Programme

Arrive Delhi.
Time free from relaxation. Night halt at Delhi.

Departure to Leh by flight, arrive Leh.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel with time to rest to acclimatize to the high altitude. In the late afternoon walk the winding medieval streets. Night halt at Leh.

Leave this morning for Ulleytokpo. Enroute stop to see Likir monastery, founded in the 11th century and the first royal monastery to be established in Ladakh under direct Tibetan influence. It contains gigantic clay images of the Buddha and various old manuscripts. Continue to Alchi Monastery, lying in the lofty little village of the same name. Sometimes described as one of the monastic jewels of Ladakh, its Buddhist gompa goes back nearly a thousand years, predating the Tibetan influence that was to become a major force in the mountain desert. Night halt in a deluxe tented camp.

Return back to Leh. Along the way stop to visit Basgo castle, in the 11th century it was the capital of the western Kingdom, still bearing witness to its glorious past. On the way you can see magnating hills and visit to a beautiful Army museum (hall of fame). Night halt at Leh.

After breakfast, drive to the mystical Nubra Valley over the exhilarating Khardungla Pass (5600 mtrs.), the highest point of your journey. The views from the top are spectacular; extending, to the south, across the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range. To the north, the views of the mighty peaks of the Saser Massif are amazing. Continue driving up to Hundar where you will be receive and welcome drinks and later drive to the starting point or camel trek of Hunder and Diskit is home to a small population of Bactrain camels; these shaggy, double humped animals, were once used as pack animals on the central Asian trade routes. On camel back, pass through this dramatic high altitude desert, with its rolling sand dune and barren landscape, dotted with lush, green, river valleys. Night halt in a camp.

After breakfast, set off on full day of sightseeing to Diskit monastery located on the top of Diskit village. Later drive to Samstaling monastery and the village of Samur. This is part of the old silk route and was used by trade caravans on their way to Panamik, the last village on this circuit. Panamik, now a sleepy village, was once a major trade centre for merchants. Later drive back to Leh. Night halt in Leh.

After breakfast, drive to Pagong lake the biggest high altitude lake of Asia bu crossing another pass of Changla about 5.270 mtrs.
One third of the 150 kms. lake belongs to India. The remaining 100 kms. stretch of water belongs to China. The lake was once divided between Ladakh and Tibet as early as 1684 under the Treaty of Tingmosgang signed between the king of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal, and the Regent of Tibet. As of today it is shared by India and China.
After enjoying the lake move back to Leh. Night halt at Leh.

Departure to Delhi with sweet memories of Ladakh by flight, arrive Delhi. Transfer to the hotel.
Departure to Mumbai.