INDUS & NUBRA VALLEY TREK

Those two valleys have been a crossroad for commercial activities between India, Tibet and Central Asia. The Nubra valley was an important stage for caravans following the Silk Road , which where swapping their mules for the famous Bactriane camels. The geopolitical evolution tended to transform the Nubra valley into a unique bubbly place opened to foreigners only since 1995. Lying approximately 400m lower than Leh, Nubra sports a much milder climate, which enables its inhabitants to cultivate more extensively, as compared to their counterparts in the main Indus valley.
The first days we will visit the most beautiful monasteries of the Indus valley. Afterwards, we will take the highest motorable roads in the world, passing over the Khardong la pass at a height of 5400 m. The trek starts in Hundar and join the Indus valley via the Lasermo La (5200 m), through mineral landscapes, in an atmosphere of ancestral traditions.

Day 01: Delhi
Arrive Delhi & transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi - Leh (3500 m) by plane.
Transfer to Delhi airport to catch the flight to Leh. Upon arrival in Leh, transfer to Hotel. Day free for acclimatization.

Day 03: Visit of the high Indus valley's monasteries
* Shey houses the old summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. Its gompa shelters an amazing Buddha, 12 m high.
* The picturesque Thikse monastery is perched on top of the hill overhanging the Indus.
* And Hemis gompa is one of the largest in Ladakh.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04: Leh
Visit Stok royale palace, Spitok monastery and the Tibetan Camp of Choglamsar. These two days of visit are an excellent opportunity to get acclimatized for the Khardong La.

Day 05: Leh - Khardong La (5400 m) - Hundar (3020 m).
The road winds its way through mineral landsacapes and is very desert like. From the pass, the view is superb. The Nubra valley seems to be an island of green lost in the desert. Au col le panorama est grandiose: la démesure des chaînes montagneuses En route we visit the Diskit monastery. The views from the roof of the monastery have to be seen to be believed.

Day 06: Hundar. Camal safari.
It is almost incredible to see camels in these parts of the world! The Bactriane camels were used for caravans crossing the immense deserts of Central Asia : Taklamakan and Gobi. We can organize an extra camel safari day.

Day 07: Hundar - Skarchen (3800 m).
Begin trek with gradual upstream climb along Hundar Tokpo to Skarchen Tokpo through some narrow gorges and camp at Skarchen.

Day 08: Skarchen - Thanglesgo (4400 m).
Climb gentle slopes thorough pastures.

Day 09: Thanglesgo - Camp before the Lasermo La (4600 m).
Trek along a beautiful stream and pastures covered with wild flowers and up the valley to camp at the base of Lasermo La.

Day 10: Camp before the Lasermo La - Lasermo La (5200 m) - Morubuk (4400 m). Climb gradually to the top of Lasermo La, an easy snow slope. There are several routes to the top depending on the snow condition and the season you are crossing the pass. The climb is rewarded with wonderful views of the Zanskar range and the Indus valley. The descent to Morubuk, a small settlement, is steep and you have to cross a stream several times.

Day 11: Morubuk - Phyang (3500 m) - Taru (3700 m).
We continue our descent along the river. Visit of Phyang monastery and the picturesque village. From Phyang, the trail goes west, onto the northern side of the Indus valley.

Day 12: Taru - Taru La (4200 m) - Nyemo (3700 m). in 5 h.
The trail steeply climbs towards the first pass of the trek, and descends to Nyemo village.

Day 13: Nyemo - Nie (3800 m) in 5 h.
The route comes across Basgo, dominated by impressive ruined fortresses. A quite strucking succession of shortens, sanctuaries and a palace line the path.

Day 14: Nie - Likir (3600 m) in 4h 30 - Drive to Leh.
We enter an arid and bare land. Visit of Likir monastery, one of the oldest in Ladakh. Transfer to Leh.

Day 15: Leh
Free day in Leh for personal activities. Overnight at Hotel

Day 15: Leh - Delhi (by plane).
Transfer to airport to catch the flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to Hotel.

Day 16: Delhi Sightseeing
Full day sightseeing of Old & New Delhi including Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar, Raj Ghat & India Ghat.

Day 17: Delhi Hotel - airport transfer
Transfer to International Airport to catch the flight to onward destination