Ladakh Expedition
Circling the high passes.
Ladakh, known as the "Land of High Passes," is a captivating region in northern India renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling adventures. This high-altitude desert offers breathtaking views of the Zanskar and Ladakh mountain ranges, serene lakes like Pangong, and picturesque valleys such as Nubra. Home to ancient monasteries and a diverse range of wildlife, Ladakh is a haven for both spiritual seekers and adventure enthusiasts. Ladakh promises an unforgettable journey through its unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Ladakh, where every moment is filled with wonder and every sight is a story waiting to be told.
- Trip Highlights
- - Travel the famous Manali - Leh highway
- - Explore Nubra valley and visit to Diskit monastery.
- - Stay at Turtuk village.
- - Visit to famous and scenic Pangong Lake.
- - Travel National Highway number - 1 from Leh to Srinagar.
- - Visit war memorial in Drass and Zoji La.
- - Travel all the major high passes to reach Ladakh.
- - Visit Sonamarg valley.
- - Explore the iconic dal lake in a Shikara boat.
- Insights
- - Best season - June - September
- - Trip type - Car trip/ Motorcycle trip
- - Trip duration - 13 days and 12 nights
- - Total distance covered by road - 1,550 kms
- - Maximum altitude gained - – 5,480 meters / 17,982 feet
- - Accommodation - Hotel /camp/houseboat
- - Start /end point - Manali/Srinagar
- - Highlighted destinations - Manali, Jispa, Sarchu, Moore plains, Leh, Nubra valley, Pangong lake, Lamayuru, Kargil, Drass, Sonamarg, Srinagar.
- - Mountain passes covered - Bara-lach La( 4,850 meters/15, 910 feet), Nakee La(47,40 meters/15547 feet), Lachulung La( 5,059 meters/16616 feet), Taglang La( 5,328 meters/ 17,480 feet), Khardung La( 5,480 meters/17,982 feet), Chang La(5,360 meters/17,586 feet), Fotu La( 4,108 meters/13,478 feet), Namika La (3,717 meters/ 12,198 feet), Zoji La ( 3,550 meters/11,575 feet)
- Package Includes for Car Trip
- - All accommodation on double and triple occupancy basis in comfortable hotels/camps or houseboat.
- - Meal inclusions as specified in the plan.
- - One car (MUV) for all the places mentioned in itinerary.
- - Airport drop and Pickup.
- - One-hour complimentary Shikara ride on Dal Lake.
- - One night stay at deluxe houseboat in Nageen/Dal lake
- - All inner line permits to visit the places in Ladakh
- - Oxygen cylinder as backup in car.
- - A dedicated and experienced trip leader for entire trip.
- Package Includes for Bike Trip
- - All accommodation on double and triple occupancy basis in comfortable hotels/camps or houseboat.
- - Meal inclusions as specified in the plan.
- - One pick up jeep double cabin as back vechile for entire trip.
- - One dedicate trip leader on separate motorcycle for entire trip.
- - Mechanic with basic spare-parts backup for entire trip.
- - One Royal Enfeild Himalyan 411 cc for entire trip.
- - Cost for relocation of motorcycle in begin and end of trip.
- - Fuel included for motorcycle.
- - Airport drop and Pickup.
- - One-hour complimentary Shikara ride on Dal Lake.
- - One night stay at deluxe houseboat in Nageen/Dal lake
- - All inner line permits to visit the places in Ladakh
- - Oxygen cylinder as backup in car.
- Package Does Not Includes
- - Any Airfare
- - Any Insurance
- - Any expenses incurred due to delays owing to Force Majeure conditions or unforeseen circumstances
- - Any others services not mentioned in the plan.
- - Taxes
- - Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, activities, gratuities etc.
- Payments and Cancellations
- - A minimum 50% of total on confirmation and rest 50 % one day before the trip starts
- - 2 months before departure – No Charge
- - 29‐60 days before departure ‐ 25% of total
- - 10‐28 days before departure ‐ 50% of total
- - Less than 10 days before departure ‐ No Refund
Detailed Itinerary ( 13 days )
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Day 1
MANALI Arrival
Manali, at the northern end of Kulu valley, is a beautiful Himalayan hill station with an unbeatable location. The river Beas meanders through the town, surrounded by deodar and pine trees, tiny fields, fruit orchards and grassy meadows carpeted with wildflowers which give way to stunning views of lofty snow‐capped peaks. The friendly people of this area are famous for their unique style of dress, including men’s pill‐box caps with colorful geometric embroidery. We take our motorcycles today and go for a short ride around Manali to tune in to bikes before the long ride. If taking the car option we will do local sightseeing. Overnight at Hotel with breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 2
MANALI –ATAL TUNNEL–KEYLONG –JISPA.
