Tour Code: LC-NVTL-89
Ladakh & The Nubra Valley
Duration – 8 nights / 9 days
Synopsis
Nubra Valley is popularly known as “Ldumra” or the “Valley of Flowers”. The villages of this region are pretty with greenery, willow & poplar trees, and fields of mustard, apricots, and walnuts.
The ancient famous Silk Route passed through this area. Journeying from Leh to the Nubra Valley means one has to travel over Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable road.
One can also admire the Diskit Monastery, which is 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 which can be noted a multitude of influences.
This tour is designed to give you a memorable experience in 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, and 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: In Leh – Shankar Gompa & Castle
The morning is at leisure to acclimatize to the rarefied air. You may choose to stroll along the main bazaar – observing the varied crowds. Looking into curio shops is an engaging experience. A particularly attractive sight is the line of women from nearby villages sitting along the edge of the footpath with baskets of fresh vegetables brought for sale. Behind the main bazaar, Chang Gali is less bustling but has interesting little shops selling curios and jewelry. Further on are the labyrinthine alleyways and piled-up houses of the old town, clustering around the foot of the Palace Hill. In the other direction, down the bazaar, are the Tibetan markets where one can bargain for pearls, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli, and many other kinds of semi-precious stones and jewelry, as well as carved yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, china or metal bowls, or any of a whole array of curios. When tired of strolling, one can step into any of the several restaurants; some of them located in gardens or on the sidewalks, and serve local Tibetan, Indian, and Continental cuisine.
Also walk to the Leh Palace & Shankar Gompa, which belongs to the Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gompa is a branch of Spituk Gompa, founded by the first incarnation of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk monastery). Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Shey Palace – Thiksey Monastery – Hemis Monastery – Stok Palace
After breakfast, proceed for a full day of sightseeing at 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 the 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 Rinpoche acts as in-charge of the monastery. The main prayer hall has a 15m high seated Buddha figure. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Leh – Alchi – Uletytokpo
After breakfast, drive to Alchi. The complex of temples located within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh’s monasteries and dates back to the 11th century. After lunch, you will proceed to Ulleytokpo camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Ulleytokpo – Lamayuru Monastery – Leh
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing at Lamayuru Monastery. Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika), it is situated on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value, no other gompa can match Lamayuru. Return to Leh. Overnight in hotel.
Day 6: 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 at Hunder, 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 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 at Hunter.
Day 7: Bactrian Camel Safari at Hunder – Panamik – Samstanling Gompa – Hunder
After breakfast you will get the unique opportunity to ride on a Bactrian (double-humped) camel amidst the sand dunes of this high-altitude desert with snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Thereafter, crossing over the Shayok River you will be driving upstream along the Saichen River to Panamik. The place has a number of hot springs on the right of the road just before entering the village. Panamik is literally the end of the road for this trip, as one has to return from this spot. On the return journey, you stop by to visit Samstanling Gompa, founded by Lama Tsultims Nima. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations like not allowing women in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise, no smoking, etc. From here you will drive back to Hunder for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Hunder – Leh
After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardungla. Afternoon rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 9: 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, permits, guides, activities, etc. or services as required by the client.