Adventure Tour in Himalaya - Jeep Safari
Duration: 11 Nights – 12 Days
Best Time: June – Oct.
Nothing can be more exciting and adventurous than the overland road trip to Leh and Ladakh from Manali through Keylong and Sarchu. The tough enjoy it and would not miss it for anything. The not so tough, after this experience, are ready for the next high adventure! From the plains one cruises upto the cool environs of the Kullu Valley. As one leaves Manali behind, the real climb starts and the ever changing landscape is mesmerizing and spectacular. Deep verdant valleys, expanses of snow-capped mountain ranges, rugged barren terrain - windswept and desolate at places, high mountain passes, nomad shepherds, small quaint villages, rough roads, hairpin bends you come across it all. Bouts of ecstasy and depression engulf one through this tour. The poet, artist, photographer certainly but also the philosopher in one surfaces as one identifies with all colors of life in the changing hues and vistas of nature.
Some also like to take the jeep safari from Srinagar to Leh which takes one across crystal clear streams and green forested valleys, high snow streaked mountain slopes and also stark landscapes with high rocky mountains and arid desert.
Intrepid travellers do the round tour from Manali to Leh and onwards to Srinagar crossing all the spectacular and awe inspiring mountain passes - Baralacha La, Lachunglang La, Tanglang La, Fotu La and Zogi La.
Day 01: Manali to Jispa, Lahaul (114 kms, 5-6 hours).
Travel across Rohtang Pass (3978 m / 13127 feet) to reach Keylong at a height of 3350 metres / 11055 feet in Lahaul district.
Overnight at Jispa .
(We recommend this stop for proper acclimatization.
Some people proceed directly to Sarchu which is a personal choice).
Day 02: Jispa to Sarchu (100 kms, 4-5 hours).
Ahead of Keylong, cross Baralacha La at 4830 m and reach the windswept Sarchu landscape at 4253 m / 14035 feet.
Overnight in deluxe camps with swiss tents and ensuite washrooms in Serchu.
Day 03 Jispa to Tso Moriri lake-Tsokhar
One covers Tso Kar, Korzok monastery and Chumathang and gets to explore Rupshu Valley, nomad Chang-pa camp and the migratory birdlife. Despite its barrenness Rupshu’s hills support a sparse population of wildlife.
Tsomiri, at 4595 m / 15165 feet, is the largest of the High Altitude Lakes to be situated entirely within India. It is 180 square kms in area and about 25 kms / 15 miles long and 7 kms / 4-5 miles wide. Overnight in camp at Tso Moriri- Tsokhar
Day 04: Tsomorori to Leh (245 kms, 8-9 hours).
Make an early drive to Leh throught spectacular landscape of great Himalaya. And continue changing landscapes.Overnight in Hotel
Day 05: Indus Valley monastery tour.
Today you get a flavour of the history and culture of Ladakh. With a visit to Thiksey, Shey, Hemis and Sindhu ghat you cover the best known monuments around Leh and its palaces, gompas, monasteries and museums.
Overnight in Hotel Leh.
Day 06: Leh - Pangong Lake - Leh (290 kms, 12 hours round trip).
Make an early start and drive east of Leh via Chang-la Mountain Pass (18,000 ft / 5,475 m) to Pangong Lake, (4267m / 14000 ft.), 145 kms / 6 hours one way.
The views all around Chang La are simply spectacular. Mesmerizing vistas with the changing hues of
thewaters of the lovely lake.
Drive back to reach Leh by evening and overnight in hotel.
Day 07: Leh to Nubra Valley (120 kms, 5 hours).
Exciting experience at Khardung La, 39 kms from Leh. (Mountain Pass at 5578 m / 18300 ft.). Here is supposed to be the highest motorable road in the world.
In Nubra Valley, visit Diskit, Hunder villages and the white sand dunes and take a short camel safari on the double humped Bactrian Camels.
Day 08: Nubra Valley to Leh.
In the morning explore Samstanling Monastery and Sumur village and then drive back to Leh, passing Khardung La once again. Drop to hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure to take a walking tour and explore Leh Bazaar and the cafes' on your own.
Overnight in Hotel Leh.
Day 09: Leh to Ulleytokpo (75 kms, 3 hours).
Drive west of Leh to Alchi (3300 m / 10000 ft)., Alchi, Ulleytokpo. A different perspective of Leh Ladakh. Visit along the way Spituk, Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill and then the sangam of Zanskar and Indus rivers near Nimu.Further on visit Basgo Castle, Likir village and monastery and Alchi.
(We recommend this stop so that one can experience West Ladakh at leisure.
Some people proceed to Kargil directly without taking a night stop here, which is a personal choice.)
Day 10: Ulleytokpo, Alchi to Kargil (155 kms, 6 hours).
After breakfast, start the breathtaking drive towards Kargil over the barren terrain via Namik-La (3760m) and Fotu-La Pass (4147m). Enroute visit the giant Maitreya at Mulbekh, Suru Valley (Mulbekh Chamba is a 9 metre high rock sculpture), the lunar landscapes and Lamayuru which has the oldest monastery in Ladakh. Situated on the bank of river Suru at a height of 9,000 feet, midway between Leh and Srinagar, reach Kargil by the evening.
Day 11: Kargil to Srinagar (204 kms, 9 hours).
Travel across Drass (supposedly the second coldest inhabited place in the world). Visit the The Kargil War memorial at Drass. You can also view the infamous war peaks of Tiger Hill etc. Cross Zoji la Pass (3529 meters / 11645 feet) and then drive through the thickly forested Sonmarg to finally reach Srinagar.
Sightseeing / shikara ride at Srinagar on own arrangement.
Day 12: Check out from Srinagar.
Transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination, feeling blessed for the stolen moments spent in Ladakh.