LADAKH - FULL CIRCUIT
To reach any place in North or Eastern Ladakh Area it is essential to reach Leh and take the Road North to Baltistan Areas and Nubra Valley upto the Siachen Base area.
To reach Hanle Region on the East and South East, permit has to be physically verified at the Leh Tourist Reception Centre and then the tourists will be allowed to proceed to further reaches of Eastern Ladakh.
To reach Western Ladakh, You can take the Srinagar Highway from Srinagar through Kargil or from Leh towards Kargil.
Manali – Leh Highway isn’t Ladakh. We neither promote nor encourage the ride on the highway.
* Leh is at 10500 feet. It is mandatory to rest a day after reaching Leh to acclimatize properly.
THE PLAN
Route Plan on Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/u783edyh23b2S1fTA
Day 1: Arrive Leh – Rest Day
It is very important to acclimatize on the first day after reaching Leh, as this city is at a very high altitude (3500m) and the air up here is thin. This day, you will be briefed about the entire ride and subsequently, paper formalities would also be completed. We will go for a walk in the evening around the Market Area.
Fact: Sonam Nurboo Memorial Hospital in Leh helps recover tourists from AMS and Oxygen related issues.
Stay: LEH
Day 2: Western Ladakh [80-120 KM ]
You can explore various places around Leh. (Sangam, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers; Gurudwara Pathar Sahib; Magnetic Hill; Alchi Monastery and Dam; Phey Village, Hemis Gompa; Stok village etc.) Mangue ride will be a ride alone, for people who like to visit places no one has treaded. Rest of places are popular tourist attractions
Stay: LEH
Day 3: Leh to Diskit (120 KMS)
This entire route falls in the Nubra Valley. We will be riding across Khardung La to reach Diskit. We will leave our bags at the Hotel and ride to Hunder for an evening with Bactrian Camels, Sand Dunes and the Shyok River. Sunset at the Maitreya Buddha Statue!
Fact: Nubra Valley’s Original name is Dumra.
STAY: DISKIT
Day 4: Diskit to Turtuk [200 KM ]
Today, we ride to Baltistan!
Morning visit to Tyakshi & Pachathang. The Border villages of India and Pakistan. Village walk in Tyakshi and Turtuk! We would be riding back to Diskit via teh Shyok Valley route today. In this stretch, we would be visiting the famous Diskit Gompa.
STAY: DISKIT
Day 5: Diskit to Leh Via Khardung La [120 KM ]
We will ride back to Leh through Khardung La.
In the evening, we will explore Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace.
STAY: LEH
Day 6: Leh to Hanle [230 KM ]
The longest ride in the entire tour. We would be riding along the Indus River towards the village of Hanle. Hanle has got the highest astronomical observatory in India and third highest gamma ray telescope in the world. It is also the origin place of the world softest wool “Pashmina”. Hanley was a part of Tibet from 17th till early 20th Century!
STAY: HANLE
Day 7: Hanle to Spangmik [170 KM ]
The Most treacherous riding day in the trip.
No roads, No rest rooms, No food spots, No petrol bunks, No cell network range. Literally 170 Kms of nothingness.
This route traverses along the China Border. Rezang La and Tsaga La are the daunting passes in this route with Rezang La having a memorial for soldiers who died in Indo – China War of 1962.
STAY: SPANGMIK
Day 8: Merak to Leh [170 KM ]
Chang La. The highest point in our entire Tour. This route is mightier and tougher than Khardung La. We will leave early to ride along the Pangong while it glitters in Morning Sun. By afternoon, we will be in Thiksey. Evening at Leh.
FACT: CHANG LA is slightly higher in altitude than KHARDUNG LA.
STAY: LEH
DAY NINE: FLY FROM LEH TO HOME CITY
Kindly Check this page for more details on Ladakh which is essential before booking the Tour – Essential Ladakh Guide