LADAKH 'The Forbidden Land'

Duration: 07 Nights / 08 Days
Routing: Leh – Monasteries - Sham Valley - Pangong Lake - Nubra Valley – Leh Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Leh
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize welcome Tea or Coffee at the Hotel.
(This must be one of the Most Sensational Flights in The World. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif)

Evening visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Market.....
Overnight Hotel – Leh (D)

Day 02: Leh - Sham Valley (75 Kms / 4 Hrs Approx)
Post after breakfast drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. En-route visiting Gurudwara Patthar Sahib Nestled deep in the Himalayas.
Continue drive of another 4 kms to explore the Magnetic Hill; which defies the law of gravity & further driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the confluence of the Indus And Zanskar River, Just before Saspul a road to the right take you to visit the Likir Monastery; is one of the most active monasteries in the region. As you drive up to the monastery a recently installed colossal gilded image of the Maitreya out in the open is one of the most impressive sights in Ladakh.
After visiting the Monastery you continue your drive along the River Indus to or Uletokpo or Tingmosgang en-route visit Ridzong Monastery, there is the option to walk up to the Monastery for those that wish to do so. Hidden at the end of a steep valley, the first view of the Monastery is dramatic.

Later transfer to Camp / Hotel
Overnight at Sham Valley (B, D)

Day 03: Sham Valley - Leh via Lamayuru (180 Kms / 05 – 06 Hrs Approx)
Post breakfast drive to the 11th Century Lamayuru Monastery en-route visiting the mesmerizing Moon Landscapes (you will believe why the name of this area is Moonland. Exactly the same formations of Land are visible as on the moon),
Lamayuru; is spectacularly located along the valley plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Later drive to Leh and visit the 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. Later proceed to Basgo, which lies astride the road to Leh. The jagged skyline of the ruins of the 15th century capital of Ladakh dominates the village of Basgo  and drive back to Leh.

Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, D)

Day 04: Leh – Nubra Valley via Khardung La 18,390 Ft. (120 Kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (The 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.

On arrival in Nubra transfer to Camp / Hotel in Hunder.
Evening walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world.  Also visit a Ladakhi home and experience the Ladakhi cuisine.
Overnight Hotel – Nubra Valley (B, D)

Day 05: Nubra Valley – Leh (120 Kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
After early breakfast driven to Hunder and enjoy the ride on a Bacterian Camel (Double Humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snow capped mountains on the horizon. Between Hunder and Diskit you come across sand dunes besides the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are Rocky Mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains.
On the return stop 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. Diskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley.

Later we drive back to Leh in the late afternoon via Khardungla Top.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, D)

Day 06: Leh To Pangong Lake (140 kms / 4 – 5 Hrs – One Way)
After an early breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake en-route visiting Shey Palace, The ancient capital of Ladakh & 3 Idiots Rancho School & further 5 Kms Driving through a picturesque landscape we reach Thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. After visiting above two monasteries we drive further towards Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs. The long easy ascent takes you to Changla pass through its winding roads passing through Sakti Village. Stop at the Changla Pass for a quick photograph session and drive down to the village of Tangtse, where you can relax for a cup of tea. Leaving Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the Pangong lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of it’s running the other side of the “Indo China Border”. One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable.

After the success of 3 Idiots, this beautiful natural location has attracted more tourists from all over the world. Upon arrival we check in at our Camp near Pangong lake.

Overnight Camp at Pangong Lake (B, D)

Day 07: Pangong Lake to Leh (140 Kms / 6 Hrs)
Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to leh en-routevisiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Later drive back to Leh.
Evening you can stroll around the market place for some last minute souvenir shopping.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, D)

Day 08: Leh – Delhi (Flight)
Depart

Transfer to airport to board the flight for home country taking back wonderful memory of The Forbidden Land.

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.