Offbeat Leh

Overview

All transfers by Swift Desire/ Innova/ Tempo traveller

Accommodation in a 3-star property on double occupancy

Daily breakfast and dinner

All mentioned sightseeing

KNOW YOUR DESTINATION

LEH is where your adventure in Ladakh begins! Known as the land of high Passes, Ladakh region is filled with unmatched beauty and splendour.

The capital city of the recently formed union territory is the right reflection of what this venturesome North Indian destination is all about. At first, you might find Leh to be a quiet destination, but with further exploration you’ll find Leh to be quite an exciting place to be for everyone. Be it a nature lover, a cultural aficionado, a history lover, an adventure enthusiast or even honeymooners, there’s certainly something special for all in Leh tourism.

Trip Itinerary

Day 01 – Arrival at Leh

On arrival at Leh airport, you will be met by our representative.
Drop at the Hotel
Complete day for the acclimatization & rest as Leh is at an altitude of 3500 Meters above sea level.
Evening visit to Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace /
Overnight stay and dinner in Leh Palace
Leh Palace is located on the top of the deserted Tsemo Hill. The former palace of the royal family of Leh, it was erected in the 17th century. The place was one of the tallest structures with 9 storeys during its heydayS. Today, it is one of the most popular attractions in Leh. From the top, the views of Stok Kangri, Ladakh mountain ranges and the town are simply breathtaking. Slightly ruined in condition, the palace is now managed by the Archaeological Survey of India’
Shanti Stupa was built to promote world peace and prosperity as well as to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism, Shanti Stupa is the major attraction in Leh. Perched on the mountain top, this religious place also offers a panoramic view of the city and the surroundings, and thus is a must-see.
This attraction in Leh was built as a part of the Peace Pagoda Mission by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu. Underneath the stupa is the relic of the Buddha. Sunrise and sunset are considered to be the best time of the day to visit the Shanti Stupa when views from this place to visit in Leh are spectacular.
Return to the hotel for overnight stay and dinner.

Day 02 -Leh – Stok village and Stok Palace

After breakfast, proceed to visit the Stok village and palace.
Stok village is a postcard-perfect village half an hour from Leh City. It was a popular destination among trekkers who frequented here to scale the fabled Stok Kangri trek. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains, the Stok Village in Ladakh is a visual delight. The 14th-century Stok Palace is the highlight among travellers. This magnificent building was once home to the royal family of Ladakh and serves as a testament to the grandeur and splendour of Ladakhi architecture. High up on the mountains sits the statue of Buddha in a meditating position, keeping a watchful eye on the village.
Later, visit the Thiksey monastery. Noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Tibet, Thiksey Monastery is the largest gompa in central Ladakh and a must-see place near Leh. One of the main attractions of Thiksey Monastery is the Maitreya Temple which was installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. The temple has a 15m tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is the largest statue in Ladakh covering two-storeys of the building.
In the evening, reach back to the hotel for an overnight stay and dinner.

Day 03 -Leh to Sham valley

After breakfast, check out and drive on the Leh-Srinagar highway.
The first stop of the day will be the ruins of Basgo fort and palace. Basgo, with its half-ruined temples and castles built on precipitous cliffs, and the quaint huts of the modern village that cluster between the sanctuaries and the sandstone rocks, makes a deep impression on the visitor. Three temples with beautiful paintings, ruins of a royal palace, animal stables, residence of ministers and nobility, and a large number of chortens (stupa) of varied shapes, size and antiquity.
Later, we shall visit the Likir Monastery. The name Likir means “The Naga – Encircled”, representing the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas — Nanda and Taksako. Likir gompa is situated on a hilltop alongside the Indus River valley. Likir is an isolated but picturesque place, about 6km extreme right from the Leh-Srinagar highway while coming from Leh. The main temple is roughly at the highest plateau of the hill. The complex itself consists of the main temple, the assembly hall, the monk’s quarters, and services such as kitchen and dining as its main recognizable parts. The parts of the complex have been modified and built over a long period of time, and its present state suggests a well-fortified, compact and strategically sited monastery.
After Likir, we shall visit Saspol caves. Complementing their spectacular setting on a hill overlooking a verdant valley and surrounded by high mountains, the Gon-nila-phuk painted caves of Saspol in Ladakh are home to some of the finest wall paintings that were made in the history of the region. Created over the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, these Buddhist paintings are one of the few surviving specimens of their kind
From here we shall move to Alchi which has another ancient monastery with Buddhist art work. Known as the oldest monastery in Ladakh, Alchi Monastery is basically a monastic complex situated in Alchi village. The complex has four separate settlements with monuments dating back to different times. The paintings in Alchi Monastery are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh
Overnight stay and dinner in Alchi.

