Ladakh & Kashmir with Zanskar

Day 01: Arrive Leh
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
(This must be one of the Most Sensational Flights in The World. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.)
Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize followed by Welcome tea or Coffee at the Hotel.

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Evening visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Market.....
Overnight Hotel – Leh (L,D)

Day 02: Leh
Post breakfast guided Excursion to Monasteries;
Spituk Monastery; Built in 15th century during the reign of Grags ‘bum-lde, these new Gelug-pa monastery was built like fortress on the summit of crags.
Hall Of Fame near Leh is worth a visit for every citizen. It is a glorious museum constructed by Indian army.

Post lunch continue the sightseeing
Sankar Gompa; located at a distance of approximately 3 km from the town of Leh, Leh Palace is one of the most captivating architectural ruins that attract the attention of the tourists almost immediately with its majestic setting at the edge of the Namgyal hill and overlooking the town and at once looks like a reminiscent of Lhasa’s Potala Palace.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (D)

Day 03: Leh – Nubra valley via Khardung La 18,390 Ft. (120 Kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road In The World) at 5,602 Mtrs / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh.
From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. Upon arrival transfer to Camp / Hotel.
In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world.

A visit to a local Ladakhi home to know the culture living style.
Overnight Hotel/Camp – Nubra Valley (D)

Day 04: Nubra Valley – Leh (120 Kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Hunder and Enjoy the ride on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snow capped mountains on the horizon. Between Hunder and Diskit you come across sand dunes besides the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are rocky mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains.
On the return stop at Diskit which is the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Diskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley. Post Lunch drive back to Leh via Khardungla Top.

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Evening FREE...
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B,D)

Day 05: Leh To Pangong Lake (140 kms / 4 – 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven Pangong Lake en-route visiting Shey Palace; The ancient capital of Ladakh & 3 Idiots Rancho School & further 5 Kms Driving through a picturesque landscape Thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village.
Continue drive to Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs. The long easy ascent takes you to Changla pass through its winding roads passing through Sakti Village. Stop at the Changla Pass for a lifetime photography session and drive down to the village of Tangtse, recharge yourself with a cup of tea.
Later drive to Tangtse for Pangong after crossing few small villages Changthang a surprise view of the Pangong Lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). Blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the “Indo China Border”.
You will find yourself so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable.
Overnight Camp – Pangong (B,D)

Day 06: Pangong Lake To Leh (140 Kms / 6 Hrs)
Post breakfast Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake.
Later driven to leh en-route visiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Continue drive to Leh and transfer to hotel.

Evening FREE to explore the Local Market of Leh and enjoy shopping local souvenir.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B,D)

Day 07: Leh To Sham Valley (92 Kms / 4 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway en-route visiting Gurudwara Patthar Sahib Nestled deep in the Himalayas, A drive of another 4 km took us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity & further Driving through a picturesque landscape we reached the Confluence Of The Indus And Zanskar River, Just before Saspul a road to the right takes you for your visit to the Likir Monastery, Likir is one of the most active monasteries in the region. As you drive up to the monastery a recently installed colossal gilded image of the Maitreya out in the open is one of the most impressive sights in Ladakh.

Later drive along the River Indus to or Uletokpo or Tingmosgang en-route visiting Ridzong Monastery, there is the option to walk up to the Monastery for those that wish to do so. Hidden at the end of a steep valley, the first view of the Monastery is dramatic.

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Rest of the time FREE for relax.
Overnight Camp – Sham Valley (B,D)

Day 08: Tingmosgang - Kargil via Lamayuru (143 Kms / 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Kargil en-route visiting the 11th century Lamayuru Monastery and mesmerizing MOON LANDSCAPES (you will believe why the name of this area is Moonland. Exactly the same formations of Land are visible as on the moon), Later Drive to KARGIL over Fatu-la (13,489 ft) which is the highest pass on Srinagar – Leh road. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

Rest of the DAY at leisure.
Overnight Hotel – Kargil (B,D)

Day 09: Kargil - Rangdum (130 Kms / 6 Hrs) 
Post breakfast drive towards Rangdum village is an elliptical expanded plateau that is situated midway between Kargil and Padum. Located 130 km south-east of Kargil, in the beautiful Suru Valley in Leh District, Rangdum is surrounded by steep hills, pastures, streams and rocky mountains. Being the farthest region of the Suru Valley at an altitude of 3657 meters, it has evolved with a wild beauty. This isolated place is known for an old monastery, which is one of the most revered Buddhist places in Leh-Ladakh.

