Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to an airport hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2: Fly to Leh (11,500ft)
After breakfast, transfer back to airport for a flight to Leh, capital city of Ladakh. This is one of the most sensational flights in the world for great mountain views of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and the Nun Kun massif.
Upon arrival at Leh Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in the city. Today you should only take short walks and stay hydrated because of the sharp gain in altitude. Overnight in Leh. (Breakfast)
Day 3: Leh
We recommend that you take this morning slowly and relax as you will still be feeling the effects of the altitude. At about noon, visit the main bazaar area and old town where you find a wide range of interesting local shops and restaurants for lunch. Then take a short stroll to Leh Palace, the former royal palace King Senge Namgyal built in the 17th century. The palace was abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the 19th century and the Royal Palace moved to Stok Palace. Today, it is still under restoration and you can enjoy very scenic views of the city and surrounding mountains from the roof top. Overnight in Leh. (Breakfast)
Day 4: Leh
After breakfast, visit Thikse Monastery from the 16th century and part of the Gelug-pa Sect. The monastery is 12 storied and painted in deep shades of red, ochre and white. The main dukhang houses numerous racks of religious texts. Behind the main alter lies a small chamber that contains images of revered deities.
Continue your drive along the Indus River to Hemis Gompa in the village of Karu. This famous monastery dates back to the 17th century and was built over a period of 40 years (1602 – 1642 A.D.). In the dukhang, remnants of the original 17th century murals can be seen. The gompa boasts of an excellent library, well preserved frescoes and murals, silver gilt chortens and a Kashmiri lacquered wooden throne.
On the return journey to Leh, visit Stok Palace, the present residence of the former royal family of Ladakh. King Teswang Thondup Namgyal built this palace in 1825 and the last king of Ladakh died here in 1974. The palace museum has an interesting display of royal collections, original artefacts and ritual objects. Overnight in Leh. (Breakfast, Packed Lunch)
Days 5: Leh to Nubra Valley (10,000ft)
Today, it’s about 5 to 6 hour to drive to Nubra Valley but crossing the Khardung La Pass at 18,340ft. From the pass, you can see all the way south over the Indus Valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range. Nubra Valley was part of the ancient Silk Road for merchants entering India from Tibet.
Along the way, stop to visit Diskit Monastery perched on a rock overhanging next to a stream. Founded around 1420 AD, this is one of the most important and richest monasteries in Ladakh, filled with thangkas, magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings. Continue on to the town of Hunder where you will spend the night in a tented campsite. Overnight in Diskit. (All Meals)
Day 6: Nubra Valley
Today you will take a walk in the stunning countryside, passing through villages to see how the Nubra people live, visiting local monasteries, enjoying the magnificent culture and scenery before heading back to the campsite. A visit to the nearby Nubra dunes will show you the local Bactrian camels; their ancestors were once used on the old trading routes that passed this way... if you are so inclined you may take a ride. Overnight in Diskit. (All Meals)
Day 7: Drive back to Leh
After breakfast, you will return over the mighty Khajung La and down to Leh. The rest of the day will be free to explore the markets of Leh. Overnight in Leh. (Breakfast, Packed Lunch)
Day 8: Fly from Leh to Dehli
Transfer to airport today for your flight back to Delhi. (Breakfast)
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