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• PANGONG TSO AND NUBRA VALLEY
In the interior of Ladakh is a tiny valley of Nubra. It lies sandwiched between the great Himalayan range and the icy ramparts of the Karakoram. Nubra was once a busy stop on the caravan route used in the ancient trade in Chinese silk, tea and spices. Nubra is a land of contrasts, not only in its scenic content but also its people. The valley is predominantly Buddhist. The villages are typified by scores of prayer flags and long Mani walls, heralding entry into them and by prayer wheels all over. The gompas and monasteries are very interesting and beautiful. As it was earlier forbidden to travel in Nubra, The valley is completely unspoiled and in its nascent splendour. Now the area is open to tourists. In Nub one feels like having taken a giant step back in time. The trek begins at Nang Pullu near Thikse. We cross over the Diger La, 5420 m to Nubra valley. The trek culminates at Khalser 2950 m. From Khalser we commence a jeep safari which takes us across Nubra and over the Khardung La at 5570 m, the highest motorable pass in the world down to Leh.

• PANGONG TSO

This is the largest salt water Lake in the world. Its location is very strategic in the sense that it lies two-thirds in Tibet and one-third in India, in the Chang-Thang plains. The area is inhabited by Khampas, a ferocious tribe. The Khampas thrive on banditry on the caravan silk route. The rear the Pashmina goats which yield Pashmina, the finest of wool. A shawl made from Pashmina is so fine and soft that it can pass through the eye of a ring. This lake is now open to tourists. This program offers for the first time an opportunity to combine a fascinating journey to the two vastly different areas but both starkly, stunningly beautiful.

» Day 1. DELHI I LEH Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Leh. The flight flies over the great Himalayan range with snow - capped peaks forming a never ending carpet. It is indeed a champagne flight. Suddenly the snow is left behind and we come over the barren desert, the land of Ladakh dotted with tiny secluded villages and picturesque monasteries. At Leh we are transferred to a A class hotel. The rest of this day is free for acclimatization. Therefore least activity is advised. In the evening we stroll slowly in the bazaars of Leh discovering for ourselves the smiling faces of Ladakhi people and the interesting women selling vegetables and fruit in the streets of Leh. Overnight in Leh.

» 2. LEH Full day sightseeing tour of the monasteries - Hemis, Shey and Thikse. The Hemis gompa is the highest monastery in Ladakh and contains gold statues, stupas decorated with precious stones and many priceless old Thangkas. Shey gompa is situated in the ruins of the old palace of the kings of Ladakh. Thiksey gompa is built on the model of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It is built in several levels of construction. It contains the three storeyed statue of the Maitraiya Buddha, the future Buddha. Overnight in Leh.

» 3. LEH I PANGONG TSO After early breakfast we drive to Pangong-Tso, the largest saltwater lake in the world. We reach in time for hot lunch. Enjoy the fantastic scenic beauty of this massive lake. Overnight in deluxe camps near the lake.

» 4. PANGONG TSO I NANG PHU In the morning enjoy the beautiful environs of this fascinating lake. Drive back to Nang Phu which is past the Thiksey gompa and Nang village. Overnight in camp.

» 5. NANG PHU I STAKMO Start trek. The first day is gradual climbing to Stakmo 14355 m I takes 4 to 5 hrs. The Stakmo gompa under the Thiksey gompa has 2 to 3 Lamas in residence. Overnight in camp.

» 6. STAKMO I SABO PULLU : Our walk today is undulating. We cross the Sabu La 4495 m. Now the climb starts past the Sabu hu and we camp at Sabu Pullu near the shepherd huts at the base of Diger La ( 6 to 7 hrs walk I.

» 7. SABU I PULLU I TAKMO ZING Today we cross the pass, Diger La 1 5420 m ) , after a steep ascent then it is descent all way. We are now in the Nubra area. Today is a long day and we trek in the stark barren rocky terrain and sparse mountains.Just above the Diger village we camp at Takmo Zing near an artificial lake. Here are the fields and pasture land for the grazing cattle. Overnight camp.

