Silk Route Mosaics
Day 01: Arrive in 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. You would take 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 allow you to get oriented to this fascinating city.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Sight Seeing in Leh
After breakfast, full day sightseeing to the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. A few kilometres up the Indus is Shey, the ancient capital, with its palaces, temples, and vibrantly coloured murals, cleaned and restored in the mid 1980’s. Later we drive to visit the fortress styled monastery of Thiksey. Afterwards, we drive to visit the Hemis monastery. This monastery is known to be the most famous and rich Buddhist temple in the entire region. The Murals and frescoes here date back to 17th century. After we explore the sacred monastery, we drive back to our hotel in Leh. In the evening, we will spend some time roaming around the markets. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Leh to Nubra: (130 km / 4-5 hrs drive)
We will drive to Nubra valley in the morning, driving over the highest motored pass in the world. The exciting journey through serpentine roads leads us to the Khardungla Pass at an awesome height of 5550 meters. We stop at the pass to admire and click some photographs of the fantastic view, before driving down into the Nubra valley. The valley is situated on an old caravan route at the confluence of the Shyok and the Nubra rivers. We drive to our fixed camp resort and later drive to visit the charming valley, of Deskit – the tiny capital of Nubra. The capital is marked by a single file of shops that are put up on the main road. We will visit the Deskit Gompa, perched on a rocky spur above the village, with a commanding view of the entire valley. From Deskit we will drive past an area of sand dunes and get acquainted with the famous Bactrian camels. This small population of shaggy double-humped animals, which in the old days, were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes are now used as riding animals in the high deserts. In the late afternoon, we will drive to the camp. Overnight in camps
Day 04: Nubra to Leh: (130 km / 4-5 hrs drive)
We will drive back to Leh, driving on the same route and crossing the Khardungla pass yet again. We arrive at Leh in the afternoon and settle for the day at our hotel.
Day 05: Leh to Pangong:
After early breakfast drive for a visit of Pangong Lake via Chang La pass. The drive takes you through spectacular, amazing scenery, with breath-taking views of the snow-covered Himalayas. The Lake is the highest (4267m) salt-water lake in the world, situated along the India / China border. It is about 130 km long and 5-6 km wide. The Chang – chenmo range surrounding it from the north provide a spectacular backdrop to the blue and green expanse of its brackish water. Later drive back to Leh. Overnight Hotel
Day 06: Departure
After breakfast drive, back to the airport for your flight to any onward destination.
