A Lifetime Trip to Kargil and Ladakh 7 Nights

Arrive Leh & take transfer to the hotel for check-in. After welcome drinks and completion of check-in formalities, you must take complete rest to acclimatize with the high altitude.

Leh is located at 3500 m above sea level and some people can feel discomfort due to rarefied air at this high altitude. This is why it is mandatory to acclimatise fully before beginning any sightseeing or exploration in Leh. This magnificent destination is framed by the Himalayan ranges and offer stunning vistas of barren landscapes that are a photographer’s delight. The stark land is dotted with beautiful monasteries and stupas. Bustling old towns with their markets, souvenir shops and cafes are delightful to explore.

Late in the afternoon, you will drive to the city for a short orientation walk through the busy market. You will also visit the Leh Palace and the Shanti Stupa. Overlooking the town of Leh, the majestic Leh Palace is a sight to behold. This was the former royal residence before the family moved to Stok Palace. The abandoned palace complex now houses a museum which has a rich collection of arts and artefacts including Chinese thangkas (paintings), crowns, jewellery, ceremonials dresses, and some restored bits of murals and interior décor. The Shanti Stupa was built by a Japanese Buddhist in 1991 as a part of the Peace Pagoda mission. This stunning white stupa holds the holy relics of the Buddha and is a great place to meditate and soak in the beauty of the surrounding.

Return to the hotel after the visit for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will drive downstream along the Indus River on the Leh - Kargil Highway. En-route you will visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, constructed in 1517 in memory of Guru Nanak Devji at an altitude of 3600 m above sea level. It is located about 25 km from Leh and has many interesting stories attached to it. Visit this sacred site and listen to the anecdotes before moving on to the famous Magnetic Hill that defy the laws of gravity.

On your way to the Magnetic Hill, stop and marvel at the famous confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers. It is a fascinating place where you can see the two colours of the rivers merge into one. Stop here to soak in this stunning sight and take photographs as memories. From here, proceed to the Likir Monastery, which is one of the most active monasteries in this region. The most popular attraction of this 11th century gompa is the 25 feet gold-covered statue of Lord Buddha. It also offers spectacular views of the surroundings. The structure that you see today is not the original one built in 11th century but the one that was re-built in 18th century as restoration following a devastating fire.

After you have visited the monastery, you will continue your drive along the River Indus towards Uletokpo or Tingmosgang, en-route visiting the Rizong Monastery. Founded by the great Lama Tsultim Nima in 1831, this monastery is famous for its high standards of monastic discipline. It is perched at the end of a steep valley hidden from view. You can hike up the monastery and experience the full awe-inspiring view of the structure coming into view at the end of the climb.

Next, you will continue on to the Lamayuru Monastery built in the 11th century. En-route to the monastery, you will visit the otherworldly geographic landscape called Moonland that resembles lunar landscape on earth. This unique landscape will transport you to another universe right here on earth. You can also see small stupas and beautifully carved prayer rocks strewn across the mountain slopes making for an exquisite and unforgettable sight.

Continue you journey to Kargil via Fatu-La (13489 feet above sea level), which is the highest pass on the Srinagar - Leh road. The road conditions here are very good and the journey is smooth. Pay respect to the brave Indian soldiers who gave their lives defending the Motherland in the Kargil War of 1999 at Vijay Smarak. Continue to Drass, India’s coldest inhabited place and a landmark name in the Kargil War of 1999. It has an alluring natural beauty that will enthral you from the moment you arrive.

After the visit, you will return to Kargil where you will check-in at your hotel to rest well to rejuvenate yourself for the upcoming adventures. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will drive to Leh. En-route you will visit the Alchi, which is home to Alchi Monastery, Ladakh’s most loved gompa. The complex of temples located within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh’s monasteries and they date back to the 11th century. It is one of the oldest Buddhist learning centres in this region and has exquisite artwork, wooden carvings and Buddhist statues within its complex.

Post visit continue your drive to Leh and check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Nubra Valley. Your drive through breathtaking mountains also passes over Khardung La, located at a height of 18390 feet / 5602 metres above sea level. This is the highest motorable road in the world. From the pass you can get an unbroken view of the Indus valley all they way to the majestic peaks of the Zanskar range in the south and the giant sentinel-like ridges of Saser Massif in the north.

