Ladakh is truly a wonderland and this trip is ideal for those who want a catch a glimpse of this land. We cover the most popular destination like the Nubra valley and Pangong Lake. We cross some of the highest motorable passes in the world. Days are fun filled with new sights to see everyday. We visit some amazing monasteries with amazing sculptures and painting – the most popular being the statue of the Maitreya Buddha ( in Thiksey Gompa) that features in the Incredible India poster.
The drive to the Nubra valley is yet another example of man’s achievements. The prominent Khardung ridge runs north of Leh. The traditional pass of Khardung La across the ridge is the world’s highest motorable pass in the whole world! This road is the lifeline of the people and the army here and often laid with heavy traffic, which carries supplies to the remote but fertile Nubra and Shyok valleys. It is here that you will find the double humped camels in India. At 3000 metres, you will also find…. Sand dunes!
The Pangong Lake that was made popular by the Bollywood movie ‘The three idiots’. You may note that this lake is shared with China with only One –third being in India.
Leh Airport
As per flight time on Day one.
Early morning, take the flight to Leh. Met upon arrival and drive to hotel. Rest of the day is free for acclimatization. IMPORTANT: It is important to take complete rest today to acclimatise properly even if you feel completely fine.
After a late breakfast, we shall visit the Shey Palace, Rancho school and the Thiksey monastery.
We start early for the long drive to Hundar – this also avoids the traffic jam at the pass. It takes us an hour and a half to we reach the top of the world’s highest motorable pass, the Khardung La (5602m/ 18380ft). After a photo stop, we descend down to the Nubra valley that spreads out in a Y-shape expanse. Enroute visit the Diskit monastery. Afternoon we drive to the nearby sand dune to look at the double humped camels in the little desert. Optional: Ride the Camels and the ATVs in the sand dunes.
Hundar lies on the bank of Shyok River and was once the capital of former Nubra kingdom. It was the last village permitted to visit till 2010. There are several ruined buildings, including the ruins of the King’s palace, the Langchen Khar (“Elephant Palace”). There is a fort at the top of the hill, called Gula. Hundar also has two Buddhist temples: white temple (Lhakhang Karpo) and the red temple (Lhakhang Marpo).
We start the day by driving along the Shyok river and then over to Durbuk where we join the main highway from Leh to Pangong. We can catch a glimpse of the Pangong Lake (4350m/ 14270 ft) only as we reach closer to the destination. Afternoon explore the lake on your own.
Pangong is 134 km long and extends from India to China (Tibet). Two thirds of the length of this lake falls in China. It is 5 km wide at its broadest point. Even though it is a salt-water lake, in winter the lake surface freezes completely. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the Kiang and the Marmot. This lake has become more popular due to filming of various Bollywood films especially ‘the three idiots’.
Note: Sometimes this road along the Shyok gets blocked, in that case we shall return to Leh and drive to Pangong the next day.
After breakfast, we will visit the ‘photo’ spot made popular by several Bollywood movies. Later we drive back to Leh, passing through the third highest motorable pass in the world, the Chang La (5360m/ 17590ft). Visit the Hemis Monastery on the way.
Day free to enjoy at your own pace & do your last minute shopping. This is also serves as a contingency day in case the road from Hundar to Pangong is closed due to weather.
Transfer to the airport/ check out of hotel. End of Services.
