Best of Leh and Ladakh

On arrival at Leh airport, meet and assist by our local representative. Transfer to hotel. Complete the check in formalities. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization because of the high altitude of Leh (11,500 ft / 3500 meters). Leh – known for its breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant Tibetan-Buddhist culture. The best time to visit Leh is between April and June when the weather is pleasant and the days are cool. These months see a high footfall and are considered the peak tourist season. Overnight stay in Leh.

Breakfast at the hotel. Later in the day proceed for local city tour. Start the tour by visiting Military Hall of Fame – The Hall of Fame Leh is located in Leh City, near the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. It is a museum dedicated to the Indian Army and showcases their bravery and sacrifices in various wars, including the Siachen region conflict. The museum also has exhibits that showcase Ladakhi culture, heritage and traditions. Gurudwara Patthar Sahib – at an altitude of 3600 Meters about 22 Kms from Leh was constructed in memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Nestled deep in the Himalayas.The Gurudwara houses a boulder with imprints of the head, shoulders and backside of Shree Guru Nanak Dev.
Magnetic Hill – which defies the law of gravity. As you move ahead from Magnetic Hills, perched at an altitude of 14,000 Feet this tiny hillock is said to defy gravity as it tends to pull vehicles upwards. It is quite thrilling to defy the laws of science and be pulled in the opposite direction. The scientific theory states that there is a strong magnetic force emanating from the hills that defies gravity at this particular spot. It is a good pitstop on the highway and serves as a break in between mundane road travel.
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). After visiting confluence, we head to followed by a visit to Shanti Stupa – It was created to encourage world peace and prosperity as well as to honor Buddhism’s 2500-year history. The Shanti Stupa in Leh is one of the city’s outstanding monuments. It is a white-domed monument created in 1991 to celebrate 2500 years of Buddhism and to encourage global peace. Leh Palace – famous for its outstanding architecture that depicts the Tibetan construction style. Additionally, the palace’s roof provides a grand view of the city Leh in Ladakh. Answer. In circa 1600, King Senge Namgyal constructed Leh Palace, also known as Lachen Palkar Palace. Leh Local Market – famous for is its woolen garments. Because of the cold climate, the people in Leh have a culture of creating handwoven woolen clothes, which have now become popular and demanded local products of Ladakh. Return to hotel after sightseeing. Overnight stay in Leh.

After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to Nubra Valley – also called Dumra, is a historical region of Ladakh. Its inhabited areas form a tri-armed valley cut by the Nubra and Shyok rivers. Its Tibetan name Dumra means “valley of flowers” Drive though Khardung La Pass – The pass is on the Ladakh Range, north of Leh, and connects the Indus River Valley and the Shyok Rriver Valley. It also forms the gateway to the Nubra Valley, beyond which lies the Siachen Glacier. It is the Highest Motorable Road in the World, 18,380 ft). On reaching hunder. Check in at the camp. Overnight stay in Nubra Valley.

After an early breakfast, proceed to Turtuk (A village that was won by India in the 1971 war with Pakistan) and extremely close to the border. Visit a 16th Century Mosque, (comprising of a touch of Turkish & Iranian culture), ruined fort of Dhards and Monastery. Admire the magnificent view of the famous K2 peak (The second highest peak in the world after Mount Everest). Return to hotel after sightseeing. Overnight stay in Nubra Valley.

After breakfast checkout and drive towards Hunder where you have opportunity to ride on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Enjoy the Camel Safari (at an extra cost) at Sand Dunes between Diskit & Hundur Village. Further visit Disket Monastery – Belonging to the 14th century, this monastery is considered to be the largest and oldest monastery in Nubra Valley. Also known as Diskit Gompa, the monastery’s most prominent attraction is the huge Maitreya Buddha statue atop it, which was inaugurated by His Holiness Dalai Lama. After visit transfer to Pangong via Shyok River – The Shyok River is a tributary of the Indus River that flows through northern Ladakh and enters Gilgit–Baltistan. A wild River which rises in the Rimo Glacier which is one of the branches of the Siachen Glacier in the Karakorams and and its one of the biggest Glacial systems in the Trans Himalayas. En-route visit Durbuk – a village and the headquarters of the eponymous subdivision and block in the Leh district. It is located in the Durbuk tehsil, and falls between Chang La mountain pass and Tangste village on the way to Pangong Tso Lake. On reaching visit Pangong Lake – situated at a height of almost 4,350 meters is the world’s highest saltwater lake. Its water, which seems to be dyed in blue, stand in stark contrast to the arid mountains surrounding it. Extending to almost 160km, one-third of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China. Evening check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Pangong.

In the early morning, enjoy the picturesque view of Sunrise on the Lake. After Breakfast, check out and drive back to Leh. En-route visit Changa La Pass – high mountain pass in Ladakh at an elevation of 5,391.3024 meters or 17,688.000 feet in the Ladakh Range between Leh and the Shyok River valley. The Chang La, on Leh to Pangong Lake road, lies on the Leh-Karu-Sakti-Zingral-Chang La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Pangong Lake motorable road. On reaching Leh visit Thiksey Monastery – Apart from being the largest monastery of Central Ladakh, the monastery is also famous for its 49 ft tall statue of Maitreya Buddha in the lotus position, covering two floors of the monastery. The statue was built to commemorate the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit to Thiksey Monastery in the year 1970. Shey Palace/ Shey Monastery – Shey Monastery and Palace is best known for the three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Made of copper, the statue is said to be a one-of-a-kind structure in the region. The palace complex is sprinkled with many Buddhist chortens. The name Shey is translated into Ladakhi that means mirror and it is known as the reflection of the palace. The Shey is located at an intentional location overlooking the entire heartland of Ladakh.
Check in at the hotel by evening. Overnight stay in Leh.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to airport to board the flight for return journey