LADAKH JEEP SAFARI

Nubra Valley Jeep Safari

Journey to Nubra Valley north of Leh is special for several reasons. First it is accessed by the highest motor able road in the world traversing the stunning Kardung La at the thin air of 5600m above sea level with views of the Saser Spur, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram further north and the Zanskar range and the principal chain of the Himalayas to the south. Second, from the awesome highs we descend to a picturesque valley with an average altitude of 3000 meters and thus a milder climate than the rest of Ladakh. And third, this valley once constituted the last staging ground for the caravan trade with Central Asia. Here started the route taken by the trade caravans, and Panamik, the last village on this circuit, today a sleepy outpost but at that time a busy center, the last major settlement before the caravans plunged into the mountains of the Karakoram and the Kun-Lun on their way to Yarkand, Kashgar and other parts of Chinese Turkestan and Tibet. Today a reminder of this bygone era is the small population of Bactrian camels (Bactria, a satrapy of the ancient Persian empire), double-humped animals, which in the old days were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes when up to 10,000 horses and camels a year are said to have traversed the district.

Day 1 Early morning flight Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest.
Day 2 Morning sightseeing - Shanti Stupa, and Sangkar Gompa; lunch at hotel, afternoon rest.
Day 3 Full day of sightseeing – famous Ladakh monasteries - Shey, Thikse, Hemis; picnic lunch; return to hotel in Leh.
Day 4 Full day of sightseeing - Likir Gompa and Alchi Gompa; picnic lunch, overnight at Uletokpo Camp.
Day 5 Full day of sightseeing - Lamayuru Gompa; picnic lunch; return to Uletokpo Camp.
Day 6 Drive back to Leh, on the way visit Bazgo Gompa, overnight in Leh.
Day 7 Drive to Nubra Valley crossing the highest pass of the region, the Khardong La (5602m); hotel in Diskit.
Day 8 Visit Diskit Gompa (now a major branch of Thikse Gompa), Hunder, and Bactrian camel farm; picnic lunch; return to hotel.
Day 9 Morning visit Samstaling Gompa, another impressive monastery in Nubra, and drive back to Leh.
Day 10 Free day – relax, go shopping, in the evening see cultural show of Ladakhi songs and dances.
Day 11 Fly back to Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 12 Drive to Agra; lunch in a hotel in Agra, after lunch visit Taj Mahal.
Day 13 Morning sightseeing around Agra, after lunch drive back to Delhi; depart India.

DELHI SHIMLA LADAKH JEEP SAFARI:-

Day 1 - Abroad-Delhi
Ar: Delhi Transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India; and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire. Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar. Drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the President's Residence and end the tour with a drive through Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 - Delhi-Shimla

Early morning drive from Delhi to Shimla. Upon arrival transfer from airport to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Shimla visiting, Tara Devi Temple- situated 8 kms from Shimla are two temples dedicated to Mata Tara Devi and lord Shiva. The military dairy farm and Shimla boy scout head quarters are also located near by. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 - Shimla-Naggar
Drive to Naggar. On arrival check-in at:camp. Overnight at Camp.

Day 5 - Naggar- Manali
Drive to Manali. On arrival check-in at: hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 - Manali -Jispa
Drive to Jispa (145 kms / 7 - 8 hrs) This high altitude road beyond the great Himalayan range, connects the densely fertile and green Kullu valley to the stark barren region of Ladakh. The drive starts at Manali slowly winding up mountain roads till Rohtang Pass at 3,950 Mts. which connects the Kullu to the Lahaul valley. On entering the Lahaul valley we see a distinct change with the Hindu influence being replaced with the Buddhist religion. We reach Jispa by late afternoon. Overnight in deluxe tents.

Day 7 - Jispa-Sarchu
Leisurely start to drive over the scenic Baralacha Pass (4880 Mts.). Plenty of stops to capture the scenic grandeur of this majestic landscape dotted with snow capped peaks and high altitude lakes. After crossing the pass drop down to the vast Sarchu plains at an altitude of 4200 Mts. (80 KMS/4 HRS) Overnight in deluxe tents.

Day 8 - Sarchu-Leh
Drive to Leh. On arrival check-in at hotel. OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL.

Day9 - Leh
Full day visit of Shanti Stupa, Sankar, Leh Palace. Sankar Gompa. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - Leh
Full day visit of Shey, Thiksey, Taktak, Chimde. Thikshy Monastery: It is situated on a hill top. There are several temples and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer palace of the old raja of Leh. Shey Monastery: This monastery has a 7.5m copper statue of Buddha plated with gold, the largest of its kind. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 - Leh
Visit Hemis, Stakna, Matho. Hemis Gompa: 40 kms from Leh, built in 1630, is the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Matho Monastery: situated on the opposite bank of the Indus across Thiksey, Matho was established in the first half of the 16th century AD and has valuable collection of very old and beautiful Thankhas, some in the form of Mandalas. Its annual festival of Oracles in early march is an important event in Ladakhi religious calendar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - Leh
Visit Stok, Spituk, Phiyang. Stok Monastery: The Palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Sakya Muni. Spituk Monastery : stands on a hillock 8 km from Leh. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 - Leh
Drive to Alchi. Visit Alchi Gompa and drive back to Leh. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - Leh-Delhi
Transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 - Delhi-Aboard
Early morning transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.