Distance: 55km; Travel Time:- 2‐3 hrsElevation: Gulmarg– 2,690 meters / 8,825 feet
Today you will drive to Gulmarg for overnight stay. Gulmarg is cup shaped valley situated in Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. It is surrounded by Lofty Himalyan peaks, Meadows of flowers, evergreen forested valley and deep ravines. It has world’s second highest Gondola ride. If you want, we can arrange for tickets of Gondola ride for you. Evening can be spent exploring the meadow by walk. Overnight at a hotel with breakfast and dinner included. -
Day 3
JISPA- BARALACHA –SARCHU
Distance: 43km/42km/54km–85km; Travel Time: 3‐4 hrs
levation: Baralacha La ‐5045m /16,551ft, Sarchu –4,290m/ 14,075ft
after breakfast; this is going to be one of the most Scenic experience in your trip. we cross Baralacha la and enter Sarchu. Baralacha means big pass in local language, you can see magnificent peaks surrounding the pass along with some breath-taking views. We reach Sarchu in evening for night stay. Overnight at a camp with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 4
SARCHU –LACHULUNG LA –TANGLANG LA –LEH
istance: 54km/81km/109km–234km; Travel Time: 8‐9 hrs
Elevation: Lachulung La –5,059m/16,598ft, Tanglang La –5,359m/ 17,582ft, Leh –3,505m/11,500ft
Depart early morning, we enter Ladakh from Sarchu. Further into our journey we cross More Plains and the scenic Tanglang La to arrive in Leh by the early evening. Its going to be long and challenging day as we cross three high mountain passes. Overnight at hotel with dinner and breakfast included
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Day 5
LEH
Leh, the capital city of Ladakh is a historical transit point for caravans of the bygone Silk Route, and still looks and feels like a trading post of the ancient past. It is an imminently accessible and fascinating locale, featuring two notable monasteries, a palace, a mosque, and countless narrow, crooked alleyways beckoning the curious visitor. To stroll through Leh, taking in its sights, sounds, and a pleasantly manageable population of just 10,000, is to experience what writer Andrew Harvey called “the peaceful life. "The town is still dominated by the now ruined Leh Palace, former home of Ladakh’s royal family. It also plays host to a cultural dance show every evening. We can visit some nearby attractions today. Overnight at Hotel with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 6
LEH –KHARDUNG‐LA –HUNDER –TURTUK
Distance: 37km / 90km / 90km –217km; Travel Time: 7‐9hrs
Elevation: Khardung La –5,602m/18,380ft, Turtuk – 2,808 m/ 9213 ft
Starting early, we cross Khardung La, known as one of the world’s highest motor able passes, then deep into the Nubra Valley to the sand dunes at Hunder and further on to Turtuk crossing Siachen’s air base Thoise airport. You will cover most of the Nubra valley today. Overnight at Hotel with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 7
In TURTUK
The highlight of this trip, the remote village of Turtuk, which was once a part of Baltistan, is open to travelers. Besides the amazing scenery, there is an ancient fort and a monastery, springs with healing properties and pearls to be picked up in the mountains. The area boasts of rare wildlife: marmots, ibex and the elusive snow leopard. We spend the day exploring the village by foot with a local guide. You can see Pakistan and Karakorum Range from this village. Before 1971 this village was in Pakistan. Also Mount K2 top the second highest peak in the world can be seen from this village. After Lunch you can ride to further 10 kilometers towards LOC (border) to the last village of India Thang. You can see the Pakistani village from here. There are few cafes after quick refreshment you can come back to Turtuk for night stay. Overnight at Hotel with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 8
TURTUK – HUNDER
Distance: 77km, Travel Time: 3‐4hrs
Elevation: Hunder –3,048m/10,000ftHeading back, we stop at Hunder for overnight stay. In evening we visit Diskit Gompa dating back to the 14th century on silk route and Hunder sand dunes for famous double hump camel ride. Overnight at camp with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 9
HUNDER –SHYOK –PANGONG TSO
Distance: 89km / 65km –154km, Travel Time: 6‐7 hrs
Elevation: Pangong Tso–4,250m/13,943ftDrive to Pangong Tso–a high altitude lake in the Ladakh Himalayas across the beautiful Shyok valley. The lake is 134 km long and extends from India to Tibet. Two thirds of the length of this lake lies in Tibet. The lake is 5 km (3 mi) wide at its broadest point. Overnight at camp with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 10
PANGONG TSO –CHANG LA –LEH
Distance: 82km/78km –160km, Travel Time: 5‐6 hrsAfter spending the morning at the shores of the beautiful Pangong, we drive back to Leh, to arrive by lunch. The rest of the day at leisure to explore Leh town. Overnight at Hotel with breakfast and dinner included.
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Day 11
LEH –LAMAYURU –KARGIL
Distance: 115km/110km –255km; Travel Time: 7‐8 hrs
Elevation: FotuLa–4,108m/13,478ft, NamikaLa–3,700m/12,139ft,Kargil–2,750m/9,000ftWe start our journey west on the Leh–Srinagar Highway. After crossing world famous Magnetic hill we visit the Lamayuru monastery, known for its moon like landscape. After a brief stop, we head on to the FotuLa, the highest pass on this highway and the Namika La, to reach Mulbek, famous for its 9 metre high Buddha statue. From Mulbek, we head to Kargil for an overnight stay. Overnight at a hotel with meals included.
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Day 12
KARGIL –DRASS –ZOJI LA –SONAMARG –SRINAGAR
Distance: 58km / 42km / 20km / 85km –205km
Travel Time: 5‐6 hrs Elevation: Drass–3,280m/10,761ft, Srinagar–1,585m/5,200ftDriving from Kargil, this is when we enter into the famed Valleys of Kashmir. Starting from Drass where the landscape changes completely. We stop and visit the famous war memorial and then drive over the ZojiLa into the lush green valleys around Sonamarg from where we head to Srinagar for an overnight stay at a houseboat. Evening we enjoy the Shikara ride on the lake. Overnight stay at Houseboat with dinner and breakfast included.
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Day 13
SRINAGAR departure
Our driver will drop you to Srinagar airport in the morning for flight back home. Trip terminates.