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"Tour Operators in India" |
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Ladakh the Moonland |
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The land of many passes, desolate moonscapes, barren rocks,
mystical Gompas, spectacular summer festivals, geographical terrains and a
unique life-style. Sometimes referred to as "Moon Land" it derives
its name from "La Tags" in Tibetan.
Enshrined
in glorious history and abounding in monasteries, Ladakh is among the most
beautiful places in the world and also among the most elevated regions at
3513 Mts. above Sea level. Situated on the western end of the Himalayas,
Ladakh has four major mountains ranges - The Great Himalayan, Zanskar,
Ladakh and the Karakoram passing through it. A maze of enormously high snow
capped peaks and the largest glaciers outside the polar region, dominate the
terrain where valley heights range from a meter 2500 Mts. to 4500 Mts. while
passes of up to 6000 Mts. and peaks reaching above 7500 Mts can be seen all
around. The world's largest glacier 72 kms long, outside the polar region,
Siachen is here. Such daunting heights no wonder, determinate the land's
temperatures as low as -30 C and Drass -50 C. Three months of sub zero
temperatures (Dec-Feb) and the rest of the months facing zero degree
temperatures , it is a long and hard winter here. Waterways, waterfalls and
lakes freeze, and the water vapour freezes to break into the most intricate
and attractive crystal patterns. But on clear sunny days, when the average
temperature goes over 20 C, it can be scorching hot in bright sunshine.
Day 01 :: Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, welcome and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day
02 :: Delhi/Leh (Flight)
Early morning transfer to domestic airport in time to board flight for Leh
(3500 M). Leh is situated on the banks of the river Indus. Arrive and
transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to acclimatize to high altitude and
low oxygen levels in Leh. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 03 :: Leh
Morning after breakfast leave for half day tour of Leh palace, Leh Gompa
and bazaar. After lunch excursion to Spituk, Phyang and Shankar Gompas.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 04 :: Leh
After breakfast leave for full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis
Gompas. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05 :: Leh / Saspol (62 kms)
After breakfast leave for Saspol enroute visit Likir gompa. Lunch at camp.
Pm: Visit Alchi gompa and village. Dinner and overnight at River banks
camping resort.
Day
06 :: Saspol / Lamayuru / Leh
After early breakfast leave for Lamayuru (66 kms / 2 hrs approx) with box
lunch. Visit monastery and retrace the route back to Leh (128 kms / 4 hrs
approx). Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 07 :: Leh / Nubra Valley via Khardung-la
Early morning drive from Leh to Nubra (7 hrs. Drive approx). The Nubra
valley lies in the north of Leh and is accessible over the Khardungla (5570
M) - The highest motorable road in the world.The valley is on trade route
from Leh to Kyagar via Saser and Karakoram passes. Apart from unparalleled
trekking opportunities the valley houses several Monasteries such as sumur
(khagar) and 350 years old Dikshit Gompa, famous for its Murals.From
Khardungla Drive to village of Khardung and through starkly beautiful
country side to the TCP at khalsar where permits have to be
registered/checked. Arrive at Tegar Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 08 :: Nubra
Visit sumur, Kyagar, Panamik hot water spring, Samasthanling, Tirith and
surroundings.
Day 09 :: Nubra / Leh
After breakfast visit Diskit and Hunder gompas. Later proceed back to Leh
(172 kms). Overnight in Hotel Golden Continental.
Day 10 :: Leh
After breakfast visit Stok Palace and museum. Return to Leh enroute
visiting SOS Tibetan Refugee camp at Choglamsar. Lunch at hotel. Rest of the
day free at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
Day 11 :: Leh/Delhi (Flight)
Morning transfer to the airport in time to board flight for Delhi. On
arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 12 :: Delhi / onward destination
After breakfast leave for full day city tour visiting Qutub Minar, India
gate (war memorial), Lakshminarayan Temple - modern Hindu temple, drive past
President's House, Parliament House & Secretariat Building. Afternoon
sight-seeing of Old Delhi visit Rajghat & Shanti Vana (the cremation
sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru), Jama Masjid and drive past
Red fort and Chandni Chowk. Await transfer to international airport for
flight to onward destination.
