Destinations Covered: Delhi - Leh - Indus Valley - Leh - Nubra Valley - Leh - Pangong Tso - Leh - Tsomoriri Lake - Tsokar Lake - Leh - Uleytokpo - Leh
Ladakh has been blessed by mesmerizing scenery and fascinating landscape, which can be explored wonderfully if you have time in hand. Best of Ladakh is a meticulously-planned tour of 11 days, offering you a visit to some of the best attractions and destinations of Ladakh. The itinerary takes you to places like Leh, Indus Valley, Nubra Valley, Uleytokpo, Pangong Tso, and Tsomoriri Lake. Enjoy bird watching on the lake banks, savour captivating views, relish tasty food, enjoy camel safari, visit the monasteries, admire the serenity and so on.
Board a flight from Delhi Airport to the Bakula Airport of Leh, which lies at an altitude of 11700 feet above the sea level. On reaching, meet our tour representative who helps you with an assisted transfer to the hotel. After the check-in formalities, the day is scheduled for acclimatization to the high altitudes. Early evening, move out from the hotel room and visit the popular Shanti Stupa. Erected on Chanspa hilltop in 1991, this is a white dome-shaped Buddhist stupa from where one can also savour wonderful views. After this, visit the Chowkhang monastery. The monastery lies on a wonderful location and is marked by fluttering colourful prayer flags. Later enjoy a leisure walk in at the local market of Leh. You can get your hands on prayer wheels, Buddhist masks, woollens, Thangka paintings etc.
Stay Overnight.
Post breakfast, get ready for a day's excursion to the pristine Indus Valley. You will visit the monasteries in India Valley which include Thiksey Monastery- which is the Central Ladakh's largest monastery belonging to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism; the hilltop gompa Stakna Monastery wonderful views of the surroundings and belongs to Drugpa Buddhist sect; Shey Monastery - founded in 1655, it comprises a gilded gold statue of Shakyamuni Buddha which is 12 m high; Spituk Monastery - it was built in the 11th century and blessed with breathtaking views of the Indus Valley and the lastly the popular Hemis Monastery- the wealthiest and largest monastery in Leh, which hosts a wonderful annual festival too.
Later in the evening return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.
Today, after an early breakfast, start driving towards Nubra Valley, via the world-renowned Khardungla Pass. This pass is known to be one of the highest motorable passes in the world and lies at a height of 18360 feet. On reaching the assigned place in the valley, set-up the camps. Thereafter, hop onto the back of a double-humped camel for a camel safari ride in the silver sand dunes near the Hunder village. Next, you visit the Diskit and Hunder villages. During the journey, savour stunning views of the surrounding area. Visit the hot springs and the old monasteries. Interact with the locals to known about their lifestyle.
Overnight stay in camp.
Start the day 4 of your tour early with lip-smacking hot breakfast. Treat your eyes to the mesmerising views of the surroundings. Later on, get ready for the morning expedition to Samstanling Monastery which is nestled amidst the serene settings. Delve into the spiritual bliss of the Tibetan traditions. After this, start your return journey to Leh, via Khardung La. As you reach, complete the check-in formalities and take rest for a while. The rest of the time is at your leisure. There are activities of your interest, beautiful surroundings and a platter of sumptuous delicacies of the local cuisines to try out. Interact with the locals to know more about their culture.
Overnight at the hotel in Leh.
Today, leave early for Pangong Lake, lying at an altitude of 4400 m above the sea level. To reach the lake, begin travelling on road eastwards of Leh, driving past Changla Pass (17500 feet). On the way, visit the Tangste and Durbuk villages in Ladakh's Changthang region. The surroundings scenery is going to be beautiful, do not miss noticing it. On arrival, set-up your camps on the banks of the lake. Pangong Lake spreads in India as well as China and has clear placid waters. It is known to change colours during the day with the sun rays. Pangong was one of the shooting location of 3 Idiots, the Bollywood blockbuster. Spend a peaceful day here.
Overnight in camps.
Day 6 begin early. Do not miss the enchanting surroundings of the lake, which become all the more beautiful at this hour. Capture this beauty in your cameras. Later, begin driving to another beautiful lake in Ladakh, Tsomoriri Lake. Located at an altitude of 15075 feet above the sea level, it is the largest lake in Ladakh. Keep driving up to Kharu, then turning right to the Moriri Lake. On the way, stop at the Chumathang Hot springs. Continue the journey, driving past Mahe Bridge and then towards Tsomoriri Lake. Set-up your camps on the lake side. You might spot Himalayan marmots here. The lake side is also known for being home to around 34 avifauna species. It has also been declared a Wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003.
Stay overnight in camps.
On day 7, early morning breakfast is followed by return journey to Leh, via Tsokar Lake. En-route halt at the Puga Geo-Thermal Gas springs, exploring the Nomadic Rebo tents at Polo-kongka pass, and then halt at the Tsokar Lake - a wetland area. Click photographs by the lake side. If you wish, you can also visit the old monastery in the Thukje village. Arrive in Leh and complete the check-in.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Today after breakfast, drive to Ulley Resort from Leh. Enroute, stop at the Likir monastery to view the life-like statue of Maitreya Buddha and the Alchi monastery for its 1000 -year old murals known to be one of the best Buddhist miniature paintings. Continue your journey to Uley. As you reach, check-into to the hotel. You can now relax or explore the place on your own.
Stay overnight.
Day 9 is going to be fun-filled as first you visit the interesting Lunar landscapes in the region. The landscape has been named as it looks like the land of the Moon. Continue sightseeing and visit Lamayuru Monastery- one of Ladakh's largest and oldest monasteries. It is a storehouse of thangkas, old scriptures, wall paintings, murals and statues of Buddha and other deities. Later, visit Rizong Nunnery, home to around 40 monks. This structure was constructed by the great Lama Tsultim Nima in 1831. You can also opt for a hike to the Rizong village that takes 2-3 hours or can opt for a short hike to Gera-Lardo village, lying across Indus River.
Overnight stay.
In the morning, drive back to Leh. En-route visit the Spituk Monastery or Pethup Gompa- established in the 11th century; Gravity hill or Magnetic Hill-a natural wonder creating exciting visual illusion and then the Military Hall of Fame- a memorial-cum- museum dedicated to war heroes that is established and managed by the Indian Army. Afternoon arrival in Leh. The rest of the day is free. Have some rest and then head to popular bazaars of Leh such as Moti market, Balkhang chowk and Super Market for last minute shopping.
Overnight stay.
Today, get transferred to the airport to board the flight for Delhi from where you board the flight for your onward destination.