Up Close and Personal
Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Route: Leh - Thiksey - Shey - Hemis - Panamik - Tsomoriri and Tsokar Lakes - Leh - Delhi
Our Up Close and Personal is a real eye-opener to the variety of cultural traditions and varying civilizations that exist in Ladakh. Enjoy the magnificent landscapes and see how real people live in the Himalayan wonderland of Ladakh!
Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Route: Leh - Thiksey - Shey - Hemis - Panamik - Tsomoriri and Tsokar Lakes - Leh - Delhi
Our Up Close and Personal is a real eye-opener to the variety of cultural traditions and varying civilizations that exist in Ladakh. Enjoy the magnificent landscapes and see how real people live in the Himalayan wonderland of Ladakh!
DAY ONE: Leh
An early morning arrival at Leh airport where you will be greeted by our company representative and transferred directly to your Leh based accommodation. After check-in spend a full day taking rest and adapting to the high altitude of Ladakh. Enjoy the surrounding mountain views and take in the local gardens before dinner and overnight stay.
DAY TWO: Leh - Thiksey - Shey - Leh city sightseeing
Depart Leh at 6:30am in order to witness the mesmerising morning puja at Thiksey monastery. Famous for its striking resemblance to the ‘Potala Palace’ in Lhasa, Tibet, the Thiksey gompa is a great place to start your journey of Ladakh and you will surely find peace watching the traditional morning rituals of the local monks through their morning prayer service. Next, we will take you to nearby Shey Palace where you can walk around 'the summer retreat place of the historical Ladkahi royalty' before taking in the morning views as you watch the local people begin their day from one of the many scenic viewpoints. Return to Leh in time fora half day of city based sightseeing beginning with a self orientated walking tour through the Leh 'old town'. Watch the street-sellers make local bread on open fires, wind your way through the ancient alleyways and enjoy lunch in a traditional style restaurant before our driver collects you for a tour of Tse Mo castle. After seeing the crumbling architecture and your first aerial view of the town, visit the Leh palace for a walk around the various chambers and as the sun begins to set, you can make your way to the magnificent Japanese built 'Shanti Stupa' where you can watch the sun set and the lights emerge over Leh town. Return to your Leh based accommodation for overnight stay.
DAY THREE: Leh - Sangham - Magnetic Hill - Alchi - Lamayuru
Wake early and travel west on your first road trip out of Leh (on a comfortable sealed highway road!) with your first stop at the popular Sangham lookout where you can view the colourful intersection and meeting point of the Zangskar and Indus rivers. Next, make your way to the mysterious Magnetic Hill where you will experience reverse gravity in action as your vehicle appears to move without power - and you can surely get some great photos of the mountains and highway en-route. Continue on your safari journey with a small detour to the charming Alchi village where you can enjoy traditional Ladakhi food at the ‘Alchi Kitchen’ restaurant which is one of the few famous restaurants in Ladakh that serves authentic Ladakhi food - home-cooked by an all-women team. (Be prepared to wait as the preparation of fresh made-to-order food does take time!). Pass through the famous ‘moonland territory’ - so called because of the surrounding craters on the nearby rocks that are said to resemble the moon and arrive to our overnight destination of Lamayuru - which some people say looks like it's straight out of a fairytale! Overnight stay in Lamayuru.
DAY FOUR: Lamayuru - Likir - Leh City sightseeing including Leh Palace and Tse Mo castle
Enjoy an optional early morning if you wish to see the local monks at the monastery perform their morning prayer ritual and the make your way back to Leh with a slight detour to Likir village where you can large Buddha statue in the small little village. Return to Leh for free time and in the evening, our driver will transfer you to the 16th century built Leh Palace where you can watch the sun set over the town. Return to our prearranged Leh based accommodation for rest and overnight stay.
