Day 01: Arrive in Leh
Arrive
at Leh airport by morning flight from Delhi. This flight is one of the most
sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft
can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on
the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and
touch it, is the Nun Kun massif. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your
hotel. You would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have
gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 11,000 feet! During
the afternoon, you can walk through the old town, beneath the Leh Palace, to
allow you to get oriented to this fascinating city. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 02: In Leh
After
breakfast full day sightseeing to the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas of Shey,
Thiksey and Hemis. A few kilometers up the Indus is Shey, the ancient capital,
with its palaces, temples, and vibrantly colored murals, cleaned and restored
in the mid 1980’s. Later we drive to visit the fortress styled monastery of
Thikse. Afterwards, we drive to visit the Hemis monastery. This monastery is
known to be the most famous and rich Buddhist temple in the entire region. The
Murals and frescoes here date back to 17th century. After we explore
the sacred monastery, we drive back to our hotel in Leh. In the evening, we
will spend some time roaming around the markets. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 03: Leh to Pangong
After
early breakfast drive for a visit of Pangong Lake via Chang La pass. The drive
takes you through spectacular, amazing scenery, with breathtaking views of the
snow covered Himalayas. The Lake is the highest (4267M) salt-water lake in the
world, situated along the India / China border. It is about 130 Km long and 5-6
Km wide. The Chang - chenmo range surrounding it from the north provide a
spectacular backdrop to the blue and green expanse of its brackish water. Later
drive back to Leh. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04: Leh to Nubra: (130 km / 4-5 hrs drive)
We
will drive to Nubra valley in the morning, driving over the highest motored
pass in the world. The exciting journey through serpentine roads leads us to
the Khardungla Pass at an awesome height of 5550 meters. We stop at the pass to
admire and click some photographs of the fantastic view, before driving down
into the Nubra valley. The valley is situated on an old caravan route at the
confluence of the Shyok and the Nubra rivers. We drive to our fixed camp resort
and later drive to visit the charming valley, of Deskit – the tiny capital of
Nubra. The capital is marked by a single file of shops that are put up on the
main road. We will visit the DeskitGompa, perched on a rocky spur above the
village, with a commanding view of the entire valley. From Deskit we will drive
to Hunder past an area of sand dunes and get aquinted with the famous Bactrian
camels. This small population of shaggy double-humped animals, which in the old
days, were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes are now used
as riding animals in the high deserts. In the late afternoon we will drive to
the camp. Overnight in camps.
Day 05: Nubra to Leh: (130 km / 4-5 hrs drive)
We
will drive back to Leh, driving on the same route and crossing the Khardungla
pass yet again. We arrive at Leh in the afternoon and settle for the day at our
hotel.
Day 06: Leh to Sarchu: (255 Kms 7-8 hrs)
We
begin our trans Himalayan safari from Leh today and travel across the Indus
Valley towards to Sarchu. Driving past small and picturesque villages and
fruit orchards we
soon begin to gradually ascend the stark
road towards Tanglangla, Pass. This is locally called as the second highest
motorable pass in the world. As we drive down the pass, we will be running
right across the Morey plains and then descending the infamous Gatta loops,
known because of their sheer drop to the valley floor. We arrive in Sarchu late
in the afternoon and settle at our camp, while we are served with hot beverages
and snacks. Dinner and Overnight at the Camp.
Day 07: Sarchu to Manali: (230 Kms 7-8 hrs)
Enjoy
your breakfast at the camp and drive to Jispa. We cross the state border and
drive now into Himachal Pradesh. There are a couple of passes that we will
cross over today starting with Baralachala
Pass, (4,883m) which is also known as the gateway for the Zanskar valley trek.
We will reach
Jispa in the late afternoon and continue onwards to Manali. We drive
past Keylong village (3350m) and continue
our drive to Manali through the Rohatang Pass 13,060 ft. We will reach Manali
in the late afternoon and get transferred to our hotel. Manali, is the northern
end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, this is a hill station situated at
a height of 2050 m in the Himalayas. Situated on the Beas River it is a staging
point for a number of treks across the state. Dinner and Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 08: In Manali
Set
in the lush pine forests of the Himalayan range, Manali is impressive for its
cultural ethos, in both Hindu and the Buddhist circuit. The temples and
monasteries are famous for their mountain arts and architecture. We visit, the
Hadimba temple, The Manu temple and the Mall road for its pretty shops and
cafes. Rest of the evening at leisure.Overnight in hotel.
Day 09: Down all the way to Chandigarh via Mandi: (300 Kms 7-8 hrs)
After
breakfast we begin our drive to Chandigarh via Bhuntar and Mandi. The route
mostly runs through the Kullu valley, before we move on to the Himalayan
foothills to Chandigarh. Rest of the evening at leisure.Overnight in hotel.
Day 10: Chandigarh Departure
After
breakfast drive back to the Chandigarh airport for your flight to any onward
destination.