FERNWEH LADAKH

Arrive at Kushok Bakula Airport – Leh, situated at 3500m altitude, met by our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Leh town which is only at 5 to 7 km. On arrival at the hotel enjoy your welcome drink and then proceed to check in to your rooms and take full-day at rest to acclimatize yourself completely to the high altitudes of Ladakh which is must.

Evening around 4:30 pm visit Shanti Stupa, Leh palace and local Market which offers the best things to buy from Leh town. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

The Shanthi Stupa as the name suggest it is dome-shaped building erected as a Buddhist shrine which is the “symbol of peace”. It is one of the forms of Peace Pagoda built in Ladakh. It is constructed at an altitude of approx. of 11800 ft (3608 mts), at 5 Km from the Leh town by a group of Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhist.

Leh Palace also referred as the ‘Lhachen Palkhar’ is a royal palace located in the picturesque Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh. It was designed in line with the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The palace is a nine-storied architecture and was built for the Royal Family of Ladakh. The view of the Leh town from Leh palace is amazing during the evening.

On this day you will be asked to provide a photocopy of Indian Government issued Photo ID Proof (Aadhar card preferred) or Passport copy for foreign nationals of all individuals to get the inner Line Permits (ILP). The cost for this is already included in the package and no need to pay anything additional for the same.

The Sham valley is also called the Apricot valley as the valley houses Apricots farms which are grown in large quantities in these villages. The Valley is the home for some of the remote villages of Leh. The tour can be considered on the second day as It is at a lower altitude and hence will help you to acclimatize your body before you go to Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso Lake. The Sham Valley full consume a fill day and has the places to visit in the following order starting from Leh.

Alchi Monastery is a Buddhist monastery, known for its monastic complex of temples in Alchi village in the Leh District. It is located about 65Km away from Leh towards the Srinagar Leh Highway. It is located at the banks of Indus river and at an altitude of 10,170 feet. You can spin the wheels of fortune and make a wish happiness for everyone.

The Sangam is the confluence of the Indus and the Zanskar river which meet at this point. You can click some photos from the top to see the difference in the color of the water from each river. You may opt for rafting here at your own cost if not included already included in the package.

The Magnetic hill is located between Leh and Alchi on the Srinagar Leh Highway. It’s place where you can see the natural demonstration of gravity where the cars are pulled against the inclined road and appears to be rolling back steep which we would call as an optical illusion. We suggest you carry a ball to see it by yourself.

Gurdwara Shri Pathar Sahib is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Road, 25kms before the Leh. It is very beautiful, and it was created after the famous incident occurred when the demon lived nearby planned to kill Guruji and throwed stone (Pathar) at him during his worship to almighty and the stone turned into a wax. This made the demon realize himself that almighty is the ultimate power.

The Hall of fame is 2nd best museum of India and its built & maintained by Indian Army. in the memories of the great soldiers who lost their life in the Indo Pak war 1999. It is famous for its unique collection of ammos of both India & Pakistan used it the war & the Audio visual of the war.

Return to Leh and overnight rest at the hotel.

One can extend the Sham Valley tour up-to Lamayuru at an additional cost. Let us know if this to be added in the itinerary.

The day is to explore the north-eastern part of Leh – the Nubra Valley. It is located at about 150Kms and an altitude of about 10000 ft. To visit the Nubra valley one must cross the worlds highest motorable road – the Khardung La Pass and one can expect the valley in about 6-7Hrs of time.

The Khardung La Pass is at an altitude of at an altitude of 18,379 ft (5,602m) and so far, the world’s highest motorable world. One should be careful not to stay at this place for more than 30 mins and it may lead to Acute mountain sickness.

The Diskit is the capital of Nubra Valley and host the Diskit Monastery. The monastery is at the edge of the mountain and hence have amazing valley views from the top.

Leh is an ultimate cold desert of the Himalayas and this can be defined by the dunes. It is also the only place in India where one can find double humped camel. Enjoy your camel ride before we proceed further.

Any trip to any destination is incomplete unless one enjoys the local culture and with Explarience Tours and travels we always offer the cultural show as complimentary. The show is usually in the evenings and each session would last for about 30 mins with 5 variants of the songs.

Check in to your camps and enjoy a pleasant dinner & overnight stay.

Since Nubra valley is at lower altitude we suggest you enjoy your bon Fire at Nubra Valley.

After an early breakfast we check out from the Camp and drive to Hunder where you have opportunity to ride Quad bikes. We usually recommend this to do it in the morning as one can take nice videos and Photos during this time of the day.
After your quad bikes if we have missed any of the sightseeing in the previous day we will cover them up today and head to Leh for an overnight journey.

One can opt to few optional spots such as Sumur, Panamik or Turtuk Village.

The Sumur is a 45min drive from Diskit and is located the Samstanling Monastery. One can be here early in the morning to see the monks performing their morning prayers and if you are lucky then you may receive their blessings.

If you opt to visit Panamik then we suggest you to check out the camps early and take the morning bathe at the hot Sulphur springs of Panamik. It is also the last destination where tourist can access post which are located the Siachen Glaciers.

Turtuk is a small village located on the banks of the Shyok river and was a part of Pakistan till 1971 and is now the last outpost of India. Turtuk is one of the gateways to the Siachen Glacier

Early morning full day excursion to Pangong Lake 135 km / 4400m east of Leh crossing Changla Pass 17500ft and driving via Durbuk and Tangtse villages. On a normal day one can consider about 5 hrs. to reach the Lake. The following are the noticeable places to be sighted during this journey.

This is a small temple maintained by the great soldiers of India. It is believed that there existed a baba here and the temple is in maintained in memories.

