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Nubra Valley Tour Ladakh
Ladakh & The Nubra Valley
Duration - 8 nights / 9 days
Day 01: Arrive at Leh airport by morning flight from
Delhi. This flight is 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.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. You
would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since
you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi
to over 11,000 feet! During the afternoon, you can walk
through the old town, beneath the Leh Palace, to allow you
to get oriented to this fascinating city. Overnight in a
hotel.
You may book your flights at www.indian-airlines.com &
http://www.itn.net/cgi/get?itn/air/jetairwaysusb/index
Day 02: In Leh - visit to Shankar Gompa &
Castle (Height 3730 M)
The morning is at leisure to acclimatize to the rarefied
air. You may choose to stroll along the main bazaar - observing
the varied crowds. Looking into curio shops is an engaging
experience. A particularly attractive sight is the line
of women from nearby villages sitting along the edge of
the footpath with baskets of fresh vegetables brought for
sale. Behind the main bazaar, Chang Gali is less bustling
but has interesting little shops selling curios and jewellery.
Further on are the labyrinthine alleyways and piled-up houses
of the old town, clustering around the foot of the Palace
Hill. In the other direction, down the bazaar, are the Tibetan
markets where one can bargain for pearls, turquoise, coral,
lapis lazuli and many other kinds of semi-precious stones
and jewellery, as well as carved yak-horn boxes, quaint
brass locks, china or metal bowls, or any of a whole array
of curios. When tired of strolling, one can step into any
of the several restaurants; some of them located in gardens
or on the sidewalks and serve local Tibetan, Indian and
Continental cuisine.
Also walk to the Leh Palace & Shankar Gompa, which belongs
to Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gompa
is a branch of Spituk Gompa, founded by the first incarnation
of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk monastery). Return
to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: In Leh - Visit to Thikse (Height 3230 M)
- Hemis Gompa (Height 3450 M) - Stok Palace (Height 3650
M)
You begin the day by visiting Thikse monastery, which is
one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region.
It dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Gelug-pa
Sect. It is headed by successive reincarnations of the Khanpo
Rimpoche. The monastery is 12 storied and painted in deep
shades of red, ochre and white. It has evolved around a
central courtyard with buildings surrounding it from three
sides. At one extreme lies the main dukhang, which houses
numerous racks containing religious texts. Behind the main
alter lies a small chamber that contains images of revered
deities.
Continue your drive on a well mettled broad road traveling
upstream along the Indus River to HEMIS GOMPA, crossing
over the Indus at the village of Karu. The most famous of
Ladakh's monasteries, Hemis or Changchub Samstanling (The
love palace of the compassionate person), dates back to
the 17th century and was built over a period of 40 years
(1602 - 1642 A.D.). Today Hemis is well known for its festival
or Hemis Tsechu commemorating the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava.
In the year of the Monkey (every 12 years) a giant thangka
depicting Guru Padmasambhava is unfurled from the terrace
draping the five-storey facade. Delicately wrought in pearls
and appliqué, it is one of the most famous art treasures
of Ladakh. The central courtyard forms the focus for the
masked dances held every year in summer. In the dukhang,
remnants of the original 17th century murals can be seen.
The gompa boasts of an excellent library, well preserved
frescoes and murals, silver gilt chortens and a Kashmiri
lacquered wooden throne.
On the return journey to Leh, drive to STOK PALACE, which
is the present residence of the former royal family of Ladakh.
King Teswang Thondup Namgyal built the palace in 1825. The
last king of Ladakh died here in 1974. The main palace is
five storeys high. The palace museum displays the collections
of the royal family. In the queen's chamber can be seen
royal ornaments such as the beautifully crafted turquoise
studded perak (head dress), the queen's crown as well as
the necklace of the Balti Princess, Gyal Khatun. Within
the king's room are displayed exquisite thangkas, most significant
of which is the set of 35 thangkas depicting the stories
relating to the former lives of Buddha. Other artifacts
include silver chortens, the king's crown and a 7th century
image of Avalokitesvara as well as jade cups, fine porcelain
and ritual objects.
A Gompa is situated behind the museum and contains some
ritual dance marks and frescoes. An annual archery contest
is held here in July. Return to your hotel for dinner and
an overnight stay.
