Tour Highlights - 11 Days Passage to Leh
The highlight of this 11-day tour ex-Delhi is the spectacular 485km journey from Manali to Leh crossing some of the highest passes in the world. Rohtang, Baralacha, LachlungLa and TanglangLa. Passes that are closed during the winter months open for a brief while during the summer months of June to September. It is arguably the most beautiful stretch of road in the Indian Himalayas! After a couple of days visiting the monasteries around Leh, the journey moves onto Nubra Valley crossing the Khardungla, the highest motorable pass in the world.
Mode : Drive up via Manali to Leh; exit by flying to Delhi from Leh.
Vehicle : Non AC vehicle throughout the trip.
Day 01 : Arrive at Delhi. Drive to Swarghat, Himachal Pradesh. 7hrs.
10am : The tour starts from Delhi (Connaught Place). We drive to Chandigarh, time permitting visit Pinjore Gardens and then drive upto Swarghat, a small town in Himachal Pradesh overlooking the sprawling plains below. We reach in the evening at 1700hrs. Rest of the evening free for relaxation. Overnight stay at HPTDC Hotel, a basic Govt tourist lodge.
Day 02 : Swarghat to Manali. 7hrs.
Breakfast on own. 9am : The drive up the hills of Himachal Pradesh continues with a brief halt for lunch en route. We cross picturesque Kullu and drive onwards to Manali. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 03 : Manali local tour.
9am : Depart for a full day tour of the valley. Breathe in the fresh mountain air of Manali, the most famous hill resort in Himachal Pradesh. The pine covered slopes, the panoramic mountain vistas, the gushing waters of the Beas river are sure to enthrall you as you embark on a tour of Manali covering Hadimba Devi Temple, Manu Mandir, Tibetian Monastery & Market. Evening is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Manali to Serchu. (Alt. 14,600ft/4450m) 9 hrs drive
After an early breakfast, we depart for Jispa in Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh via Rohtang Pass. Soon after leaving Manali, the road snakes upwards on a spiral that does not stop till you reach Rohtang Pass at 3978m (13000ft). After Rohtang, the terrain changes dramatically becoming more rugged and rocky. The road passes through some gorgeous scenery with mountains looming large on both sides. Crossing the Chandra River at Koksar we drive past Tandi, the meeting point of Chandra and Bhaga Rivers. Later we cross Keylong, the district Headquarters of Lahaul and arrive at the beautifully located Jispa.
After a quick lunch at Jispa, we drive ahead. After Jispa, the road goes on past the checkpoint at Darcha and then the climb to Baralacha La Pass (Alt.16, 000ft/4878m) begins. The majestic views on all sides continue to mesmerise us and there”s not a moment of boredom. We arrive at Sarchu at 4am approx & check into the beautifully located campsite at Sarchu. The straight stretch of road and the flat valley hides the fact that we are at such high altitude. Some of you at this stage might begin to feel the effects of high altitude sickness (AMS). Rest at the campsite. Those feeling fine may indulge in walks in the region.
Dinner and overnight at the campsite. Tonight you will stay in a permanent camp site (pitched for 5 months of the year) in 2-man tents with cots in them and common toilets.
Day 05 : Sarchu - Leh by surface approx. 235 kms, 9 hours.
An early morning start is required as the tour departs for Leh. We cross the Himachal border soon after Sarchu and enter Ladakh. By now the terrain is stark and desolate and quite unforgiving, with not a human habitation to be seen anywhere. We are now passing some of the remotest areas in the Indian Himalayas. The road soon takes 21 hairpin bends as it rises steeply by another 3500ft (1000m approx) to the 5000m high (16,400ft) Lachlung La pass through one ridge of the Zanskar range. Thereafter, we reach a plateau called the Morey Plains where for over 40 kms the road shoots ahead like an arrow at an average elevation of 15,000ft (4700m). The only humans in sight are stray groups of the nomadic Changpa yak herders with their yaks! The feeling of being in another world is all pervading. For all that matters we could be on the moon! Crossing the highest pass on this road and the 2nd highest motorable pass in the world Tanglang la Pass at 5325m (17466ft), the road works its way down reaching Rumtse. It”s a pleasant drive from now on past scenic villages and long awaited greenery. Another 2 hrs now and we are in Leh. Expected time of arrival : 4pm.
Upon arrival check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the 'A' category Hotel.