Day 04- alchi to Skurbuchan- gateway to Aryan valley

After breakfast, check out of your hotel here and you will be transferred to Lamayuru. It is popular for its ‘lunar’ landscape and monastery. Interestingly, this quaint little village is promoted as ‘moonscape’ for tourists; reason being its incredible yet odd geographical formations.
Lamayuru monastery is the main attraction here. It is one of the most intriguing places to visit for sure; being one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh, it has many stories and legends associated toit.
We shall next visit the lesser known but an architecturally beautiful sight near the Indus River in Domkhar village. Domkhar rock art sanctuary has 500-odd petroglyphs (Rock Art) spread all along the Indus with boulders etched deep with prehistoric carvings of men and beasts. The archaic scripts on these rocks are similar to those found among the nomadic tribes of the steppe region of Central Asia who lived 2,000 years ago.They are believed to be over two millennia old.
Later, we shall vist the Skurbuchan village which is the gateway to the Aryan valley. We shall visit the ancient monastery here.
Overnight stay and dinner at your hotel/ homestay in Skarbuchan.

Day 05 – Skurbuchan to Leh

After breakfast, check out and proceed towards Leh. On the way, we shall see the Confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers also known as Sangam and which is indeed a sight to behold..
Later, you may check out the famous Magnetic Hill which is a small stretch of road that defies the phenomenon of gravity. The reason is the magnetic hill that pulls stationary vehicles upwards. Famous as the Magnetic Hill in Ladakh, it is a major tourist attraction in the valley and a perfect pit-stop for tired riders moving on the highway.
Devoted to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikh Religion, the sacred Shri Patthar Sahib Gurudwara was built to commemorate his visit to Ladakh. Dating back to 1517, the Gurudwara houses a boulder with imprints of the head, shoulders and backside of Shree Guru Nanak Dev. Not only the Sikh and Hindu devotees but Tibetans also bow down with full devotion at the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara. The latter worship the presiding deity here as Lama Nanak or Guru Gompa Maharaj. A legend is associated with the place and makes it a famous pilgrimage spot for the people visiting Leh- Ladakh.
Later, visit Hall of Fame, which is a memorial built in the memory of the brave Indian soldiers
Reach Leh by late afternoon. Check into your place of stay here.
Evening can be enjoyed in Leh market for leisure and shopping/ buying souvenirs.
Overnight stay and dinner at your hotel here.

Day 6- Leh to Pangong

Early morning after breakfast, drive to the next destination which is the iconic Pangong lake. We shall stop at the Hemis Monastery which is India’s wealthiest and one of the ancient monasteries in this region.
By afternoon, reach Pangong lake and enjoy your day at the lake.
Overnight stay and dinner in camp.

Day 07- Pangong – Leh back via Changla Pass (Approx 6 Hrs)

After breakfast, check out of the camp and drive back to Leh Enroute Chang-la.
Upon reaching Karu, visit Shey Monastery, 3idiot school and by evening back to the hotel for overnight stay & dinner.

Day 08 -Departure

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the Leh Airport for a return journey

TRAVEL FACTS/ EXCLUSIONS

Any lunch, mineral water.
Any meals other than those specified. Expenses of personal nature such as tips, telephone calls, laundry, liquor, shopping etc.
Entrance fee, if any during sightseeing.
Vehicle will be provided on a point-to-point basis and will not be at disposal of the guest.
Any activity or sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary.
Certain sightseeing places may not be covered due to bad roads or unsuitable weather conditions and no refund is applicable in such circumstances.
The guests should adhere to hotel / home stay check in and check out timings. Late or early check in & check out is at the discretion of the property and Hill Gypsy does not guarantee it.
Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight / train /bus delay / any additional meals / weather conditions.

We at The Hill Gypsy will be more than happy to serve you and will sure get you addicted to the mountains, if not already.

We look forward to a long lasting alliance with you!