Panoramic Leh & Ladakh

Assistance on arrival at airport, afternoon free to explore the market

Upon your arrival at Leh airport collect your luggage and proceed to the arrival lounge. TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS tour executive will meet you holding a placard. He will assist with transfer and check-in at hotel. The afternoon is free to explore the market and surrounding and get acclimatise to the weather.

Full day sightseeing tour of Leh

Start your day with the visit to Shey, the former capital of Ladakh region and erstwhile home to the Ladakhi royalty. The main attraction at Shey is Shey Palace, the erstwhile royal residence of the Ladakh monarchs, built by Ladakh king Deldan Namgyal in 1655 AD. Currently serving as a centre of Buddhism, it houses Shey Monastery, which had the largest golden Buddha statue towering 39 feet. From here move on and discover the largest Gompa of central Ladakh at Thiksey Monastery. The 12 story complex of the monastery belonging to Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, strikingly resembles the Potala Palace of Tibet. Apart from housing many important items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords, the Thiksey monastery, it also houses the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha in Ladakh standing 49ft tall. Later visit the Hemis monastery, more famous for the annual Hemis festival held here, the monastery was established in 1672.

Travel to Nubra

Today travel to Nubra valley; home to the double-humped Bactrian camel. The valley is formed by the Shyok River meeting with Nubra or Siachan River and it separates Ladakh from Karakoram ranges. The valley, located on an average height of more than 10000 feet, offers you an insight into the ways of life of the local people, battling harshest climatic conditions possible. The drive to Nubra is in itself interesting, with you passing through the highest motorable road of the world, Khardungla pass. As you descend through the pass, you will get to see the picturesque Sunoor area and Samstanling Gompa, which offers you scenic view of the Dikshit valley.

Check-in at hotel and rest of the day at leisure

On arrival, check-in at your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore the surrounding on your own.

Morning explore Diskit and Hundar followed by visit to the Sand Dunes with short camel safari and travel to Leh

Enjoy the sightseeing tour of Nubra valley visiting the famous Diskit and Hundar Monetary. The monastery has a statue of Matireya Buddha in the prayer hall, a huge drum and several images of fierce guardian deities. An elevated cupola of the monastery depicts a fresco of the Tashihunpo monastery of Tibet. Enjoy also the visit to the Sand Dunes where you can enjoy a short camel safari using the double-humped Bactrian camel found here. Afternoon you will drive back to Leh.

Assistance on arrival

On arrival, you will be assisted with the transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore the market and surrounding and get acclimatized to the weather of Leh.

Travel to Pangong

Assistance on departure and travel to Pangong; one of the most beautiful lakes in the Himalayas – Pangong Tso, Tibetan for "long, narrow, enchanted lake", also referred to as Pangong Lake. The lake spread over 604sqkm of the area between India and Tibet (China) is about 5kms wide at the broadest point. With no interference with the living world, the lake offers spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflections shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake's brackish waters. You are close to Mother Nature in the midst of the scenic beauty of Himalaya. The water is saline, despite that the lake freezes in winter. Drive to the Lake in itself is an amazing experience, with the route passing through the villages of Shey and Gya and traverses the Changla pass. Road down from Changla Pass leads through Tangste and other smaller villages, crossing river called Pagal Naala also known as “The Crazy Stream.

Check in at hotel / campsite

On arrival, check-in at your accommodation. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Morning explore the surrounding and travel to Leh

Enjoy the naturally calm environments, you would have rarely experienced such quiet mornings in your life, where even the birds do not chirp, the only sound you get to hear is the sound of the winds flowing. After a relaxed breakfast, prepare your cameras to zoom on and click the rare sights of black-necked Siberian crane around the Mahe marshes which are the only breeding ground for these migratory birds. Later check out and drive back to Leh.

En-route visit Darbuk village and assistance on arrival at Leh

En-route visit Darbuk Village near Tangtse Valley, where stands a chain of war memorials with regimental insignias in commemoration of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-China war of 1962. Villagers can be seen here along with their large herds of Pashmina sheep. Later drive to Leh and assistance on arrival for check in.

Day excursion to Alchi and Likir monastery

Day excursion to Alchi monastery a national heritage, established in the 10th century. is more famous for well-preserved 11th & 12th century wall paintings, all in an Indo Himalayan style. The artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and the Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir are reflected in the wall paintings in the monastery. The complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and elaborate wood carvings and art-work comparable to the baroque style. En-route you will also visit Likir monastery which was established in 1065 AD, on top of a hill alongside the valley of river Indus. The monastery has two assembly halls with the statues of Bodhisattva, Amitabha, three large statues of Sakyamuni. Maitreya and Tsong Khapa founder of the yellow-hat sect. The monastery is also a repository of old manuscripts, has a notable thangka collection and old costumes and earthen pots. A 75ft high gilded gold statue of Maitreya (the future) Buddha on the roof gives it a distinct recognition.

Day at leisure

The day is purposefully kept at leisure for you, so as you can explore the surrounding of Leh city, its markets and villages at your own pace. While your eyes savour the beautiful treat of one of the most beautiful mountains of the world, your other senses will enhance your experience by absorbing the simple lifestyle of the locals who believe in the principles of peace prophesied by Lord Buddha, but are not short of grit, as displayed by their will to survive the harshest of climatic conditions. You can visit one of its various bazaars, visit Leh Palace, which is the former mansion of the royal family of Ladakh, built in the same style and about the same time as Potala Palace of Tibet.

Assistance on departure to airport

In time you will be assisted with a transfer to Leh airport to board the flight to onward destination.