Classical Ladakh & Zanskar
(13 Nights / 14 Days)
SKETCH ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Day 02: Delhi sightseeing
Day 03: Fly Delhi to Leh
Day 04: Leh sightseeing – Shey Thiksey & Hemis
Day 05: Drive Leh to Nubra over Khardung La
Day 06: Nubra to Leh
Day 07: Drive Leh to Kargil
Day 08: Kargil to Padum
Day 09: Padum sightseeing – Karsha, Stondeh/Burdhan
Day 10: In Padam - day at leasure
Day 11: Padam to Kargil
Day 12: Kargil to Leh via Alchi
Day 13: Fly Leh to Delhi.
Day 14: Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Pick from Airport and transfer to Hotel. Overnight Hotel.
Day 02 – Delhi sightseeing
Morning after breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Delhi, we visit the Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan/Presidents House, Sansad Bhawan/Parliament House & Qutab Minar. Overnight Hotel.
Day 03 – Fly Delhi to Leh
After an early breakfast you transfer to the domestic airport for the early morning flight to Ladakh. This surely is one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, taking you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya before dropping down in a series of steep turns, to land at the small airport at Leh. During the flight you should have good views of the distant Karakoram including K2, the second highest mountain in the world, and will pass over some of the highest peaks in Jammu & Kashmir (which includes Ladakh), flight time 70 minutes. You will be met on arrival and driven through Leh to check in to your hotel, where you stay overnight. Rest of the day goes at leisure, relaxing & acclimatising to the high altitude here. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04 - Leh sightseeing – Shey Thiksey & Hemis
In Leh, at an altitude of 3505m, it is the ancient capital of Ladakh and its kings once commanded a huge civilization stretching from Baltistan in the west, almost as far as Lhasa in Tibet. Leh is full of interest and dominated by the semi-ruined Potala like Palace. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, temples and bazaars and is a great place to explore. We visit the Hemis Monastery which is one of the important, largest and the richest monasteries in the area, its 44 kmts away from Leh. Further we visit monastery Thiksey situated on the top of the hill lock and after Shey Palace. Overnight Hotel.
Day 05 - Leh sightseeing – Shey Thiksey & Hemis
Today after having breakfast we start our drive over the 5602 mts high Khardung La, it is the worlds highest motorable road. The valley was on the trade route from Leh to Kashgar via Saser and Korakoram passes. Apart from unparallel trekking opportunities the valley houses several Buddhist monasteries of Sumur and 350 year old Diskit monastery famous for its murals. From Khardung La descend to the village of Khardung and drive through starkly beautiful countryside to Khalsar. Afternoon we visit the Diskit monastery and the Hunder sand dunes area, which is famous for its double humped camels. Diskit monastery is situated on the top of the hill lock. The monastery belongs to the yellow sect and has 120 monks. Overnight Guest House.
Day 06 - Nubra to Leh
We drive back from Nubra to Leh through the same route. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Hotel.
Day 07 – Drive Leh to Kargil (around 6 hrs drive)
Start early in the morning the drive for Kargil a distance of 230 Kmts. The drive goes over the metal top road with superb view of the Mountains changing their colours through the various villages and interesting monasteries over two passes of Fotu La and Namika. On the way to Kargil we will be stopping at the Lamayuru monastery for a visit and then drive further over the two passes till we reach Mulbek. Overnight hotel.
Day 08 – Kargil to Padum (around 8 hrs drive)
Once again our drive will go over the metal top road along the the Suru river through the Suru Valley. The suru river is fed by the Parkachik glacier. At Parkachik we will come face to face with two high peaks of Nun and Kun of the height of above 7000 mts. Drive further over the Penzila pass 4000 mts which while going down welcomes to the Zanskar. Crossing Penzi La we reach Rangum where we visit the Rangdum monastery, only one of its kind in terms of its location. Drive further till we reach Padum when we cross the Doda river which is the main tributary to the Zanskar River. Overnight Guest house.
Day 09 – Padum sightseeing – Karsha, Stondeh/Burdhan
A leisurely day to visit a few more monasteries in and around Padam and exploring this amazing landscaped place. We visit monasteries Karsha, Stondeh/ Burdhan. Overnight Guest house.
Day 10 - In Padam - day at leasure
A day at leisure, we explore the area around or simply relax & read a book. Short hikes around are always possible. Overnight Guest house.
Day 11 – Padam to Kargil
We drive back from Padum to Kargil through the same route. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Hotel.
Day 12 - Kargil to Leh via Alchi
Morning we start our drive back to Leh, visiting very famous Alchi monastery on the way. Alchi is the oldest in this region and has renowned collection of wall paintings and painted statues. Some of the art work here reminds the traveler of Eastern Europe Folk art. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 13 - Fly Leh to Delhi.
After a very early breakfast you transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi. This surely is one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, flying you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya. During the flight you should have good views of the distant Karakoram including K2, the second highest mountain in the world, and will pass over some of the highest peaks in Jammu & Kashmir (which includes Ladakh), flight time 70 minutes. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel, rest of the day at leisure. Late evening transfer to the international airport to catch the overseas flight.
Day 14 - Departure.