Highlights
Leh is the administrative capital of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. It
is a wonderful town built on a hillside amid rocky hills. It is a part of the greater desert but
still is full of orchards, groves, gardens, poplars, willows, apples, apricots and large melons.
Monasteries are abundant. The place is historically very rich and significant, as it was once
the commercial nerve centre of Central Asia. The palaces, monasteries, other areas are very much
interesting.
Tourism in Leh began late in 1974, but became instantly a popular tourist destination, as
largenumber of tourists visits this part of the world for its beautiful landscape, culture,
tradition, history and environment. The region is also a powerful station for adventure tourism
like trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing and river rafting. Leh-Ladakh is a part of the
international tourist map and it attracts a large number of local as well as foreign tourists
annually.
The greatest charm of town is its palace, which although ruined now, still
dominates the place. This Royal palace known as Leh-Palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal. It
consists of nine storeys; the royal family lived in the upper floors. The palace is now empty
and crumbling as the royal family moved to Stok Palace some 10 miles away. However the crumbling
palace holds its charm and still attracts and pleases a great number of visitors. This majestic
palace when built was envied by the neighbouring countries.
Itinerary
Received by our representative and transfer to Hotel. Complete rest for the first half. After lunch if suitable visit sun set famous Shanti Stupa (a Japanese Pagoda built for world peace by Indian based Japanese monks and was inaugurated by His Holiness Dalai Lama in 1985). Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Leh.
After breakfast proceed to Indus&Zanskar river Sangam, drive along the Indus river visiting, Pathar Sahib Gurdwara and Magnetic Hill (where the cars defy gravity), and further on to Leh Hall of Fame (which has a museum of the Kargil War memorabilia) Overnight stay at the hotel.
After early breakfast drive to Nubra valley via Khardongla Pass (18,380ft) the world’s highest motorable road and gateway to Siachen Glacier, the views from the top of the pass are amazing. Visit Deskit Monastery (118kms) founded by Lama SherabZangpo in 1420 A.D. Check inn at camp or hotel and after that we will visit Hundar village (7kms from Deskit) and Double-Humped Bactrian Camel Safari in sand dunes at Hundar.Dinner and overnight at Hotel/Camp in Nubra.
After breakfast drive to Leh. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Leh.
After early breakfast leave for Pangong Lake (14,500ft), 4-5 hrs drive one way through Changla Pass (17,350ft) third highest motor able road in the world. This famous blue brackish salt water lake is 5-6 kms in width and around 134 kms in length with 75 percent of its running the other side of the Indo China Border. On the way visit Shey Palace (15kms) Shey was the summer Palace of Ladakhi Kings, where you can see three storied statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper and plated with gold. Thiksay Monastery (17kms) the 12 storied Monastery of Thiksay is the principal Monastery of Gelugpa order situated in the most prominent of positions lies on an island mountain. Dinner and overnight at Camp in Pangong.
After breakfast drive to Leh. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Leh.
SindhuDarshan : After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45km west of Leh; Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven back taking the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus valley. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its (Dukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. After that we continue to drive through series of Buddhist stupa (chortens) to visit Shey Palace the former summer palace of the King ofLadakh. 3 Idiots School Campus SindhuDarshan visit. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Leh Drop Early morning transfer to airport to catch your onward flight back home.