One of the most popular adventure activities in Ladakh is the jeep safari. The jeep safari through Ladakh is an excellent way to explore the remote region. The picture-post-card-pretty landscapes in and around Ladakh beckon nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Each day of the Ladakh itinerary offers an opportunity to explore the land of barren wilderness, Ladakh. The culturally diverse people add to the charm of the jeep safari in Ladakh. The desolate mountains of this high altitude desert and deep ravines reveal the natural beauty of Ladakh. One of the most exciting jeep safaris in the Himalayas is through Ladakh.
With this safari you pass through three former Kingdoms: KINNAUR, SPITI and LAHAUL and even further to LADAKH. Now, the Spiti-areas belong to India and were declared strictly prohibited for tourists by the Indian Government until 1995.These areas are one of the most scenic but very less frequented by tourists. The Satluj River , which rises from the southern slopes of the Kailash (the Holly Mountain in Asia ), flows into the Kinnaur valley. It is a fascinating area for Buddhist art and the monasteries, rich repositories of ancient murals, Thankas, woodcarvings and golden images of the Padmasambhava.
Itinerary
DAY 01:
Arrival at New Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Free stay.
DAY 02:
Delhi-Shimla
Take the sightseeing trip of Delhi and in the evening, catch the train bound to Kalka where you will arrive at the dawn. Change the train here for Shimla, a British developed summer resort.
DAY 03:
Arrival in Shimla
A free day in Shimla and permit processing.
DAY 04:
Shimla-Sarhan (1950m)
We start our jeep safari to Sarhan En route, we visit the palace in Rampur . We drive further the steep mountain and arrive in Sarhan (1950m). Sarhan, the tiny village offers the splendid views of Shrikhanda Mahadev Peak (5155m). You will also visit the famous Bhimkali Temple , the big attraction of Sarhan. Overnight lodge
DAY 05:
Sarahan - Sangla
Drive along the spectacular Hindustan Tibet road which s carved in a rock and goes along the wild Sutlej River . A view of Kinner-Kailash Peak is splendid from Sangla.
DAY 06:
Sangla-Tabo
You will take an excursion to Chitkul (3435 m) surrounded by green fields and High Mountain peaks. Chitkul is like a fairyland. The quaint little wooden houses, temples, Gompas, and the people of Sangla valley conjure up a perfect image of a Shangri-la. Return to the highway and continue to the ancient village of Tabo (3050m) -where you will visit the Tabo monastery, the oldest and archaeologically most import monastery of Spiti with the most sacred shrine of Gankhang inside. Overnight lodge at Tabo.
DAY 07
Tabo-Kaza. Drive to Kaza. Overnight lodge.
DAY 08:
Excursion to Kiber
The Ki- Gompa , perched high on the pyramid shaped mountain, belongs to the Gelugpa sect and lives there as many as 500 monks. Retunr to Kaza for overnight stay.
DAY 09:
Kaza-Jispa
Today we cross the Kunzum pass (4551 m), the panoramic views of Bara-Shigri Glacier (second longest glacier in the world) and about dozen peaks over 6000m enthralling and inspiring. People wanting to return will take the road to Manali that branches at Grapmphoo and after passing Rhotang Pass (3990m), you are in Manali from where you will take bus or flight to Delhi .
DAY 10:
Jispa-Sarchu
You will drive along the spectacular road and pass through many canyons. Overnight in tented camps.
DAY 11:
Sarchu-Leh
The road to Leh winds all the way up and cross the Tanglang La (5065m), the second highest motorable pass in the world. We continue our way along beautiful aquarelle-lakes and unforgettable views to end up in Leh late in the afternoon. Overnight hotel Leh.
DAY 12-14:
Leh and Around
You will visit different Buddhist Gompas from Medieval period like Tsemo Gompa, Sankar Gompa and Leh Palace etc. The other day, you will have excursion to Shey Monastery and Thiksey Monastery. Thiksey Monastery is built on a high rock and gives the reminiscence of Potala Palace of Lhasa. Afterwards, we visit Hemis Monastery where famous Hemis Festival is celebrated every year at the peak time of summer.
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.
Pangong Tso is the highest lake in Ladakh region and is famous for colorful stones, fossils and wild flowers in summer. Trip to Pangog Tso is very rewarding and gives you a life long memory. You will drive through the villages of pastoral community who have retained their nomadic glory in spite of harsh weather.
Itinerary
DAY 01:
Arrival in Delhi . Meet the guide at the airport and transfer to hotel.
DAY 02:
Flight to Leh.
DAY 03-04:
Sightseeing of Leh's monasteries and palaces.
DAY 05:
Drive from Lhe to Durbuk (110km) and en route visit Chemra and Taktak Gompas. Overnight camp.
DAY 06:
Drive to Lukung, by pass village Tantse (100km)
DAY 07
Drive to Pangong Tso (60km) via Spangmik village at the bank of Pangong Tso. Overnight camp.
DAY 08:
Explore the area, drive and trek along the lake.
DAY 09:
Drive back to Tangtse by crossing over a pass. You will have beautiful opportunity of photography. Overnight camp.
