Ladakh and Zanskar
Ladakh, or “Little Tibet” as it is known is one of the most remote areas of India, lying to the north of the Himalaya on the Tibetan Plateau to the south of the Karakorams. It remained isolated for centuries to the outside world due to its inaccessibility, and the strategic position it occupies in the northern frontier. Ladakh has a rich cultural and religious heritage as can be seen from the centuries old monasteries, some of them built on sheer cliffs and still functioning actively. Ladakh offers its visitors some rare sights like the 130 km long expansive magical Pangong lake, lying at 4267 m and partly in China. The spectacular view of the Changchenmo range of mountains reflects itself in the ever changing blues and greens of this lake. The 23 km long Tsomoriri lake situated at 4551 m in the high Changtang plateau is another attraction. Rare bird species make this their home during the short summer when they migrate here for breeding. Besides the lake lies the ancient village of Korzok where the hardy Changpas – nomads of this region live during the winter and tend to their pashmina goats and yaks in the vast grazing grounds during the short summer.
Best Season: Early June till end of September
PACKAGES
Acclimatization is imperative and important if you are planning to participate and run the Ladakh Marathon.
We have created some special travel packages for Ladakh Marathon runners. These will provide you with an opportunity to explore and enjoy the scenic beauty and stunning landscape of Ladakh, while acclimatizing and preparing for the marathon. Our trips are not rushed but tailored for you to acclimatize and prepare you for the Run.
From travelling by jeeps and enjoying the various monasteries, Nubra Valley and the famous Lakes of Ladakh to day walks, rafting, mountain biking, trekking and also climbing mountains, there is a plethora of activities that you can do as you acclimatize and prepare yourself for Ladakh Marathon.
Besides the given Travel Packages for Ladakh Marathon, we can always customise a trip to suit your requirements.
LADAKH CULTURAL ODYSSEE
Grade: Relaxing, easy walks, transport by Innova / Qualis / Scorpio (max 4 to a vehicle), Comfortable, clean accommodation.
Fri 01 Sep: Day 01
Fly to Leh very early in the morning at 05:30 am. Meet with Rimo Rep in Leh and transfer to your hotel. After breakfast rest for acclimatization. Today we will have lunch at the hotel where you will be briefed about your tour and allowed to rest so you enjoy the following days in Leh .
Sat 02 Sep: Day 02
An easy day for further acclimatisation. Visit around town and Stakna and Hemis monastery. Evening drive to Shanti Stupa, a Japanese Peace Pagoda to see the sun set on the Indus Valley. Walk back through Changspa, one of the most popular places in Leh catering to tourists – with its street side restaurants, bakeries, internet cafes and shops.
Sun 03 Sep: Day 03
After breakfast, we drive to Uleytokpo (2 hrs) (Option of rafting on the Zanskar river from Chilling to Nemo). Enroute we stop to visit Alchi, Built in the 11th century is one of the few monasteries that survived the restoration of the 16th century. The complex consists of a group of 5 temples. The Dukhang is entered through a finely carved wooden archway and a door richly embellished with wood carvings depicting the Five buddhas. The three tiered Sumstek shows a strong influence of Kashmiri traditions, a unique feature in this monastery.
Mon 04 Sep: Day 04
We drive for 1 ½ hrs to visit the dramatically located Lamayuru monastery set against the unique moonlike landscape. We then drive to Tingmosgang, a lovely little village which used to be the ancient capital of Ladakh. Later visit the picturesque village of Tia and the ancient fort of Tingmosgang. O/N hotel
Tue 05 Sep: Day 05
For those who wish to walk, you have the option of taking a 3 ½ hrs walk crossing the 3720m Tsermachenla pass to the village of HemisShukpachen. Here we have lunch at a local home and drive to Leh. For those not wishing to walk, you will drive to Likir and visit around until the trekkers return and you will drive together to Leh stopping enroute at Basgo. The jagged skyline of the ruins of the 15th century capital of Ladakh dominates the village of Basgo. The citadel itself is in complete ruins. O/N Leh
Wed 06 Sep: Day 06
Drive to Nubra (3 ½ – 4 hrs) crossing Khardungla, one of the highest motorable pass in the world at 18360ft. It’s a scenic drive across the Khardungla as you see the high Saser Massif range of mountains of east Karakorams. Visit Yarab Tso lake and Samstaling monastery. O/N Hundar.
