Glimpses of Ladakh

Tour Route: Around Leh - Indus Valley - Pangong Lake – Khardongla.
Duration: 4 nights / 5 days

Day-1:   Arrive Leh (Alt: 11500 ft. / 3505 M) - Acclimatization / Orientation

Arrive Leh Airport and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drinks / breakfast, take complete rest for acclimatization to the high altitude. In the late afternoon, visit the city centre and take leisurely walk through the main market for general orientation. Later return to your hotel. Overnight at Leh.

Day-2 : In Leh: Glimpses of the Indus Valley / Approx.80 kms round trip / 3-4 hours

After breakfast drive up the Indus Valley to visit the dramatically located  Thiksey Monastery,   a major Gelukpa foundation dating from the 16 th century. Returning from Thiksey, you may walk up the hill at Shey to visit Shey Palace  where the main attractions are two gigantic copper-gilt statues of the Buddha installed during the 17th century. Thereafter, proceed to visit the  Druk Padma School which was featured as the Rancho School in the popular Film Bollywood called “Three Idiots”

In the afternoon drive down the Indus Valley to visit  Sangam  (dramatic confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers). On the way back from Sangam, stop at Magnetic Point on the highway to check its unique magnetic effect on the vehicles, then proceed to visit the famous Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, followed by a visit to the beautiful Spituk Monastery. Finally , on this route you may explore the Hall of Fame  (museum of military heritage) & the Leh War Memorial .  Overnight at Leh.

Day-3:   In Leh: Excursion to Pangong Lake / 150 kms / 5-6 hours one way

After early breakfast drive to Pangong Lake  via  Chang-la  pass (alt: 17370 ft. / 5486 meters.  Pangong Lake (alt:14,500 ft.), largest brackish water lake of Asia, is 4-5 kms wide and about 135 kms long of which about two-third portion lies on the other side of the Indo-China  border. After sightseeing & lunch at the lake, drive back to Leh, reaching by the evening. Overnight at Leh .

Day-4  : In Leh: Excursion to Khardongla (39 kms) / visit Leh Palace & Shanti Stupa

After breakfast proceed drive up to explore   Khardong-La  (alt: 18,390 ft. / 5602 M), famous as highest motorable pass in the world. The pass offers spectacular views of the Zanskar range across the Indus Valley in the south, and the  Saser  massif in the north. Returning from the pass, you may take a detour to visit the 9- storey Leh Palace ( dating from 1600 AD),a historic landmark which renders a unique heritage character to Leh. Thereafter drive to visit Shanti Stupa, a prominent landmark located on a great vantage point overlooking Leh & the valley beyond. Overnight at Leh.

Day-5   Depart Leh: Transfer to Airport

Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight back home.