» 8: TAKMO I ZING I DIGER I KHUNGRU Our descent to the Diger village is heralded by the Mani walls, chortens and terraced fields and human activities. We discover this quaint little village, its narrow streets, people in their traditional dresses with prayer wheels in their hand going about their daily chores in a leisurely pace. Of special interest is the Diger gompa, situated at the highest point of the village. A single Lama is pleased to show us around the monastery and explain to us the complexities of Buddhism. There is another gompa dedicated to the Maitraiya Buddha, the future Buddha. The statue of the Buddha is carved on the rock and is two storeyed in height. We also visit the middle school in Dager. We continue the descent and trek to the village of Khungru. This is a beautiful hamlet beside a stream amidst gardens. This is our campsite for the day.

» 9. KHUNGRU I AGYAM : In the morning we visit the Khungru gompa. This 800 year old gompa belongs to the Kargyupta sect of Buddhism and is also situated atop a cliff overlooking the village. After lunch our walk takes us down to Agyam, a village situ~ed near the Shyok river. Our camp is situated in a beautiful garden just beside a stream. The walk to the Shyok river is very refreshing. Overnight camp.

» 10. AGYAM I KHALSAR This is the longest trek of the entire tour ( 8 to 9 hrs). We walk along the Shyok river upstream upto Khalsar. Shyok is a major river of Nubra. The countryside is green in the valley surrounded by high mountains, some snow - capped. Camp at Khalsar.

» 11. KHALSAR I PANAMIK : Here we commence our jeep safari which today will take us to Panamik, where one can view the hot springs which are known for their therapeutic property for many diseases. Overnight at camp at Panamik,

» 12. PANAMIKIKUBETIAINSA / PANAMIKISAMSTAN LING: After breakfast we drive to Kubet bridge on the banks of Nubra river. From this bridge visitors have to start a trek to Ainsa monastery. This is an ancient gompa built by Lama Changse Sherpa Zangpo who was the disciple of Jamgon Tsonkhapa, the founder of the yellow sect. At the Ainsa monastery he installed a statue of Jamgon Tsonkhapa. In this monastery visitors can see the right foot print of the great scholar Dachomba Nima Goon, on the rock. Back to Panamik for lunch. After lunch drive to Samstan Ling gompa. Camp near the Gompa.

» 13. SAMSTAN LING I DISKIT : After breakfast visit the monastery of Samstan Ling gompa. This monastery was built by Lama Tsultin Nima in 1842. Here one can see the one storeyed statue of the Maitraiya Buddha and Amitabha Buddha and a huge stupa. Lunch at the camp. After lunch drive to Diskit village. Night halt at camp at Diskit.

» 14. DISKIT I HUNDAR : After breakfast drive to Hundar village and visit Chamba monastery. In this monastery is the three storeyed statue of the Maitraya Buddha. Outside the monastery is another statue of the Maitraiya Buddha and other Buddhas which has been carved on the rock. There is also palace ruins called Dechhen Tsemo and other two old temples called Lakhang Karpo and Lkhang Marpo and also the royal house of Hundar Lonpo. Drive back to Diskit for lunch. After lunch visit Diskit's Tash Chosling Gompa. This ancient gompa was built by Lama Changsem Sherpa Zangpo who was the disciple of Tsonkhapa. Many years ago the leader of the invading Mongolian army contingent was killed here and his hand and head are held in the hand of the statue of the protector of the monastery god Gonkar. From the monastery one can see a huge and thick Hypopia forest which belongs to a very rare species. At Diskit the twin - humped bactrian camels can be seen. Overnight at camp at Diskit. Trek

» 15. DISKIT I LEH : After breakfast drive to Leh with packed lunch. Enroute visit Khardung gompa. Today we cross the highest motorable pass in the world ,the Khardung La, 5570 m. On top of the Khardung La the snow capped peaks of the Karakoram range present a great sight. Overnight at hotel

» 16. Early morning transfer to Leh airport to board flight for Delhi.

Grading Moderate - difficult. Best time July - September.