DAY FIVE: Leh - Disket - Hundar - Sumoor
Depart Leh after breakfast and head towards ‘Nubra Valley’ which is popularly known as the ‘valley of flowers’ because of the variety of wildflowers and medicinal plants grown all over the local area. Situated in the northern part of Ladakh (between the Karakoram and Ladakh Himalayan ranges), the journey between Leh and Nubra takes you over ‘Khardong-la-pass’ which is the worlds highest motor-able road (located 18390 feet above sea level)! The journey to Nubra is a half-day drive of breathtaking landscapes and spectacular scenery and the experience is sure to be once-in-a-lifetime and truly unforgettable. On arrival in the Valley, you can visit the Disket monastery to see the 100 foot tall Buddha statue, and those who wish to enjoy a camel safari on Nubras resident camels, can climb aboard a double-humped camel in Hundar for a short safari in the cold desert sand dunes before arriving to the family owned luxury camp in time for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY SIX: Sumoor - Entsa – Panamik
In the morning you will visit Samstanling monastery in Sumoor before having a local style 'hot bath' at the Panamik hot springs. (Note: this is not be msitaken for a 'luxury spa', the hot srpings are renowned by the locals for the medicinal qualities and naturally hot water!) Take an optional two hour hike up to the small and mostly unknown ‘Entsa monastery’ (or go by road to the top) where you can take photos of the Siachen Glacier peaks and Karakoram Range. After a full day, make your way to a traditional Ladakhi home where you can enjoy a private walking tour of a family estate whilst learning about the traditional life of Nubra Valley people. Visit the sheep, watch the milking of a cow and return to the traditional floor style kitchen in the evening for a chance to sample (and make!) traditional Ladakhi cuisine for dinner.
DAY SEVEN: Panamik - Leh City tour
In the morning bid farewell to your local family and return to Leh with one last safari drive over Khardong La pass. Spend an hour or so walking around the town where you can shop for local handicrafts or purchase souvenirs
DAY EIGHT: Leh – Tso mo riri
An early start as you depart Leh for a highlight of the tour ‘Lake Tsomoriri’ located 14,000 ft. above sea level. The local area, known as ‘Changthang’ is a land of wilderness and magnificent landscapes and the lake itself is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds (like the bar headed goose, crested grebe, the Brahmini duck and the brown-headed gull). As you journey to and from the lake, you may be lucky enough to interact with the nomadic Changpa people who can often be seen moving from one place to another - grazing herds of goats, sheep and yaks produce saleable materials such as ropes, clothes and shoes. The changpa people are one of the few surviving tribes on earth to remain completely traditional despite the interaction of other civilizing influences. Bring your camera and spare batteries as today is just as much about the journey as it is the destination. Overnight stay in luxury camp.
DAY NINE: Tso mo riri - Leh
The early birds can watch the sunrise and the morning colours of the lake which changes it’s appearance and shades at different times of the day. Having said goodbye to the beautiful Tso Mo Riri you will come by Tso Kar lake – similar in appearance but much smaller than Tso Mo riri. Ride over Tag lang la pass (the worlds second highest motor-able road) and enjoy the spectacular scenery before arriving back in the early evening to your Leh based accommodation.
DAY TEN: Departure
Our driver will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you directly to the airport in time for your early morning flight.
An early morning arrival at Leh airport where you will be greeted by our company representative and transferred directly to your Leh based accommodation. After check-in spend a full day taking rest and adapting to the high altitude of Ladakh. Enjoy the surrounding mountain views and take in the local gardens before dinner and overnight stay.
DAY TWO: Leh - Thiksey - Shey - Leh city sightseeing
Depart Leh at 6:30am in order to witness the mesmerising morning puja at Thiksey monastery. Famous for its striking resemblance to the ‘Potala Palace’ in Lhasa, Tibet, the Thiksey gompa is a great place to start your journey of Ladakh and you will surely find peace watching the traditional morning rituals of the local monks through their morning prayer service. Next, we will take you to nearby Shey Palace where you can walk around 'the summer retreat place of the historical Ladkahi royalty' before taking in the morning views as you watch the local people begin their day from one of the many scenic viewpoints. Return to Leh in time fora half day of city based sightseeing beginning with a self orientated walking tour through the Leh 'old town'. Watch the street-sellers make local bread on open fires, wind your way through the ancient alleyways and enjoy lunch in a traditional style restaurant before our driver collects you for a tour of Tse Mo castle. After seeing the crumbling architecture and your first aerial view of the town, visit the Leh palace for a walk around the various chambers and as the sun begins to set, you can make your way to the magnificent Japanese built 'Shanti Stupa' where you can watch the sun set and the lights emerge over Leh town. Return to your Leh based accommodation for overnight stay.