On arrival transfer to Camp / Hotel / Guest House
Rest of the day FREE.
Overnight Hotel – Ragdum (B,D)

Day 10: Rangdum – Padum via Suru Valley (131 Kms / 5 Hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Padum the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is the present day administrative headquarters of the region. With a population of nearly 1500, Padum can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a very scarcely inhabited valley.

En-route visit Sani Monastery; of Ladakh belongs to the southern branch of the Drukpa Kagyupa School. It is situated approximately 6 km to the west of Padum. The entire Sani Monastery of Ladakh has been built in parts, each dating back to a different century. On arrival transfer to to Camp / Hotel / Guest House.

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Rest of the day FREE.
Overnight Hotel – Kargil (B,D)

Day 11: Padum Day Excursion to Karsha & Bardan Gompa  (Approx 5 – 6 Hrs)
Post breakfast Day Excursion Karsha & Bardhan

Karsha Monastery of Ladakh is situated in the Karsha village of the Zanskar region (9 km long link road, across an iron bridge over the Stod river). Built picturesquely along the steeply rising mountainside above Karsha village, the monastery can be seen from far.
Bardan Gompa is a 17th century Buddhist monastery. Approximately 12 kilometres south of Padum, in Zanskar, Ladakh, northern India. Bardan Monastery of Ladakh, standing atop a rocky crag, belongs to the Dugpa-Kargyud monastic order and was one of the first monasteries of this sect to be established in Zanskar. The monastery also ran several smaller hermitages in the area.

Later drive back camp.
Overnight Camp – Padum (B,D)

Day 12: Padum Day excursion to Stongde & Zangla (Approx 6 – 7 Hrs)
Post breakfast Day excursion to Stongde & Zangla;
Stongdey; lies 18-km to the north of Padum, on the road leading to Zangla. An old foundation associated with the Tibetan Yogi, Marpa, Stongdey is now the second largest monastic establishment of Zanskar, inhabited by the resident community of about 60 Gelukpa monks.

Zangla; Lying deep in the northern arm of Zanskar at the end of the 35 km. Long rough road from Padum, Zangla was being ruled by a titular king till his death a few years back.  Later drive back to camp.
Overnight Camp – Padum (B,D)

Day 13: Padum – Rangdum via Suru Valley (131 Kms/5 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Rangdum via Suru Valley. On rival transfer to camp.

Rest of the time FREE for relax.
Overnight Camp – Rangdum (B,D)

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Day 14: Rangdum – Kargil (130 Kms / 6 Hrs)
Post breakfast driven to Kargil.
Overnight Camp – Kargil (B,D)

Day 15: Kargil – Srinagar (Road Drive)
Early morning drive to Srinagar passing through Drass, the second coldest inhabited Place on earth and you can have spectacular view of Kargil War famous Peaks Tiger Hill and Tololing Peak. Pay a tribute to Vijay Smarak, dedicated to Indian Soldiers who laid their lives for us during Kargil War in 1999. Arrive Srinagar in the Noon.

Rest of the time FREE to enjoy the Beautiful DAL Lake.
Overnight Houseboat – Srinagar (B,D)

Day 16: Srinagar
Post breakfast sightseeing of Srinagar (Lake City) visiting Shankaracharya Temple & Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) & Shalimar Bagh (Garden of Pleasure).
Overnight Houseboat – Srinagar (B,D)

Day 17: Srinagar Departure
Transfer to airport to board the flight for home country taking back wonderful memory of Ladakh & Kashmir with Zanskar.

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.