Tour overview
Ladakh is a mountainous region and the coldest desert in the world.
In Ladakh the nature has rendered a magical, unbelievable and fantastic landscape which is extremely breathtaking.
Ladakh lies in the north-east region of India and is surrounded by the world’s highest mountain ranges, Karakoram and Great Himalayas. The Ladakh district occupied Kashmir in the west and China in the north. Ladakh is an exotic destination considered as the highest plateau lying at an altitude of 9, 800 ft. Ladakh is the 3rd province of Kashmir Valley. The population of Ladakh is about 2, 60,000 which contain a mixture of many different ethnic groups, predominantly Tibetans, Monpas, Dards and Muslims. In 1979, the Ladakh District was divided into Leh District (mostly occupied by Tibetan Buddhist) and Kargil District (mostly occupied by Shia Muslims).
The Ladakh is known for its extreme deserts, blue waters, freezing winds, glaciers and sand dunes. Ladakh is a region of India which is totally isolated from the modern world. The main source of water is the winter snowfall on the mountains.
The life in Ladakh is mainly characterized by spirituality because from the beginning it is being faithful to its ancestral customs and traditions or in other words we can say that the way of life in Ladakh is simple, as modernity has not touched Leh town. Ladakh is also known as a mysterious Land which has never ceased its beauty and nature like its highest peaks, snow capped mountains, flowing rivers. The architecture in Ladakh exhibits strong and deep influences from Tibet and India which shows great regional diversity. The architecture of Ladakh can be seen in the various monasteries and Gompas which are enchanting.
The culture of Ladakh is fascinating, intoxicating and captivating which can give us a brief idea about the people of the place, their lifestyle and their beliefs. The culture of Ladakh is quite similar to the Tibetan culture. The most popular cuisines of Ladakh, mostly of Tibetan origin, are Thukpa and Tsampo. The national dress of Ladakh is Goncha, which is very effective to protect them from the harsh and extreme cold weather of the region. The most magnificent costume is the head-dress or the Perak. Religious mask dances plays an important part of Ladakh’s cultural life. The Traditional music of Ladakh includes the instruments like Surna and Daman (shenai and drum). Ladakh is a spiritual and religious place. Ladakh is a place which has no match.
Destinations Covered: Leh, Sham Valley, Pangong Lake, Khardungla & Nubra Valley
Included
- Assistance upon arrival at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport
- Traditional welcome in the Hotel with Welcome Drink (Hot Tea / Coffee / Kahwa) on arrival
- 05 night accommodation twin/triple sharing basis as per the itinerary.
- 05 Breakfast + 05 Dinner
- Return airport and round trip transfers along with all sightseeing tours by Non-Ac Vehicle as per the itinerary
- Wildlife fee & Red Cross fee
- All toll taxes / parking fee / driver allowance
- Ladakh Entry Fee
- Inner Line Permit for Nubra Valley | Pangong Lake & Turtuk Village
Not Included
- Service tax
- Any Kind of Personal Expenses / Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices includes”.
- The services of vehicle are not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing tour as per the itinerary.
- Guide charges, camera fee & any monument entrances.
- Medical & travel insurance
- Any changes you may choose to make during your tour.
- Additional costs due to flight cancellation, road blocks etc.
Day 01
ARRIVE LEH
Arrival Leh by morning flight and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drink take a complete rest for acclimatization to the height 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‚ Leh palace. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 02
LEH - EXCURSION TO SHAM VALLEY (65 KMS / 04 HRS – ONE WAY)
After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway and start our sightseeing with Hall Of Fame (museum constructed by India Army) near Leh is worth a visit for every Indian, and proceed further to Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, at an altitude of 3600 meters about 22 km from Leh, constructed in memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji nestled deep in the Himalayas. A drive of another 4 km will take us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity. As you move ahead from Magnetic Hill, just before Nimmu Village, there comes a famous Confluence Of Two Rivers, Indus River coming from Tibet (left) and Zanskar River coming from Zanskar Valley (right). Zanskar River is known for its famous Chadar Trek. After visiting confluence we head towards 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 we head back towards Leh passing through Likir Monastery which was built in 11th century and was again re-built in 18th century and houses a 25 feet gold covered Lord Buddha Statue. Later we drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Leh.
Day 03
LEH–NUBRA VALLEY VIA KHARDUNG LA 18,390 FT. (120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS)
Post breakfast we 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 meters / 18,390 feet, which is 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 feet above sea level. Upon arrival at Nubra we check-in at our camp / hotel in Hunder for overnight stay. In the evening one can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world. A visit to a Ladakhi home can be arranged. Dinner and overnight at the camp or hotel.
Day 04
NUBRA VALLEY TO PANGONG LAKE (150 KMS / 5 HRS)
After an early breakfast we check out from camp or hotel and drive towards PANGONG LAKE via Agham & Shyok Valley. Some of the road patches in areas are extremely tough (towards Nubra) in terms of road conditions but no doubt the journey is very scenic! Later after crossing this adventurous part we drive further towards Durbuk & Tangtse. For Pangong we pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally we can have a sudden view of the Pangong Lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 meters). After spending an hour or more time (as time permits) we drive back to Leh via Changla Pass 5486 meters. Upon arrival at the lake we check-in at our pre-arranged camp for overnight stay.
Day 05
PANGONG LAKE TO LEH VIA CHANGLA (149 KMS / 6 HRS)
Morning at leisure, explore the beauty of lake and later drive back to Leh via Changla Pass 5486 meters en-route visiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. And further to Thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village and after another 5 km drive through a picturesque landscape we reach to Shey Palace (the ancient capital of Ladakh) and 3 Idiots Rancho School. Drive further to Leh. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 06
DEPART LEH (FLY OUT)
Tour concludes. The Samsara Holidays thanks you for your patronage and ensures a punctual transfer to Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.
