Best of Ladakh

On the day of arrival at Leh Airport, Alkof Holidays representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure, acclimatize yourself to the altitude and climate in Leh. In the evening, visit the white-domed Shanti Stupa that sits pretty on a hilltop. Later, you can explore the local market where the shopper's can spend time buying authentic Tibetan handicrafts such as Prayer Wheels, Stoles, Pashmina Shawls among others. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit the splendid Sham Valley. A visit to this place is often an overwhelming experience as this place was constructed by the Indian Army to commemorate soldiers who lost their lives during Indo-Pak wars. It brings you up, close and personal with the sacrifices of our soldiers. Later, visit the Kali Mata Mandir followed by famed Buddhist monastery, the Spituk Gompa - an 11th-century structure. After that visit Gurudwara Patthar Sahib built by the Lamas of Leh to honour Guru Nanak Dev's visit in 1517. Also visit the Magnetic Hills, to experience the optical illusion where the downhill road actually looks like an uphill road, further driving through a picturesque landscape we reach the confluence of The Indus and Zanskar River. Later drive back to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a mesmerizing drive to the Nubra Valley - known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers in Leh. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram & Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 ft. above sea level. On the way to Nubra Valley, cross the Khardungla Pass which is 18360 ft. above the sea level and is the highest motorable pass in the world. As we drive through this, you witness stunning vistas encompassing snow-capped peaks, majestic mountains, and experience the drive which will take you through the bridge that has been laid on a glacier and also made it to the Guinness Book of World Records. Upon arrival at Nubra Valley, check-in at the camp for overnight stay.

After breakfast at the camp, visit the stunning silver sand dunes of Hunder, sitting at an average altitude of 10, 000 feet, Hunder is a small village where the Shyok River meets Nubra River. Enjoy a camel safari on the double humped camels, which are reminder the bygone era of Silk Route trade, and are found only in the Nubra Valley. Later visit the oldest, Diskit Monastery, also known as Deskit monastery, situated on a hilltop that allows you breathtaking panoramas of the entire valley. The enormity of the Buddha statue in the monastery will leave you speechless and it is the reason for attracting thousands of tourists to this place. Adding to its glory, there is a small village market in the town of Diskit, which is a great place for a leisurely stroll to get a peek into the lives of people in Ladakh. Later drive back to Leh via Khardung-La Pass. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel for night stay.

Early in the morning, take your packed breakfast from the hotel and leave for Pangong TSO Lake - situated at a height of almost 4,350m, is the world's highest saltwater lake. Its waters, which seem to be dyed in blue, stand in stark contrast to the arid mountains surrounding it. Extending to almost 160km, one-third of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China. On the way to Pangong, visit Shey Palace - used as a summer palace by the former King of Ladakh. Next visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock providing awe-inspiring views of the Indus valley. After that drive to Changla Pass (5486 Mtrs). Changla Pass is famous for its fast photograph session, later drive down to the village of Tangtse, where you can take a sip of Tea and relax for a while. Later, continue your drive to Pangong TSO Lake. Upon arrival at Pangong Lake, check-in at your camp. If time permits, you can visit Pangong Lake. Overnight stay at the camp.

After breakfast at the camp, visit the beautiful lake, along with nearby places. Later in the afternoon drive back to Leh, en-route visit Hemis Gompa, situated 45 km from Leh, the monastery was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June. Upon arrival at Leh, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure or go out for shopping in the local market. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the camps, drive back to Leh via Tsokar Lake. On the way, visit Puga Geo-Thermal Gas springs, visiting the Nomadic Rebo tents at Polo-Kongka pass, after that visit Tsokar Lake - a wetland area. Stop here for photographs. If you are interested, you can also visit the monastery of tiny Thukje village. Overnight stay in hotel in Leh.

It's time to say farewell to Ladakh. Leave on time for Leh airport for onward journey.