Manali To Ladakh Through The Passes

Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Naggar. Visit the Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery – Roerich’s house converted into art gallery. Gallery houses number of rare paintings and other specimen of art. Paintings here reflect the unmatched grandeur of sunlit Himalayan Mountains, which were experienced during the painter’s scientific expeditions to the central Asian regions of Sikkim, Tibet, Mangolia, China, Leh- Ladakh, Lahaul- Spiti and Kashmir. Later, also visit temples in Naggar – Jagatipatt Temple, Tripura Sundari Temple and Gauri Shankar Temple. In Manali, Hadimba and Vashisht Temples too could be covered. Return to hotel in Manali for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed towards Sarchu through Rohtang Pass to Lahaul valley, along the Chandra River to Keylong (district headquarters of Lahaul & Spiti), experience ever changing landscape which is mesmerizing and spectacular. Enroute visit the Jispa monastery on the left bank of river Bhaga, built to commemorate the auspicious the 18th KALACHKRA initiation by His Holiness the DALAI LAMA in July 1994. Drive through Darcha, Patsao, Zingzing Bar and over Barlacha-La pass, which is one of the highest passes among other passes on the way to Leh. And, one can see excellent panoramic views of the high rising/sky touching mountains. On the top of Baralacha pass is Suraj Tal (lake), a source of river Bhaga surrounded by CB mountain ranges and gradually descent down through Kalung sarai to Sarchu. Overnight stay in the camps at Sarchu.

Check-out from the camp and start your journey towards Leh. Drive through Gata Loops – 21 winding curves along the road. Adding to the adventurous sojourn, is its high altitude. Once you get here, you do feel like being at 17,000 feet above sea level, given the crispness of the winds and diffused sunlight. As you travel along the hairpin bends and curves, feel the adrenaline rush of being challenged by the terrain. Later drive through high passes – Nakki-La, Lachung-La and Tanglang-La (2nd highest motor-able road in the world). At top of these passes, a tiny temple and a few prayer flags flutter in the strong winds that are peculiar of these passes. After that drive all the way down to Rumptse, an oasis surrounded by barren craggy hills is the first village on the way to Leh, and the last village towards the Manali. Reach Leh by evening and check-in at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

It is advisable to relax and acclimatize to such a high-altitude region. Post lunch visit Shanti Stupa - Built in 1991 by Japanese monks to promote world peace, this large, hilltop stupa has brightly colored reliefs on its midlevel and is topped by a spired white hemisphere. The greatest attraction is the stunning view of Leh. Ideally, make the breathless 15-minute climb when golden afternoon light still illuminates the city but the steps up from Changspa are already bathed in cooling shadow. Later, visit Leh Palace – A nine-storey dun-colored palace of 17th century. Today the very sturdy walls are mostly unadorned, but it’s gently thrilling to weave your way through the maze of dark corridors, hidden stairways and makeshift ladders to reach the rooftop for great views across the city. You can seek out the small palace prayer room and a one-room exhibition showing photos of state monuments. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Check-out from the hotel after breakfast and drive over Khardungla - the World's highest motorable road at 18832 feet above sea level. At Khardungla pass the snow-capped peaks and the mountain views are amazing. The road then passes through a bridge laid on Glacier which finds its way in Guinness Book of world records, drive through the Valley which is extremely beautiful for photography. Nubra Valley is the Oasis of Ladakh as you see some colorful trees in this region. Later reach your camp site and visit the Sand Dunes. You are likely to get a sight of double-humped bacterian camels, enjoy time at the Sand Dunes of Nubra valley spread across Hundur Village. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

After an early breakfast we check out from Camp or hotel and drive towards Hunder where you have opportunity to ride on a bacterian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Between Hunder and Diskit you come across sand dunes besides 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 is Rocky Mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains. On the return stop at Diskit which is the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Diskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley. Later we drive towards Pangong Tso via Agham & Shyok Valley. Some of the road patches in areas are extremely tough (towards nubra side) in terms of road conditions but no doubt the journey is very scenic! Later after crossing this adventurous part we drive further towards Durbuk & Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the Pangong lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the "Indo China Border". One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. After the success of 3 Idiots, this beautiful natural location has attracted more tourists from all over the world. Upon arrival we check in at our Camp Near Pangong lake. Dinner & Overnight at the Camp.

Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to Leh via Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs en route visiting Hemis Monastery & 3 Idiots Rancho School. Drive further to Leh and check in at our hotel for Overnight

After breakfast you drive downstream along the River Indus on Leh – Kargil Highway. And start our sightseeing with Hall Of Fame (Museum Constructed by India Army) near Leh is worth a visit for every Indian, and proceed further to Gurudwara Patthar Sahib at an altitude of 3600 Mtrs about 22 Kms from Leh was constructed in memory of Guru Nanak Dev ji Nestled deep in the Himalayas, A drive of another 4 km took us to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity. As you move ahead from Magnetic Hills, just before Nimmu Village, there comes a famous Confluence Of Two Rivers Indus River coming from Tibet (left) and Zanskar River coming from Zanskar Valley (right). Zanskar River is known for its famous Chadar Trek. Later we drive back to Leh. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Leh airport for return flight.