Mystical Ladakh with Hemis Festival

Ladakh is known for its magnificent landscapes, snow-capped mountains, color changing lakes, deep lush valleys, Buddhist monasteries, the people, festivals and rituals. Get set to visit one of the most beautiful places on earth!

You are about to witness the pristine beauty of this mesmerizing land – do star gazing under the night sky, take a ride in the highest motor-able road in the world, test your photography skills by clicking incredible pictures.

Get first-hand experience of the Ladakhi way of living, eat fresh organic food, enjoy Ladakhi music and dance. Get to be a part of the Ladakhi culture. Take a walk into the narrow lanes of the hamlets, and into the homes and the hearts of the locals.

We try to remain secluded from the mainstream touristy places, beyond the routine. So leave all your tensions and worries behind, come and have an experience of a lifetime. 

Day 01 | Fly to Leh (-/-/D)

On arrival at Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), WANDERING SARATHY will personally receive you and transfer you to our home-stay/hotel for rest. Today is the day for acclimatization as you fly from plains to above 11000 feet.   We head out to the best local restaurant in town for our lunch. Try some local cuisines here!  We take a stroll in the Leh market and also do cafe-hopping in the evening. Overnight in Leh. 

Day 02 | Hemis Festival (B/-/D)

Today we head to Hemis Gompa, the largest and richest of the monasteries in Ladakh founded by Tsang-raspa under the royal patronage of Singe Namgyal in 1630. Feast your eyes on the sacred masked dance called Chams performed by the monks. Later, we visit Thiksey Gompa which belongs to the red hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, considered to be the most beautiful of all the monasteries in Ladakh. We end the day with a visit to Shanti Stupa – the Buddhist white-domed stupa on a hilltop that gives a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains.  

Day 03 |  Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (B/-/D)

Looking for a top-of-the-world experience? You literally get to experience it as we reach Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the world at 18390 ft. above sea level. We then drive to Nubra Valley en-route visit Diskit Monastery, one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh built in 1420 AD. Also, take a ride on the goofy-looking Double Humped Bactrian Camel in the white sand dunes in Hunder village. Overnight stay in Hunder. 

Day 04 | Turtuk - Thang (B/-/D)

Goosebumps moment awaits you! Turtuk was under the control of Pakistan till 1971 after which India gained control of this village. On the night of December 13, 1971, the people of this village went to sleep in Pakistan. The next morning, they woke up in India.   We visit Thang, the last village before the PoK from where you can witness the India - Pakistan bunkers. Overnight in Turtuk. 

Day 05 | Turtuk - Pangong Lake (B/-/D)

We leave for Pangong Tso via Shyok, the mesmerizing lake that appeared in the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. About 14,500 ft ASL, the lake is 6-7 km wide and over 130 km long, bisected by the international Indo-China Border.  Pangong Tso is just unimaginable and you would want to capture it with your cameras and eyes from every angle. Experience the peace and silence that you had been craving, just by looking at the color-changing lake and the sunset on the banks of the lake. Overnight in Pangong Lake.

Day 06 | Village Experience (B/-/D)

Wake up early for the mesmerizing sunrise from behind the mountains. Spend some quality time at Pangong Lake before we start our journey back to Leh via Changla Pass (17688 ft) considered the second highest motorable pass in the world. We reach a remote village in Ladakh where we would be staying with the locals.   After some relaxation, we take a stroll around the village - interact with the locals to understand their lifestyle, traditions, and culture. Overnight in the village. 

Day 07 | Leh (B/-/D)

This morning we take a short village walk through the narrow lanes, cultivated fields, small shrines, and monasteries. We start our journey back to Leh. We stop at Chemdrey Gompa, one of Ladakh's finest examples of the fortress-monastery, which served as a defense line against foreign invaders in the past. We check in to our hotel/homestay by late afternoon and relax a bit. Later, we head to the market to purchase souvenirs to take home with you. Overnight in Leh. 

