Duration : 11 Days.
Highlights : Mountain-passes, valleys, people, villages, lakes, sulphur springs and humped camels.
Focus : Nubra Valley, Hemis and Alchi monasteries, Bactrian camels, and Tsomoriri lake.
Highestt Pass : Khardungla (5600 m)
Red Tape : This tour needs an inner line permit.
Grade of tour : Moderate as this is a soft and leisure adventure tour.
Best Time : June to September.

Tour details:

Day 1: Arrive Leh:

You will be met at the airport upon your arrival in Leh. Our Representative will then escort you to your pre-booked hotel situated in the central part of the city. The day will be spent in complete rest to acclimatize you in this high altitude region. In the evening you will take a light stroll to the market.

Day 2: In Leh:
Breakfast at the hotel.
 
We visit the ancient monasteries of Shey, with its enormous statue of the Buddha and Thikse Monastery, known as one of the most important Gompas known in Central Ladakh. The monastery has some beautiful paintings and gilded statues of the Buddha. In the afternoon we drive down to the most wealth and famous monastery known locally as Hemis. Built in the 17th century, the monastery is tucked away in a secluded grove of poplars and is known for its interesting architecture and wall studded murals. We return back to the hotel in the evening.

Day 3: Leh to Alchi: (71 km):
Breakfast at the hotel.

Today we will travel on the Indus river route to visit and stay at a lovely oasis situated in the outer Zanskar valley. We will travel past hill side monasteries and fruit orchards, to arrive at our overnight resort of Alchi village. The day will be spent in exploring the 11th century monastery and the surrounding village. We will stay at a small but comfortable holiday resort.

Day 4: Alchi to Leh: (100 km)
Breakfast at the resort.

We will drive back to Leh in the morning, visiting the Likir monastery en-route. The monastery at Likir, is also known locally as the house of the water spirits. Situated on a hill overlooking the Indus valley, the monastery was built in the 14th century by some monks from Tibet and then dedicated to the Yellow Hat sect. After we explore the monastery, we will head back to Leh.

Day 5: Leh to Nubra: (230 km / 6/7 hrs):
Breakfast at the camp.

We will drive to Nubra valley in the morning, driving over the highest motored pass in the world. The exciting journey through serpentine roads leads us to the Khardungla Pass at an awesome height of 5550 meters. We stop at the pass to admire and click some photographs of the fantastic view, before driving down into the Nubra valley. The valley is situated on an old caravan route at the confluence of the Shyok and the Nubra rivers. We drive to our fixed camp resort we will stay for a few nights and explore the gentle and green valley. We will go on a short visit to the Santaling monastery that belongs to the Yellow Hat sect.

Day 6: In Nubra:
Breakfast at the camp.

We will begin a long and full day of explorations into this charming valley, by driving to Deskit – the tiny capital of Nubra. The capital is marked by a single file of shops that are put up on the main road. We will visit the Deskit Gompa, perched on a rocky spur above the village, with a commanding view of the entire valley. From Deskit we will drive to Hunder past an area of sand dunes and get aquinted with the famous Bactrian camels. This small population of shaggy double-humped animals, which in the old days, were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes are now used as riding animals in the high deserts. In the late afternoon we will drive back to our camp.

Day 7: Nubra to Leh: (230 km / 6/7 hrs):
Breakfast at the camp.

In the morning we will drive to the hot springs at Panamik. After a hot bath or just exploring the area, we will drive back to Leh, driving on the same route and crossing the Khardungla pass yet again. We arrive at Leh in the evening and transfer to the hotel.

Day 8: Leh to Tsomoriri: (240 km)
Breakfast at the hotel.

We will leave early in the morning and drive to Chumathang. At Upshi we will turn left and drive onwards until we reach the medical water springs in Chumathang. After cossing a bridge and a small hamlet in Sumdo, we will arrive at the Tsomoriri lake in the afternoon and drive to our camp. The lake of Tsomoriri is a breeding grounds for numerous species of birds. Chief among them are the bar headed goose, found in great numbers, crested grebe, the Brahmini duck (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown headed gull. The Lake is 8 Km wide and 28 Km long.

Day 9: In Tsomoriri:
Breakfast at the camp.

In the morning we will visit Korzok village with its houses and its gompa appearing like a mirage from the distance. The few barley fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world. In the afternoon we will once again drive to visit around the Lake. Rest of the time at leisure for individual activities.

Day 10: Tsomoriri to Leh: (240 km)
Breakfast at the camp.

We will drive back to Leh in the morning. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure. You may go to the bazaars shopping for trinkets and souvenirs or simply relax at the hotel.

Day 11: Leh Departure:
Breakfast at the hotel.

After a light breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to any onward destination.

For details on what is included and excluded please see our frequently answered Questions (FAQ’S) or contact us directly.