Hamlets & Lakes

This day is for taking in the sights of Leh and to use this as an opportunity to acclimatize further. We visit Stok Palace, Shanti Stupa and Hall of Fame.

The Stok Palace is where the current royal family lives. The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewellery and artefacts, including thangkas painted with colours derived from crushed precious stones. Also on display are the ceremonial head dresses or ’peraks’ of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These head-dresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral and gold, making them an exotic sight.

We then visit Leh Palace, Hall of Fame and head to Shanti Stupa which is a Buddhist white domed stupa on a hilltop in Changspa. We enjoy the panoramic view of the city at sunset. From here we can choose to leave the vehicles and walk down to Leh taking some quite back roads and into the Leh market to wander around at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Hemis stands on the western bank of the Indus River. The monastery also boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics. The Hemis Monastery also serves as the venue of an annual festival known as the Hemis Festival.

Thiksey houses one of the largest Buddhist statues, the 15-meter-tall Champa, the Buddha of Future. Thiksey is one of the most frequented and photogenic monasteries in Ladakh. About a hundred plus monks live here. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Shey Monastery: Shey was once the residence of royal family. It was established by first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon. The highlight of the monastery is 12 feet tall copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. This statue is considered the largest in the region. There is another statue of Buddha which raises upto three storeys.

After breakfast, the group sets off to visit Khardungla pass, the world’s highest motor able pass. After a photography session and acclimatization break on the pass we cycle down to Leh. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Today, we do a spot of rafting on the famed Zanskar River. After breakfast we drive to Chilling (56 km km; approx. 1 hr) – starting point of the rafting on Zanskar River which offers exciting rapids. Our run ends at Nimo and we break for lunch. Post lunch we visit Alchi Monastery which is a World Heritage Site also this is the only monastery on flat ground. We then drive to Themisgam for the night. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Themisgam.

After breakfast we drive to Lamayuru. We visit the Lamayuru Monastery one of the largest and oldest gompa in Ladakh. The monastery is very striking with its position on top of a beautifully eroded crag, complete with rock pinnacles and caves giving it a fairy tale look. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Themisgam.

Trek from Lamayuru – Wanla (via Prinkiti La) (3 hrs)

We trek for about 3 hrs from Lamayuru to Wanla (via Prinkti La). We walk down to the stream and follow its bed east. After 15 minutes taking the uphill path we go over arid land in a southerly direction until it splits. Continue walking up the small gully on the left until it further splits into three directions. We take the left fork, which winds steeply up to the Prinkiti La (3700m/12,140 ft.). From the top you look over the complicated terrain of Zanskar. A steep descent from here brings you to Shillakong Valley. Cross the bridge and continue downstream on the right bank to the pretty village of Wanla with its 11^th century gompa high up on a craggy mountain. Get into our waiting vehicles and drive back to Themisgam. The evening is free to explore the village and generally relax.

Today post breakfast we set off for Pangong Tso, the world’s highest brackish water lake, 134 km long and 5 km wide at its broadest point, spans two countries, India and China (2/3^rd of the lake lies in China). The sun paints its various hues on the canvas of the surrounding mountains as we watch spellbound while walking on the shores of the lake. We are to spend the night in this magical setting and we check into our deluxe tented campsite and spend the evening watching the drama of light over water as the sun sets. Dinner and overnight stay at Deluxe Tented campsite in Pangong Tso.

Early morning, experience the sunrise at Pangong Tso. Post breakfast, drive to Leh. We may stop at some villages’ enroute and explore them. Check in to the hotel. Evening is free for leisure, we head out to Leh and enjoy the hustle bustle and sights and sounds of the bazaar. We finish our shopping of curios and gifts. It’s our last night and we celebrate with a farewell dinner. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Early morning, drive to Leh airport, this time do make sure you have a window seat so that you may enjoy the stunning landscape of Ladakh as you head back to the plains.

End of arrangements…