Leh, being the largest town of Ladakh, is generally the base for anybody travelling to Ladakh. It is directly connected to Srinagar via National Highway 1D and to Manali via Leh-Manali Highway. Both roads are open only during summer from May to October. Ladakh being a cold desert receive little snowfall and hence the roads within Ladakh usually remain open throughout the year. Here summers can be quite warm during the day, while winters are very cold and harsh.
Nubra valley is situated in the north east of Ladakh valley where the Shyok river, tributary of the Indus, joins the Siachen or Nubra river. The Karakoram range forms its northern limits. Like the rest of Ladakh this is also a high altitude cold desert which receives very less precipitation and is barren with light vegetation near rivers. The road from Leh to Nubra valley goes over the high Khardung La, 17,582 ft. The ancient Nubra kingdom had its capital at Hunder. Chamba Gompa, Diskit Gompa, Maitreya are some places worth visit in this area. Large stretches of sand dunes are present between Diskit and Hunder where the two-humped Bactrian camel can be seen grazing on seabuckthorns. The beautiful village of Baigdandu here is known for the goats from which we get the famous Pasmina shawls.
Pangong Lake, is a beautiful endorheic lake or land locked river basin situated in Ladakh at a height of about 14,270 ft. It is 5 km wide at its broadest and 134 km long and lies in both India and China. The lake freezes completely in the winter season inspite of being salt water lake. Inner Line Permit is required to visit the lake as it falls in the disputed territory and Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control passes through it. For security reasons boating is not allowed in this lake.
The roads in this trip are not easy as it has a combination of metalled and unmetalled roads and the rides can be long and rough. It crosses some very high altitude passes and care should be taken against AMS. Although unlikely but in case it rains, temperatures can be very chilly. So, you will need to carry with you appropriate waterproof clothings and warm inner wears.
The itinerary lists the places we will be covering during the trip. Where we stay and how much we travel in a day is just indicative and is subject to change depending on weather condition. We have kept few days extra in order to account for bad weather, road blocks, unscheduled halts, acclimatisation, local sightseeing etc.
Chandigarh is a city and a union territory of India that serves as the capital of the
states of Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh was one of the early planned cities in the
post-independence India. Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Sivalik range of the
Himalayas in northwest India.
You will receive a warm welcome on arrival at Chandigarh. Check in to hotel. Meet the team.
Local sightseeing. Overnight stay in hotel.
Manali is a small town located on the banks of Beas river. Solang Valley, Naggar Castle and Vashisht Hot Springs are some of the places to visit if time allows. Stay at hotel in Manali.
Keylong is the administrative centre of the Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located along the Manali-Leh Highway, near the intersection of Chandra Valley, Bhaga Valley and Chenab Valley; on the banks of Bhaga River. Among the white and brown mountain in the region Keylong stands out as oasis of greenery in the district. Keylong faces the famous Kardang Monastery, the largest and most important monastery in Lahaul. It is located on the Leh-Manali highway after crossing the Rohtang pass, at 13,054 feet. Overnight stay at hotel.
Sarchu (also known as Sir Bhum Chun) is a major halt point with tented accommodation in the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway, on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated between Baralacha La (16,040 ft) to the south and Lachulung La 16,600 ft to the north, at an altitude of 14,070 ft.
Leh is the capital of the Leh district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is dominated by the ruined Leh Palace, the former mansion of the royal family of Ladakh. Mountains dominate the landscape around the Leh.
Nubra is a tri-armed valley located to the north east of Ladakh valley. Diskit the capital of Nubra is about 150 km north from Leh town. We cross the famous Khardung La pass to reach this place from Leh. The 32 metre Maitreya Buddha statue is the landmark of Nubra Valley and is maintained by the Diskit Monastery. Samstanling monastery is between Kyagar and Sumur villages, and Panamik is noted for its hot springs. Across the Nubra or Siachan River at Panamik, is the isolated Ensa Gompa. On the Shyok River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Monastery which was built in 1420 AD.
Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas and extends from India to China. Pangong Tso can be reached in a five-hour drive from Leh, most of it on a rough and dramatic mountain road. The road crosses the villages of Shey and Gya and traverses the Chang La, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. Soak in the beauty of the place and the blue waters of the lake. Stay at nearby camps.
Kargil is a city in the Kargil district of Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. People in Kargil are of mixed Dard and Tibetan descent. Most are Baltis. It falls on the highway connecting Leh to Srinagar.
Sonamarg is a hill station in Ganderbal district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination, nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks. In its vicinity lies the great Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5000 meters: Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak and Machoi Peak. Sonamarg an alpine valley is situated at the bank of Nallah Sindh, the largest tributary of the Jehlum River in the valley of Kashmir. Sonamarg has no permanent settlement and is inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
It lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes.
The city is famous for its gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional
Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits.
End of trip. Local shopping and you go back with loads of memories.
