Plan my tour to Leh Ladhak

 Leh-Ladakh has become one of the hot spots for most of the travelers and also for non-travelers. A place which has started to reflect on every bucket list or resolution list. 

It definitely made a place in my bucket list and I lived it.... and here i am sharing my story of magnificent Leh Ladak

For people who have not visited Leh Ladakh would visualize or describe it as a place with pristine beauty, high mountain ranges all across till your eyes can meet, glaciers and tallest peaks, bikes to pick, monks, monasteries…there are many more things that you can think…BUT trust me there is so much more that you cannot miss!!

So I am here to share my experience and help you plan your tour to LEH LADHAK. 

There are plethora of websites which you can scroll through, blogs you can read through, travelers you speak to, there are many packages available from you can choose to. But important is when you have taken your time and money out from your busy schedule. It is of utmost importance, that you invest your energy and time explore the right spots. No miss on the Must see!!

Hence to ensure that one can plan ones tour from whichever source. It is important to know the Must See List (MSL)

MSL that’s what I call it (check below)

An MSL would mention the more irresistible places to visit in Leh Ladak failing which your tour might seem incomplete. 

Following the MSL would help you while selecting a tour package or while customizing your tour plan according to your number of days available and zeal to explore the most!!

TA (Tag Along) is also an important parameter which one needs to consider while planning a tour. As an Adage goes “It’s not the place but the people that matters”. Similarly it is not what package you take it is about whether a specific package will help all your TA to enjoy the tour completely

So let’s get on with it  

MSL – 6 Night 7 day package 

TA – Backpackers and Friends

Objective – Adventure, Thrill, Economical, Juggadu types

Day 1 – 

Arrive at IXL airport and you see and hear continues announcements on certain protocols to be followed in Leh about acclimatization. A complete day for rest to get acclimatize with the high altitude in Leh which is 3500 mtr above sea level.This is of utmost importance for all the tourist. As every individual is different and so is the body make up. Hence the time taken by each to acclimatize is different so a 24 hour rest is recommended, however who would like to waste a day!!!

So opting for a booking of hotel OR homestay (price ranges Rs. 2500/- inclusive of food) near chanspa is ideal. As it acts as a center point of Leh. 

After a quick lunch and rest one can go for a stroll in the evening around 3 -4 pm to visit Shanti stupa. This will enable one to utilize maximum of the 4 days

Shanti Stupa was built by both Japanese Buddhists and Ladakh Buddhists in 
1914.The mission of Nichidatsu Fujii was to build Peace Pagodas and temples over the world and try to resurrect Buddhism back in India. 

Shanti stupa and its surrounding landscape is a treat to your eyes. A perfect spot to for travelers to capture breath taking landscape. While walking on the lane you will pass small rivers and small monasteries. Everything that meets your eye is going to be eye pleasing experience   

Return to your hotel in the evening and go to bed early as day 2 is going to be a long day...

Day 2 – Khardungla pass to Nubra valley

Say good morning by 6 am! and Goodbye to the hotel with packed bags by 7 am. 

All excited to explore the best kept secrets of Leh Ladhak. Khardungla pass and Nubra valley. 

Back packers can rent a bike/car from local market or by contacting hotel personal transportation is readily available. 

Khardungla pass needs no introduction as it is the most searched place to visit in Leh Ladak. 

Khardungla pass is the highest civilian motor road in the world. A long road which might seem never ending. Where beautiful valley, villages, people, Tibetan flags, quick food stall walk parallel. What more do you want BRO!!

Yes it is managed Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the captions on the milestone are so witty that your journey will be hilarious. Khardungla pass road will take around 80-120 min ride from Leh. 

A ideal place which gives you a sense of accomplishment which can be only experienced and cannot be put in words!! Khardungla pass as it is definitely a no miss! and a spot in MSL

From Khardungla continue your Journey towards Nubra valley. Try and push around 10 -11 am as the journey to Nubra valley is long and would take 3-4 hour. 

Nubra valley is a tri-armed valley located to the north east of Ladakh valley. A desert amidst an snowy hill covered with sand sunes. It will remind you of the Mummy movie. The famous two humped camels are also found in this region. 

The origin of the desert is supposed to be from the Tethis Sea from the depths of which the Himalayas are said to have risen

Reach the hotel in Nubra by afternoon have lunch, rest for an hour. 

In evening leave to visit the local sightseeing like Diskit gompa, Shyok river. Amidst mountain ranges Diskit the capital of Nubra.
Stay in the valley is a mesmerizing experience and a glimpse of Siachen glaceir will make you skip a beat. The valley definitely garners its place in MSL   

Dikshit monastery is of the Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa, during the 14th century. The monastery’s cupola is same as the Tashilhunpo Monastery of Tibet. An ideal place to be visited by photographer to increase your collection in gallery

Day 3 - Thiksey Gompa, Pangong Tso

If you want to see more you will have to do more!! As the drive from Nubra valley to Pangong Tso would take 7-8 hours 

Start your day at 6 am pack your bag and leave from Nubra Valley to Pangong lake take a quick halting at Thiskey Gompa. 

