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Mountain Leader

Journey to Nubra Valley north of Leh is special for several reasons. First it is accessed by the highest motor able road in the world traversing the stunning Kardung La at the thin air of 5600m above sea level with views of the Saser Spur, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram further north and the Zanskar range and the principal chain of the Himalayas to the south. Second, from the awesome highs we descend to a picturesque valley with an average altitude of 3000 meters and thus a milder climate than the rest of Ladakh. And third, this valley once constituted the last staging ground for the caravan trade with Central Asia. Here started the route taken by the trade caravans, and Panamik, the last village on this circuit, today a sleepy outpost but at that time a busy center, the last major settlement before the caravans plunged into the mountains of the Karakoram and the Kun-Lun on their way to Yarkand, Kashgar and other parts of Chinese Turkestan and Tibet. Today a reminder of this bygone era is the small population of Bactrian camels (Bactria, a satrapy of the ancient Persian empire), Double -humped animals, which in the old days were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes when up to 10,000 horses and camels a year are said to have traversed the district.

Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Free day in Delhi.
DAY 02: Flight to Leh. Transfer to hotel.
DAY 03-05: Acclimatization in Leh. Sightseeing of Buddhist monasteries of Leh (Shey, Thiksey, Hemis and Stok Monastery. Likir, Alchi and Lamayuru Moanstery, Phyang, Spituk and Shanti stupa.)
DAY 06: Drive from Leh to Khalsar ( 110km) across Khardung La. Overnight camp.
DAY 07: Visit the monastery at Khalsar and drive to Panamik- a very large settlement at the bank of Nubra River.
DAY 08: Visit hot water sulphur spring-have a bath, ideal for physical ailments and return to camp for lunch. Afternoon visit 250 years old Samoor Gompa.
DAY 09: At leisure. Visit Nubra River, local people, bazaar and pick some local handicrafts.
DAY 10: Drive back to Tirit Village- a center of handicrafts, wool and jewellery. Camp.
DAY 11: Free day
DAY 12: Drive back to Leh.
DAY 13: Fly to Delhi
DAY 14: Departure

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY
DAY 01: Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Free day in Delhi.
DAY 02: Flight to Leh. Transfer to hotel.
DAY 03: Acclimatization in Leh. Sightseeing of Buddhist monasteries of Leh.
DAY 04: Drive 110 km from Leh to Khalsar across Khardung La. Overnight camp.
DAY 05: Visit the monastery at Khalsar and drive 45 km to Diskit-the headquarter of Nubra Valley. Overnight camp.
DAY 06: At Diskit. Explore the little town of Diskit and enjoy double hump Camel ride. Camp
DAY 07: Diskit- Hunder. Visit the monastery in Diskit and drive 45 km to Hnder. Camp.
DAY 08: Explore the village.
DAY 09: Drive 90km back to Khalsar. Camp
DAY 10: Drive back to Leh
DAY 11: Fly to Delhi
DAY 12: Departure