Express Leh-Ladakh
- Tour Package -
(5 days)

After a glorious morning flight over the Himalayas, reach Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport and transfer to your hotel in Leh. If you want, you can relax a few hours at your hotel. Then, the driver picks you up from your hotel for a sightseeing tour around Leh. The first stop is at the Hall of Fame museum where you can learn more about the role of the Indian army in the region and Ladakh’s history. After driving 30 km on the Leh-Srinagar highway, you arrive at the mysterious Magnetic Hill. When your driver turns the engine off with the gear in neutral, the car will start moving uphill as if attracted by a strange magnetic force that defies gravity… Something that you must see with your own eyes! The next stop is one of the most popular photo spots of Ladakh, the spectacular viewpoint over Sangam, the confluence of the Indus river (green colour) and the Zanskar river (blue or brown colour depending on the season). On the way back to Leh, visit the holy Sikh place Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and Spituk monastery. Then, head to the Tibetan-style Leh Palace overlooking the old town. The palace was built in the first half of the 17th century and was the residence of the royal family of Ladakh until the middle of the 19th century. It is currently under restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India. Next, climb to the Shanti Stupa, a Japanese peace pagoda nestled atop a hillock. This two-level chorten was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1991. It offers a great vantage point over Leh and the Indus valley; it is a favourite place to watch the sunset. In the evening, your driver will drop you at Leh Main Bazar where you can do shopping and try typical Ladakhi food in one of the many restaurants.

After breakfast, your driver takes you to the Nubra valley passing through the Khardung La pass, the world’s highest motorable road at an elevation of 5,602 metres. From the top, there is an amazing view of the K2 mountain range (the Karakoram). Drive down to the Nubra Valley which means “valley of flowers” in Ladakhi language. The valley lies at an average altitude of 3,100 metres and it is crisscrossed by the Nubra and Shayok rivers. Visit the Diskit monastery, the largest and oldest gompa in the Nubra valley. Perched atop a rocky hillock, the monastery was established by Changzem Tserab Zangpo in the 15th century. At the top of a nearby hill, there is a colossal 32-metre-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, one of the landmarks of the valley. From Diskit, follow the Shayok river for 10 km to reach Hunder village where you can spend the night.

This morning, experience a camel ride across the Hunder sand dunes. The double-humped Bactrian camels were brought to Ladakh when Hunder was a stopping point for caravans travelling on the old Silk Road. Next, visit the Samstanling monastery in the charming village of Sumur. From here, drive along the Shayok river towards Pangong, an adventurous road trip through beautiful mountain scenery. After passing through Tangtse village, there is another 35 km to reach Pangong lake commonly known as Pangong Tso (“Tso” means “lake” in Ladakhi language). The lake lies at an elevation of 4,250m, it is 140 km in length but only 30% of it is in India. Despite its brackish water, the lake freezes completely in winter when temperatures fall well below -20°C. Pangong lake was made famous when it featured in the Bollywood movie “3 Idiots” released in 2009.

Take a stroll along the shore of Pangong lake and watch the sunrise over the glistening blue waters. The lake is a wonderful place for wildlife enthusiasts as it serves as a breeding site for various migratory birds. Next, go back towards Leh. After driving over the Chang La pass located at an altitude of 5,360m, you reach Chemrey village where you can visit the beautiful Chemrey monastery rising above the barley fields. The monastery was built in the 17th century in memory of the king Sengge Namgyal. In the Indus valley, head to Hemis and visit the gompa. Hemis monastery is largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. Many shrines can be found within the monastery complex, including a temple that houses and impressive 8-metre-tall statue of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Then, head to Thiksey gompa located 20 km from Leh. This is one of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh, easily recognizable due to its architecture that resembles the Potala Palace in Lhassa. The monastery enshrines a highly revered 14m-high statue of Maitreya Buddha with a finely decorated headdress. Just before reaching Leh, stop at the Shey palace, the former summer palace of the royal family.

Today is the end of a wonderful trip replete with beautiful memories. Say goodbye to the enchanting region of Ladakh as you board the scenic flight to Delhi.