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Home , Alchi, Chumathang, Hemis, Khardung La, Lamayuru Monastery, Likir

A bit of Offbeat with an adventure Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days (Validity: May to September) Destinations Covered: , Monasteries, Sham Valley, Tsomoriri Lake, Tsokar Lake, Valley & Pangong Lake

The Journey Begins Now!

DAY 01: ARRIVE LEH Arrival Leh Kushok Bakula Airport (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 massif.) Upon arrival you will met by our representative and transfer to Hotel for Check in. Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize followed by Welcome tea or Coffee at the Hotel. Evening Visit to LEH MARKET & SHANTI . Dinner & Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 02: LEH (EXCURSION TO MONASTERIES) Post breakfast we visit MONASTERY, Built in 15th century during the reign of Grags ‘bum- lde, these new -pa monastery was built like fortress on the summit of crags and also visit HALL OF FAME near Leh is worth a visit for every citizen. It is a glorious museum constructed by . Post lunch we take a sightseeing tour visiting SANKAR , located at a distance of approximately 3 km from the town of Leh, Leh Palace is one of the most captivating architectural ruins that attract the attention of the tourists almost immediately with its majestic setting at the edge of the Namgyal hill and overlooking the town and at once looks like a reminiscent of Lhasa's Potala Palace.

DAY 03: LEH TO SHAM VALLEY (92 KMS / 4 HRS) ENROUTE RAFTING FROM TSOKSTI TO NIMOO (SANGAM) (GRADE 3+) After an early breakfast we checkout from Hotel and Drive towards Leh – Highway, starting our day with Rafting down the Indus from TO NIMOO: Second or third grade rafting starts from Phey around 12 Kms. from Leh towards . Around 4 Kms. of fast and thrilling rafting has beautiful land scenery. The rafting finishes at Nimoo the confluence of and Indus rivers. Perhaps this stretch is one of the most popular stretch as it is not too harsh and good for beginners.

After Completing the Rafting at Nimoo we continue with our journey towards Sham Valley. Just before Saspul a road to the right takes you for your visit to the MONASTERY. The name Likir derives from the word Lukhgil (coiled snake) as the site appears to be encircled by two great serpent spirits – Nanda and Taksako. 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 out in the open is one of the most impressive sights in Ladakh.

After visiting the Monastery, you continue your drive along the River Indus to or ULETOKPO, where on arrival you check into a Fixed Camp.

In the afternoon you visit 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. There are fine silver chortens that contain the relics of the founder and his son.

Later walk back to Uletokpo or drive to Tingmosgang for an overnight stay at a Fixed Camp.

DAY 04: IN TINGMOSGANG (SHAM VALLEY)

Post breakfast we opt for any of the following sightseeing opportunities offered by Tingmosgang to the Palace 15 minutes walk, Tserkarmo 4 km, Khatsa Gonpa 10 Km, Tia village and Nunnery 8 Km. The Camp / hotel is in a rural ethnic village, run by a Ladakhi traditional family, where you witness traditional family house, Ladakhi food, the hotel is sprawled over a vast area of apricot and apple groves rendering a relaxed and rejuvenating atmosphere for your holidays.

DAY 05: SHAM VALLEY TO LEH VIA LAMAYURU (158 KMS / 05 – 06 HRS)

Post breakfast you proceed to the 11th century enroute 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. The monastery has gradually expanded over the years and newer structures have been built around a large courtyard. The antiquity of this site is evident from the large number of chortens, similar to those at .

On your return drive to Leh you first 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 Alchi you proceed to , which lies astride the road to Leh. The jagged skyline of the ruins of the 15th century capital of Ladakh dominates the village of Basgo. It was an important center in the old days, having been the capital of lower Ladakh when the kingdom was divided in the 15th & 16th centuries, and the seat of that branch of the dynasty, which eventually unified Ladakh and took the surname Namgyal. Finally, you arrive back at Leh for an overnight stay at your Hotel.

DAY 06: LEH - - TSOMORIRI (240 KMS / 06 – 07 HRS)

In the morning leave for TSOMORIRI LAKE enroute visiting PALACE, The ancient capital of Ladakh & an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. After visiting above two monasteries we drive further towards CHUMATHANG, which is famous for medical hot spring and people visit to this place for medical bath. From here a short drive will take you to Mahey bridge, the main checking point to enter to this new area. On the way visit Sumdah village and another 55 kms drive will take you to Tsomoriri.

The TSOMORIRI LAKE is a beautiful mountain bounded expanse of water, around 240 Kms. from Leh in Rupsho Valley. The Lake is located at 14,000 ft. near a small village of Korzok. Recently opened to foreigners due to the proximity of the Chinese boarder, the Changthang is a land of wilderness and magnificent landscapes. This region is characterized by high arid plains, remote villages, snow-capped peaks and beautiful high-altitude azure-blue lakes, the largest being Tsomoriri at 4,500 m.

The Tsomoriri Lake is also the breeding ground for numerous species of birds, like the bar headed goose, crested grebe, the Brahmini duck (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown-headed gull. The Tsomorir Lake is 8 kms wide and 28 kms long. Upon arrival we check in at our camp for overnight stay.

DAY 07: TSOMORIRI - MAHE - PUGA - TSOKAR - TANGLANGLA - LEH

The day will start with a drive to Mahey village, a picturesque village with spurting fountain and white clouds hanging upon. From there, you will proceed towards Puga Valley, famous for Butan gas. Thereafter, you will continue towards Tsokar via Polokongka pass (at 13500 ft.). After visiting the Tsokar Lake, you can also see Thugke gompa. The place is quite known for wild Asses, seen grazing and moving in flocks. From here you will drive towards Leh. On the way, you will stop to Tanglangla pass, the second highest motorable pass in the world at 5350 m. Later we drive back to leh enroute visiting GOMPA, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Order of Tibetan and after visiting Hemis we Drive further to Leh and check in at our hotel for Overnight

DAY 08: LEH–NUBRA VALLEY VIA 18,390 FT. (120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS) Post breakfast we 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 M / 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 and Ladakh ranges of the . The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. Upon arrival in Nubra we check in at our Camp / Hotel in Hunder for Overnight stay. In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world. A visit to a Ladakhi home can be arranged. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

DAY 09: NUBRA VALLEY TO PANGONG LAKE VIA SHAYOK

After an early breakfast, we drive towards via Agham & Valley. Some of the road patches in areas are extremely tough (towards nubra side) in terms of road conditions but no doubt the journey is very scenic! Later after crossing this adventurous part we drive further towards & for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the Pangong lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the "Indo Border". One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. After the success of 3 Idiots, this beautiful natural location has attracted more tourists from all over the world. check in at our GUESTHOUSE for Overnight

DAY 10: PANGONG LAKE TO LEH (140 KMS / 6 HRS) Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to leh enroute visiting HEMIS GOMPA, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of . Drive further to Leh and check in at our hotel for Overnight. In the afternoon you can rest and relax. In the evening you can stroll around the market place for some last minute souvenir shopping.

DAY 11: DEPART LEH (FLY OUT) Tour concludes. Himalaya Insight thank you for your patronage and ensure a punctual transfer to Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward Destination