Day 08 | Sham Valley (B/-/D)

Today we explore Sham Valley. We visit Alchi Gompa – the most beautiful Gompa of Ladakh, Likir Gompa – the 11th-century monastery known for its 75 feet statue of Buddha, and Basgo Castle – a truly monumental structure built on a mountain slope.  We also visit the Hall of Fame Museum, Sangam - the confluence of Zanskar and Indus, Magnetic Hill, and Gurudwara Sri Pathar Sahib. Overnight in Leh.

Day 09 | Bid Adieu (B/-/-)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. It’s time to bid goodbye to your new friends.   Head back home with a bagful of sweet memories!!! Tour ends.  

The itinerary is loosely drafted, and allows you to do as little or as much as you like.

This itinerary is just to give you an idea on the tour structure but in no means final and is subject to change.

Start Date: July 07, 2022 (Thursday) 

End Date: July 15, 2022 (Friday)  

Pick-up / Drop at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IATA: IXL, ICAO: VILH)  

Pls ensure that you arrive before 11:00 AM on Day 01 and depart after 10:00 AM on Day 09.

INR 29500 per person (Pay INR 10000 to Book Now!)  

• These rates are for Indian Nationals only. 
• Group Size: Minimum of 6 participants - Maximum of 14 participants (+) WANDERING SARATHY, as your Tour Lead 
• Please make sure that the trip has reached the minimum number of participants before you reserve your flight ticket. 
• Opt for Zero Cancellation Fee Protection Extension while booking your flights so that you get a full refund in case of cancellation. 
• Suitable for singles/solo travelers/couples/small groups of friends 
• Suitable for members between the age group of 16-50 yrs. Generally, we have participants between 20-35 yrs. 

INCLUSIONS

• Comfy stay on Double/Twin sharing basis for 8 nights/9 days in Homes-stays/Guesthouses/Camps. Single room supplement available at an additional charge (limited numbers). 
• Simple Breakfast, and Dinner (Set Menu) at our place of stay. The meal starts with Dinner on the 1st Day and ends with Breakfast on the 9th Day. 
• Group airport transfer for arrival and departure in Leh airport. If your flight arrival is at a different time, extra charges will be applicable. 
• Local sightseeing by an exclusive NAC Toyota Innova or Tempo Traveler depending on the number of participants. (Not at disposal) 
• Services of WANDERING SARATHY who personally leads the group and doubles as a storyteller
• Entry tickets to places of interest (for places mentioned in the itinerary). 
• Basic First-Aid Kit & Oxygen Cylinder 
• All Permits, Toll & Parking Charges 
• Service charges & Taxes 

EXCLUSIONS

• Airfare to Leh & return 
• Food/Snacks other than mentioned above.  
• Camera/Video charges 
• Bike rentals, ATV ride, Camel-ride (being a responsible travel company, we do not encourage rides on animals) 
• GST @ 5% on the trip cost 
• Additional requests, orders, and services availed in the hotel/homestay 
• Use of transport for personal use and beyond the designated trip route 
• Additional costs arising due to mishaps, political unrest, natural calamities like – landslides, road blockage, etc. In such a case, extras will have to be paid on the spot by the participants directly. 
• Personal expenses such as laundry, bottled water, soft drinks, incidentals, porter charges, tips, medicines, etc. 
• Any extra expenses due to delays arising from bad weather & circumstances beyond our control.
• Any item not specified in the ‘Inclusions’. 

Please confirm your participation by paying INR 10000 (Non-refundable Booking Fee**) to book your seat. Rest to be paid 30 days before the tour start date.   

Pls write to us at unusualescapes@gmail.com for our Bank Account Details to transfer the Booking Fee (or) pay via Google Pay at UPI ID: unusualescapes-1@okicici. Your spot will be confirmed as soon as we receive your Booking Fee.    

** If you can find anyone else to replace you, there’ll be NO cancellation charges. We will then refund your money in full.  

Pls write to us for cancellation conditions and other queries.