Thiksey is one of the beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. Snuggled at an altitude of 11,800 feet, this monastery is looked after by the people of Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect. 

It comprises a 12-storey building complex and houses more than 500 monks. Thiksey has a large and precious collection of Buddhist books, journals, statues, scripts, stupas, swords and Thangka paintings. 

Definitely a delight for photographer to add a good collection of rare to find heritage and culture 

Reaching Pangong lake around 2-3 pm. It’s the Pangong-Tso lake that traverses the boundary international boundary to stretch from India to Bhutan. The lake offers awesome site for camping and is the current hotspot for all people traveling to Ladakh.

Pangong got its fame and became more known to common people during 3 idiot. However the lesser known fact is it has featured in several other movies too! In fact, a part of the song Satrangi Re from Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se was shot here in 1998!  

it’s a picturesque and serene place. A delight to capture the beautiful view in lenses of your eye and gazing at the blue sky  

Stay back in Pangong and enjoy incredible star gazing at night under the sky a definite MSL 

Day 4 - Lamayuru monastery, Likir monastery, Indus Zanskar confluence, Thiksey gompa, Hemis monastery  

After a sumptuous breakfast take a car/bike and push towards a long drive from Pangong lake towards Lamayuru monastery also known as moon land

During this long journey halting at different monastery along the stretch running parallel to Indus river 

1st halt at Hemis monastery

Hemis monastery is considered as the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Ladakh region. To know its history you have to go long way back to 11th century the period in which it was established. It is of great significance due to Hemis festival which is held annually. Hemis festival is the major Buddhist festival and marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. For the rest of the story visit the monastery....LOL

2nd halt followed to Hemis you will be able to view Indus Zanskar confluence on the way. This is where Indus and Zanskar river meet. 

The prestin blue water of Zanskar and the muddy gushy water meet but are still demarcated. You will also cross the magnetic hill towards the journey to Lamayuru. 

Magnetic hill which defy the gravity. The layout of the area and surrounding slopes creates an optical illusion that the downhill road is actually an uphill road. Objects and cars on the hill may appear to roll "uphill" in defiance of gravity when they are, in fact, rolling downhill 

3rd Halt At Likir monastery before lamayuru 

Its almost 1-2 hour drive from Indus Zanskar confluence. Capture the beauty, understand the history as every Gompa in Leh has a reason and story behind its formation and presence. Likir Monastery or Likir Gompa, is located in a village named Saspol. This is a monastery of Gelugpa monastic order of Tibetan Buddhism. It was built by Lama Duwang Chosje, under the command of the fifth King of Ladakh, Lhachen Gyalpo. The complex of the monastery houses a number of shrines. Presently, there are 120 Buddhist monks

Towards the evening reach Lamayuru stay back in hotel. 

Day 5 - Lamayuru monastery and local sigh seeing 

Time to wake up late the day filled with leisure at Lamayuru, It is one of most unique places on earth. Lamayuru is known for its mystic and magic legend also called Moon Land. The story starts way back in 10th century, unleash the hidden secrets and mystic stories of moon land. 

Lamayuru monastery has around 150 permanent monk residents famous for having rich collection of murals, thangkas, wall paintings, scriptures and statues of Buddha and other deities.

Spend the day in leisure captivated in sensational moon land a non miss MSL 

Day 6 - Kargil war memorial, Zojila pass, Srinagar

Start early from Lamayuru towards Kargil war memorial. Kargil war between India and Pakistan which has found its place in history pay respect to martyrs of Kargil war. A historic place and definitely a place in MSL. 

From Kargil drive across zojila pass. A thrilling and spectacular view filled with adventure and stupendous landscape of Sonmarg. Zoji La is a high mountain pass located on the Indian National Highway 1D between srinagar and Leh in the Himalayan mountain range

Reach Srinagar by evening rest at the hotel. 

Day 7 - Local sight seeing and shopping in Srinagar. Once can visit Shankaracharya temple built in 220 BC overlooks Dal lake

Finally say bye to Leh Ladak, Kargil, Srinagar take a flight back to your hometown after a long on the go tour!!!

Talking about MSL its very difficult to select as every spot, monastery has its own story, heritage and reason to be visited however, some spots which are non negotiable are

MSL:

1. Khardungla pass 
2. Nubra valley
3. Lamayuru monastery in moon land
4. Pangong Lake
5. Thiksey gompa
6. Kargil war memorial (especially to pay respect to martyrs of Kargil war)
7. Zojila pass 

There are many more permutation combination that are possible and can be done according to your preference and group which will be posted shortly

Have any specific questions/queries or need a planned cost estimate for a budgeted tour. Send your queries on planmytourto@gmail.com

Have views, feedback and suggestions you are welcome!!

Cheers have a superb tour and write back your experiences would love to hear!!