DAY THREE: Leh - Sangham - Magnetic Hill - Alchi - Lamayuru
Wake early and travel west on your first road trip out of Leh (on a comfortable sealed highway road!) with your first stop at the popular Sangham lookout where you can view the colourful intersection and meeting point of the Zangskar and Indus rivers. Next, make your way to the mysterious Magnetic Hill where you will experience reverse gravity in action as your vehicle appears to move without power - and you can surely get some great photos of the mountains and highway en-route. Continue on your safari journey with a small detour to the charming Alchi village where you can enjoy traditional Ladakhi food at the ‘Alchi Kitchen’ restaurant which is one of the few famous restaurants in Ladakh that serves authentic Ladakhi food - home-cooked by an all-women team. (Be prepared to wait as the preparation of fresh made-to-order food does take time!). Pass through the famous ‘moonland territory’ - so called because of the surrounding craters on the nearby rocks that are said to resemble the moon and arrive to our overnight destination of Lamayuru - which some people say looks like it's straight out of a fairytale! Overnight stay in Lamayuru.
DAY FOUR: Lamayuru - Likir - Leh City sightseeing including Leh Palace and Tse Mo castle
Enjoy an optional early morning if you wish to see the local monks at the monastery perform their morning prayer ritual and the make your way back to Leh with a slight detour to Likir village where you can large Buddha statue in the small little village. Return to Leh for free time and in the evening, our driver will transfer you to the 16th century built Leh Palace where you can watch the sun set over the town. Return to our prearranged Leh based accommodation for rest and overnight stay.
DAY FIVE: Leh - Disket - Hundar - Sumoor
Depart Leh after breakfast and head towards ‘Nubra Valley’ which is popularly known as the ‘valley of flowers’ because of the variety of wildflowers and medicinal plants grown all over the local area. Situated in the northern part of Ladakh (between the Karakoram and Ladakh Himalayan ranges), the journey between Leh and Nubra takes you over ‘Khardong-la-pass’ which is the worlds highest motor-able road (located 18390 feet above sea level)! The journey to Nubra is a half-day drive of breathtaking landscapes and spectacular scenery and the experience is sure to be once-in-a-lifetime and truly unforgettable. On arrival in the Valley, you can visit the Disket monastery to see the 100 foot tall Buddha statue, and those who wish to enjoy a camel safari on Nubras resident camels, can climb aboard a double-humped camel in Hundar for a short safari in the cold desert sand dunes before arriving to the family owned luxury camp in time for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY SIX: Sumoor - Entsa – Panamik
In the morning you will visit Samstanling monastery in Sumoor before having a local style 'hot bath' at the Panamik hot springs. (Note: this is not be msitaken for a 'luxury spa', the hot srpings are renowned by the locals for the medicinal qualities and naturally hot water!) Take an optional two hour hike up to the small and mostly unknown ‘Entsa monastery’ (or go by road to the top) where you can take photos of the Siachen Glacier peaks and Karakoram Range. After a full day, make your way to a traditional Ladakhi home where you can enjoy a private walking tour of a family estate whilst learning about the traditional life of Nubra Valley people. Visit the sheep, watch the milking of a cow and return to the traditional floor style kitchen in the evening for a chance to sample (and make!) traditional Ladakhi cuisine for dinner.
DAY SEVEN: Panamik - Leh City tour
In the morning bid farewell to your local family and return to Leh with one last safari drive over Khardong La pass. Spend an hour or so walking around the town where you can shop for local handicrafts or purchase souvenirs
DAY EIGHT: Leh – Tso mo riri
An early start as you depart Leh for a highlight of the tour ‘Lake Tsomoriri’ located 14,000 ft. above sea level. The local area, known as ‘Changthang’ is a land of wilderness and magnificent landscapes and the lake itself is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds (like the bar headed goose, crested grebe, the Brahmini duck and the brown-headed gull). As you journey to and from the lake, you may be lucky enough to interact with the nomadic Changpa people who can often be seen moving from one place to another - grazing herds of goats, sheep and yaks produce saleable materials such as ropes, clothes and shoes. The changpa people are one of the few surviving tribes on earth to remain completely traditional despite the interaction of other civilizing influences. Bring your camera and spare batteries as today is just as much about the journey as it is the destination. Overnight stay in luxury camp.
DAY NINE: Tso mo riri - Leh
The early birds can watch the sunrise and the morning colours of the lake which changes it’s appearance and shades at different times of the day. Having said goodbye to the beautiful Tso Mo Riri you will come by Tso Kar lake – similar in appearance but much smaller than Tso Mo riri. Ride over Tag lang la pass (the worlds second highest motor-able road) and enjoy the spectacular scenery before arriving back in the early evening to your Leh based accommodation.
DAY TEN: Departure
Our driver will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you directly to the airport in time for your early morning flight.