Leh – Winter Wanderings

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 artifacts, 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.

This day is for taking in the sights of Leh and to use this as an opportunity to acclimatize further. We visit Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Monastery.

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.

Back on the road this time towards Khardungla pass (5602m/18,380 ft.), the world’s highest motor able pass. After a photography session and acclimatization break on the pass we cross it and head towards Nubra valley. Nubra valley is sandwiched between the Karakoram Mountains to the north and the Ladakh range to the south, in between lie the Shyok and the Nubra Rivers. The villages of Nubra valley are scattered along these two valley floors. This is a beautiful region that once formed a part of the Silk route into Afghanistan. Because of the lower altitude a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and grains are grown, creating an impression of abundance. We go to Hundar village and check into a hotel. After a late lunch the group sets off to visit the white sand dunes and if lucky one can take a ride on the double humped Bactrian camels. Dinner and overnight stay at Deluxe Tented Campsite at Hunder in Nubra Valley.

After breakfast, the group sets off to visit the white sand dunes once again and then head to Diskit Monastery, right on the top behind Diskit Monastery stands a 106 ft. tall Buddha statue, the tallest in the Ladakh region. Dinner and overnight stay at Tented Campsite in Nubra Valley.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Sumur.

Today post breakfast we set off for Pangong Tso, the world’s highest brackish water lake – Pangong Tso, 134 km long and 5 km wide at its broadest point, spans two countries, India & 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.

We get up early morning, experience the sunrise at Pangong Tso. Post breakfast, drive to Hanley via Nyoma. Dinner and overnight stay at guesthouse in Hanle.

After breakfast we start our drive to Tso Moriri. Tso Moriri is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds. Chief among them is the Bar Headed Geese, found in great numbers, Crested Grebe, the Brahminy Duck (Ruddy Shelduck) and the Brown Headed Gull. The Tso Moriri Lake is 8 km wide and 28 km long. We visit Korzok village with its houses and its gompa appearing like a mirage. Dinner and overnight stay at a Deluxe Tented Campsite in Tso Moriri.

After breakfast, we drive to visit Tso Kar. Tso Kar means salty lake in local language and salt was extracted from this lake in earlier times. While passing through this route we come across Changpa Nomadic Tribes, Yaks, Wild Asses, migratory birds. We drive to Sarchu for lunch. After a brief walk to enjoy the spire formations along the Bhaga river we start for Jispa. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Jispa.

After breakfast, we drive towards Solang. The landscape changes dramatically and is replaced by barren hillsides, blue skies and the route is dotted with green fields of barley, peas and potatoes. Then, we exit from Lahaul Valley and we enter into lush green Kullu valley. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Solang.

After breakfast, we drive towards Manali. Final Departure

End of arrangements…