Continue your journey to Nubra Valley nestled between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. It is also known as “Ldumra” or “Valley of Flowers” and was once a prosperous centre on the trans-Himalayan Silk Route. This quaint valley and its settlements are located at an average height of 10000 feet above sea level. It is famous for its mesmerising sand dunes and Bactrian camels. Cheerful prayer flags fluttering high on the hills, Buddhist monasteries, and fields of barley greet you as you enter Nubra Valley. Proceed to Hunder Village to check-in to your hotel / camp.

Rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities. You can walk around the tiny villages near your hotel / camp to get a glimpse of the lives of local people. We can arrange for a visit to a Ladakhi home where you can interact with them if you are interested.

Dinner and overnight stay are at the hotel / camp in Hunder Village.

Today you will proceed for an excursion to Turtuk, the northernmost village of India and the last village of Nubra towards the end of the Pakistan border. Slate grey mountains surround this quaint little village which is almost off-the-grid. It has been recently opened to visitors and the retains its unique Turtuk culture and traditions. The people here speak Balti, a language that uses sounds in Tibetan that are no longer used in modern Tibetan parlance. Apricot orchards and the Shyok River flowing near the village make it an unforgettable experience.

You will also visit a 16th Century Mosque, (comprising of a touch of Turkish & Iranian culture), ruined fort of Dhards and Monastery. Admire the magnificent view of the famous K2 peak (The second highest peak in the world after Mount Everest).

After the visit, return to Nubra (Hunder Village) for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel / camp.

Following an early breakfast, you will check out from your camp / hotel and drive towards Hunder where you have the unique opportunity to ride on a double humped Bactrian camel. Take a journey through the famous sand dunes of this high-altitude desert surrounded by rugged peaks and ridges.

On your way back, stop at Diskit (Headquarters of Nubra Valley) where you can visit the monastery, stroll around the market and observe the local people going about their daily chores.

Continue on your drive towards the Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake via the adventurous route through Agham and Shyok Valley. Your journey will take you through rough patches of roads with tough driving conditions. However, the unparalleled views that await you on your journey makes it all worth the pains.

After you have traversed the adventurous part of the drive, you will continue towards Durbuk and Tangtse. You will also pass through few charming hamlets of Changthang on your way to Pangong. As you near your destination, you are suddenly greeted by the startling blue waters of the lake. Situated at a height of 14000 feet / 4267 metres above sea level, the Pangong Lake is a sight that you will never forget. Amidst the brown and grey mountains that surround it, the lake glitters like a jewel and creates an enticing sight for visitors. It has been featured in many Bollywood movies and it is a great place to take photographs for your social media feed.

Upon your arrival at the lake, you will proceed to your pre-arranged camp for overnight stay.

The morning is at leisure when you can explore the ethereal beauty of the Pangong Lake. After you have spent enough time to admire its otherworldly splendour, you will drive back to Leh via the Changla Pass. The Changla Pass is located at a height of 5848 metres above sea level and offers stunning views of the valley below. You will also stop en-route at the Hemis Gompa, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace and Druk Padma Karpo School (Rancho’s school from 3 Idiots).

The Hemis Gumpa or Monastery is both the biggest and most important monastery in Ladakh. It is highly revered by Buddhists from around the world. The famous Hemis Festival is held at this monastery. It also houses impressive gold statues and stupas bedecked with precious stones.

The Thiksey Monastery is another spectacular monastery that you will see on your way to Leh. This tiered monastery is a sight to behold and is a classic example of traditional Buddhist architecture. The complex is impressive in both size and structure. It offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

Drive 5 kms along the picturesque landscape to reach Shey Palace or Shey Monastery which was the ancient capital of Ladakh. The complex is also built in tiers and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the valley below. The gilded statue of Buddha as Shakyamuni is the main attraction of this monastery / palace. There are also many murals depicting scenes from the life of Buddha within the monastery.

Last stop on your way to Leh is the Druk Padma Karpo School which was made famous as Rancho’s school in the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. This unique centre of learning focuses on education and construction that can adapt to constant change. This award-winning school is a great place to learn about different sustainable means that the building employs to run itself.

After the visit, continue to Leh and check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.