Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Tour Id: ICT-67

This trip is a good way to experience Ladakh. On this trip one traverses through the famed Indus, Nubra and Rupsho valleys. We start the trip by visiting the famous monasteries and palaces in the Indus valley; near Leh. Next we drive to the Nubra valley. Nubra is an incredible valley which till recently was completely cut off for travellers. It is a Buddhist region north of Leh across the Khardung La (5600 m), the second highest motorable road in the world. This valley also known as the valley of flowers was on the former trade route between Tibet and Turkistan.

We then drive to Alchi and Lamayuru; the latter has one of the most spectacular gonpas in the country. From here the trip will move to the famous lakes, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar. Nomadic tribe of Khampas inhabit these areas for grazing their herds of goat, cows and yaks. This area is particularly known for its wildlife. Commonly seen animals are wild asses (kiangs), marmots, foxes and black necked geese.

We finish this exciting voyage with a rafting trip down the Indus. View of the valley from the river adds a totally different perspective to this truly enchanting place. The trip finishes with a flight - right over the top of the greater Himalayas, offering views only conjured in dreams.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi - Leh
Take the early morning Jet airways flight from Delhi to Leh. Rest of the Day to be spent acclimatising. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 02: Leh
ToDay we start exploring the Indus valley. We will first drive to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis gompa (monastery) accompanied by a local guide loaded with information on the history and practices of these gompas. Evening to be spent exploring the local market. Overnight in a hotel.

Shey Gompa is about 15 kms from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Shey palace was built by Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of 17'th century AD. Main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompa.

Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey is about 17 kms from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelukspa order

Hemis, about 45 kms south of Leh it is one of the most famous and largest monastery in Ladakh. It belongs to the Drukpa order and was foundedin the early 17'th century. The setting is perfect with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley, surrounded by streams and fronted by long mani walls.

Day 03: Leh - Nubra
After breakfast drive from Leh to the Nubra valley (130 kms, 6 hrs) over the Khardong La (5602 m). Enjoy a hot cup of chai (tea) near the 'highest temple in the world'. Drive to Sumur via Kardung village and Khalsar. Overnight in a luxury Camp in Sumur..

Khardung La, the road journey to Nubra valley leads through the Khardung La pass, the second highest motorable road in the world (5602 mts). The pass is almost permanently covered in fog and snow. Here you have world's 'highest temple' and an army checkpost, which also serves hot tea. Enroute there are many vantage view points. Sumur is a quaint village along the Nubra river. The Samtanling Gompa here is 150 years old and houses 7 temples.

Day 04: Nubra
Full Day sightseeing of Diskit and Hunder. Over night in a luxury Camp in Sumur.l.

Diskit is the Capital of Nubra. It has a 500 years old Monastery on a hilltop offering spectacular views of the valley. Diskit has a regular Bazaar consisting of a row of Shops. From Diskit, the tour circuit proceeds down the Shayok to Hundar.

Hundar, here there is a small population of Bactrian camels, Shaggy double humped animals, which in the old Days were used as pack animals on the central Asian trade route. During the 50 years, they have been bred for transport purposes in the Nubra; toDay visitors can make a Camel Safari out in to the dunes from Hundar

Day 05: Nubra - Leh
Early morning after breakfast drive to Panamik. From Panamik drive back to Leh. Overnight in a hotel.

Panamik, the last village on this Circuit, was a busy centre for ancient silk route caravans, the last major settlement before the caravans plunged in to the mountains of Karakoram & the Ka-lu. Panamik is also famous for its hot springs.

Day 06: Leh - Alchi
Today We Drive To Alchi (67 Kms) Via Nimmo. Overnight Stay In A Hotel.

Alchi Is A Pretty Village Having Numerous Handicraft Stalls. This Place Is Invariably Bustling With People. The Gonpa Here Was Built In The 11th Century.

Nimo Is 36 Kms From Leh. Just A Few Kms Short Of Nimo Is The Confluence Point Of The Differently Coloured Zanskar And The Indus River, Truly A Fantastic Sight.

Day 07: Alchi - Lamayuru - Leh
Start early in the morning for Lamayuru, it is 66 kms from Alchi. Explore the surroundings and the majestically set gonpa. After lunch drive back to Leh (123 kms). Overnight stay in a hotel.

Lamayuru monastery popularly known as, "Yangdrung Gomp" is situated 126 km west of Leh, on the Leh - Srinagar highway. It is considered to be the most spectacularly set monastery in this country, overlooking the Moon land. This monastery was first built by Rinchen Zangbo at the end of the 10th century, under the orders from the King of Ladakh

Day 08: Leh - Tso Moriri
Early morning drive from Leh to Tsomoriri (240 Kms/7 hrs). Overnight in tents.

Tso Moriri, located in the Rupsu valley at an altitude of 4000 m, is popularily known as 'mountain lake'. Striking feature of the lake is the reflection of the surrounding peaks on its waters and also the changing hue of the lake. The lake is about 28 kms long and about 8 kms at its widest. Close to the lake is the village of Korzok with a 135 years old Gompa.

Day 09: Tso Moriri - Tso Kar
Drive From Tso Moriri To Tso Kar (76 Kms/3 Hrs). Overnight In Tents

Tso Kar, Is A Brackish Lake About 3 Hrs Drive From Tso Moriri. It Is Also Called 'White Lake'. There Is A Small Gompa At The Nearby Village Of Thukse

Day 10 Tso Kar - Leh
After An Early Breakfast Drive Back To Leh (154 Kms) Via Taglang La (5328 M). Overnight Stay In A Hotel.

Day 11 Leh
Today Enjoy Half A Day Rafting Trip From Phey To Nimmo On The Indus River. Though The White Water Is Not Too Demanding (Class Ii/Iii Rapids) The Scenery Is Breathtaking. Evening Visit The Famous Shanti Stupa. Overnight Stay In A Hotel.

Day 12 Leh - Delhi
Take the early morning flight from Leh to Delhi. Trip ends here. If required we can arrange for extension trips from here to other parts of the country.