8-Days Heavenly Himalayas- LEH-LADAKH

Arrive by flight at Leh. Welcome to Leh! Few places in India are at once so traveler-friendly and yet so enchanting and hassle-free as mountain-framed Leh. Dotted with stupas and crumbling mudbrick houses, the Old Town is dominated by a dagger of steep rocky ridge topped by an imposing Tibetan-style palace and fort. A private car will pick you up from Leh Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. [NOTE: Standard check-in time is 12:00 pm] The entire day is at your leisure. Relax and acclimatize to the high altitude of Leh. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Leh.

After breakfast head out for local sightseeing. Visit Leh Palace built in the 17th century and the roof top of the palace provides spectacular views of the mountain of Stok Kangri and the Ladakh mountain range. Visit Shey Palace & Monastery built in 1665 by the King of Ladakh (Deldon Namgyal) as his summer retreat house. Afterwards visit Thiksey Monastery, one of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture. This Monastery is located on the top of the hill in solitude which lies at a distance of 20 kilometers away from Leh. It is very famous for its similarity with the Potala Palace of Lhasa. Reach back at the hotel by evening. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Leh.

After breakfast, head out for full day sightseeing tour; visit Hall of fame (a famed museum constructed by the Indian Army); Gurudwara Pathar Sahib (a beautiful Sikh Temple built in 1517 to commemorate the visit to the Ladakh region of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder Guru of the Sikh faith), Magnetic hill & Alchi Monastery (the artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and the Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir are reflected in the wall paintings in the monastery complex. The complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and lavish wood carvings and artwork — almost baroque in style). On the way also visit Sangam (the confluence of Zanskar & Indus rivers), a very picturesque site. Reach back Leh by evening and visit Shanti Stupa a Buddhist white-domed stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa. It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura and part of the Peace Pagoda mission. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Leh.

After breakfast, drive from Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung-La Pass (18380ft) – one of the world's highest motorable roads. The valley is located around 159 km from Leh. The route will be Leh – Phyang – Khardung La – Khalsar – Diskit – Nubra Valley. This valley is a virgin destination for people who seek peace and interaction with the tribal community of Ladakh. The Sasser Pass and the famous Karakoram Pass of the Silk Route fame lie to the northwest of the valley and connect Nubra with Xinjiang (China). You will also see the goats that give you the famous Pashmina shawls. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Nubra Valley.

After breakfast, head out for Nubra Valley sightseeing tour. Visit Diskit Monastery, the largest and the oldest surviving monastery in Nubra Valley. The prime attraction of the Diskit monastery is 100 feet high Maitreya Buddha statue, which was inaugurated by the holy Dalai Lama. Afterwards visit Hunder Sand dunes. Try a ride over the rare Bactrian Camel (double-humped camel), which should not be missed. Later visit Panamic Hot Springs where you can take a bath. It is considered good for the skin to take a bath in the hot sulfur spring. Reach back at the hotel by the evening. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Nubra Valley.

After breakfast drive from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake. This endorheic Himalayan Lake lies at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to China. Check-in to the camps which offer unparallel views of the surrounding mountain ranges and a wonderful view of Pangong Lake. Its water is salty, crystal clear, and has a lovely shade of blue. It looks its best when the sun is shining bright. The evening is at your leisure. You can also indulge in a Yak Safari. Dinner & night stay is at the camps near Pangong Lake.

After breakfast, drive from Pangong Lake to Leh. On the way visit Hemis Monastery, Hemis Monastery, revered as the largest monastic institution in Ladakh. It is the wealthiest Buddhist monastery in India and is famous for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the statue of Buddha made of copper, and stupas made of gold and silver. The monastery also has sacred Thangkas, murals, and various artifacts. Reach Leh in the evening and check-in at the hotel. The evening is at your leisure. Dinner & Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Leh.

After early breakfast check-out from the hotel. The private car will drop you at Leh airport for your return flight. To all the good things comes an end. Leave with wonderful memories of this amazing trip to Leh-Ladakh, worth remembering for a lifetime.