Day 01 – Arrive Leh
You will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred to the hotel and assisted with check in formalities. Leh - Leh is the headquarters of Leh District, and the largest town of the Ladakh region. It is located to the north of the Indus River at an elevation of 3600m above the sea level. The town is dominated by the nine-storey Namgyal Palace and Namgyal Tsemo (Victory Peak), built by Tashi Namgyal on his victorious reunification of the Upper and Lower Ladakh. Leh became the capital of Stod (upper Ladakh) during the reign of King Graspa Bum-Lde, who ruled Ladakh from 1400 to 1430 AD. In the later period, Leh became an important center for trade in Central Asia. Leh remained merely a headquarters of Ladakh district until 1974, when Ladakh was opened for foreign tourists. Since then period Leh became the centre for tourism related activities in the region.Rest of the day free to acclimatise.Overnight in Leh.
Day 02 – In Leh
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Indus Valley Monasteries. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest:THIKSEY GOMPA: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings. A 7.5 ms high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.HEMIS GOMPA: 40 Kms from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years (next in 2016). Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as “green room” by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist “Wheel Of Life” (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel.LADAKHI HOUSE: A typical Ladakhi house is made of mud bricks. The center of the room is the kitchen cum guest room. The Ladakhi style of sitting is like that of the Japanese thus by using low tables and Tibetan carpets where one sits in a meditation posture with crossed legs. The ground floor is used during the winters called “Goontsa” and the top floors are used during summer. A visit to a Ladakhi house gives the chance to directly interact with locals and an indight into Ladakhi customs. You can try “Chang” the local beer or salt tea. You may like to dress and be photographed in traditional Ladakhi dress.Also enjoy traditional ‘Gurgur Tea’ (Ladakhi Salt and butter tea) with the local residents of Stok Village. Drive back to Leh.Overnight in Leh.
Day 03 – Drive Leh – Nubra Valley (125 kms/05 hrs)
After breakfast, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check-out formalities. You will then start your drive to Nubra Valley. Drive the world’s highest motorable road at Khardungla Pass.khardungla pass : The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.NUBRA VALLEY - The Nubra means Ldumra (the valley of flowers), situated in the north of Leh. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above sea level. The main attraction in this area is Bactrian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet.) above sea level. On arrival at Nubra, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check in formalities.Later in the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken on a guided sightseeing tour of Nubra Valley. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest:DESKIT village: Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular views of the valley can be seen from the monastery.DESKIT GOMPA: Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar.hundar village: Hundar is a beautiful village to stay in with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump Bactrian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two hours is wonderful.Overnight in Nubra.
Day 04 - Drive Nubra Valley - Leh (125 kms/05 hrs)
Morning after breakfast visit Samstanling Monastery then drive back to Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass, the World’s highest motorable road. SAMSTANLING GOMPA: Samstanling Monastery was founded by Lama Tsultrim Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gompa. About 50-60 monks are residing at this 132 years old monastery. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations.On arrival at Leh, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check in formalities.Evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenirs and artefacts, visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by foot. Overnight in Leh.
Day 05 – Depart Leh
Morning, you are met by our representative at your hotel and assisted with checkout formalities, followed by transfer to airport in time for your onward flight.
