Ladakh
About Ladakh
Ladakh or the ‘Land of High Passes’ is a barren yet beautiful region located in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sharing its east border with Tibet, Ladakh has Lahaul and Spiti to its south and the Kashmir valley to the west. Strategically placed on ancient trade routes, Ladakh lies between the Kunlun Mountains in the north and the Himalayas in the south. The region originally comprised the Baltistan valley, the Indus Valley, Zanskar, Lahaul, Spiti, Aksai Chin and Ngari.While a majority of Ladakhis are Tibetan Buddhists the main inhabitants of the region are of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. Shia Muslims are the other inhabitants of the area.
Since Ladakh opened its doors to tourists in the 1970s, its snowcapped peaks, the clear blue skies and the vistas of barren mountains broken only by blue meandering rivers has attracted many an intrepid traveler. Tourism is the main source of livelihood for Ladakhis. Indian Army maintains a strong presence in Ladakh due to its strategic location.
Since Ladakh opened its doors to tourists in the 1970s, its snowcapped peaks, the clear blue skies and the vistas of barren mountains broken only by blue meandering rivers has attracted many an intrepid traveler. Tourism is the main source of livelihood for Ladakhis. Indian Army maintains a strong presence in Ladakh due to its strategic location.
Information about Ladakh before the birth of the kingdom during the 9th century is scarce. Ladakh can hardly be considered a separate political entity before the establishment of the kingdom about 950 CE, after the collapse of the early Tibetan Empire and the border regions became independent kingdoms under independent rulers, most of whom came from branches of the Tibetan royal family.
The earliest layer in the population of Ladakh probably comprised the Dardi. Herodotus twice mentions a people called Dadikai, first along with the Gandarioi, and again in the catalogue of king Xerxes’s invasion of Greece. Herodotus also mentions the gold-digging ants of central Asia, which is also mentioned in connection with the Dardi people by Nearchus, the admiral of Alexander, and Megasthenes.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Leh, which is well connected to Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh and several other cities in India. From the Leh airport, you can hire a cab to visit your places of interest. Leh city has several accommodation options.
By Train
The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi (700 km from Ladakh) which is well connected with Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. You can hire a cab or board a JKSRTC bus to reach Ladakh from there.
By Road
Ladakh is located 434 km from Srinagar and 494 km from Manali. You can hire a cab or a jeep or board a JKSRTC bus to reach Ladakh. Alternatively, you can embark on a bike trip to Leh from Srinagar, Manali or Chandigarh depending upon the time you have. The highways are shut due to heavy snowfalls during the winter months. So, you can only travel to Ladakh by road between May to September.
Ladakh
Nestled between the Great Himalayas and the Kunlun mountain ranges, Ladakh is an epitome of Tibetan culture, monasteries, and stunning landscape. Also referred to as ‘Little Tibet’, Ladakh is the highest plateau of the Indian state Kashmir, and has much to offer right from the picturesque snow clad mountain peaks, rich cultural heritage to esoteric rock carvings. Unadulterated by modern-day iconoclasms, Ladakh strongly exemplifies the region’s ancient traditions.
Leh
Leh The former capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, Leh was once an important stopover for traders wayfaring between India and China. The city is famous for its heritage villages, and the ruins of The Royal Palace & Fort.
Things to see and do : Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace & Fort, the backpacker vibe at Changspa, day trips to neighboring monastic villages.
Shey
Shey Situated in the upper parts of the Indus Valley, Shey is primarily famous for housing the Summer Palace of the kings of Ladakh. The Summer Palace, which was built over 555 years ago by the then king of Ladakh Lhachen Palgyigon, is also the home to the largest, gold-plated statue of Buddha in Ladakh.
Things to see and do : Shey Monastery, Shey Palace, and Druk White Lotus School.
Thiksey
Thiksey The most striking feature of the Thiskey monastery (the most and probably only integral part of the small town Thiskey) is its resemblance with the Potala Palace in the city of Lhasa, Tibet. The monastery is affiliated to the Gelugpa sect, and is a 12-storey high complex encompassing many traditional and contemporary artifacts and relics of Buddhism such as statues of Buddha, stupas, thangkas (a silk painting usually of a Buddhist deity), swords, and wall paintings.
Pangong Tso
PangongThe disputed lake of Pangong Tso is an epitome of natural beauty, and is about four to five hour’s drive from Leh. The region has seen an influx of tourists after the climax of the cult Bollywood movie ‘Three Idiots’ was shot near the Pangong Tso lake. The Pangong Tso lake is in the talks of being identified as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention, and if granted, it will be the first trans-boundary South Asian wetland under the convention.
INCLUSIONS:
- Economy class return airfare ex hub.
- 7 night’s accommodation at the mentioned hotels/camps or similar.
- Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Non air-conditioned transport for round trip, transport starting from Leh airport on day 1 till drop at Leh airport on day 8 exactly as per the itinerary.
- Entrance fee at the monuments/ monasteries, permits & environmental fees.
- Sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary.
- 1 Oxygen Cylinder per vehicle.
- All currently applicable taxes .
- Travel Insurance Indian Citizen upto the age of 70years.
Package detail
Duration : 6 Nights / 7 Days
Day 1 : Delhi - Leh
On arrival at Kushok Bakula airport in Leh (situated at a height of 3,500 meters), you will be transferred to your hotel (2-3 kilometers from airport). During the day, acclimatize yourself with the weather and high pressure of Ladakh.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Leh - Alchi - Leh (68 kms / 2-3 hrs)
In the morning, drive towards west of Leh and explore the miniature paintings of Alchi Monastery. The foundation stone of Alchi Monastery was laid sometime back in 990 A.D. En route, drive past Magnetic Hall and confluence of Indus and Zanskar River at Nimu. While heading back to Leh, en route visit Military Hall of Fame.
Stay overnight at the hotel in Leh
Day 3 : Leh - Nubra Valley (125km / 4-5 hrs)
Early morning, leave on road to Nubra Valley via Khardongla Pass which is situated at a height of 18360 ft and considered as the highest motorable pass of the world. In the afternoon, explore Hunder & Diskit monastery and white sand dunes via camel safari. The safari tour is done with double humped camels that are found only in Nubra Valley.
Stay overnight at the Deluxe Camp/Hotel.
Day 4 : Nubra Valley - Leh (155 kms / 5-6 hrs)
Following the Samstanling Monastery tour in the morning, you will drive back to Leh via Khardongla Pass. In the evening, explore the local bazaars (markets) of Leh. One can purchase shopping items such as Pashmina shawls, Chinese cutleries, good pearls and Ladakhi woolen handicrafts. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Leh to Pangong Lake (135 km / 4400m)
A full day tour of Pangong Lake is scheduled for the itinerary of 5th day. The Pangong Lake is around 135 kilometers away from Leh and situated at an elevation of 4,400 meters. En route, cross Chang la pass and drive through Durbuk and Tangtse village situated in the Changthang region of Ladakh.
In the afternoon, explore the lake and its surroundings. A tour of the local village will enable cultural insight into Leh.
Stay overnight at the tented camp.
Day 6 : Pangong - Leh
During early morning, you can enjoy a photo-session around the lake. Post breakfast, drive back to Leh. An optional tour of Hemis Monastery (5 kilometer away from Leh near Kharu) is also on the cards. Hemis is the largest and richest monastery complex in Ladakh. Drive back to Leh by noon. In the afternoon, enjoy a shopping tour in the local markets of Leh.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 : Leh - Delhi (Departure)
In the morning, you’ll be escorted to Kushok Bakula airport to catch flight for onward destination.
Leave A Review