Best Adventure and Tour Company

Trip Overview

Start – Manali

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

  1. Meals not mentioned in inclusions.
  2. Transport that is not mentioned in inclusions.
  3. Any porter charges.
  4. Any entry fees to monuments / wildlife region / trek.
  5. Any expense of personal nature packaged drinking water / phone calls / laundry / camera, etc.
  6. Any kind of travel insurance.
  7. Costs arising due to force majeure.
  8. 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?

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Things to do in Ladakh

  • 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.
  • The highway is open only for 4-5 months post June till mid October due to accumulation of snow at mountain passes.
  • 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.
  • Visit Pangong Tso, highest brackish water lake shared between two countries India and China.
  • Visit remote villages i.e Turtuk, Hanle, Korzok, etc.
  • Trekking in trans – Himalayan region, Mountaineering, etc.

Best time to go

  • August and September – All the roads, passes are open from both the sides i.e., Manali as well as Srinagar. Most of the snow melts away by August and September. The danger of landslides due to overflow of few rivers is less likely in this period. Day temperatures are pleasant while nights are colder.
  • June and October – The starting and ending of the season offers travellers picturesque sights of snow in and around the passes area. Day temperatures are hotter as compared to nights which are much
    colder .
  • October to May – The major part of Ladakh in these months are covered with snow. Days are cool while nights are colder. It’s a different experience to see Ladakh covered with snow. The snow starts to melt away after spring.The only way to reach Leh in this duration is by taking a flight to Leh.

Weather

  • June – October – Mornings and Evenings are cool, day temperature is pleasant. Camp sites are very cold.
  • October to May – Days are cold, Morning and evenings are super cold where temperature is sometimes sub zero.

How to reach Ladakh

  • By Air
    Leh, the administrative town has its own airport and is functional throughout the year.
  • By Train
    Nearest railhead is Jammu. (around 700 km from ) . After reaching Jammu, one has to take the Jammu – Srinagar – Leh stretch to reach Leh.
  • By Road
    There are two major highways to reach Leh, namely, Srinagar – Leh highway and another is Manali – Leh highway. Due to accumulation of snow at high mountain passes, both the highways are open only for four – five months between June and October.
  • Manali – Leh highway -Manali – leh highway is one of the most dangerous and adventurous highway and is quite famous among bike riders and SUV drivers for the adrenaline rush it offers. This highway is divided between the state of Himachal Pradesh and union territory Ladakh.
    The route is – Manali – Rohtang pass – Sissu – Tandi – Keylong – Jispa – Baralacha pass – Sarchu – Nakeela pass – Lachunglung la – Pang – Moore plains – Tanglang la – Upshi – Leh Srinagar – leh highway – This national highway is divided among Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
    The route is – Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi la – Drass – Kargil – Namika la – Fotu la – Lamayuru – Nimmu – Leh

Packing

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the places you are visitingand when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and
make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances or up
or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the
trip without having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

You’ll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:

INDICAFILA ULTIMATE PACKING LIST

Due to the diversity and breadth of our trips, our ultimate packing list should be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list to suit every trip. What you bring will vary according to the trip style you’ve chosen, the places you’re visiting and the time of year and the weather when you’re travelling. Please check the Essential Trip Information of your chosen trip, which will detail any specific requirements for your trip and is tailored to suit your needs. It will also cover the type and size of luggage that can be taken, as for some trips there may be certain weight (ie. for trips with included flights) or size (ie. for trips using safari vehicles) restrictions for your luggage. Some packing guides for some of our most popular destinations are also listed at the bottom of this page.

If you have any questions about what to pack, please get in touch with our customer service team.

Travel documents

  • Passport/ country specific id card
  • Visas if required
  • Travel insurance policy if taken
  • 24 hr emergency travel insurance contact and policy number
  • Flight/ train/bus e-tickets
  • Your travel itinerary
  • Photocopies of important documents
  • A print out of your trip's Essential Trip Information
  • Spare passport photos
  • Youth/student/seniors cards for travel discounts
  • International driving licence if needed
  • Diving licence if needed
  • Cash/credit cards
  • 2500 INR contingency fund in cash
  • Money belt or pouch

Luggage

On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage. Most travellers use a small, wheeled suitcase although the type of luggage most suitable will vary depending on your trip and destination. Please refer to the packing section of your Essential Trip Information for any specific luggage requirements. You will also need a daypack/bag to use during the day.

  • Main luggage
  • Daypack
  • Padlocks & keys

Personal items

  • First aid kit
  • Personal medication/prescriptions
  • Glasses & sunglasses
  • Contact lenses and solution
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • Antihistamine/insect bite cream
  • Antibacterial gel/wipes
  • Motion sickness tablets
  • Travel vaccination certificates
  • Aspirin and/or paracetamol
  • Rehydration powder
  • Anti-diarrhoea pills
  • Toiletries
  • sanitary pads
  • Travel hair dryer
  • Shaving equipment
  • Small travel towel
  • Small sewing kit and safety pins
  • Consult your doctor for detailed advice on any medications

Travel accessories

  • Electrical adapter
  • Camera and equipment
  • Spare batteries/charger
  • Phone
  • Portable games/playing cards
  • Something to read
  • Water bottle
  • Pen/paper/diary
  • Travel pillow
  • Cloth/reusable shopping bags
  • Torch/flashlight
  • Water purification method
  • Photos or postcards of your home country/family/pets to share with locals
  • Binoculars
  • DVT socks

Clothing

Please check your Essential Trip Information for details on appropriate clothing for your itinerary and destination. On some trips access to laundries may be limited so you may need to plan to hand wash your own clothes while on trip. For longer trips we recommend you choose clothing that is easy to wash and fast drying.

  • Sun hat
  • Windproof jacket
  • Long-/short-sleeved shirts
  • Jeans/trousers/shorts/skirts
  • Socks/underwear
  • Flip-flops
  • Sleepwear

Cold weather

  • Thermal underwear or base layers
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves
  • Hand warmers
  • Waterproof boots
  • Warm socks
  • Scarf

Swimming

  • Swimwear
  • Beach towel
  • Reef shoes
  • Reef-safe sunscreen

Wet weather

  • Raincoat/waterproof jacket
  • Umbrella
  • Waterproof bags for rain protection
  • Waterproof trousers

Walking or hiking

  • Walking/trekking shoes
  • Trekking/leech socks
  • Hiking poles/walking sticks

Camping

  • Inner sleep sheet
  • Travel pillow
  • Camping mattress
  • Sleeping bag
  • Head torch/lamp