Leh with Airfare

Arrive at Leh airport from where you’ll be transferred to the hotel in a private vehicle. Check-in at the hotel. Acclimatizing to the altitude is a very important journey before doing any activity so we take rest. Dinner and Overnight stay at Leh.

After breakfast, drive your journey towards   Sangam (Confluence of Zanskar and Indus), Ladakh Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib and Magnetic hill. Later drives towards Alchi - Visit the Alchi Monastery (the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is not located on a hilltop). Return to Leh in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at Leh.

*Optional - White Water River Rafting in Zanskar River (from Phey to Nimmo) - can be arranged if you want to (charges need to be paid on the spot) Leh.

LADAKH HALL OF FAME: The Hall of Fame is a glorious museum constructed by the Indian Army. It is worth a visit for every citizen. You can see the memorabilia, eminent defense personalities with biographies, images, and weapons used during the Kargil and other key strategic battles fought in Ladakh. And belongings of the enemy soldiers found at war site. All the martyr and the gallantry awards. “Here’s something that you will be proud of our defense personnel who sacrificed themselves so that we could live in peace.”

GURUDWARA SHRI PATTHAR SAHIB: The Shrine known as Gurudwara Patthar sahib is situated about 25 kms. Short of Leh town on the Leh-Srinagar road. Built-in the everlasting memory of Shri Guru Nanak Deve Ji the great prophet who sanctified the place by his sacred visit during the year 1517 while on his second missionary tour (2nd Udassi 1515-1518). The Guru reached here via Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet Yarkand, and Leh after having spiritual discourses with the sidhas at Mount Sumer (Central Himalayas). On the hill features across the road, there used to live a wicked demon that terrorized the people of the area. Their miseries multiplied day by day. As their miseries became unbearable they prayed for divine help. It is said that the Great Guru heard their woes and came to their rescue. The Guru settled down on the bank of the river flowing nearby. The people seeking help and the Guru blessed the people and became very popular in the area. The locals called him as Nanak Lama. The Demon got enraged and started making plans to kill Guru Nanak. One morning, when the Guru was sitting in meditation, he rolled down a big boulder from the hilltop with the aim of killing the Guru. But on the very touch of Guru’s body, the solid rock melted like wax and Guru’s back got embedded on it like a cushion. The Guru kept on sitting in meditation undisturbed. Thinking that the Guru must have been killed, the demon came down but was taken aback on seeing the Guru in meditation, undisturbed. With a rage of anger, he tried to push the rock with his right foot but the rock had already become like wax his foot also got embedded into it. On this, he realized his folly and powerlessness as compared to the spiritual power of the Great Guru. He fell on the feet of Guru and humbly prayed to be pardoned. The Guru advised him to get rid of his wickedness and lead the life of a Nobel person, in the service of humanity. This changed the lifestyle of the demon and he started serving the people. The Guru thereafter continued his Holy journey towards Srinagar and Kashmir via Kargil. The boulder having an imprint of the Guru’s back is lying in the Gurdwara to this day.

MAGNETIC HILL: Defying the Law of gravity. This place is close to the Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up-hill that’s the Believe it or not of Ladakh!

CONFLUENCE OF THE ZANSKAR & INDUS: On way to Sham Valley before Nimu village one can have this magnificent view of two rivers in wed-lock! In seasons they have different colors and flow and wildness.

After breakfast at the hotel, brace yourself for the splendid drive over the mighty Khardung La – the 2nd highest motor able pass in the world at a height of 5602 M/ 18,380 ft. Over the route, the road dramatically plunges, and Shyok and Nubra Rivers unfold magically. You move on via Diskit to reach the white sands of Hunder.

After freshening up, visit the Diskit monastery, which is believed to be the largest and oldest monastery in Nubra valley, and enjoy the sunset. Head back to the Swiss cottages camps by late evening. Overnight in Nubra (Camp Stay).

KHARDUNGLA PASS: The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at a higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.

Not to miss at Khardungla = The highest motorable road in the world, this is what makes you feel you've achieved something when you reach this place. There is one small cafe that serves yummy Masala Maggi and Kahwa - this is something you should not miss.