Thu 07 Sep: Day 07
Visit Deskit monastery and sand dunes. Continue to Sakti village across the Wari-la pass. O/N
Fri 08 Sep: Day 08
Make a day trip to Pangong lake (3 to 3.5 hrs one way). Lunch at the lake and return to your comfortable accommodation in Leh.
Sat 09 Sep: Day 09
Rest day
Sun 10 Sep: Day 10
Race Day.
Mon 11 Sep: Day 11
Fly to Delhi.
COST:
2 pax: Rs. 73,270/- per person plus airfares
3 – 5 pax: Rs. 71,480/- per person plus airfares
6 – 8 pax: Rs.52,670/- per person plus airfares
9 – 12 pax: Rs.48,080/- per person plus airfares
Single supplement: Rs.25,500/-
Cost includes:
Airport transfers in Leh, accommodation on twin sharing basis – 6 nights in Leh with breakfast only at “A” class hotel, 1 night in Uleytokpo with dinner & breakfast, 1 night hotel in Tingmosgang with all meals, 1 night hotel in Hundar with dinner & breakfast, 1 night at Hotel in Sakti with all meals, transport by non-AC Innova/Tempo
Cost does not include:
Additional hotel nights, entrance fee to monasteries or places of interest, local guide for sightseeing places/tours, items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips, etc., extra hotel nights, extra costs incurred due to roadblocks, landslides, use of vehicle outside sightseeing hours.
SRINAGAR – LADAKH OVERLAND
Sat 02 Sep: Day 01
Arrive in Srinagar by noon, meet up with vehicles and drive to Sonmarg – 3 hrs. O/N Hotel. Later you have the option of walking up to Thajwas glacier.
Sun 03 Sep: Day 02
Leave early for 7 hrs drive to Tingmosgang. Enroute we stop at the war memorial in Kargil. O/N in Tingmosgang
Mon 04 Sep: Day 03
Drive to Leh enroute visiting Alchi, one of the most famous monasteries here which withstood the restoration of the 16th Century. Stopping options along the way for photography are many such as Basgo Fort, Magnetic point, confluence view point, Gurudwara O/N Leh.
Tue 05 Sep: Day 04
A free day in Leh to explore on your own.
Wed 06 Sep: Day 05
We drive to the Nubra valley (4 hrs) crossing Khardungla, one of the highest motorable pass in the world at 18360 ft. Its 40 km to the top of the pass. It’s a beautiful drive as you gain height very quickly and look down at the Leh valley oasis with the Stok range of mountain almost pararell now. The last 7 km is on a rough stretch on either side of the pass. The valley opens and the landscape just captivates you. Visit Diskit monastery and the giant Buddha statue and spend the night in Hundar. Visit the sand dunes in the evening.
Thu 07 Sep: Day 06
Drive to Sakti village across the Wari-la pass. O/N
Fri 08 Sep: Day 07
Drive to Pangong, enjoy the colours of the lake and drive back to Leh. O/N in Leh
Sat 09 Sep: Day 08
At leisure in Leh.
Sun 10 Sep: Day 09
Race Day
Mon 11 Sep: Day 10
Transfer to Leh airport – end of services
2 pax: Rs. 76,100/- per person plus airfares
3 – 5 pax: Rs. 69,300/- per person plus airfares
6 – 8 pax: Rs. 48,200/- per person plus airfares
9 – 12 pax: Rs. 44,750/- per person plus airfares
accommodation on twin sharing – 1 night in Sonmarg with dinner & breakfast, 1 night in Tingmosgang with dinner & breakfast, 5 nights in Leh with breakfast only, 1 night in Nubra with dinner & breakfast, 1 night guest house in Sakti village with lunch, dinner & breakfast, transport by non-AC Innova/Tempo.
Cost does not include Airfares, entrance fees to monasteries and monuments, local guide, pony rides, camel rides, cultural program, items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips, etc, extra hotel nights, extra costs incurred due to road blocks, landslides, use of vehicle outside sightseeing hours.
