Leh & Ladakh where you create memories for a lifetime

Day 01: Leh On arrival, we’ll pick you up and take you to the hotel. Spend the day resting to adjust to the high altitude, which is very important for your body. Our representative will check on you in the evening to ensure everything is fine by your end. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 02: Leh Local/Shey/Thiksey/Indus Valley (90 kms approx/full day) Visit Sindhu Darshanaboud (7 km from Leh) to see the historical Indus River and then go to Shey where you can visit the Drukpa school, popular with tourists as part of Bollywood film shoots. Later, visit Thiksey monastery, which is one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region built as a replica of the La potalin Lhasa. It has a huge courtyard surrounded by buildings with deep shades of red ochre and white. It has a main dukhang with religious texts and a small chamber with images of revered deities. Visit the Stok Palace Museum to learn about the royal families of Ladakh and their lifestyle. Drive back to Leh and visit the Leh palace and Shanti Stupa village Changspa. Drive back to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 03: Leh/Nubra Valley (148 kms/6 hrs) After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley. The road passes over Khardung La (the highest motorable road in the world at 5,602 mtrs / 18,390 ft, around 39 km from Leh). From the pass, you can see the Indus valley and endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popular, known as the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 ft above sea level. Before reaching Hunder in Nubra, we will stop by the Diskit plains and enjoy an ATV ride on the banks of river Shayok in the desert. Upon arrival in Nubra, check in at our camp in Hunder and get refreshed. In the evening, ride to Hunder where you have the opportunity to ride on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high-altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Between Hunder and Diskit, you come across sand dunes besides the road. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are Rocky Mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance, can be seen snow-capped peaks. Dinner and overnight at the camp. 

Day 04: Nubra Valley to Turtuk and back (80 kms/2-3 hours, one way) After breakfast, drive towards Turtuk border village that sits on the crossroads of Himalayan and Karakoram ranges overlooking the Shyok river. This remote people of Balti tribe have a unique culture and tradition. Baltis are also known for their sumptuous and delicious cuisine. The village was used to be under Pakistani occupation until 1971 when India won it back in a fierce war fought against the Pakistani army. Atop the village, you also get a view of Pakistan side of the border. Almost every family is divided and some of their relatives now reside on the other side of the border. You would get some of your best shots here in Turtuk. The place is also known for quality apricots and sword dance which they perform on important occasions and marriages. As someone rightly said that “only smiles are sweeter than apricot in Turtuk”. We will have a guided tour of village Turtuk where we will visit the village Raja, Balti Heritage Museum and understand the lifestyle of Baltis as a tribe. Later if there is a possibility, we will also visit village Thang on the LoC and have a glimpse of the Pakistani side from the distant. Drive back to your camp.

Day 05: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shyok Valley Distance: 150 km | Duration: 5–6 hours After breakfast, we’ll drive to Pangong Lake through the scenic Shyok Valley, crossing the Shyok River. The drive offers beautiful mountain and river views. Pangong Lake sits at 14,000 feet and is partly shared by India and China. The lake became popular after the movie 3 Idiots was filmed here. On a clear day, the lake’s turquoise blue color contrasts beautifully with the surrounding mountains, making it look magical. We’ll visit the village of Mann, where local people offer stargazing experiences using a professional telescope. This is a great chance to learn about the stars and understand what life is like in such a remote place near the border. In the evening, relax and enjoy stargazing again. Overnight stay at a homestay near the lake. 

Day 06: Pangong Lake to Leh Wake up early to explore the lake and take some beautiful photos. After breakfast, drive back to Leh via Changla Pass (the second highest in the area at 17,480 feet). On the way, we’ll pass through Karoo before reaching Leh. Overnight stay at a hotel in Leh. 

Day 07: Depart from Leh (Fly Out) Your tour ends today. We will drop you at the airport on time for your flight. Thank you for traveling with us!