Day 4: Leh - Alchi
(HT 3250 M) - approx 70 km/ 2 hrs - Uletytokpo (HT 3040
M) - Approx 1 hr
Today you will drive to ALCHI. The complex of temples located
within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh's monasteries
and dates back to the 11th century. The complex consists
of a group of five temples as well as a number of chortens
scattered around the complex. The Dukhang and the three-tiered
Sumstek are the most significant. It is the seat of the
Ngri Rimpoche, an incarnation at present embodied in the
younger brother of the Dalai Lama. Alchi Gompa is the only
monastery, built on flat ground. It is very famous for its
paintings and architecture, which has an Indian and Kashmiri
influence in them. After lunch you will proceed to Ulleytokpo
camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Ulleytokpo - Lamayuru (HT 3460 M) - approx 1 ½
hrs - Leh - approx 4 hrs
After breakfast you will drive to the 11th century LAMAYURU
MONASTERY, which is spectacularly located along the valley
plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides. According
to legend, the arhat Madhyantika, a disciple of Buddha offered
"torma' (sacred food) and water to the spirits inhabiting
the site to satisfy them. A handful of rain spilled on the
soil which caused barley plants to sprout in the shape of
Yung-drung (swastika), hence its name Yung-Drung. The great
yogi Naropa meditated in a cave, which today forms part
of the monastery. The monastery has gradually expanded over
the years and newer structures have been built around a
large courtyard. The antiquity of this site is evident from
the large number of chortens, similar to those at Alchi.
After the visit you will be driving back to your hotel in
Leh for an overnight stay.
Day 6:
Leh - Over Khardung La (HT 5602 M) - Hunder (HT 4350 M)
(Nubra Valley) - approx 5 hrs
The road journey from Leh to NUBRA VALLEY passes over KHARDUNG
LA (the highest motorable road in the world) at 5602 M /
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. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers
drain Nubra. The flat part of the river is sandy & occupied
by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty
with greenery, willow & poplar trees. Till partition
Nubra Valley was one of the trade centers, the ancient famous
Silk Route passed through this area.
Before proceeding to your camp at Hunder, stop to visit
DISKIT MONASTERY perched on a rock overhanging next to a
stream, which provides the source of energy used by mills
in the area. The monastery is rich, full of thangkas, magnificent
giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings
in which can be noted a multitude of influences. It was
founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod around 1420 A.D. DISKIT
is the main village or headquarters of Nubra Valley, which
has a small market consisting of a row of shops.
After your visit to the monastery and shortly after leaving
Diskit you will comes across sand dunes on the right of
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. Overnight
in your camp at Hunder.
Day 7: In
Nubra Valley - Bacterian Camel Safari at Hunder - Panamik
- approx 1 ½ hrs - Samstanling Gompa in Sumoor -
approx ½ hr - Hunder - approx 1 hrs
After breakfast you will get the unique opportunity to ride
on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes
of this high altitude desert with snow capped mountains
on the horizon. Thereafter, crossing over the Shayok River
you will be driving upstream long the Saichen River to Panamik.
The place has a number of hot springs on the right of the
road just before entering the village. Panamik is literally
the end of the road for this trip, as one has to return
from this spot. On the return journey you stop by to visit
SAMSTANLING GOMPA founded by Lama Tsultims Nima. The Gompa
has some strict rules and regulations like not allowing
women in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise,
no smoking etc. From here you will drive back to Hunder
for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day
8: Hunder - Leh - approx 3 hrs
After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon
rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight
at your hotel.
Day 9: Leh - Delhi
Transfer to the airport to fly to Delhi. Tour Ends.
Please let us know the number of people travelling
on this tour and we will send you the total cost. We also
specialize in customizing the tour. Should you need any
changes we would be happy to modify the itinerary.
The tour may include arrangements such as accommodation,
travel, meals, permit, guides, activities etc. or services
as required by the client.
How
to book
The booking
of this itinerary is with Asian Adventures, F-313,
Lado Sarai, New Delhi - 110030. Phone: (+91 11) 44128785
. Email: wildindiatours@vsnl.com
To confirm your booking
please send a 25% deposit by wire transfer to Standard Chartered
Bank, Account No 52805001839 which is in the name of "Asian
Adventures", using Swift Code "SCBLINBBDEL".
Branch address: M-1 NDSE Part I, New Delhi-110049. India.
Or you can send a cheque payable to Asian Adventures at
F-313, Lado Sarai, New Delhi - 110030. India
Cancellation charges are 30
days before arrival date 25%, 21 days before arrival date
50%, 15 days before arrival date 90%, 7 days before arrival
date 100% of the total itinerary cost.
Remaining
balance to reach Asian Adventures at least 30 days before
tour commencement by wire transfer (to bank account
stated above) or by sending a cheque made payable to Asian
Adventures to the above address. Alternatively you can pay
the balance in cash upon arrival.
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