» Discover Ladakh Tour [at least 7 days]
Leh - Alchi - Lamayuru - Leh
A first ride in Ladakh, in Himalaya high mountains, will plunge you into a disconcerting world. Drive or hike across breathtaking landscapes, visit Buddhist gompas (monasteries), and stop by villages inhabited by a population always hospitable despite dire living conditions.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Leh
Transfer from Leh Airport to the city where you can rest few days for a better acclimatization to altitude.
Visit Stok Palace, former residency of Ladakh's kings, Leh Palace and Shangkar Monastery. Walk around Shanti Stupa at sunset.
D2: around Leh
Visit Spitok, Matho and Hemis gompas, Ladakh most influential institutions. Shey and Thikshe gompas offers beautiful work of art.
The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies in Choglamsar will help you understand Buddhist culture and Tibetan heritage (traditional Amchi medicine, sacred handicraft...).
D3: Alchi
Leave for Alchi en route visiting Phyang's lovely gompa and Basgo village, which once was a capital city. Alchi was built around Buddhist temples dating back to 11th century, decorated with Kashmiri art prior to development of Tibetan art.
D4: Likir
Likir was one of Ladakh's oldest gompas. Built at early 12th century, it was fully restored at the 18th century after a fire. The Dalai-Lama's brother lives there amongst other lamas and children novices. Overnight in Likir or Alchi.
OPTION : Brok-pa tribes of Dah Hanu [+ 2 days]
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- Discover an isolated region inhabited by the Brok-pas, originating Dardic populations who had migrated from Central Asia to Afghanistan, Kashmir and Indus Valley. They are proud of their preserved traditions and claims of glorious Aryan ancestry.
Drive along the Indus river across the villages of Skurbuchen, Alchinathang, then Dah and Biama.
D5: Lamayuru
Visit one of Ladakh's oldest shrine in Lamayuru, venerated since late 9th century. Don't miss the celebration of puja in afternoon. The monasteries are also set in a breathtaking geological formation.
D6: Lamayuru
Lamayuru is the starting point of many treks like the famous and arduous Zanskar trek. Today you can walk up to Prinkiti La pass (3,650 m high) to get a view on the Zanskar Mountain range, or hike towards Heninskot, Wanlah, Hanupatta, Khalse...
D7: back to Leh
Click [+] et [-] to check out our suggestions:
Extension to Nubra Valley... [+ 3 days]
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D8-9: Drive North to explore the valleys hollowed by Shyok and Nubra rivers at the bottom of the Karakorum range. On the way, you will pass the world highest motorable road at Khardung La (5,600 m).
Visit the villages of Deskit, with an important Gelup-ka gompa, then Hunder, an area of desert strangely opposing to the surrounding snowcapped peaks. There you can catch a sight of Bactrian camels (2 humps), some of which wild, who were also used for ancient caravans.
D10: Back to Leh
...or to Pongong Lake [+ 3 days]
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D8-9: Drive to Pongong Tso through the isolated region of Changtang. The road drives up to 5,450 m high, along a river which attracts a broad range of animals and birds.
This intensely blue lake stretches as far as the eye can see --more than 100 km long, most of which behind the Tibetan border.
D10 : Back to Leh
for this tour (Ref. Discover Ladakh) or similar.