Duration: 14 nights / 15 days- 7 Nights 8 Days
Start: Leh / End: Leh
Highlights: People, Villages, Wildlife, High Passes, Nomadic Life and High Altitude Lakes
Destinations Covered: Leh, Nubra Valley, Tso-Moriri Lake, Pangong Lake, Aryan Valley and Zanskar valley.
Itinerary
When it comes to capturing nature’s beauty at its best, you can’t beat the photography.
MAJESTIC, SPIRITUAL AND BOLD it’s a word on its own.
The light in Ladakh is a Photographers dream; take in the dramatic contrast as the first rays of sun hit the whitewashed houses of tiny settlements set beneath a gorge still deep in shadow. Focus your lens and revel in the opportunity to take national geographic quality images.
The region of Ladakh with a unique ecosystem gives an opportunity of a wildlife as well as a photography enthusiast to view some rare and most beautiful wildlife species with a striking background of the snowy peaks.
Pangong Lake
The Pangong Lake is located on the distance of 160 km from Leh, with spectacular view of the colorful mountains and Changla pass. The scenic view of vibrant mountains throughout the journey makes your trip a memorable one. The drive begins with photogenic view of Thiksey monastery, famous for its architectural similarities with Potala palace of Lhasa. The monastery covers an entire mountain ridge. Beyond this village, you will drive towards Changla pass, leaving the Leh Manali road on your right hand side. The long easy ascent to takes you to Changla pass through its winding roads passing through Sakti Village. Stop at the Changla Pass for a quick photograph and drive down to the village of Tangtse, where you can enjoy a cup of tea. Leaving Tangtse for Pangong Lake you pass through many small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the lake. The Pangong Lake is spectacular, surrounded by multicolored mountains and its reflection makes the lake beautiful. The color of the lake changes shades throughout the day. The division of lake between India and China makes it different from the other Lake. Therefore you are allowed to go up to Spangmik only.
Tso-Moriri Lake
The journey to Tso-Moriri Lake is about 240 kms and passes through Shey, Thiksey, Upshi and many other small villages along the Indus River. The hot spring at Chumathang (3965 m) comes after driving for around 100 kms. This hot spring Resort where you can bath in hot spring water, which Ladakhis uses for healing, is a good resting point. After an hour’s drive you will cross Maya bridge and drive up to Tso-Moriri (4555 m) through Puga village along a bumpy road. Puga is known for its sulphur and borax deposits. Full day walking tour of Tso-Moriri Lake includes a visit to the famous Karzok monastery and Nomad Camp above the village.
The Tso-Moriri is the starting point for trekking to Spiti through its traditional route through Parang La (5580m) The “Changpas” (nomadic people), have trade relation with Spiti. The Area is rich in wildlife including the “Kyang” (wild ass), red fox and the rare, highly endangered, snow leopard. Black necked cranes and geese flock to the lakeside for breeding during the summer months. There are options to drive to Manali via Tsokar Lake and Serchu.
Nubra Valley
Nubra is located in the north of Leh around 120 kms across the Khardong La (18,380ft), Nubra means “Ldumra” which used to be an important station on the famous silk route leading from Leh to Kashgar through the two passes of Saser and Karakoram. The main attractions of this area are the Bactarian Camels (Double Humped Camels), Khardung-La Pass (world’s highest motor able road at 18,380 feet) and the monasteries like Diskit and Samstaling.
The drive to Nubra Valley leads through Khardung-La (18380 ft), which is about 39 kms from Leh. Camel Safari can be organized from Deskit to Hundar Village for 2 hours.