The following options can be taken into the remote and restricted areas
of Ladakh, you may take either one or all.
Extension - 1
Day 01 :: Leh / Tsomoriri
Morning
leave Leh for Tsomoriri with box lunch via Karu and Upshi, crossing over
Mahav Bridge and drive upto Tsomoriri (4555 M) through Puga Valley by
covering 137 in 7 hrs. Dinner and overnight stay in tented camp.
Day 02 :: Tsomoriri
Full day excursion around lake and Karzok Monastery which belongs to the
yellow sect. Tsomoriri or "Mountain Lake" is situated in the
middle of the elevated valley of Rupshu surrounded by 6000 M peaks which
completely shut the lake in. This Valley is inhabited by a small scattered
population of "Changepas" nomadic shepherds who also engage in
trade and work the Caravans in Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti the area is rich in
wildlife including the "Kyang" (Wild Ass) red fox and the rare
highly endangered snow Leopard. Black Necked cranes and Geese flock to the
lakeside for breedling during the summer months. Also visit the 350 years
old Karzok Monastery which has about 33 resident monks. Dinner and overnight
stay in tented camp.
Day 03 :: Tsomoriri / Tsokar / Leh
Morning drive to Leh via Tsokar by covering 165 kms in 7 hrs. approx Tsokar
lake approx. 45 kms northwest from the Tsomoriri Lake is situated at the
height of 4485 M. It is also called "While Lake" because of salt
deposit around it. Since these are all drainage basins with no outlet their
water is blackish. That of the Tsokar is so salty that salt is procured from
its margins and was sold all over Ladakh and Kashmir Until a few years ago
by the Rupshu Chang. Tsokar is partly fed by a channel from a smaller fresh
water lake. All the lakes are breeding grounds for a variety of birds among
them the bar-headed Goose, the great crested Grebe, the Brahmin Duck and the
Brown Headed Gull. Drive to Leh via Tanglang La (5224 M - the second highest
motorable road in the world), about 75 kms from Tsokar. Dinner and overnight
in hotel.
Extension - 2
Day 01 :: Leh - Muglib (Pangong Tso Lake)
After
breakfast leave for Pangong Tso lake with box lunch, drive upstream along
the right bank of the Indus river via Shey. Thiksey & Karu. Turn left
towards Chemrey Gompa and continue along the steep road side towards Chang
La (5260 M). Permits have to be verified at Zingrul Traffic Check Point
(TCP), 12 Km short of the pass. There is a temple at the top of Chang La and
lots of prayer flags.The Road on the descent is in an extremely bad
condition till the next TCP at Tsoltakh. The first village is Durbuk
followed by Thangse, both big army stations. From here to Lukung is a 32 Km
drive along a rough dirt tract through spectacular barren mountain scenery
which takes about 2 hours. At Lukung there are many flat green stretches of
land with clean streams ideal for composites. Arrive at Muglib in the
evening. Dinner and Overnight in Camp.
Day 02 :: Pangong Tso Lake
Full day at leisure near the lake. The Pangong Lake (which means hollow) is
very long narrow spread of water situated at an altitude of 14,500 ft.
Extending from east to west through the whole length of the Ruthog region of
Tibet to neighborhood of Chisul, it bends to the north west for about 25
miles and forms a boundary between Ladakh and Ruthong. Only a quarter of the
lake likes in India, the rest stretching into Ruthog. Its eastern extremity
is unknown. Rare black necked cranes and other migratory birds are seen
here. The water of the lake is salty. Dinner and overnight in Camp.
Day 03 :: Muglib - Leh
Morning after breakfast return drive to Leh. Arrive and check-in at hotel
for dinner and overnight stay.
Extension - 3
Day 01 :: Saspol - Dha (125 kms / 04 hrs approx)
Full day excursion to Dha enroute visit Skurbuchan and Dhumkhar villages.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in tented camp.
Day 02 :: Dha
Full day sight-seeing of Hanu and Bhema villages amidst Dard tribes.
Evening at leisure. Overnight in tented camp.
Day 03 :: Dha - Leh (190 kms / 07 hrs approx)
Early morning depart for Leh. Upon arrival check into hotel for dinner and
overnight stay.
