DISCOVER LADAKHI - INDUS VALLEY AND TSOKAR & TSOMORIRI LAKES

Arrival in New Delhi. Change terminals and catch a domestic flight. After an exhilarating flight over the Himalayan range, reach Leh, the capital of Ladakh (3,500 m). Day of rest and acclimatization in Leh. Tour of the historic town and its labyrinth of narrow streets.
- Accommodation: Hotel Grand Willow or similar on BB Basis

We visit the Stok Museum which has on exhibit some exquisite jewelry and royal ornaments. We then move on to the old royal fortress of Shey and its monastery. Head back to Leh.
- Accommodation: Same hotel

We drive to Taktok and enjoy picnic lunch on-site and take a short walk through some villages to reach Chemre. Then we get back on the road and drive to Hemis, the most important monastery of Ladakh in terms of spirituality. Built-in 1605, the monastery houses 500 monks and its ideal location has preserved it from looting. Back to Leh.
-  Duration of hike: 2-3hr
-  Accommodation: Same hotel

We leave Leh and drive to reach Likir (1 ½ hr), the starting point of our short trek. We climb gradually and cross two small passes before reaching Yangtang, a pretty little village of twenty houses.
- Ascent: + 400m 
- Descent: - 300m  
- Duration of hike: 3-5hr
- Accommodation: Homestay on full board

We start the day with a half-hour walk on level ground, then make a gradual climb to reach the Sarmathang La Pass (3,880 m). We then walk down a little to Hemis Shukpachan. The village name comes from the juniper forests as the pine needles are used as incense.
Along the way, many small chortens remind us that we are in a Buddhist land, where religion is an integral part of the daily life of the Ladakhis.
After having tea with our hosts Angchok and Tsering, we bid them goodbye and head for a small monastery with a bird's eye view of the entire village. This also gives us the opportunity to meet the locals returning from their fields.
- Ascent: + 350m
- Descent: - 400m
- Duration of hike: 3 - 4hr
- Accommodation: Homestay on full board

We walk for an hour on level ground, then make a short descent and climb up to the Mebtak Pass (3,830m). We then go down to Ang and Temisgam. The trail is cut into ochre, pink, and purple (ophiolites) rocks that remind us that the Himalayas rose up from the Tethys Sea bed some fifty million years ago. After tea, we take a little tour of the village.
- Ascent: + 400m
- Descent: - 700m
- Duration of hike: 4 - 5hr
- Accommodation: Homestay on full board

After breakfast, we visit the Temisgam Monastery which enjoys a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks located north of the Indus Valley.
We then drive on a beautiful winding road to reach Lamayuru where we have lunch with our hosts. After lunch, we visit the 11^th century Lamayuru Monastery which is perched on a boulder overlooking the village. It has three important temples. There are many hiking routes around the village of Lamayuru.
- Duration of hike: 1hr
- Accommodation: Naranjana Guest House on full board

Today’s hike takes us through beautiful landscapes. Depending on the time of day, the color of rocks change and stand in stark contrast with the greenery of Lamayuru. We climb to the Prinki La pass (3,700m). After a good rest, we start our descent to Wangla. In the early evening, we visit the Rinchen Zangpo Monastery, perched on a hill overlooking Wangla.
- Ascent: + 350m
- Descent: - 550m
- Duration of hike: 4hr
- Accommodation: Homestay on full board

After breakfast, we head for Alchi. In the afternoon, we visit the sacred site of Alchi, which is comprised of four temples of which the oldest was erected in the 11^th century. These temples are known for their Indo-Kashmiri style frescoes and are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we head back to Leh.
- Accommodation: Hôtel Grand Willow or similar on MAP basis

We drive to the Changtang Plateau, south-east of Leh, just a few kilometers from Tibet. We notice a complete change of scenery and those who love open spaces will have a field day!
In summer, many nomads bring their herds of goats, sheep, horses, and yaks to graze on the large meadows of this region. The Changtang Lakes also plays host to many protected species of migratory birds every year.
We arrive at Lake Tsomoriri and walk around it; the sunset on the lake is simply astounding. During our three-day trip to Changtang, we get an insight into the daily life of the Changpas, the nomadic tribes of this region.
- Accommodation: Tented Camp or Lodge on full board

Early in the morning, we go out for a walk along the serene waters of Lake Tsomoriri. The lake covers an area of almost 120 sq. km. It provides breeding grounds and resting places for more than 40 species of migratory waterfowl. Then in the afternoon, we move to Tsokar Lake.
- Duration of hike: 3hr
- Accommodation: Tented Camp or Lodge on full board

We get up early for a hike around Lake Tsokar. The scene is eerily beautiful with the red ocher mountains reflected in the turquoise waters of the lake. The large deposits of salt around the lake resemble the salt pans of Andean countries. Then we head back to Leh.
- Accommodation: Hôtel Grand Willow or similar on BB basis.

Free day in Leh (safety reason).
- Accommodation: Same hotel

We catch an early flight back to Delhi.
End of our services.