BEST OF LADAKH

Arrival Leh by morning flight and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drink, take complete rest for acclimatization to the high altitude of Leh (3500 meters). In the late afternoon, drive to the city for an orientation walk in the markets, followed by a visit to Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Shanti Stupa: Shanti Stupa is situated on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh. It is a Buddhist white-domed stupa built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. It provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding landscape and is one of the popular tourist attractions in Leh.

Leh Palace: Leh Palace, also known as Lhachen Palkhar, is a 17th-century former royal palace and one of the central attractions in Leh. Built under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal, it used to house his family. The nine-storey palace now houses a museum and a prayer room, while the highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountains from the rooftop.

After breakfast, drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh - Kargil Highway. Start sightseeing with Hall of Fame, a museum constructed by the Indian Army near Leh and worth a visit for every Indian. Proceed further to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib at an altitude of 3600 meters, about 22 kms from Leh, constructed in memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. A drive of another 4 km takes you to Magnetic Hill, which defies the law of gravity. As you move ahead from Magnetic Hill, just before Nimmu Village, there comes the famous confluence of two rivers - the Indus River coming from Tibet and the Zanskar River coming from Zanskar Valley. After visiting the confluence, 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, drive back towards Leh, enroute visiting Likir Monastery, which was built in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. It houses a 25 feet gold covered Lord Buddha statue. Later drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Hall of Fame (Closed on Mondays): An important stopover on the tourist circuit, the Hall of Fame displays exhibits relating to the bravery of Indian soldiers and their courageous accomplishments. The OP Vijay Gallery showcases weaponry used in the Kargil War, documents of the war, uniforms worn at the Siachen glacier, letters written by soldiers to their families, photographs clicked during wars and a documentary on the Kargil War. The museum also houses a souvenir shop.

Magnetic Hill: Perched at an altitude of 14,000 feet, Magnetic Hill is one of the most intriguing spots in the country. This tiny hillock is said to defy gravity as it appears to pull vehicles upwards. It is a good pit stop on the highway and is best visited between May to September when the road is easily accessible.

Confluence of the Zanskar: The Indus River originates from the great Himalayan ranges and the Zanskar River originates from the Zanskar ranges. The Zanskar River is shiny blue in colour, while the Indus looks a little green. Zanskar meets Indus in Nimmu Valley from the north-east. This is a scenic view for visitors.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a highly revered place located 25 miles away from Leh town on the Kargil-Leh Highway. Devoted to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikh religion, this sacred place commemorates his visit to Ladakh. Dating back to 1517, the Gurudwara houses a boulder with imprints associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Alchi Gompa: The architecture of Alchi Monastery is of Tibetan style. The monastery complex has three major shrines - the Dukhang, the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri. There are also chortens in the complex. Wall paintings are the major attractions here as they depict details of both Buddhist and Kashmiri styles. The complex houses a huge statue of Buddha and beautiful wood carvings and artwork.

Post breakfast, 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 meters / 18,390 feet, around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see south over the Indus Valley to the 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 feet above sea level. Upon arrival in Nubra, check in at camp / hotel in Hunder for overnight stay. In the evening, you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world. Overnight stay at the camp or hotel.

After an early breakfast, proceed to Turtuk, a village that was won by India in the 1971 war with Pakistan and is extremely close to the border. Visit a 16th century mosque with a touch of Turkish and Iranian culture, ruined fort of Dhards and monastery. Admire the magnificent view of the famous K2 peak, the second highest peak in the world after Mount Everest. Later, return to hotel for overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, check out from camp or hotel and drive towards Hunder, where you have the opportunity to ride a Bactrian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high-altitude desert with snow-capped mountains on the horizon. On the return, stop at Diskit, the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Later, drive towards Pangong Tso via Agham and Shyok Valley. Some road patches are extremely tough, especially towards the Nubra side, but the journey is very scenic. Later, after crossing this adventurous part, drive further towards Durbuk and Tangtse for Pangong. You pass through a few small villages of Changthang and finally get a sudden view of Pangong Lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 meters). Upon arrival, check in at camp / hotel near Pangong Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning is at leisure to explore the beauty of the lake. Later, drive back to Leh via Chang La Pass at 5486 meters, enroute visiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Continue further to Thiksey, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. After another 5 kms drive through a picturesque landscape, reach Shey Palace, the ancient capital of Ladakh, and 3 Idiots Rancho School. Drive further to Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Tour concludes with a punctual transfer to the domestic airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.