Duration: 8 days
Accomodations: Hotel/Homestays
Best time: April - December

INTRODUCTION:

This eight day tailor-made tour of Ladakh takes travelers deeper into the lives of local people so as to initiate interaction with families living within rural areas where barren desert landscapes, in the shadow of the Himalayas, provide a unique glimpse of Ladakhi culture from within the mountains. Although the suggested itinerary below is based around an eight day tour, it’s entirely possible to lengthen or shorten the experience depending on your preferences. No matter how long you intend to visit, you can be assured of an authentic and insightful experience.The culture of Ladakh has long been formed by the dramatic natural landscapes and the influence of those undertaking the ancient trading route to and from Europe. As such, Ladakh has become increasing popular with tour groups seeking out cultural and rural points of interest. We like to think that our Ladakhi cultural and rural tour unveils the true nature of the region where storytelling, not sightseeing, sets the standard for off-the-beaten path journeys, whilst hands-on experiences, such as farming, handicrafts and cooking, help you gain further first-hand knowledge.This tour also aims to leave as little trace as possible both from an environmental impact and on a more human level. We aim to interact rather than simply observe with chances to join in with cultural singing and dancing certain to leave a longer lasting legacy for local people and travelers alike. Throughout this tailor-made tour we take a steady, medium pace with a domestic flight from Delhi allowing travelers to experience as much of Ladakh as possible without feeling like they’re in a rush. Over the last few years, we have been working hard to create exceptional storytelling-based responsible travel experiences in India. We come from a background of travel writing, photography and corporate experience. We are well-travelled in India, and understand the villages and people of our country. Before booking we will make everything transparent, including expenditures, so there are no hidden costs later on. Hope to host you in India soon.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: FLY TO LEH.  Arrive in Leh and drive to the beautiful Palam village with a panoramic view of Leh valley with Stok range on your left and the Indus on your right. You will check in after a refreshing drink and a warm Ladakhi welcome. We take it slow until the afternoon for your body to adapt and acclimatize to the change in air pressure and altitude. You could check out the Indus and the organic farming and other agricultural activities before you receive a dinner invitation from a Ladakhi family. Briefing of the trip will be given over a bonfire and under the starry sky. Overnight at (hotel)

DAY 2: SHEY, THIKSEY AND HEMIS MONASTERIES. The first place you visit along the Indus valley Monastery tour is the Shey Palace. It is only 13km from Leh and is the former palace of the Ladakhi royal family. The Palace houses a 350 year old copper and gold statue of the Lord Buddha. Thiksey, a neighboring village of Shey, will then be visited. Thiksey Monastery is perched imposingly on a hillock from which its red and white buildings can be seen from many kilometers away. This Gompa is famous for its 15 meters high seated statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. Driving further along you will reach the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630 by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal. In the afternoon, visit to the Stok Palace will enlighten you about the royal family. It also houses a museum that has a rich collection of ancient Ladakhi artefacts: old thangkas, arms and armory, royal jewelry and the crown of the King, among many others. Overnight in Leh (hotel)

DAY 3: DRIVE TO NUBRA (TURTUK) . Early in the morning you will travel along the Shyok river which lies on the old silk route towards the west. The road to Turtuk will take your breath away. You will travel slowly towards Turtuk which is the last village of Ladakh near Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This village is one of the most beautiful places in Ladakh, known for its mesmerizing green cover along the Shyok River. In the evening, you are welcome to take a walk in the village. Overnight at Turtuk (hotel/Guest house)

DAY 4: HUNDER. On this day you will wake up early in the morning and take a walk to the monastery. After breakfast You visit Pachnathang village which is a beautiful village perched on a hillock. It is a man-made marvel of architecture with beautiful watermills. You then leave for Hunder, have lunch and visit Diskit monastery on the way. You will come back to your hotel followed by a ride in the evening on the double-humped camel. Overnight at (hotel). 

DAY 5:  DRIVE TO PANGONG. On the next day you will drive from Nubra Valley to Changtang along the route of the Shyok river. Pangong needs no introduction, and once you reach there you will know why. By late afternoon, you will reach Pangong Lake. You will travel along the lake for a while to get an overview of the lake. You will stay at the campsite at Pangong Lake. Overnight at Pangong (hotel/camp)

DAY 6:  DRIVE BACK TO LEH. After breakfast and a small walk along the Pangong Lake, you will slowly proceed towards Leh while stopping on the way to admire the stunning landscapes. You will reach Leh by evening collecting all the memories of the trip and sharing them over the dinner. Overnight at (hotel)

DAY 7:  SIGHTSEEING AROUND LEH . Leh is a beautiful city and is worth checking out from the market to palaces, to the old town and a lot of street food and cafes. Overnight at (hotel).

DAY 8: FLY BACK TO DELHI. Departure from Leh for Delhi followed by onward flight home. We will provide airport transfers in Leh..

LAND COST: on request

COST INCLUDES:

COST EXCLUDES:

CANCELLATION: 20% cancellation fee will be applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellation in less than 60 days is non-refundable.

© Yama Adventures, 2022.