PANORAMIC LADAKH

Arrive Leh and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drinks / breakfast, take complete rest for acclimatization to the high altitude. In the late afternoon, visit the city centre and take leisurely walks through the main market for general orientation. Wind up the tour with a visit to the  Shanti Stupa , a prominent landmark perched upon a hillock commanding panoramic views of the valley. Overnight at Leh.

After breakfast, proceed to explore the Indus Valley cultural & historical attractions, starting from the dramatically located   Thiksey   M onastery,   a major Gelukpa foundation dating from the 16th century.. On the way back from Thiksey, you may walk up the hill at Shey to visit the   Shey Palace, oldest royal residence of Ladakh's ruling dynasty ,  where the main attractions are the two gigantic copper - gilt Buddha statues installed during the mid - 17th century. Thereafter, drive to visit the   Druk Padma Karpo School at Shey, famously featured as the Rancho School in the popular Hindi film ‘ Three Idiots' .

In the afternoon, drive downs the Indus Valley to visit Sangam (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers). On the drive back from Sangam, stop at Magnetic Point on the highway to check the unique magnetic effect on vehicles & then proceed to visit famous Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. Finally stop to visit & explore the Hall of Fame (museum of military heritage) & War Memorial. Overnight at Leh.

After early breakfast leave for Nubra Valley , driving across Khardong-la , famous as the highest motorable pass in the world. Nubra Valley lies between the Ladakh & Karakoram Ranges at an average altitude of 10,000 ft. Till closure of the trans-Karakoram trade route by the Chinese in 1949, Nubra Valley was a busy trade corridor on the Central Asian trade route network.

Reach Deskit in the afternoon and visit the gigantic image of Maitreya Buddha (32 mtrs ) seated out on a hillock which was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2010, Thereafter drive on to Hunder & check-in at your accommodation. Later, proceed to explore the white Sand Dunes where you can also take a short camel Safari on the double-humped Bactrian camel found here ( optional - direct payment ). Overnight at Nubra.

After breakfast drive to TURTUK, the beautiful enclave of Balti people at about 80 kms from Hundar. Scenically magnificent the whole way, the grand rock valley briefly narrows near the tiny Changmar village after which the few, green splashes of village change culturally and linguistically from Buddhist-Ladakhi to Muslim-Balti. The upper half of Turtuk has unforgettable views across the barley fields towards the high peaks of Pakistan whose front line is only 7 km away. You may drive on toward the border village of Thang on the Indian side of the LOC, from where you can observe the villages across the border. Turtuk was in Pakistan until the 1971 war when it was captured by India. After exploring the area, drive back along the same route to Hunder. Overnight at Hundar.

After breakfast, explore Deskit (headquarters of Nubra valley) and visit the gigantic image of Maitreya Buddha (32 mtrs ) seated out on a hillock which was inaugurated by The Dalai Lama in 2010. Thereafter, drive up the hill to visit the dramatically located 15th century Deskit Monastery . Later drive upstream along the Shyok valley and follow the Shyok-Durbuk Road to approach Pangong Lake, driving amidst spectacular mountain sceneries, en-route passing through the pretty villages of Aghyam, Shyok, Durbuk & Tangtse. Pangong Lake (alt: 14,500 ft.) is the largest brackish water lake of Asia, about 4-5 kms wide and about 135 kms long, of which some two-third portion lies on the other side of the Indo-China border . Overnight at Pangong Lake.

After breakfast, leave Pangong Lake and follow the road to Leh via Chang-la pass (alt: 17, 370 ft.), 3 rd highest motorable pass in the world. Upon reaching Karu, take a short trip across the Indus to visit the 17 th century Hemis Monastery , biggest monastery and principal centre of the Drukpa-Kargyut monastic order in the Ladakh region. A museum set up recently in the complex displays some of the rare art treasure built up through the centuries and is well worth exploring. Later drive back to Leh, reaching in the late afternoon. Overnight at Leh .

After breakfast proceed to   Tsomo-riri Lake,   driving upstream the Indus via   Chumathang   (hot Springs), Mahe   Bridge   and   PugaSumdo,   where the road bifurcates. The left side road leads all the way to Tsomoriri through dramatic mountain scenery.   Tsomoriri Lake   (28 km long & about 8 km wide) is the breeding ground of many rare migratory birds. The village & monastery of Korzok is the only settled population in the area, otherwise inhabited by scattered population of Changpa pastoral nomads.
Overnight at Tsomoriri.

After breakfast retrace the route till   Puga Sumdo   and then follow the left side road through the   Puga Valley   with its sulphur springs, at the end of which the road ascends the   Polokongka   pass   (16,140 ft/ 4920 mtrs). After descending from the pass, the road leads to TsoKar (14,900 ft.), a small salt producing lake system located in the Rupshu region. After sightseeing and lunch here, take the Manali - Leh road to return to Leh via   Taglang-la   pass (17,582 ft.) , 2 nd highest road motorable road in the world. Reach Leh by the late afternoon / evening. Overnight at Leh.

After breakfast, drive down the Indus Valley all the way to Lamayuru (127 kms.), believed to be the oldest site where a monastery was founded during the 11 th century AD. Presently a major   Brigung-Kargyut-pa   foundation,   Lamayuru monastery   is famous for its dramatic mountainous setting with the ‘   Moonland'   hills forming its backdrop. After sightseeing here, drive back on the Leh road all the way to cross over to Alchi to visit the 11 th century   Alchi Choskor , oldest surviving monastic complex of Ladakh & famous for its ancient wall frescoes and architecture – now a UNESCO listed heritage site. Moving on towards Leh, en-route drive up the hillside at Likir to visit the 14 th century   Likir Monastery ,   where you can also admire a newly installed colossal image of the Maitreya Buddha seated out in the open, overlooking the valley below. Thereafter drive on to Leh, reaching in the late afternoon / evening. Overnight at Leh.

Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight back home.