August 9th - 19th, 2013
(10 nights 11 days)
This stunning journey begins in Manali and continues for nearly 500 km through the high Himalayas & over majestic passes to reach Leh. The suggested route ensures gradual acclimatization, so that you reach Leh in fine fettle to enjoy exploring the rest of Ladakh and seeing not only must-see places like the ethereal turquoise hued Pangong Tso & the surprisingly verdant valley of Nubra, but also lesser explored gems like Turtuk. The visual delights would be aptly complemented by some firsthand experiences of the local lifestyle & traditions like a Ladakhi meal in an ancient village home at Stok…
Itinerary
- Day 1: Reach Solang Valley (2600 M) 20 min. drive from Manali
Reach Solang by any of these modes:
• Board a morning flight from Delhi to reach Kulu Airport around 8AM. Drive 1 ½ hrs to reach Solang in about 2 hrs.
• On the previous evening board a HPTDC Volvo Coach from Delhi & reach Manali Bus Stand at about 0730 hrs. Drive about 20 minutes to reach Solang Valley around 0800 hrs. Rest of the day at leisure in Solang – check out Paragliding, Zorbing, Hiking…Shop/Sightseeing in Manali.
• On the previous night board Himachal Express travel overnight by 2/3 AC to reach Kiratpur Sahib at 0600 hrs. Drive 245 km / 7 hrs to reach Solang in the afternoon. Rest of the day at leisure in Solang or Shopping / Sightseeing in Manali.
• Board the morning Kalka Shatabdi to Chandigarh or take a morning flight from Mumbai. Reach Chandigarh around noon. Drive 330 km / 9 hrs to reach Solang at night.
• Leave at dawn from Delhi and drive 570 km / 13 hrs to reach
Everyone meets at dinner, for familiarization with each other and your escort. Stay overnight at a hotel in Solang.
PLEASE NOTE: Solang is at about 8600 ft and hence there is better acclimatization than in Manali Town which is all of 6700 ft.
- Day 2: Manali - Jispa (3150 M) 140 km / 7 hrs
Leave around 0730- 0800 hrs after an early breakfast to avoid traffic en route Rohtang. We drive across the pass into the starkly barren landscape of Lahaul and at Tandi we stop for lunch at a Dhaba in Tandi – also the confluence point of the Chandra & Bhaga Rivers to form Chenab. Reach Jispa by late afternoon. Avoid strenuous activity but go for a short acclimatization walk. Stay overnight in a campsite & lodge besides the Bhaga River. - Day 3: Jispa day hike to Darcha trekking point / relaxation & short walks
For gentler, copy book acclimatization it’s best that you spend this day (& night) too in Jispa and do some walking/hiking. This way you also avoid the daunting combination of inclement weather & rudimentary campsites that staying in Serchu entails. Those interested can do a beautiful guided hike across the river to the Darcha Trekking Point - about 4 hrs totally. Others may just relax in the campsite, enjoying the serene, peaceful ambience and strolling around a bit to enhance acclimatization. - Day 4: Jispa Leh (3505 M) 339 Kms / 11 hrs
Early start carrying packed breakfast. Drive over Baralacha La and then via Serchu, negotiate the hair- rising Gata Loops - 21 back–to-back switchbacks. Cross Naki La (4740 M) & Lachalung La (5060 M); drive through the vast, amazingly stark Moray Plains. Cross Tanglang La (5328 M) and finally reach Leh by evening. Overnight stay in rooms at a small, cozy & comfortable guesthouse. - Day 5: Leh visit select gompas, monuments and a traditional village home for a Ladakhi meal
After breakfast visit Shey & Thiksey Gompas. On the drive back take a detour across the Indus to Stok. See the palace & museum here, before going to 300 yr old traditional home high up in the village, to enjoy a Ladakhi meal. Late afternoon and evening at leisure in Leh – see the palace & walk around in the bazaar. Around 1730 hrs we leave on a beautiful drive of about 45 mins on the picturesque Srinagar Highway to spend sunset at Nimmu – the confluence point of the Indus & Zanskar Rivers, and also stop at Magnetic Point to enjoy the experience of seeing your vehicle slowly move uphill on its own – with the engine switched-off. Though it’s proven that it is just an optical illusion, the visual effect is eerie. Be back at your guesthouse for dinner. - Day 6: Leh - Nubra Valley at Deskit (avg. alt. 3048 M) 140 km / 5 hrs
A stunning drive over the mighty Khardung La (5602 M) brings you to the verdant Nubra Valley. We reach Deskit for a sumptuous hot lunch at your hotel. Relax a while and early evening around 1600 hrs we drive about 15 minutes to reach the white sand dunes of Hunder. Do a ride on the double-humped Bactrian Camels in Hunder and return to enjoy great sunset views from a vantage point with a huge outdoor statue of the Sakhyamuni Buddha near Deskit Gompa. Stay overnight in a hotel at Deskit. - Day 7: Deskit border villages of Turtuk 90 km / 3 hrs
