Ladakh Leisure Tour : the Land of Lamas & High Passes
"a curated leisure tour to explore the best of ladakh"
Often referred to as the land of lamas and high mountain passes, Ladakh is a place like no other. The cold desert region bordering Tibet is situated at an average altitude of over 11,000 feet. Its rugged terrain, unique geography, and cultural similarities with Tibet makes it a fascinating place for travellers. This seven-day curated holiday tour in Ladakh takes crucial acclimatization into account and combines the best and most attractive sites of the region. The itinerary puts an equal focus on absorbing and understanding the local culture as well as marvelling at the scenic beauty of the land. We explore the great ancient city of Leh, the magnificent sights along the Indus river plus the unforgettably blue vistas of the Pangong Lake. Offering splendid views throughout, the road trips cover some of the most beautiful stretches of the region including the grand sweeping views of Nubra Valley. Travellers also get to walk the extraordinary Hunder Sand Dunes, cross the high-altitude mototrable passes of Khardung La and Chang La, and even venture offbeat to explore an apricot paradise – the stunningy remote village of Turtuk on the Indo-Pak Border. The Ladakh leisure tour is perfect for families, couples or small groups who want a comfortably-paced and enjoyable leisure holiday to witness this unique territory in all its stellar glory.
- Duration: 7 days (Leh to Leh)
- Region: Ladakh, India
- Time: May to November
- Pick Up / Drop: Leh Airport
- Type: Curated Leisure Tour
- Accommodation: Hotels / Cottage Camps
EXPERIENCE ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Leh (11,500 ft)
- Morning Arrival in Leh – Airport Pick Up – Hotel Check In
- Rest, Relax and Acclimatise in Hotel | Later, visit the local markets
- Overnight at Leh Hotel
Day 2: Leh Local Exploration
- Today, cover the popular local sights in and around Leh town
- Visit the Hall of fame, Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Zanskar – Indus River Confluence (the Sangam). In the evening visit Leh Palace for magnificent city views and finally enjoy the sunset from Shanti Stupa
- Overnight at Leh Hotel
Day 3: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung La (5-6 hrs)
- After two days of acclimatisation and local tours, head out deeper into Northern Ladakh
- Drive to Hunder, Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass (one of world’s highest motorable passes – 17582 ft)
- Arrive at Diskit town, visit the Monastery and the giant Maitreyi Buddha Statue
- Later explore the Hunder Sand dunes and see the double-humped Bactrian camels
- Overnight in Hunder Hotel
Day 4: Turtuk – Day trip to Indo-Pak Border Village (2 hrs)
- Wake up to a picture-postcard morning in Hunder
- After breakfast, drive to the enchanting Turtuk, one of the last villages on the Indo-Pak Border, with the Gilgit-Baltistan region on the other side
- Soak in the wonderfully lush landscapes of Turtuk, a village also famous for its apricot trees and friendly residents who have a distinct Balti culture
- Drive back to Hunder – Overnight in Hunder Hotel
Day 5: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shyok (6-7 hrs)
- Start early morning from Nubra Valley along the Shyok river towards Shyok village.
- Today is another breathtaking road trip along the Shyok river (keep an eye out for the cute little Marmots!)
- Cross Shyok, Durbuk and Tangtse villages to reach the beautiful Pangong Tso – the popular alpine lake of Ladakh
- Get awestruck with the bluish views of the lake, changing colours constantly
- Overnight at Hotel/Cottage Camp in Pangong
Day 6: Pangong to Leh via Chang La Pass (6-7 hrs)
- Return to Leh via Chang La, another high-altitude Pass with stunning views enroute
- Optional visits to Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace on the way back
- Arrive at Leh and spend the evening at leisure/shopping in the local markets
- Overnight at Leh Hotel
Day 7: Until Next Time!
- Bid farewell to the gorgeous landscapes of Ladakh
- After breakfast, transfer to airport and depart for home
Experience Highlights
1. The grand old City of Leh
At an altitude of 11,500 ft above sea level, the city of Leh is one of the most unique places to visit in India. Encircled by desolate mountains, rugged valleys, and barren landscapes, this city is an oasis in the middle of a cold desert. An ancient trading hub built besides the Indus river, Leh is the city of mud-brick homes and whitewashed monasteries. It is surrounded by a mix of green farmlands and yellow-brown deserted patches that rise upward to blend in with the snow-covered peaks overlooking the city. Being the erstwhile capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh and the former residence of its royal family, it is well-known for its rich cultural heritage and the sacred ancient monasteries dotted in and around it.
Much of the place’s charm rests in its medieval old town which is a historic and cultural hub located in the heart of the city. The old town, also known as Kharyog, is characterized by a maze of narrow alleys, mini buddhist stupas and traditional Ladakhi houses. The houses are built with mud-bricks, feature flat roofs and intricate wooden carvings. One of the most prominent landmarks here is the Leh Palace, a nine-storey royal abode built in the 16th century by King Sengge Namgyal. The palace offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains, and is now open to the public as a museum. With vibrant local markets, traditional bakeries, a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops offering local handicrafts, trinkets and souvenirs.
