Arrive Manali and check into the hotel.
Evening, meet and greet the group followed by Welcome Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN MANALI
After breakfast, depart for Padum (275kms/ approx. 8-9hrs) via Shinku La Pass and Gumbo Ranjan.
Shingo-La (also known as Shinku La) is a mountain pass in India, on the border between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. There is a shallow lake or pool 20m below the pass. The pass is on a long-distance footpath linking Zanskar and Lahaul, used often by locals and trekkers alike. The 297-km long Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road that was identified as the third route to Ladakh in 2021.
Gumbok Rangan is a stand-alone lofty rocky precipice located in Kurgiakh Valley of Zanskar, India in Lakong region. It is considered to be holy by the local inhabitants who practice Tibetan buddhism. Gumbok Rangan can be seen from the village of Kurgiakh which is about 16 kilometres away. The foothills of the Gumbok Rangan precipice are at the altitude of 5,486 metres.
Lunch will be arranged enroute.
Sheela village is located at the banks of Lungnak River at the southwest of Padum. The village is located about 8 km from Padum town and is famous for its cascading waterfall. At the base of the waterfall is a pool where you can take a dip in the summers. During the winter, the waterfall remains frozen.
ArrivePadum and check into the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN PADUM
After breakfast, depart for Alchi (196kms/ approx. 8hrs) enroute visiting Lingshed Monastery and Sirsirla Pass.
Lingshed Monastery or Lingshed Gompa is a Gelugpa Buddhist monastery in Ladakh region. It is located near Lingshet village in the Leh district. It was founded in the 1440s by Changsems Sherabs Zangpo, disciple of Je Tsongkhapa, on a monastic site previously founded by the Translator Rinchen Zangpo. The monastery has belonged to the religious estate of Ngari Rinpoche since 1779. The Jangchub Tensung Dorje Center was founded in Lingshed by Kyabje Dagom Rinpoche in 1994. The ceremonial life of Lingshed Monastery and its monks is the subject of Identity, Ritual and State in Tibetan Buddhism (Routledge 2003) by the anthropologist Martin A. Mills.
Sirsir La is a mountain pass that is at an elevation of 4,565 meters above sea level. Sirsir La Pass is also known as Sirsir La, Sirsir Pass. Sirsir La Pass Ladakh is a breakdown in mountain range that is used for transportation. Sirsir Pass is a beautiful pass that gives you panoramic view of Zanskar valley from the peak. Sirsir La Pass Ladakh is one of the seven passes to traverse on the track from Phanjila towards Padum
Lunch will be arranged enroute.
Arrive Lamayuru and check into the hotel
OVERNIGHT IN ALCHI.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Leh (115kms / 4-5hrs) enroute visiting Indus & Zanskar River Sangam, Pathar Sahab & Magnetic Hill.
Sangam is the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers in Ladakh. The two rivers can be separately seen meeting at this point. While the Indus River appears as shiny blue, Zanskar River appears muddy green. It is a spectacular site to witness. The flow of the two rivers at Sangam changes according to the season. While Zanskar River is swollen and rapis in summers, Indus River is calmer. In winters, Zanskar slows down and almost freezes while the flow of Indus is even lesser. The Indus is the one of the longest rivers in Asia and originates in Tibet. Zanskar River is formed in the Zanskar Valley region.
Magnetic Hill is located on the Leh Kargil Highway. Nestled at a great height of about 14,000 feet from the sea level, this is fundamentally a small stretch of road which defies the phenomenon of gravity by pulling the vehicles towards it. You get to see for yourself that, how this regular looking hill magically pulls the stationary vehicles upwards. It almost seems unbelievable to the human eyes, however, when a person sees it, nothing else remains but to believe it.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, most revered place where Guru Nanak Dev ji, founder of the Sikh religion is believed to have conquered a demon. Legend has it that once Guru Nakak ji was meditating at this place and a demon had thrown a big rock to obstruct his prayers but the boulder turned into soft wax that failed to harm him, seeing this the demon asked for penance for his deed and Guru Nanak ji forgave him. The boulder with the imprint of the body of Guru Nanak Dev and the footprint of the demon is on display in Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. Albeit, the area is known majorly for Buddhism but Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is equally worshipped by anyone who visits this place. It is maintained by the Indian Army.
Arrive Leh and check into the hotel.
Leh- is the capital of Ladakh (altitude 3505 metres). Sheltered in the North by the Ladakh range and in the South by the Zanskar Mountains, Leh gets very little rainfall. The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh are the Buddhist gompas (monasteries). Situated on the highest point of the mountain spurs or majestically sprawling over cliff- sides, located in the vicinity of villages, these aesthetically pleasing, architecturally interesting gompas provide the focus for the faith of the highly religious Buddhist people. Dinner at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN LEH
After breakfast, check out and drive to Pangong Lake (220kms/ approx. 5-6hrs).
Pangong Lake - situated at a height of almost 4,350m, is the world's highest saltwater lake. Its water, which seems to be dyed in blue, stand in stark contrast to the arid mountains surrounding it. Extending to almost 160km, one-third of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China. Pangong Lake, one of the most famous lakes in Leh Ladakh, derives its name from the Tibetan word, “Pangong Tso”, which means “high grassland lake”.
Dinner at the hotel
OVERNIGHT IN PANGONG
After an early breakfast, depart for Umling La (165kms/ 5-6hrs) enroute visiting Rezang La War Memorial.
Rezangla War memorial was constructed in 1963 at an altitude of 15,000 ft in Chushul plains close to India- China Border in the memory of Charlie company of 13 KUMAON Regiment who died while defeating Rezang La from Chinese troops.
Lunch will be arranged enroute.
Hanle, also referred to as Anle or Anley, is a historic and picturesque village situated in the Changthang region of Ladakh. It lies in the Hanle River valley in the ancient Ladakh-Tibet trade route and attracts large crowds who come here for its magnificent views and its religious and astronomical significance. The main attractions here, besides the tranquillity, include a majestic gompa, an observatory as well as challenging roads or passes.
Arrive Hanle and check into the hotel.
Time permitting visit of Hanle Monastery in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN HANLE
After an early breakfast, drive to Umling La Pass.
Umling La or Umlinglapass is a high mountain pass located in the Himalayan Mountain range of India in eastern Ladakh near Demchok village close to Indo-Tibetan border. It is situated at an elevation of 5,798 m (19,024 feet) above sea level. Umling La has earned the distinction of being the highest motorable pass in the world.
Lunch will be arranged enroute.
Later, drive back to Hanle for lunch.
After lunch, drive to Tso Moriri (140kms/ approx. 5hrs) enroute visiting Nyoma.
Nyomais a quaint village located 150 km from Leh on the banks of the Indus River. The main attraction of this unexplored village is a Buddhist monastery and the long walks in the peaceful lanes.
Arrive Tso Moriri and check into the hotel.
Tso Moriri Lake is located in the Changthang Valley of Ladakh. it is one of the most pristine and beautiful attractions that is located at an astonishing altitude of 4521 m (14835 ft.) above sea level. Because Pangong Tso is divided between India and China, Tso Moriri happens to be the largest high altitude lake entirely in India.
Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN TSO MORIRI
After breakfast, depart for Manali (310kms/ approx. 10-11hrs) via Baralacha Pass.
Lunch will be arranged enroute.
Baralacha Pass or The Baralacha La is better described as a plateau where three mountain ranges meet (Pir Panjal, Zanskar and the Himalayas). The Baralacha La towers over three valleys that meet at a height of over 16,000 ft.
Arrive Jispa and check into the hotel.
Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN JISPA
End of Expedition