MOON LAND LADAKH

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The Desert in the Mountains,  the land of several passes “The Moonland”. Geographically on the Tibetan Plateau, located between the two highest mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas and Karakoram. It’s Tibetan culture which are cut off from the rest of the world for centuries has flourished and left very much untouched.  Its ancient monasteries carved high into the hillsides and its unspoilt villages. The average altitude varies from about 9000 ft in Kargil to about 12000 ft in Leh, above sea level. it is also called “Little Tibet”.

The best way to enjoy Ladakh is to start the trip from Srinagar via Sonmarg and Zojila Pass. The best season is between mid-May to mid-October. Kashmir is actually divided into three landmasses: the foothill plains of Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and the mountains of Ladakh.  Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir is located in the heart of Kashmir Valley an altitude of 1,730 Mts above sea level. 

Transfer to Domestic airport for flight to Leh the capital of Ladakh spectacular mountain flight over Great Himalaya and one can see Karakoram mountains to the capital of Ladakh. On arrival at Leh airport meet and assist and transfer to hotel, take rest to acclimatize the Leh altitude which is 3550 meters. Afternoon: late hours take an easy walk around the Leh bazaar for wonderful pictures. Dinner Overnight at the Hotel.

After breakfast, leave the Hotel with a Picnic Lunch for Shey Palace, Thiksay and Hemis Monasteries. Shey is 15 Km from Leh and is set up on a hill, the monastery has a two-story statue of the sitting Buddha wrought of copper and gold that leaves the sense breathless. Thiksay Enroute to Hemis Gompa provides a panoramic view of the green Indus valley. Thiksay houses beautiful tankas, there are 60 resident lamas. Later visit Hemis the Ladakh biggest monastery the Gompa contains quite a few gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones. It has super collections of tankas including the one which is supposed to be the largest tanka in existence and is exhibited once in every 11 years. Dinner and Overnight stay in hotel.

After breakfast, tour to the Sham Valley, visit Sangam the conflict of the two main rivers of Ladakh: Indus and Suru from Zanskar, En route visit Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Patter Sahib, Spituk monastery and Hall of Fame built by the Indian Army. Afternoon visit Chemo Palace, Leh Palace the Palace is worth a visit overlooking the Leh town. Visit the Shanti Stupa built by the Japanese with purpose of spreading the peace. Have wonderful sunset pics from the Shanti stupas and later visit Leh bazaar. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel.

After early breakfast, depart at 6.00 am for Pangong Lake 140 kms one way, situated at 4267 Mts through Changla Pass 5490 meters above sea level enjoy the beautiful panoramic View of the villages below the pass, after crossing the pass halt for a picnic lunch at Tsoltak, the summer pastureland of the YAKS, Arrive DURBUK. Enjoy the land escape in the backdrop of the lake. A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometres at its widest point and over 130km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. Return to Leh for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Today after sufficient acclimatization, be prepared for a spectacular journey Khardungla Pass (5578 Mts) the highest motorable pass in the World, to the valley of Nubra in the Far North by the Tibetan border. The view from the top of the pass is amazing. En route visit to the 150 yrs old Samthangling Gompa at Sumer, a large complex with 7 temples that was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in the year 1962, (OPTIONAL) Double Hump Camel Ride (Bactrian camel) in the High altitude desert Sand dunes, afternoon return to beautiful camp for dinner & night stay.

After breakfast at camp, Visit the main village of Diskit and is main administrative block area which has a regular bazaar and Gompa. From Diskit the town proceeds down the Shyok to the small village of Hunder (3,048 Mts). Afternoon, return to Leh over Khardungla la savoring the spectacular scenery once again. On arrival check in at the hotel later you may want to visit the Tibetan market and the Leh bazaar for last-minute souvenirs. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel. 

After breakfast, transfer to the Leh airport for Spectacular Mountain flight to Delhi.