Tour Code: LC-VF-45
Valley of Flowers
Visit Shey Palace, Thiksey monastery, Stok Palace museum, Khardongla Pass and Shati Stupa, Nubra Valley
Duration: 4 nights / 5 days
Synopsis
Visit Ladakh’s Nubra Valley or “Ldumra” as the locals call it, is a pretty sight filled with the greenery of willow, apricot & walnuts trees, and the bright yellow fields of mustard making it Ladakh’s Valley of Flowers.
Once part of the historical Silk Route, to reach Nubra valley from Leh one needs to travel over the Khardung la the world’s high altitude motorable road.
It is recommended to Visitors to stop at the Diskit Monastery, which is located on a rock overhanging near a stream, also a source of energy used by mills in the area. The monastery is lovely, filled with thangkas, huge giant statues, old mural paintings and effigies of the Buddha.
This tour is designed to give you a lifetime experience of Ladakh’s own Valley of Flowers.
itinerary
Day 01: Delhi – Leh
Arrive at Leh airport by morning flight from Delhi. This flight is one of the most sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Allow yourself a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 11,000 feet! During the afternoon, you can walk through the old town, beneath the Leh Palace, to explore this fascinating city. Overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Shey Palace – Thiksey Monastery – Hemis Monastery – Stok Palace
After breakfast, proceed for a full day of sightseeing of Shey Palace, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, and the Stok Palace. Thiksey is an imposing monastery and one of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is situated on the top of the hill and forms part of Gelukpa order. The 12-storey monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thankas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha’s teachings, and there are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen. The successive reincarnation of the Skyabje Khampo Ringpoche acts as in-charge of the monastery. The main prayer hall has a 15m high seated Buddha figure. Overnight in hotel.
Day 03: Leh – Khardungla – Hunder (Nubra Valley)
The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardungla (the highest motorable road in the world) at around 18,300 ft., around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the Valley of Flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 ft. above sea level. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers drain Nubra. The flat part of the river is sandy & occupied by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty with greenery, willow & poplar trees. Till partition Nubra Valley was one of the trade centres, the ancient famous Silk Route passed through this area.
Before proceeding to your camp, stop to visit Diskit Monastery perched on a rock overhanging next to a stream, which provides the source of energy used by mills in the area. The monastery is rich, full of thangkas, magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences. It was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod around 1420 A.D. DISKIT is the main village or headquarters of Nubra Valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops.
After your visit to the monastery and shortly after leaving Diskit you will come across sand dunes on the right of the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are rocky mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains. Overnight in your camp.
Day 04: Diskit Monastery – Leh
After Breakfast proceeds for a short walk or visit Deskit monastery and drive back to Leh.
Day 05: Leh – Delhi
Transfer to the airport to fly to Delhi. Tour Ends.
Please let us know the number of people traveling on this tour and we will send you the total cost. We also specialize in customizing the tour. Should you need any changes we would be happy to modify the itinerary.
The tour may include arrangements such as accommodation, travel, meals, permit, guides, activities etc. or services as required by the client.