Day 06 : Leh : Acclimatisation and a bit of sightseeing.
Today, we take it easy and relax after the hectic first leg of the journey. After lunch, we will go on a 2-hour tour starting with Sankar Gompa. Located on a valley floor it is the home to Lamas who belong to the yellow sect of Buddhism and worship his Holiness - The Dalai Lama. Next, we will visit Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist religious monument built by an Indian based Japanese Monk whose intention was to spread Buddhisim by building such stupas throughut the world. Later we will visit Leh Palace, built in the 17th century and looking for all the world like a miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa. Time permitting, we will also visit the Hall of Fame, dedicated to the Defence Heroes. The rest of the day is free for personal activities. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 : River rafting on the Indus (12 years and above) and visits to Ridzong, Likir and Alchi monasteries.
7.30am : After early breakfast, we leave for a Thay on the banks of the mighty Indus, where the group will participate in river rafting, an exhilarating way to discover the Indus Valley. There will be an initial briefing after which those above 12 years of age will go rafting. The 22kms stretch from Thay to Nimmu will take 3hrs. Rafting cost extra Rs.1000 per person
If you do not want to raft, you can go for a short uphill hike to the Ridzong monastery located on the flank of a barren hill. The name meaning 'mountain fort' aptly describes this isolated gompa. A winding path leads one to the top. It is a hundred years old.
Later visit the Likir and Alchi monasteries. Alchi is Ladakh's most beautiful monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti. These paintings propound the Ajanta style of painting. Unlike other monasteries, which are usually located on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden. Likir gompa situated atop a windy cliff top overlooks the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire. In its courtyard is a yellow-coloured 3 storey high mammoth statue of the Lord Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk. The top floor houses an impressive museum containing old thangkas and weapons used many centuries back. Return to Leh.
Day 08 : Drive to Nubra Valley over the world”s highest motorable pass, Khardungla!
7am : Depart for Nubra Valley. The 145kms/ 7 hr journey commences in the morning with a steep and grinding uphill drive to Khardungla (18300ft). In 3 hrs, we climb over 7000ft! For most part of the uphill drive we are able to see the town of Leh becoming smaller and smaller. A brief halt at the Pass, some memorable moments are photographed and then the drive down to Nubra Valley. We make our way to the picturesque campsite for overnight stay. If time permits, we will go for a short hike in the nearby woods. Afternoon free for some walks around the valley or just relax in the pleasant environs of the campsite. Overnight at the campsite. Tonight you will stay in a semi-permanent camp site in 2-man tents with cots in them and common toilets.
Day 09 : Exploring Nubra Valley - A glimpse of Heaven!
Depart for a tour of the valley. The upper Shyok and Nubra rivers drain the east and west sides of the Saser Spur, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram. The name Nubra is applied to the district comprising the valleys of the Nubra River, and that of the Shyok both above and below their confluence. The wide valley floor itself is covered with dense thickets of seabuckthorn - a thorny shrub- which is used by the villagers for fencing and fuel. The villages are large and prosperous and have thick plantations of willow and poplar. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000ft and summer temperatures vary between 15-28 deg C. The feeling of vastness is all pervading and a sense of remoteness lies suspended above you. Today we explore the villages of Diskit and Hunder on the western floor and the villages of Sumur, Tegar and Panamik (with its hot springs) on the eastern floor of the valley. You will visit the gompas in the valley including the famous Shamsteling Gompa at Sumur and Diskit Gompa. Strong walkers may opt for Ensa gompa too. There's a palace atop a solitary hillock near Sumur village, from where Nubra's ancient kings ruled. The hot springs at Panamik (known for curing skin diseases and stomach ulcers), Saharan sand dunes between Diskit and Hunder surrounded by snow capped peaks, an amazing camel safari on the dunes on the double humped bactrian camel (subject to availability) make this day one of the highlights of the tour. Dinner and overnight at Nubra Camp.
Day 10 : Nubra to Leh. 7 hrs.
After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Leh. 2pm : Arrive at Leh and lunch at hotel.
Afternoon free for shopping in Leh or relaxing in the hotel. Dinner at 8pm and overnight at Leh.
Note : If time permits, we will visit the “jheel”, a pond in the midst of the rocky hills approached over a sandbank, where wishes are said to come true.
Day 11 : Depart from Leh to New Delhi.
Best Time to Visit : Month : June , July , August , September
Tour Package cost : On Request
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