Trip Overview
Finish – Manali
Destination – Ladakh
Theme – Adventure
Duration – 9 Nights 10 days
Category – #adventure #culture #spiritual #religious #leisure #slowtravel #trekking
Style – #luxury #backpacking #diy #fixeddeparture
Trip Summary
Only the Best of friends and the worst of enemies visit Us – Old Ladakhi quote.
A cold desert beyond the Himalayas, with difficult and high passes , the above quote aptly fits Ladakh. A biker’s, photographer’s and a trekker’s paradise, Ladakh has never disappointed any traveller as of yet. One of nature’s own masterpieces, this place boasts of majestic peaks, highest road passes and lakes so large that they make the border of two countries, all in spite of being in the middle of a cold desert. Magnificent monasteries built over difficult terrain and warm hearted people, give this place a cultural appeal that is unmatched for. Even the cuisine is an experience in itself. If you think that you have seen it all or have seen numerous cultures and destinations, well my friend, you haven’t yet been to Ladakh !
Why you will love this trip?
- Manali – Leh adventure filled road trip to reach Leh, The administrative city of Ladakh district.
- The Highway offers paved and offroads along with crossing of 5 high mountain passes to reach Leh.
- Part of Buddhist circle, Monasteries and amazing place to experience the mesmerising Tibetan culture.
- Tibetan food, cafes, and markets selling local clothing, stones, souvenirs,etc
- Pristine lakes and high roads with varied flora and fauna.
- Rafting in the Zanskar river.
- Astrophotography. Due to being remotely located and less pollution, Offbeat locations in Ladakh offer a great night sky view of milky way, shooting stars, etc by naked eyes.
- Trekking in trans – Himalayan region, Mountaineering, etc
Is this trip right for you?
- Ladakh is situated at 3000m above sea level. It could get difficult for those suffering from breathing problems or asthma to take this trip.
- Old age people and women suffering with arthritis should avoid staying in camp as it requires a lot of walking.
- Families having infants and children up to 6 years of age should avoid travelling to Ladakh
- This trip requires a lot of road travel which is very hard for people suffering from back aches.
- Ladakh is known for it’s unpredictable and harsh weather conditions . So,be prepared accordingly.
- Don’t travel to high passes if you feel something is not correct with your body.
Itinerary
Congratulations you have just begun the most adventurous trip of your life.
After arriving in Manali you can opt for some café hopping as Manali has some of the best cafes and go for some sightseeing . Make sure you get acclimated to the weather. Cross check your checklist for Ladakh so that you don’t miss out on anything or else buy from the market.
Here comes the second day where we will be travelling from Manali to Jispa. One can reach Jispa directly via Leh-Manali highway, which has two different routes, one is through Rohtang Pass which is more time consuming , and other is through Atal tunnel. If you are considering riding on your own to Jispa via Rohtang then get a Rohtang pass in advance for a smooth commute.
Leave early the next morning to reach Leh. Enjoy the magnificent views throughout the journey. You can stop at beautiful spots like Deepak tal, Moore plains,etc . This journey could get challenging as the oxygen level becomes low. Don’t take long breaks at the passes as staying at such height could be dangerous and you may require medical attention.
Welcome to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. After a tiring 3 day journey make sure you take some rest as the adventure has just started! You can start the exploration by visiting breathtaking monasteries in Leh like Shey and Thiksey Monastery which date back to the 15 th century. And don’t forget to witness the magnificent Sanagm of Indus and Zanskar River and the phenomenon that defies gravity, the Magnetic Hill.
Now, it’s time to visit the cold desert, Nubra valley via the Khardung La Pass.
The Nubra Valley is home to some amazing sand dunes, and a camel ride amidst those magnificent dunes is the best way to experience them. What is even more unique about these camels is that they are very different from the ones found in Rajasthan. These camels have two humps and were used in transportation to travel the silk route. The Diskit monastery located in the capital of Nubra valley, Diskit is a sure place to visit. You can also visit the Yarab Tso Lake and feel the calmness there.
Our journey in Ladakh is not over yet. While returning from Nubra valley, visit the Shanti Stupa in Leh which is 3-4 km from the Main Bazaar. It holds historical importance and was made as a part of the Peace Pagoda mission. Get a panoramic view of the surroundings.
The most astounding spot of this trip has arrived! The Pangong Tso lake is known for its picturesque beauty. What makes it unique is that it is a land-locked lake. Those who have watched the infamous 3 Idiots must remember the ending scene of the movie which was shot at this same location. Travel to Pangong and stay there for the day and take some rest for the remaining journey.
While returning to Leh, you can visit the poised and awe-inspiring Hemis monastery. Mountains and cafes have a different kind of relationship. So, café hopping is a must in Leh as it has some of the best cafes. Enjoy your food and the remarkable views. Take a stroll in a local market to buy local gems, tibetan flags and other souvenirs. Make sure to capture all your moments and wrap them in the blanket of your memories.
A long and treacherous last leg of the trip.
After checking out from Leh hotel, we start our journey to Sarchu, the last campsite before we complete our journey. Sarchu is located at the border of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. It’s one of the campsites located on Manali Leh highway. Sarchu is very windy and chilly. We make our night stop here enjoying bonfire, vast skywatch and local delicacies.
After breakfast, we check out from the camp and start for the final destination i.e. Manali.
The trip comes to an end. Surely, Ladakh has made a profound impact on you that makes you want to visit again. Well we will be here to help you.
Inclusions
Meals
9 Breakfast
4 dinner (only at camp in Jispa, Nubra valley, Pangong Lake and Sarchu)
Transport- 6 seater SUV / 10 seater tempo traveller
Manali - Leh - Nubra valley - Leh - Pangong Lake - Leh - Manali Sightseeing in Leh.
Accomodation
4 nights in camp
5 nights in Hotel / Homestays
Add on activities (Chargeable)
1. Adventure activities - rafting / rock climbing / trekking.
2. Entry permits.
3. Bike / Scooter / Mountain bicycle on rent.
Exclusions
- Meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Transport that is not mentioned in inclusions.
- Any porter charges.
- Any entry fees to monuments / wildlife region / trek.
- Any expense of personal nature packaged drinking water / phone calls / laundry / camera, etc.
- Any kind of travel insurance.
- Costs arising due to force majeure.
- Anything which is not mentioned in the inclusions
Essential Trip Information
Things to do in this trip? What weather you can expect during the trip? What are the best months to visit? What to pack and what not to?