The Chang La pass is at an altitude of 17,590 ft (5,360 m). It is claimed to be the world’s second highest motorable road in the world. This is the gateway of the Changthang Plateau situated in the Himalayas.

The Pangong Tso Lake means a “High Grassland Lake” located in the Changthang region of Ladakh. The lake is situated at an altitude of 14,270 ft (4,350m). It is the highest salt-water lake in the world and the view, so the lakes are amazing. It is believed the lake changes its color 4 – 5 times a day.

One can visit Shooting Point (3 Idiots movie shoot) and View point (panoramic view view of the lake) of the lake for some selfies before you check in at the camps for your overnight stay.

Start your day early when the surroundings of the lake look even more beautiful. If you want, you can click some photographs here. Later, start driving towards Tsomoriri Lake. The largest lake in Ladakh, it lies at an altitude of 15075 feet. You drive up to Kharu and then right to the Tsomoriri Lake.

The Chumathang hot springs are located at the Chumathang village. The village is significantly at a lower altitude and is a place for the who is suffering from Acute mountain sickness. We suggest an early lunch here before we procced further.

Drive past Mahe Bridge and then drive towards the beautiful Tsomoriri Lake. Spot Himalayan marmots. Evening arrival at the Lake. Check-in at the tented camp near the lake. Near the lake, you can spot as many as 34 avifauna species. The lake has been declared a Wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003.

Dinner and overnight stay at camps.

After an early breakfast on start driving to Leh via Tsokar Lake. It is at a distance of 80Km for Tsomoriri Lake. Tsokar Lake – another Salt Lake which is 7.5 Km long and 2.3 km wide located in the Rupshu Plateau. On the way, take a stop to visit

Puga Geo-Thermal Gas spring is the most promising hydrothermal system of the Indian subcontinent, the temperatures here are expected to be 250 at the deepest point.

Nomadic Rebo tents at Kongka La pass located in Chang-Chemno Range which is at 16965 ft. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

In the morning, enjoy your breakfast and start your road journey to Sarchu, driving past the scenic Puga Valley, Tsokar Lake- another picturesque lake in Ladakh, Skyangchu Thang – a plateau stretching to 42 km. Lunch at the town of Pang. Continue your journey to Sarchu by driving past Nakee La and Lachlung La. The journey would be for 8 hrs. and have few landmarks to be seen.

After crossing the villages as Kharu – Upshi & Rumtse you will find the first high altitude pass on this road, located at a height of 17,582 ft. This pass is the highest on Manali Leh highway and considered as second highest motorable pass in the world Although disputed.

Your third high altitude pass, located at a height of 15,547 ft. If you are lucky, you may even see some wildlife here.

Your third high altitude pass, located at a height of 15,547 ft. If you are lucky, you may even see some wildlife here. Getting down the pass you will cross a series of 21 hairpin bends. It is also reported to be a haunted site.

By evening reach your Camps for a dinner and overnight stay.

After early breakfast leave for Leh en-route crossing Nakeela and Lachalung-la Pass (16,617 ft.). Break for lunch at Pang and then drive on towards Leh passing through Skyangchu Thang (a vast plateau stretching for 42 kms) and then crossing Taglang-La (17,585ft) and driving through the upper Indus Valley. During this one can visit the following places.

Time to get a little taste of Supernatural. The ruins of Shaheed Sainik Bhawan at the top of Baralacha La are a haunted site.

Also known as Surya Taal, it is a small lake at the top of Baralacha La Pass. It is the source of the Bhaga River and presents a stunning view amidst the mighty hill tops all around. If luck favored you, you may find the lake completely frozen even in July.

This will be your second-high altitude pass on Manali Leh highway. Ironically, though Tanglang La is at a higher altitude, it is Baralacha La that remains covered with snow for a longer duration and receives way more snow than Tanglang La.

Right before Darcha and after the descent of Baralacha La, it is a very small lake but do not let the size deceive you. It may be smaller in size but a giant when it comes to natural beauty.

Jispa is a small town in the highway and is a place where one can enjoy their lunch. The only thing worth mentioning about Darcha is that it is the end or starting point of the famous Zanskar trek. There are a few chadar tents here if you would like to stay for the night.

Keylong is the administrative headquarter of Lahaul & Spiti Valley and the largest town on Manali Leh highway. It is also home to Khardung Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

This is your last highest pass of the journey and most of the time you will find snow and traffic congestion. Beguiling landscapes consisting of fierce wind, chilling temperature, snowcapped peaks and lush green valley’s around is what Rohtang Pass is famous for.

By evening reach Manali, dinner and overnight stay in Manali.

Today, get all set for visiting the prime attractions of Manali. Visit Hidimba Devi Temple- an ancient temple around 450 years old that is dedicated to Hidimba Devi wide of one of the Pandava brothers Bhim, Jagatsukh- a small village that houses old Shikara-style temples and Vashisht Kund- hot water Sulphur springs. Later in the day explore the Tibetan Monastery and the handicraft center. Take a walk up to the old Vashisht village.

It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which was worshiped as an image of the deity.

Vashisht Kund is a 4000 years old temple located at the cliff of hill in Manali. ashistha village is extremely significant when it comes to the heritage Indian Hindu culture as one of the saptrishis rishi Vashistha stayed there for sometimes. There is a hot water spring known as Vashisht kund. According to legend the saddened Rishi Vashisht after knowing that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide, but the river refused to kill him. The river was therefore named as Vipasha which means ‘ freedom from bondage.’ & now popularly known as Beas river.

After your morning breakfast check out for the hotel and drop will be provided at the bus stand for your onward journey.