Discover Ladakh The Land of Monks

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days

Destination Covered: Delhi - Chandigarh - Manali - Sarchu - Leh - Pangong Lake - Lamayuru - Alchi - Likir - Basgo - Chumathang - Tso Moriri Lake - Tso Khar Lake - Tanglang La Pass - Leh - Delhi

Tour Highlights

DELHI: Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar

MANALI: Manikaran Temple, Rohtang Pass

SARCHU: Transit /Camping, Landscape

LEH:Shankar, Spituk & Phyang Monasteries, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Leh Market

PANGONG: Pangong Lake

LAMAYURU:Alchi Monasteries, Liki Monastereis

BASGO: Royal Palace, Ser Zung Temple

CHUMATHANG: Hot Spring

TSO MORIRI: Tso Moriri lake, Sulphur springs & Geysers (shooting fountain)

Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) Caper's representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.

Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.

Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.

Overnight Hotel - Delhi (B)

Day 2 Delhi - Chandigarh (by Train Shatabdi Express 0700/1100 Hrs)
Chandigarh - Manali (325 Km / 08 Hrs)
Today we transfer you on time to the railway station to board the train for Chandigarh . Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and leave for a long scenic drive to Manali. Arrival and check in at hotel.

Overnight Hotel - Manali (B)

Day 3 Manali
Manali is a popular hill resort in Himalayas and known for its beautiful surroundings and gateway to Ladakh.
Overnight Hotel - Manali (B)

Day 4 Manali – Sarchu (By Jeep 225 Km / 9 Hrs)
Today we drive down from Manali to Sarchu which is a transit stop for a long drive to Leh.

Manali-Leh highway is considered as one of the highest roads in the world and an extremely popular and spectacular approach to Ladakh. It's open from end June to October. It's a very scenic route, full of adventure and rugged beauty. The road was closed for the civilian use till 1990, but now the adventure and nature lovers worship it, for this road gives closest contact with nature and thrill of being on the top of the world is enormous.

Today we cross Rohtang Pass (3978 m), Keylong (3350 m), Baralacha Pass (4890 m) with overnight stopover at Sarchu (4253 m), border of the states of Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh).

Overnight Camp - Sarchu (B, L, D)

Day 5 Sarchu – Tso Moriri (210 Km / 8 Hrs)
Today we drive towards Tso Moriri Lake. From Leh we reach Upshi on Leh-Manali road & then turn to another valley & drive along the mighty Indus River. It is one of the most interesting areas & goes through narrow valleys, sandy deserts, rocky paths, & our vehicle crosses number of mountain streams. On the way we visit Chumathang, famous for its hot springs that has medicinal properties & Sumdah village from where Korzok village is another 55 km. Little before Tso Moriri

Lake we drive past a small green valley famous for wild Marmots locally known as Phya. We arrive at Korzok village (4572 m) in the evening and check-in to the Camps slightly away from the village. Korzok (4572 m), the only village near Tso Moriri Lake, is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu region with an approximate population of 500 people. The few barley fields at Karzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world. In the evening we visit Korzok Monastery.
Overnight Camp - Tso Moriri (B, L, D)

Day 06 Tso Moriri Lake - Tso Khar Lake -Tanglang La Pass – Leh (225 Km / 08-09 Hrs)
Today we drive to Mahe village where the road turns left towards Puga Valley, a grassy plain with a small sacred stream, Sulphur springs & Geysers (shooting fountain). We continue driving to Tsokar via Polokongka Pass (4116 m) and visit Tso Khar (4485 m). It is also called White Lake because of salt deposits around it. The Lake is so salty that the salt extracted from its margins are still sold all over Ladakh. The place is also famous for Kiangs (Tibetan Wild Ass), which are generally seen here grazing & moving in groups. From here a short drive takes us to Leh-Manali road and we continue towards Leh via Tanglang Pass (5329 m), the third highest motorable point in the world. En route we drive past beautiful villages of Rumtse, Gya, Miru & Lato. We arrive Leh in the evening
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, L, D).

Day 07 Leh
Day at leisure today for you to explore the land of monks, lakes and yaks.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, L, D)

Day 08 Leh Monasteries
We leave for a full day tour of the monasteries around Leh & visit Shankar, Spituk & Phyang monasteries. Later in the afternoon we walk around Leh town & visit Leh Market, Leh Palace ruins, Leh Gompa & Shanti Stupa.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, L, D)

Day 09 Leh - Pangong Lake (4267 m) (160 Km / 6-7 Hrs)
After early breakfast we drive to Pangong Lake. From Leh we reach Karu, an Army camp on Leh-Manali road & then turn left & cross Changla Pass (5335 m) & finally to Tangtse. From here to Lukung is a 32 Km / 2 Hrs drive along a rough dirt road through spectacular barren mountain scenery. At Lukung there are many flat green stretches of land with clean streams ideal for camping. We arrive at Muglib in the evening.

Tonight we stay near Pangong Lake (4267m), a long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly 6-7 km at its widest point and over 135 km long. About a third of the lake is under Indian occupation and the rest under China. Chinese border is just beyond the mountains across the lake. Spangmik, 7 km along the southern shore from the head of the lake is the farthest point to which foreigners are permitted.
Overnight Camp - Near Pangong Lake (B, L, D)

Day 10 Pangong Lake – Leh (160 Km / 7 Hrs)
First half of the day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of the lakes and the surroundings. Later drive back to Leh by the same route & check-in the Hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, L, D)

Day 11 Leh – Lamayuru (124 Km / 4 Hrs) - Alchi (50 Km / 2 Hrs)
Today we drive to Alchi and visit Lamayuru Monastery. Lamayuru Monastery is one of the most popular & magnificent monasteries of Ladakh. It is known to be the oldest monastic establishment in Ladakh & was founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This Monastery is located amidst the massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this Monastery & its renowned collection of carpets, thangkas & frescoes has been attracting many people all over the world over a long time. We will also be part of the prayer ceremony inside the prayer hall among the monks. It is a very soothing & spiritual experience to be there among these warm & friendly monks. Further we drive towards Alchi (50 km from Lamayuru). Just before Alchi we drive across the mighty River Indus over the bridge & reach Ladakh's most loved Alchi Monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries, which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level & is nestled in the shade of a garden.
Overnight Hotel – Alchi (B, L, D)

Day 12 Alchi – Likir – Basgo – Leh (124 Km / 4 Hrs)
Today we drive to Likir (16 Km) & visit Likir Monastery, situated atop a windy cliff overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire. In its courtyard is a yellow colored 3 storey high mammoth statue of the Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk. The top floor has an impressive museum containing old thangkas & weapons used many centuries back.
From Likir we drive 9 Km to Basgo. It was an important centre in the old days, having been the capital of lower Ladakh when the kingdom was divided in the 15th& 16thcenturies. We visit the ruins of the Royal Palace at Basgo, Ser Zung Temple, which is known for its great frescoes & finally the temple with an enormous gold & copper statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Later we drive to Leh (3521 m), capital of Ladakh and upon arrival, check in at hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Leh (B, L, D)

Day 13 Leh - Delhi (Flight)
Transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight across the main chain of the Himalayas to Delhi. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jahan.

In New Delhi , we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. Then we visit the President's House, official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Hotel - Delhi (B).

Day 14 Depart Delhi
Today we will punctually transfer you to the International airport to board your connecting flight for onward travel.

Our tour concludes: Caper assists you to board your onward flight at Delhi Airport, thanks you for your patronage and looks forward to serving you again.