GRAND TOUR OF LADAKH

On arrival at Delhi IGI Airport or Chandigarh International Airport meet our representative who will escort you to Manali. Based your arrival time one can enjoy the breakfast or lunch at a nearby Hotel and start your journey to the honeymoon destination of India – Manali.

You will be driven through the Kullu Valley, past the Pandoh Dam and various Maggi pit stops to reach Manali in the evening. Check into your hotel, crash on to the bed or stretch your legs by taking a walk-through Mall road.

Early morning drive to Sarchu, driving across Rohtang Pass (13050 ft) and passing through Keylong, Jispa and Dracha and then cross the Baralacha Pass (16020 ft.) to arrive at Sarchu in the late evening. Overnight in fixed camp at Sarchu. The Places to be found during the journey are listed as below.

Gulaba is at about 20 kilometers and known as lower winter snow point after the road to Rohtang Pass gets closed in Winter. Nothing to see here in July except for its natural beauty.

Just a few kilometers ahead of Marhi, Rani Nala is a glacier point and a spot where you need to be careful while riding or driving. No matter which time of the year you reach here, you will always find snow at Rani Nala and something the snow walls can be several feet high.

This is your first 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.

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.

Jispa is a small town in the highway and is a place where one can enjoy their lunch. Also, a place to get acclimatized. 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.

Right after Darcha and before the ascent 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.

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.

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.

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

Sarchu is the point where the state of Himachal Pradesh ends, and Jammu & Kashmir starts. It is like the center point of Manali Leh highway and a famous camping site. Your day ends here with dinner and overnight journey.

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. Reach Leh by evening. Overnight in hotel. The Journey has the happening places to visit

A series of 21 hairpin bends that will take you to the third high altitude pass of the journey, Nakeela. It is also reported to be a haunted site. 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.

A plateau in the lap of Himalayas, Moore Plains are a sight to treasure. Your fifth and last 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.

Post the final pass cross the villages as Rumtse – Upshi – Karu and reach Leh. Your day ends with the dinner and overnight stay at Leh.

The morning is free after breakfast to get acclimatize to Leh altitude. 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 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.

Early morning full day excursion & is the shorter of the two direct routes from Nubra valley to Pangong Tso. You will start the journey by crossing Panamik and take a deviation at the Khalar. Although the route done have much to see but one will not be disappointed as the landscape is as amazing any wallpaper you would have imagined.

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 of the lake) of the lake for some selfies before you check in at the camps for your overnight stay.

Wake up early in the morning to witness the mesmerizing beauty of Pangong Lake under the fresh morning rays. Post breakfast set off for a drive back Leh. You will reach Leh by the afternoon; you can spend the rest of the time in the local markets of the city.

Enroute the following are the places of interest.

The Druk White Lotus School of Leh is popularly know as 3 idiot school after the famous movie 3 Idiot was shoot here. The visitors can access the school only under the observation of the guide.

The Shey palace was built in 1655 on the hills of Shey village at an altitude of 11,204 ft (3415m). Shey village is located to the south of Leh. The Shey monastery was built within the palace complex on the instructions of Deldon Namgyal, in the memory of his late father, Singay Namgyal. Inside the Shey monastery reside the Shakyamuni Buddha.

The Thiksey monastery is largest monastery located in central Ladakh about 19Km away from Leh town and at 11,000 ft (3900m). it is also called as “Mini Potala”.

In the morning, on day 8, have 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. Evening arrival in Sarchu. Check-in formalities. Stay overnight in Sarchu.

If any sightseeing is missied udring the journey from Sarchu to Leh we will cover it up today.

After breakfast, drive to Manali. Get ready for a scenic drive by crossing Baralacha La (4845m). Halt for lunch at Sissu Village. Next you cross the very popular Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of 13050 feet. Arrival in Manali. Check-in at a hotel.

Accomodation at Manali for today is not a part of the package.

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