Not to miss at Nubra = After crossing Khardungla, The beauty starts from there itself. The valley is a unique combo of a snow-clad mountain, river shyok, sand dunes and many many more. At Hunder, you can enjoy a ride with double humped camels (Cost Rs.150-Rs.180 per ride of 15 minutes – Directly payable at the location). Many species of birds are also available. This place has a perfect remedy of night view, the moon, the desert; the overall ambiance makes it absolutely amazing and mesmerizing experience to stay at Nubra. Must carry a good camera and winter clothes, and cigarette is not available at Nubra.

DESKIT VILLAGE: Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. A spectacular view of the valley can be seen from the monastery.

DESKIT GOMPA: Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on the 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar.

Not to miss about Diskit Gompa (Diskit Monastery) = Oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra valley, with its own history coinciding with the history of the early settlements here.  Situated on a small hillock above the flood area of Shyok River overviewing the vast Nubra valley and facing the Diskit town. This monastery was built in the 14th century under royal patronage inside the palace premises and later on, the entire palace was converted to the monastery. The premises are ancient and the paintings are old which are being restored remarkably well by a group of conservationists from Austria. The monastery practices Vajrayana form of Buddhism and nowadays it is maintained by Thiksey monastery and so is known as sub-gompa of Thiksey. There is a Buddha statue in the main prayer hall surrounded by Thangka paintings and photography is allowed here. The uniqueness of this place is that there is an exclusive temple for gods including some which are derived from Hinduism like Kali, Kuber, etc. These statues are believed to be so powerful that their faces have been kept covered and are not shown to anyone except the learned in the Vajrayana way. Another attraction of this place is the large statue of Maitreya Buddha which was formally inaugurated in 2010 by H.H. Dalai Lama. The basic objective of installation of this statue is to maintain harmony and peace and as the gaze is towards the Pakistan border, it aims at a peaceful coexistence too.

After Breakfast transfer to Pangong via Agham Shyok Road. This route follows the Shyok River from Agham to Shyok Village, 36 km. However, 14 km past Agham the road crosses the river without a bridge. In summer the river is far too dangerous to ford, making it impossible to reach the other side. Dinner and overnight at the Camp. 

THE PANGONG LAKE: This route takes the visitor past the picturesque villages of Shey and Thikse, and turns off the Indus valley by the side valley of Chemrey and Sakti. The Ladakh range is crossed by the Chang-la (17,950 feet / 5,475 M) which despite its great elevation is one of the easier passes, remaining open for much of the year even in winter, apart from periods of actual snowfall. Tangse, just beyond the foot of the pass, has an ancient temple. 

But the main attraction of this circuit is the Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 M). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometers at its widest point to which foreigners are permitted, is only some seven km along the southern shore from the head of the lake, but it affords spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflection shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lakes brackish water. Above Spangmik are the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range

After breakfast, drive from the back to Leh visit the Sindhu Ghat for Sindhu Darshan and walk along the river, Shey monastery, Thiksey monastery, Hemis monastery – the most powerful monastery in the Ladakh region. Rancho’s School – Got Famous by a super hit movie 3 Idiots. Reach Leh by evening. Dinner and overnight in Leh.

THIKSEY GOMPA: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite. 

SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here. 

HEMIS GOMPA: 40 Kms from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as a “green room” by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist “Wheel Of Life” (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel. 

SINDHU GHAT: The Sindhu Ghat at Choglamsar village at the bank of River Indus has been inaugurated on the 1st of June 2001 by Hon’ble Minister for Home Shri L. K. Advani. Every year Sindhu festival is held on this bank of the river, forges bonds of unity between communities. The festival is an ideal opportunity for travelers from all over the country and the world to visit this wonderful region and to savor its rugged beauty and charm.

After breakfast, proceed for a day Sightseeing trip to Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace & Leh Bazaar. Return to Leh for dinner & overnight stay at Hotel

After a sumptuous breakfast, check out from the hotel. This will be the last day of your Leh Ladakh Tour. You will depart for Leh Airport to board your flight.

Wonder World Travels hopes you enjoyed your Leh Ladakh Tour and wish to see you again in the near future.