Caravan Travels & Tours, Leh

Tour Route : Leh-Indus Valley-Nubra Valley-Pangong Lake-Alchi/ Lamayuru/ Kargil–Srinagar
(Duration: 7 nights / 8 days)

This tour recreates the journeys of the trade caravans of yesteryears. The tour covers the beautiful Pangong Lake before following the trade route from Nubra Valley, through the Indus Valley and onward to Kashmir via Lamayuru, Kargil, Drass & Sonamarg. The tour explores the majestic mountain ranges & deep valleys, smiling people, and the living heritage of centuries-old hilltop monasteries.

ITINERARY

Day-1	Arrive Leh by morning flight and transfer to the hotel. After welcome drink / tea / coffee at the hotel, take complete rest for acclimatization to the high altitude of Leh (11,500 ft / 3500 mtrs). In the late afternoon visit the city centre for leisurely walks in the markets for general orientation, followed by a visit to Shanti Stupa to enjoy the spectacular evening views of the town. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-2	After leisurely breakfast visit Shey Palace, Sindhu Ghat & Thiksey Monastery. Post lunch at the hotel, visit Sankar Gompa & Leh Palace and then drop in the city centre to explore at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-3	Early departure for Pangong Lake (approx. 150 kms), via Chang-la pass (alt: 17370 ft./ 5486 meters)-3rd highest motorable pass in the world. Pangong Lake (alt: 14,500 ft.) is 4-5 kms wide and about 140 kms long, of which about two-third lies on the other side of the Indo-China border. After sightseeing around the lake, drive back to Leh, reaching in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-4	After breakfast leave for Nubra Valley, driving across Khardong-la (alt: 18,380 ft.), highest motorable pass in the world, recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. After descending from the pass, drive on for sightseeing of Samstaling Monastery in the Sumoor area. Later check- in at a fixed tent / hut camp in the same valley OR drive across to Deskit / Hundar for overnight stay in a camp or a hotel. Dinner & overnight at the camp / hotel.
Day-5	In the morning, drive to / explore Deskit (headquarters of Nubra), Hundar and the Sand Dunes. You can enjoy a short camel safari amidst the sand dunes on the double humped Bactrian camels (optional). In the afternoon return to Leh, en- route visiting the dramatically located 15th century Deskit monastery. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-6	Leh-Alchi / Uleytokpo / Nurla: (75 kms.): After breakfast, leave for Alchi / Uleytokpo / Nurla on the first leg of the journey to Kargil and Srinagar. Along the way you may visit Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Point, Sangam (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers) and then the 11th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic complex famous for its wall frescoes and architecture - a UNESCO listed heritage site. Dinner & overnight in fixed camp at Uleytokpo / Nurla.
Day-7	Uleytokpo / Nurla- Lamayuru-Kargil (135 kms.): After breakfast leave for Kargil. On the way you can view / visit the dramatically located *Lamayuru monastery* and the adjoining “Moonland” hills as its backdrop. Driving on to Kargil via the Fotu-la & Namika-la passes, reach Mulbek where you can view the 9-Mtrs. tall rock sculpture of the Maitreya Buddha (7th –8th century AD) standing on the roadside. Kargil is at an hour’s drive from here. Dinner & overnight in the hotel at Kargil.
Day-8	Kargil-Sonamarg-Srinagar (205kms): Early departure for Srinagar via Drass, Zojila pass & Sonamarg. Drass is famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world. Zoji-la Pass (11,500-ft. /3,505 m), is the watershed between the rugged landscape of Ladakh and the lushness of Kashmir. Sonamarg, the famous hill station of Kashmir valley, is the first major town over Zoji-la. From here it’s a smooth drive all the way to Srinagar through the beautiful Kashmir countryside.

*Notes*
Sequence of the day-wise tour program as listed above may change depending upon availability of suitable accommodation at different places and other travel conditions. Overnight staying option in the Nubra Valley is mainly in tented accommodation or standard hotels with facilities which may not be of the same standard as in the hotels being used at Leh.

TOUR COST: On application with dates & details.

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per itinerary in the hotel / camps listed under the tour package or similar.
All meals buffet on fixed menu (Breakfast, hot OR pack lunch & dinner). Option for half board available on request.
Airport-hotel-airport transfers.
Sightseeing / excursion by independent non-A/C MUV Taxi (Scorpio /Toyota Qualis / Tata Grand / Tavera or similar vehicles).
Note: The vehicle provided for the tour is for sightseeing on point–to-point basis as per the itinerary and not on disposal basis. The driver is NOT a guide.
Protected Area permit & wild life fee for visiting restricted / protected areas.
All currently applicable hotel taxes, if any.
No refund for any un-utilized service of the package.

TOUR PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS

Any expenses of personal nature such as tips, laundry, telephone calls, fax etc.
Entrance Fees for Monument, Monasteries & Museums.
Any kind of drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
Rafting charges, Camel Safari Charges, Guide charges, if any.
Any expense incurred or loss caused by reasons beyond our control such as bad weather, natural calamities (landslides, floods), flight delays / rescheduling / cancellations, any accidents / medical evacuations, riots/strikes/war, & etc.
Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Tour Package Inclusions”.
Any expenses incurred on extra transport or extra / optional tours.
Room service & additional meals.
Medical & Travel insurance.

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

The tour costs are based on sharing of the vehicle by 02, 04 or 06 persons, as the case may be, for transfers & sightseeing / touring.
Tour costs shall be based on accommodation in standard category rooms at all hotels.
25% advance (Non Refundable) to be deposited in our account for tour booking.
Next 50% of the tour cost is to be deposited at least 10 days before departure for Leh.
Balance 25% of the tour cost has to be paid at the time of checking in at the hotel in Leh.
Children of 10 years and above age will be charged as adult.
Hotels / camps listed under the package are indicative and subject to availability only.
All bookings and confirmations are subject to availability of accommodation.