Nubra Valley Safari (14 Days)
Journey to Nubra Valley north of Leh is unique for several reasons. Firstly, you can access it by the highest motorable road in the world, traversing the stunning Khardung La at 5600m above sea level. Get captivated by the Saser Spur's views, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram further north and the Zanskar range, and the main chain of the Himalayas to the south. Second, from the impressive highs, we descend to a picturesque valley with an average altitude of 3000 meters and a milder climate than the rest of Ladakh. And third, this valley once constituted the last staging ground for the caravan trade with Central Asia. Here started the route taken by the trade caravans. Panamik, the final village on this circuit, is a sleepy outpost today, but at that time, it was a busy center. It was the last major settlement before the caravans plunged into the Karakoram mountains and the Kun-Lun on their way to Yarkand, Kashgar, and other parts of Chinese Turkestan and Tibet. Today a reminder of this bygone era is the small population of Bactrian camels. These double-humped animals in the old days were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes when up to 10,000 horses and camels a year are said to have traversed the district.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Evening in leisure, and we go out for dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Delhi–Leh
Early morning transfer to domestic airport to catch flight for Leh. Upon arrival at Leh, transfer to the hotel. The day is for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Free day to acclimatize yourself.
We give you a free day to acclimatize yourself at 3400m above sea level. Afternoon and evening spend at leisure. We take you for a short walk to get acclimatized. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4: Leh–Shey–Thiksey–Hemis
On this day, you will go on a sightseeing trip to some ancient monasteries in this area. Shey Gompa is about 15 km from Leh. It used to be the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. There are lots of Stupas and Gompas built around the palace. Deldan Namgyal built the Shey palace at the beginning of 17th century AD. The main attraction in Shey is the 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue inside the Dresthang Gompas. Thiksey Gompa, close to Shey, is about 17 km from Leh. The monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Ladakh and belongs to the Gelugpa order. Hemis, about 45 km south of Leh is one of the most famous and largest monasteries in Ladakh. It belonged to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17th century. The setting is perfect, with the monastery cradled in a lovely valley surrounded by streams. Overnight stay at the guest house.
Day 5: Leh-Panamik
In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Panamik via Gangles village. Then crossing over Khardung La, we enter Nubra valley and rest at the Nubra River camp at Panamik.
Day 6: Panamik-Ansa–Panamik
Morning visit Ansa monastery on a hilltop across the Nubra River. Afternoon visit Panamik village and the hot springs. Overnight stay at the camp in Panamik.
Day 7: Panamik-Kyagar-Samstanling-Sumur–Diskit
Drive to Diskit, en-route visit Samstanling monastery and Sumur monastery Overnight camp at Diskit.
Day 8: Diskit-Hunder–Diskit
Morning drive to Hunder and visit the monastery. Later explore the town of Diskit, headquarter of Nubra. Overnight camp in Diskit.
Day 9: Diskit–Leh
Leave Diskit after breakfast. Arrive in Leh in the evening. We get together with the entire group for dinner in a local restaurant and discuss the tour. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Leh
In the morning after breakfast, visit Phyang, Spituk, and Stok Museum. We drive back to Leh for lunch. We leave you free for the evening to visit the local market and buy souvenirs for your friends and family from Leh. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Leh-Delhi
In the morning after breakfast, take an early morning flight to Delhi. Arrival at New Delhi domestic airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 12: New Delhi-Agra (250 Km) 6 hours
After breakfast, we drive to Agra crossing Delhi and then entering Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest states in India. The trail passes through many industrial areas and the fertile land of the Indo-Gangetic plains. We make a stopover at a Rajasthani cuisine restaurant. Arrival at Agra and transfer to hotel. Evening visit to Agra Fort. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13: Agra–New Delhi (250 Km) 6 hours
We make an early visit to the Taj Mahal to see the sunrise. Mughal Emperor Shah-Jahan built this beautiful monument of love. Placed among the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal was built in the loving memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz. The graves of the couple are resting in peace within the Taj Mahal itself. Drive back to the hotel for breakfast, and after breakfast, we checkout from the hotel and continue our drive back to New Delhi.
Day 14: New Delhi International Airport
Early morning transfer to International Airport, New Delhi, to board flight back home.
