7 NIGHTS & 8 DAYS | EXPLORE MANALI & LEH (LADAKH)
DAY 1: ARRIVE KULLU AIRPORT
Arrive Kullu Airport or Manali Bus stand and our tour representative will pick you up and straight transfer you to your hotel in Manali. Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh state, known for its unlimited adventure opportunities, the famous Hadimba Temple, the scenic Rohtang Pass, the snow-laden Solang Valley and its delightful culinary scene. On arrival check-in to your hotel and rest for the day.
Overnight stay in Manali.
DAY 2: MANALI – JISPA (110 kms)
Morning after breakfast check-out and visit the famous Hadimba Temple built in 1553 CE by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. The temple is built around a cave where Devi Hidimba performed meditation. After darshan you will be driven straight towards Jispa via Atul Tunnel. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Valleys of Chandra & Bhaga Rivers on your way. Jispa (3200 meters high) located 20 km north of Keylong where the surroundings of riverside and Himalayan mountain backdrop are sure to leave anyone breathless. Arriving at Jispa you will check-in to your hotel/tent stay.
Overnight stay in Jispa.
DAY 3: JISPA – LEH (335 kms)
After an early breakfast, proceed to Leh (3500 meters high) via Baralacha La Pass (4890 meters high), Lachangla Pass, Naker La (biggest & Highest Plateau in the World of around 42 Km), Tanglangla Pass (5360 meters high). Admire the beautiful scenic journey on the Manali Leh Highway (considered to be the Most Beautiful Way in the World). Cross the Tanglangla Pass and travel through the scenic Indus Valley. Lachlangla is 2nd highest motorable pass in the world. Reach Leh in the evening and check-in to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Leh.
DAY 4: LEH
Morning after breakfast the driver will pick you up from your hotel for a sightseeing tour around Leh. After driving 30 km on the Leh-Srinagar highway, you arrive at the mysterious Magnetic Hill. When your driver turns the engine off with the gear in neutral, the car will start moving uphill as if attracted by a strange magnetic force that defies gravity. The next stop is one of the most popular photo spots of Ladakh, the spectacular viewpoint over Sangam, the confluence of the Indus River. Then, head to the Tibetan-style Leh Palace overlooking the old town. Next, climb to the Shanti Stupa, a Japanese peace pagoda nestled atop a hillock. In the evening you can relax in your hotel.
Overnight in Leh.
DAY 5: LEH – KHARDUNG LA – NUBRA VALLEY
After breakfast, your driver takes you to the Nubra valley passing through the Khardung La pass, the world’s highest motorable road at an elevation of 5,605 metres. From the top, there is an amazing view of the K2 mountain range (the Karakoram). Drive down to the Nubra Valley which means “valley of flowers” in Ladakhi language. The valley is lies at an average altitude of 3,500 metres and it is crisscrossed by the Nubra and Shayok rivers. Visit the Diskit monastery, the largest and oldest gompa in the Nubra valley. Later drive to experience a camel ride across the Hunder sand dunes. The double-humped Bactrian camels were brought to Ladakh when Hunder was a stopping point for caravans travelling on the old Silk Road. Proceed forward to your hotel.
Overnight in Nubra Valley.
DAY 6: NUBRA VALLEY – PANGONG LAKE
This morning after breakfast check-out and drive to Pangong Lake via Barila Pass. Drive through an adventurous road trip through beautiful mountain scenery. After passing through the village, you will reach Pangong Lake commonly known as Pangong Tso (“Tso means “lake” in Ladakhi language). The lake lies at an elevation of 4,250m, it is 140 km in length but only 30% of it is in India.
Overnight in Pangong at camp.
DAY 7: PANGONG LAKE – CHANG LA – HEMIS – THIKSEY – SHEY – LEH
Take a stroll along the shore of Pangong lake and watch the sunrise over the glistening blue waters. The lake is a wonderful place for wildlife enthusiasts as it serves as a breeding site for various migratory birds. Next, go back towards Leh. After driving over the Chang La pass located at an altitude of 5,350m. In the Indus valley, head to Hemis and visit the gompa. Hemis monastery is largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. Many shrines can be found within the monastery complex, including a temple that houses and impressive 8-metre-tall statue of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Then, head to Thiksey gompa located 20 km from Leh. This is one of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh, easily recognizable due to its architecture that resembles the the Potala Palace in Lhassa. The monastery enshrines a highly revered 14m-high statue of Maitreya Buddha with a finely decorated headdress. Just before reaching Leh, stop at the Shey palace, the former summer palace of the royal family.
Overnight in Leh.
DAY 8: LEH – LEH AIRPORT
Post breakfast in the morning check-out and straight transfer to Leh Airport to catch your flight to onwards destination.