Trans Ladakh: Manali – Leh

Today post breakfast we can take a walk to Solang village. We can also walk upto Anjani Mahadev waterfall. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Solang.

Post an early breakfast we hit the road soon the lush green Kullu valley gives way to bushes and smaller plants as we cross the tree line and reach the famous Rohtang Pass at 3978m/13,050 ft. the entry to the Lahaul Valley. At Rohtang we walk around and acclimatize by taking a photography break at the zero point. Now the descent to Lahaul valley begins. The windward side changes to the lee ward side and the shift in landscape is dramatic. Green is replaced by barren hillsides and we pass fields of barley, peas and potatoes. From Koksar we drive along the Chandra River and pass the beautiful hamlets of Sissu and Gondla. Tandi is situated at the confluence of Chandra &Bhaga Rivers. This is a beautiful side excursion in a pristine and peaceful valley. Also we spend more time at 10,000 ft. giving our bodies time to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel at Jispa.

The next day we drive from Jispa, we come to Darcha the last village that we encounter on this route before entering the Ladakh region. We are now in the arid zone and barren is slowly turning to desert. We visit Deepak Taal and SurajTaal and do the customary acclimatization / photography session. Then the high pass of Baralacha at 4892m/16,050 ft. we repeat the process and then we motor down to Sarchu. Sarchu is a plateau, practically a no man`s land at an altitude of 13,954 ft., located between the Baralacha La in the south and the Lachulung La in the north.  Here the deep gorge and colors make for an altogether fascinating landscape worth photographing. Continue our drive to Leh. The ever-changing scenery keeps us looking out. We are to cross three more passes today. Nakee La (4747m/15,574 ft.), Lachung La (5059m/16,600 ft.) and Tanglang La (5325m/17,469 ft.). Nakee La famous for its succession of 21 Gata Loops, sharp switchbacks on the road we descend down the Nakee La and come across Whisky Nullah and climb up to Lachalung La and reach the vast Pang plateau, this stretches on all sides seemingly endless offering us a 360 degrees’ view of arid mountains. We take a break in one of the many interesting Parachute converted tents for some tea and stretch and acclimatize. After ascending and descending 2 high passes it a great experience to drive on flat land for 42 km. The odyssey continues and we hit the winding road to cross Tanglang La at an impressive altitude of 5325m/17,469 ft. and get out to acclimatize, walk around, take pictures. From here we are to enter finally into the famed Indus Valley. The drive from Rumptse to Upshi is a spectacular drive as we can see many colors in the mountains. By evening we reach Leh. Overnight stay in hotel at Leh.

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, Thikshey Monastery and Stok Palace.

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 and located strategically, today; Thiksey is one of the most frequently visited and most photogenic monasteries in Ladakh. About a hundred monks live here.

The Stok Palace is where the current royal family lives in Stok Palace. The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewelry and artifacts, including thangkas painted with colors derived from crushed precious stones. Also on display are the ceremonial head dresses or ’peraks’ of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These headdresses 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 backroads and into the Leh market to wander around at leisure. 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 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.

Post breakfast we start for Leh. Post lunch at Khardung village we reach Leh.Evening free to explore the Leh market. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

We leave early and set off for Pangong. The road offers some unexplored and beautiful landscape. Pangong is the world’s highest brackish water lake. It is 134 km long and 5 km wide 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 sunsets. Dinner and overnight stay in Deluxe Tented Campsite at Pangong Tso.

We get up 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 at hotel. Evening is free for leisure, we head out to Leh and enjoy the hustle bustle and sights and sounds of the bazaar, shopping for curios and gifts. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Post an early breakfast we head towards the Airport to board the flight for onward journey.

End of arrangements…