GLIMPSES OF LADAKH
Mon 04 Sep: Day 01
Arrive Leh from Delhi. Transfer to hotel and rest for acclimatization. It is imperative to take complete rest today if you want to enjoy the rest of your time in Ladakh
Tue 05 Sep: Day 02
After breakfast visit Spituk monastery , close to the airport and then take the less travelled Link road to Stok Palace Museum. Continue to visit Stakna returning to Leh by late afternoon / early evening. (There is a cafeteria in Stok Palace as well as well as Cloud café close to Thiksey monastery . Noon at leisure to visit around the market.
Wed 06 Sep: Day 03
We drive for about 4 hrs today to Nubra valley across the Khardungla pass, one of the highest motorable pass in the world at 18360 ft. Visit the Deskit gompa and the gigantic outdoor statue of Maitreya Buddha. Spend the night in Hundar. Evening visit the hundar sand dunes.
Thu 07 Sep: Day 04
Drive to Sakti village across the Wari-la pass. O/N
Fri 08 Sep: Day 05
Drive to Pangong lake, enjoy the colors of this magical lake, 1/4th of which lies in Tibet. The snow capped Changchenmo mountains’s reflects on the lake and the colors of the lake keep changing with the light. Return to Leh – 5 hrs.
Sat 09 Sep: Day 06
At leisure – rest day
Sun 10 Sep: Day 07
Race Day
Mon 11 Sep: Day 08
Transfer to Leh airport – end of services
COST:
2 pax: Rs.47,700/- per person plus airfares
3 – 5 pax: Rs. 45,700/- per person plus airfares
6 – 8 pax: Rs.34,100/- per person plus airfares
9 – 12 pax: Rs.32,700/- per person plus airfares
Single supplement: Rs.16,450/-
Cost includes
accommodation on twin sharing basis – 5 nights “A” class hotel in Leh with breakfast only, 1 night hotel in Nubra with dinner & breakfast, 1 night Guest house in Sakti village with lunch, dinner & breakfast, transport as per program by non-AC Innova/Tempo
Cost does not include
Airfares, meals in Leh, local guide, entrance fees, camel ride in Hunder sand dunes, extra hotel night, items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips, etc., extra costs incurred due to mishandled luggage, roadblocks, landslides, usage of vehicle outside sightseeing hours.
LADAKH ESCAPE
Arrive Leh. Transfer to hotel and rest for acclimatization. O/N
Wed 06 Sep: Day 02
Acclimatisation walk / rafting / mountain biking
Thu 07 Sep: Day 03
Drive to Nubra valley -4 hrs via Khardungla pass. Enroute stop at Deskit monastery & visit the Gigantic outdoor statue of Maitreya Buddha. Spend the night at Hundar. Visit the sand dunes in the evening. Cultural shows are also organized. O/N Guest house.
Fri 08 Sep: Day 04
Drive to Sakti village across the Wari-la pass. O/N Guest house.
Sat 09 Sep: Day 05
Drive to Pangong lake, enjoy the colors of this magical lake, 1/4th of which lies in Tibet. The snow capped Changchenmo mountains’s reflects on the lake and the colors of the lake keep changing with the light. Return to Leh – 5 hrs.
Sun 10 Sep: Day 06
Race Day
Mon 11 Sep: Day 07
Transfer to Leh airport – end of service.
COST:
2 pax: Rs. 45,800/- per person
3 – 5 pax: Rs. 42,700/- per person
6 – 8 pax: Rs. 30,000/- per person
9 – 12 pax: Rs.28,800/- per person
Single supplement: Rs.16,100/-
Cost includes: Airport transfers, 4 nights “A” class hotel in Leh with breakfast only, 1 night Guest house in Nubra with dinner & breakfast , 1 night Guest house in Sakti with lunch, dinner & breakfast, transport as per program by non-AC Innova/Tempo .
Cost does include: Airfares, meals in Leh, extra hotel nights due to flight cancellation, extra cost incurred due to mishandled luggage, roadblocks, landslides, items of any personal nature such as drinks, tips, etc, local guide, use of vehicle outside sightseeing hours, camel rides, cultural shows.
