LADAKH "Tour to the Forbidden Land"

Destinations: Delhi – Leh – Tsomoriri – Nubra Valley – Pangong – Leh – Delhi Departure
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days

Highlights
Leh	Tesmo Gompa,  Shanti Stupa Leh Palace,  Druk white Lotus school of 3 idiots fame
Sham Valley	Mulbekh, Lamayuru Monastery ,  Alchi Gompa,  Confluence Of The Indus And Zanskar River,  Likir Monaster
TsoMoriri	Tsomoriri Lake, Tsokar Lake, Taklang La Pass 17,585ft and Rumtse.
Nubra	Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road In The World) at 5,602 Mtrs / 18,390 Ft
Turtuk Village	The ruins of Pun Khar, K2 Peak’s view
Pangong	Pangong Lak
Delhi	Old Delhi: Rajghat, Jama Masjid, Red Fort New Delhi : India Gate , President’s House, Humayun's Tomb

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.

Delhi takes pride in being the capital of the country for many dynasties. It is in fact a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. A vibrant melting pot, it encapsulates two very different worlds, the 'old' and the 'new', each representing delectably different experiences. Come experience it...

Overnight Hotel – Delhi

Day 02: Delhi – Leh {Vistara Air UK 601@ 0700/ 0825 Hrs}
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight to Leh, On arrival, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize welcome Tea or Coffee at the Hotel.

(This must be one of the Most Sensational Flights in The World. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif) 

Late afternoon visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Market.....  If time permit then visit the four-storey Central Asian Museum completion ceremony was held on 7th October at Tsas Soma garden in the Chutayrangtak area of the old town. Rest of the time is FREE for independent activity and explore Leh Market....
Overnight Hotel – Leh (D)

Day 03: Leh Day Excursion to Sham Valley (75 Kms / 4 Hrs)
Post breakfast visit Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the Confluence Of The Indus And Zanskar River, Just before Saspul a road to the right takes you for your visit to the Likir Monastery, Likir is one of the most active monasteries in the region. As you drive up to the monastery a recently installed colossal gilded image of the Maitreya out in the open is one of the most impressive sights in Ladakh.

Also visit the 11th Century Lamayuru Monastery en-route visiting the mesmerizing Moon Landscapes (you will believe why the name of this area is Moonland. Exactly the same formations of Land are visible as on the moon). Lamayuru; is spectacularly located along the valley plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Later drive to Leh and visit the Alchi Gompa; the complex of temples located within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh’s monasteries and dates back to the 11th century.
After visiting the Monastery you continue your drive along the River Indus to or Uletokpo or Tingmosgang enroute visiting Ridzong Monastery, there is the option to walk up to the Monastery for those that wish to do so. Hidden at the end of a steep valley, the first view of the Monastery is dramatic. Later driven back to Leh.
Evening is FREE for relax.

Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, D)

Day 04: Leh - Tsomoriri Lake (240 Kms / 7-8 Hrs)
Post breakfast breakfast drive to Tsomoriri Lake (14000ft above sea level), by Chumathang (Hot Spring) Along the Indus river. Tsomoriri Arr. 1600 Hrs. Afterwards take a walk around the Lake to enjoy the scenic beauty.

Evening is FREE for relax.

Overnight Camp – Tsomoriri (B, D)

Day 05: Tsomoriri - Leh (240 Kms / 7-8 Hrs)
Post breakfast walk around the lake and drive to back to Leh passing Puga (Sulphur Mine), Tsokar Lake, Taklang La Pass 17,585ft and Rumtse.

Evening is FREE for relax.

Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, D)

Day 06: Leh – Nubra Valley via Khardung La 18,390 Ft. (120 Kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road In The World) at 5,602 Mtrs / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level.

En-route visit Diskit Monasteries also known as Deskit Gompa or Diskit Gompa is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, northern India. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa, in the 14th century.

Later enjoy the Double Hump Camel ride the double-hump camel (ON YOUR OWN) is a native of Gobi desert, and is found on a vast expanse of cold-desert areas across Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Afghanistan.

Evening walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world.  Also visit a Ladakhi home and experience the Ladakhi cuisine.

Overnight Hotel – Nubra Valley (B, D)

Day 07: Nubra Day Excursion to Turtuk Village (80 Kms / One Side)
Post breakfast proceed for day excursion to Turtuk; a small village that lies on the banks of the Shyok River in the Nubra valley region and consists predominantly of Muslim population. The village is a gateway to the Siachen Glacier and consists on the line of control to the Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The place has vast greenery and serene beauty and is a hidden gem due to its spectacular flora including a wide number of apricot trees. The place has recently opened up for tourists and is still unexplored. This is the northernmost village of the country that had long been a part of Pakistan till India reclaimed it in the 1971 war. Thus, this is the last village up the region where tourists are allowed from 2009 and that adds to the fun of visiting this place.

Turtuk; has some great places to explore like the 16th century Minarets and Mosques, the Royal House of the Yabgo dynasty, the ruins of Pun Khar, K2 Peak’s view, and the villages that can be explored through camping and cultural tours.

The place is highly worth a visit because it is a place that continues to follow the Balti culture of Pakistan and the place has extremely warm and hospitable Muslim locals who would make you feel at home there.

Later drive back to Nubra.

Evening is FREE.

Overnight Hotel – Nubra Valley (B, D)

Day 08: Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake (150 kms / 6 Hrs Approx.)
Post breakfast, we leave for Pangong Lake via Shayok route, reach Pangong Lake by lunch, after check in at the camp explore the beauty of Pangong Lahe- which is the highest salt water Lake in the World, shared by two countries India & China. Upon arrival, visit the location of 3 Idiots also known as shooting point.

After the success of 3 Idiots, this beautiful natural location has attracted more tourists from all over the world. 

Overnight Camp at Pangong Lake (B, D)

Day 09: Pangong Lake - Leh (140 Kms / 6 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Leh. En-route visiting Stakna Monastery; or Stakna Gompa is a Buddhist monastery of the Drugpa sect in Stakna, Leh district, Ladakh, northern India, 21 or 25 kilometres from Leh on the left bank of the Indus River. It was founded in the late 16th century by a Bhutanese scholar and saint, Chosje Jamyang Palkar.

Takthok Monastery; is a Buddhist monastery in Sakti village in Ladakh, northern India, located approximately 46 kilometres east of Leh. The name Takthok, literally meaning 'rock-roof' was named because both its roof as well as walls are made up of rock.

Upon arrival after freshen up, proceed to visit to Indus valley including Shey Palace- the former Palace of the Namgyal king of Ladakh, en-route visit Druk white Lotus school of 3 idiots fame, and return to Leh to visit Leh palace- Palace of the erstwhile Royal King of Ladakh and Shanti Stupa which offers you a panoramic view of entire Leh town, Indus valley and lofty mountain of Zansker & Ladakh range. 

Evening you can stroll around the market place for some last minute souvenir shopping.

Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, D)

Day 10: Leh – Delhi {Vistara Air UK602 @ 0900 / 1030 Hrs}
Delhi Departure

Transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi taking back wonderful memory of The Forbidden Land. On arrival board on your International flight for onward journey, taking back a wonderful holiday experience.

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.