2. Turtuk Village on Indo-Pak Border
Turtuk is a small, little-known village sitting at the far end of Ladakh’s Nubra Valley. The undisturbed village is situated on the banks of the Shyok River and hemmed in by the high peaks of the Karakoram mountain ranges. It was once an ancient trading hub that fell on the great Central Asian Silk Route. With a rich past, fascinating culture and tumultuous recent history, the beautiful village is one of the best places to visit in leh ladakh.
Counted among the northernmost villages of India, it lies just a few Kms from the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Geographically, the place was in the Baltistan region under the control of Pakistan. It was populated by Balti people, an ethnic group of Tibetan descent who mostly inhabit the Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan region on the other side of the border. During the war of 1971, the Indian soldiers captured Turtuk and since then, it became part of the Indian territory.
Turtuk was finally opened up to tourism in 2009-10 allowing travellers to explore the village and way of life of local Balti residents. While most parts of Ladakh have a strong Tibetan Buddhist influence, this region has a distinct Balti Muslim culture. The village’s tradtional architecture, the stone-walled structures and their sustainable ways of living are an important cultural heritage that the residents have still continued to carefully preserve. Apart from its unique culture, the riverside hamlet is famed for its apricots and walnuts. An oasis of green in contrast to its brown desolate surroundings, the village also wows its visitors with its impressive scenic beauty. A trip to Turtuk on the Leh Ladakh Leisure Tour is surely a spellbinding experience to remember.
3. Sweeping views of Nubra Valley via Khardung La
Nubra Valley is undoubtedly among the best and most popular places to visit on any Ladakh trip. Nubra is a high-altitude cold desert located deep in the northern part of Ladakh between the Karakoram Ranges to the north and the Ladakh Range to the south. It is known for its stunning terrain, majestic views, and clear blue skies. The valley is drained by the Nubra River and Shyok river that are fed by the melting snow from the surrounding mountains. Both are vital sources of water for all the tiny villages and settlements found along the rivers.
The drive from Leh takes about 4-5 hours and is one of the most memorable journeys in Ladakh. Enroute travellers get to cross Khardung La located at 17,582 ft and one of the world’s highest motorable passes. The narrow pass covered with Tibetan prayer flags offers splendid views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, and is an impressive spot for visitors to take photographs. Nubra is also home to several Buddhist monasteries, including the Diskit Monastery, which is the oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra Valley, and the Samstanling Monastery, which is located in the village of Sumur. The Diskit Monastery also houses a massive statue of Maitreyi Buddha that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
One of the main attractions of Nubra on this Ladakh leisure tour is the Hunder Sand Dunes. The silvery-grey sand dunes area is a striking landscape with its own unique ecosystem. The remarkable dunes are said to have formed due to a combination of aeolian (wind) processes and fluvial (river) processes. The dunes are constantly shifting and changing shape, creating a constantly evolving landscape. One can see the rare double-humped Bactrian camels once brought along by travellers and traders from regions up north in modern-day China and Mongolia.
4.The Iconic Pangong Tso
The Pangong Tso or the Pangong Lake is probably the most popular destination on this trip. Known for its crystal-clear waters and awe-inspring views, the mesmerizing blue lake is guarded by barren rocky mountains. It is perched at an elevation of about 14270 ft above sea level on the Indo-Tibetan border. Interestingly, only one-thirds of this 134 Km long lake lying inside the Indian Territory. During winters the lake freezes completely turning into a massive flattened ice block flanked by white mountains.
Depending on the time of the day, cloudplay and the angle of the sunlight the Pangong Tso changes colours displaying multiple shades of blue. A photographer’s delight, the area offers breathtaking shots with the waters of the lake standing in stark contrast to the surrounding arid mountains and clear blue skies above. It is also a heaven for wildlife enthusiasts, especially birdwatchers. A variety of bird species, including gulls, brahmini ducks, black-necked cranes and bar-headed geese can be found here. The accommodations for travellers are arranged in Camping huts and Cottages located in small villages along its banks. Overall, the Pangong lake’s extraordinary natural beauty, combined with the peaceful and romantic atmosphere, makes it an unforgettable place to visit.
5. Sangam: The Zanskar-Indus Confluence
Sangam is another scenic highlight on this Leh Ladakh leisure tour. The road journey to the Sangam point itself is captivating. Located between the famous Magnetic Hill and the village of Nimmoo on the on Leh-Srinagar highway, Sangam is the confluence point of the Indus(Sindhu) and Zanskar Rivers. About 40 Kms from the Leh city, the two main rivers of Ladakh meet here creating a stunning view from above.
The flow of the two rivers at Sangam changes according to the season. The colours of these rivers also appear distinctly differen from one another. The colours range from muddy to blue to azure to light green depending on the season and the prevailing local weather. The Sangam also has a river rafting point which is active during the summer season. Here, adventure enthusiasts can come and experience a thrilling ride over the rapids on the Zanskar.
A personalized itinerary can be crafted based on your group’s interests, expectations, and preferred dates and time duration. For tailoring a suitable Ladakh plan just for you, please Call/Whatsapp on +91 8951064013 or mail us at contact@ekaxp.in