Post breakfast drive further north, past the Thoise Air Field. The wide, open Nubra Valley starts closing in dramatically with the rocky mountain face getting darker & darker, finally bursting out into the verdant & vibrant Turtuk area at the north western end of the valley which borders the Balti province of Pakistan - this area & the twin villages of Turtuk Youl & Pharol were annexed by India during the 1971 war. In fact the village gives the look & feel of being in Pakistan/Afghanistan. However, you may rest assured that the locals are very patriotic towards India. Check into safari tents at a verdant campsite amidst fields & orchards, sprinkled with clumps of wild & vibrantly colored blooms. Have a traditional Balti meal – so tasteful, nutritious and salubrious a diet that even 80- 90 yr olds in the twin villages of are active & full of life. We spend the rest of the day walking around in the villages & interacting with the warm & hospitable locals sporting European looks. The cherubic kids are especially adorable, and so are the vistas in the surrounding region when you hike out a bit. - Day 8: Turtuk - Leh 230 kms / 8 hrs
Post breakfast retrace your route past via Hunder- Deskit and over Khardung La to reach Leh by early evening. Rest of the evening at leisure to just stroll around in Leh bazaar/town. - Day 9: Leh Pangong Tso (4260 M / 14000 ft) 150 km / 5 hr
Leave post breakfast on a great drive over Chang-La (5,475 M / 17950 ft) to reach Tangse. We stop here to have our lunch in the Ladakhi style dining area of a local home-cum-guesthouse. Later we also take a short detour to see a temple with some amazingly intricate wood carving, and we finally reach the grand Pangong lake by late afternoon. Enjoy spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflection shimmering in the ever changing blues and greens of the lakes brackish water. Stay overnight in tents at a campsite bang on the lake shore. - Day 10: Pangong Tso Hemis Leh 165 km / 5 ½ hrs
Enjoy your early morning cuppa & a spectacular sunrise by the lake shore. On the drive back to Leh, take a detour at Karu to see the glorious Hemis Gompa atop a hill in the periphery of the Hemis National Park. Later we have our packed lunch in a quaint cafeteria at the base of the main stairway. Reach Leh by late afternoon. Rest a while and leave for the bazaar to shop for Thangkas, Chunky antique Silver Jewelry with Turquoise embellishments, mementos, Apricots & apricot based beauty products… Spend sunset at Shanti Stupa for unforgettable views of Leh Valley & town. Bid your adieus as you enjoy a grand farewell dinner at Summer Harvest restaurant and reach you guesthouse in time to turn in for the night. - Day 11: Leh Fly Back
Morning transfer to the airport in time for your return flight your return flight to Delhi…
Cost
Cost per person on twin share: INR 36400/-
Cost for extra adult sharing a room: INR 25000/-
Single room supplement: INR 20200/-
IMP:
• Quoted costs include GOI taxes applicable as of Dec 2012. Any increase in the tax rates or new taxes, imposed by the government in the run-up to this trip would be borne by the guest.
Cost includes:
1. Accommodation for 01 night in a room at a hotel in Solang
2. Accommodation for 02 nights in a safari tent at a campsite by the river in Jispa
3. Accommodation for 04 nights in a room at a hotel in Leh
4. Accommodation for 01 night in a room at a hotel in Deskit, Nubra Valley
5. Accommodation for 01 night in a safari tent at a campsite in Turtuk, Nubra Valley
6. Accommodation for 01 night in a safari tent at a campsite on the lakeshore at Pangong Tso
7. All meals from Dinner in Solang on Day 01 to Dinner in Leh on Day 10, includes 01 lunch at a Dhaba in Tandi, 01 traditional lunch in Stok, 01 Balti Meal in Turtuk and 01 celebratory dinner in Summer Harvest – Leh.
8. Road transportation, including sightseeing, from Solang pick up on Day 02 till Leh Airport drop in a dedicated & exclusive Innova / Xylo
9. Services of a guide –cum- escort
10. Services of our resident manager in Leh
11. Monument entries
12. Inner Line Permits for Nubra, Turtuk & Pangong Tso
13. Green Tax Levied by the Ladakh Tourism Council
14. All applicable taxes as per taxes applied by Govt. of India till Dec 2012.
Cost does not include:
1. Any air / rail / Volvo coach fares.
2. Any adventure activities in Solang
3. Bactrian Camel Ride – app. INR 400 / pax for a 1 /2 hr ride
4. Any transportation on Day 01 except for a complimentary transfer from Manali Bus Stand to Solang for those arriving by Volvo from Delhi.
5. Beverages at any place of stay except those served on buffet table.
6. Any En route/ personal expenses.
7. Any expenses incurred due to factors beyond our control like a natural calamity/ man-made calamity.
8. Bottled mineral water (Aquaguard purified water is served free of cost at all our properties.
9. Expenses on account of factors beyond our control like flight / train cancellations, landslides…