Leh, the largest town of Ladakh, is directly connected to Srinagar and Manali. Thus, it becomes the base for anybody travelling to Ladakh. Both roads to Leh, that is, National Highway 1D to Srinagar and Leh-Manali Highway to Manali are closed during winter from October to May. But the road within ladakh, remains open throughout the year as this region receives very little snowfall. Ladakh is a cold desert with summers being quite warm and winters cold and harsh and very little precipitation.
Nubra valley is a valley in ladakh at the junction of the Shyok river and Nubra river. It is also a cold desert with vegetation only near the river valleys. You can also see sand dunes here betweeen Hunder and Diskit and sometimes the two-humped Bactrian camel is seen grazing on the local vegetation of seabuckthorns. Travelling from Leh you cross the high Khardung La, 17,582 ft, to reach Nubra valley. Hunder was the capital of the ancient Nubra kingdom. Chamba Gompa, Diskit Gompa, Maitreya are some places worth visit in this area. The scenic village of Baigdandu is famous for the goats from which we get the famous Pasmina shawls.
Pangong Lake is a beautiful land locked salt water lake at a height of 14,270 ft. It is 134 km long and falls partly in India and partly in China. It freezes completely in winter. Because Indo-Sino line of actual control passes through this lake, you require special permit to visit it and boating is not allowed here.
The roads in this trip are not easy as it is a mix of metalled and unmetalled roads and the day's rides can be long and rough. As it crosses some very high altitude passes and you should be very careful against altitude sickness. Although rains are unlikely but temperatures can be freesing in case it rains. So, you should carry appropriate waterproof clothings and warm inner wears with you.
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.
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.
You will receive a warm welcome on arrival. Check in to hotel. Meet the team.
Local sightseeing. Overnight stay in hotel.
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.
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.
We halt at Leh and do some local sightseeing around Leh before starting on our trip on the Manali Leh highway.
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 (16040 ft) to the south and Lachulung La (16,600 ft) to the north, at an altitude of 14,070 ft.
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.
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.
End of trip. You go back with loads of memories.
