Duration: 7 days
Accomodations: Hotel
Best time: March - December
Grade: Easy

INTRODUCTION
Ladakh is an arid, cold desert interspersed with rough mountainous terrains. Although the environment is harsh, it boasts of bounty of wildlife, endemic to this region. Its exotic highland flora spring up in the summer and covers up the landscape in various colours. Ladakh is also home to some beautiful and rare birds. After you have acclimatised prior to setting off on a high altitude adventure on this journey, you will make the trip to the Kardungla at 18,380ft, the world’s highest motorable road that will take you into the beautiful valley of Nubra. A drive through the remote and mysterious landscape of Changthang reveals its pride, the Pangong Tso. This saltwater lake is iridescent blue/green in summer but completely frozen in winter. The royal and majestic influx of Kashmiri and Tibetan art can be seen in the Alchi Monastery along the way.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN LEH Our representative will assist you at the Airport on arrival. Get aboard the waiting vehicle and transfer to the hotel and check-in. Today, the full day is for rest and leisure to acclimatize to the higher altitude. Overnight at (hotel).

DAY 2: ALCHI, SANGAM, MAGNETIC HILL AND HALL OF FAME After breakfast you will drive down the geologic wonderland of the Indus River valley, past the confluence with the Zanskar River, and on through the small villages of Nimo and Saspol . The drive then crosses the Indus River to reach Alchi in order to visit the famous Alchi Monastery, founded by Lo Tsava Rinchen Zangpo in the 11th century. Its wall paintings are distinguished by its marked presence of Kashmiri art and Tibetan art. After visiting Alchi your next sight will be Sangam and Pathar Sahib. And on the way back to Leh, you will visit the magnetic hill and the Hall of Fame enroute. Then drive back to Leh. Overnight in Leh.(hotel)

DAY 3: DRIVE TO NUBRA VALLEY After breakfast drive to Nubra Valley over Khardung La – the highest motorable road in the world at around (18380ft/5569m), Nubra Valley is popularly known as the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, visit Hundar Monastery, located in the namesake village. Lying close to the border between India and Pakistan in the north-western part of Ladakh, the village comprises settlers that include Ladakhis and Tibetans. Later, you may enjoy a camel safari on sand dunes. Overnight at (camp/hotel)

DAY 4: NUBRA VALLEY TO LEH After breakfast at the camp, visit Diskit Monastery en route to Leh.The magnificent Diskit Gompa dates back to the 14th century and owes its inception to ChangzemTserab Zangpo – a follower of Tsong-kha-pa. At the centre of this monastery is an elevated cupola, which stands adorned with a colourful fresco that illustrates the Tashilhunpo Gompa of Tibet. There are a number of shrines inside the monastery like Kangyu-lang, Tsangyu-lang, etc. Also, hundreds of Mongolian and Tibetan texts have found their storehouse inside these temples. Diskit Gompa has quite an interesting legend attached to it. It is believed that a Mongol demon once lived here and was considered to be a sworn enemy of Buddhism. Drive back to Leh. Overnight in Leh. (hotel)

DAY 5: LEH TO PANGONG LAKE After an early breakfast, leave for the mesmeric Pangong Tso passing through Changla pass, which is around (17586ft/5360m) high. Pangong Lake, situated above sea level, is famed for its serenity. A long narrow basin of inland drainage, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. Though open to tourists the lake and its surrounding are under army surveillance. Overnight at Pangong.(hotel/camp)

DAY 6: PANGONG LAKE TO LEH After breakfast, you are free to explore and capture the beauty of the lake in your photographs. Enjoy a hot lunch and drive back to Leh. Overnight in Leh.(hotel)

DAY 7: FLY BACK Early morning transfer to the airport.

LAND COST: on request

COST INCLUDES:

COST EXCLUDES:

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