A Journey to Ladakh

• LADAKH AND LAHAUL

» Day 1. DELHI I LEH : Transfer to airport. A spectacular flight over the great Himalayan and Zanskar ranges to Leh. Meet on arrival, transfer to hotel. Leh the capital of Ladakh is located in the Indus valley and was a major staging point on the Asian silk route.

» 2. LEH : Morning sight-seeing tour of Stok palace across the river Indus. The palace is about 200 years old and is the only Ladakhi royal palace which is still inhabited. It has 80 rooms, only 12 of them are used. Three rooms, make up the museum, are open to the public. Afternoon at leisure. Meals and overnight a hotel.

» 3. LEH: Full day sightseeing tour of Hemis and Thiksey gompas Hemis 45 kms from Leh, was founded about 360 years ago by Stagtshang Raspa. Hemis gompa is the largest and one of the most important in Ladakh. Here gigantic thangka, one of the largest in the world, which is only displayed to the public every 12 years at the festival. It will not be shown again until 2004. Thiksey - 17 kms from Leh towards Hemis, 500 years old, perched on a hill high above the Indus river, houses an enormous 15 m high seated image of Lord Buddha. Return to the hotel for meals and overnight stay.

» 4. LEH I MATHO : After breakfast drive to Matho. A meditation retreat. Camp near the village of Matho.

» 5. MATHO : Meditational retreat. Overnight stay in tents.

» 6. MATHO I LEH : After lunch at the Matho camp, drive to Leh. Arrive and check in hotel for meals and overnight stay.

» 7. LEH I RIDZONG I YAGTHANG : Morning after breakfast, drive to Ridzong and begin trek to Yangthang, camp near the village.

» 8. YANGTHANG I HEMIS SHUKPA : This easy to moderate trek follows the former trade route to the north of the Indus valley, then goes up valley to the fortress of Thymosgang. This trek provides one of the richest historical courses in the Ladakh region. The altitude on this trek never rises above 12000 ft, a rarity in Ladakh. Overnight stay in tents.

» 9. HEMIS SHUKPA I ANG : Trek Hemis Shukpa to Ang , camp near the village. Overnight stay

» 10. ANG I THYMOSGANG I LAMAYURU Trek Ang to Thymosgang and drive to Lamayuru. Lamayuru gompa is perched dramatically on a high cliff above the river, and was built by Richen Zangbo at the end of the 10th century, under orders from the king of the Ladakh, who had 108 gompas built in west Tibet. The gompa has an impressive 11 head 1000 eye image of Chenrezing . In the 16th century the monastery was declared a holy site in which even criminals could seek sanctuary, and for this reason now it is known to Ladakhis as Tharpa Ling ( Place of freedom). Camp below the gompa.

» 11. LAMAYURU / ALCHI I LEH : Visit the monastery in the morning. Drive to Alchi gompa. Alchi is on a lowland , not perched on a hill top like other Ladakhi gompas. Visit the gompa and continue drive to Leh. Overnight at hotel.

» 12. LEH Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

» 13. LEH DEBRING PLAIN : After early breakfast, we begin our drive on the Leh - Manali high road , the highest motorable road in the world. The road passes through the vast Rupsu plateaus of Ladakh, the highest inhabited regions in the world. Crossing Taglang La pass (17600 ft) descend to the Dabring plain. Overnight stay in tents.

» 14. DABRING PLAIN I SARCHU SARAI : Continue drive over Lachlang La pass to Sarchu Sarai. Overnight with full board in tents,

» 15. SARCHU SARAI I JISPA : Continue drive over Baralacha pass (16200 ft) to Jispa. Overnight in tents.

» 16. JISPA I MANALI : Continue drive over to Rohtang pass (13250 ft) to Manali into the lush green valleys of Himachal. On arrival transfer to hotel and overnight stay.

» 17. MANALI Day at leisure. Meals and overnight in hotel.

» 18. MANALI I NALAGARH : After breakfast drive to Nalagarh. Hot lunch enroute. On arrival check into the beautiful hill top Nalagarh palace for overnight stay.

» 19. NALAGARH I DELHI : By train from Chandigarh 13 hrs.

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