tented accomodation

Day 04: Excursion to Dha-hanu region. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Uleytopko to Dahanu (full day excursion) and later drive back to Uleytopko. We return to spend the night at the beautifully located Overnight at Ulletopko camp - fixed tented accomodation in semi-deluxe tents. Evening at leisure. Overnight at semi dlx tent.

Day 05: Uleytopko to Leh via Alchi.
From Uleytopko we drive on to Likir and Alchi monasteries. Alchi is Ladakh's most beautiful monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti. These paintings propound the Ajanta style of painting. Unlike other monasteries, which are usually located on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden. Likir gompa situated atop a windy cliff top overlooks the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire. In its courtyard is a yellow-coloured 3 storey high mammoth statue of the Lord Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk. The top floor houses an impressive museum containing old thangkas and weapons used many centuries back.  Drive on to Leh and reach in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Drive to Nubra Valley over the world”s highest motorable pass, Khardungla!  
The 145kms/ 7 hr journey commences in the morning with a steep and grinding uphill drive to Khardungla (18300ft). In 3 hrs, we climb over 7000ft! For most part of the uphill drive we are able to see the town of Leh becoming smaller and smaller. A brief halt at the Pass, some memorable moments are photographed and then the drive down to Nubra Valley. (For a travelogue on Nubra Valley, read our “Tales from the Nubra”). We make our way to the picturesque campsite for overnight stay. If time permits, we will go for a short hike nearby. Overnight in tent.

Day 07:  Exploring Nubra Valley - A glimpse of Heaven!  
The upper Shyok and Nubra rivers drain the east and west sides of the Saser Spur, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram. The name Nubra is applied to the district comprising the valleys of the Nubra River, and that of the Shyok both above and below their confluence. The wide valley floor itself is covered with dense thickets of seabuckthorn - a thorny shrub- which is used by the villagers for fencing and fuel. The villages are large and prosperous and have thick plantations of willow and poplar. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000ft and summer temperatures vary between 15-28 deg C. Overnight in tent.

Day 08:  Nubra to Leh. 7 hrs.       
After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Leh. Overnight at Leh.

Day 09: Day trip to Pangong Tso lake! 5 hrs one way drive.  
At 14,000 ft, it is simply awesome! Its blue green waters reflect the entire mountain scape surrounding it. It is the largest saline water lake in Asia. The Lake is virtually an inland sea, 150 km long and 10 km wide. Pangong Tso is the highest lake in Ladakh and is flanked by massive peaks over 6500 m high and extends almost in a straight line, way into Tibet. In fact only a quarter of the lake is in India and rest in China. You will see spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflections shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake's brackish waters. Return by late evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Leh Departure:
Check out from hotel in time to catch your Jet Airways flight back home. Those wanting to take the Leh-Manali highway may do so at extra cost.

Tour ends

Package Price: On Request

For enquiry, email info@thewanderers.co.in

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Rafting on the river Indus is an immensely enjoyable way to experience the valley's most rugged and beautiful landscape. Rafting is generally done on two different stretches of the river Indus, from Spitok to Nimmu and from Nimmu to the ancient monastic complex at Alchi. Optional cost extra Rs.1250 per person. Best season: end of June to late August.