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Ladakh
Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world s mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram Himalaya, it is a high-altitude desert located at the western edge of the Tibetan plateau. Its awe-inspiring landscape has been modified and sculpted into its spectacular shape by wind and water over the millennia. The moon-like scenery is extraordinary: stark and barren but interspersed with isolated settlements of green oases full of swaying poplar trees, apricot orchards and cultivated farmland. Despite the rugged terrain and high altitude, the people of Ladakh exhibit a natural joie de vivre and their customs and lifestyle are a continuum from the past.The vibrancy and colour of their cultural traditions can be seen in the many local festivals that take place all through the summer. Trip Highlights: - Opened for travel only last year, we take you deep into the Nubra Valley to Turtuk, where for the first time one can get a glimpse of what used to be the Indian side of Baltistan. - Paragliding in Manali - Start the trip on a 'High'! - Cross the famous Manali-Leh highway and some of the world's highest roads. - Stay at camps in Sarchu, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Uleytokpo - Visit Khardung La, known to be one of the world's hghest motorable roads. - Drive to the sand dunes and bactrian camels in Hunder, Nubra Valley.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi
(Distance: 565 km, Travel Time: 12-14 hrs, Elevation: 2,050m/6,726ft)

Manali

Departure from New Delhi in the evening on board a Deluxe Coach to Manali. www.cosurvivor.in/pages/departures/ladakhexplore.html

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CoSurvivor | Travel and Photography | Departures | Ladakh Departure from New Delhi in the evening on board a Deluxe Coach to Manali. Overnight bus journey.

Day 2: Explore Manali Manali is located at the northern end of Kullu valley. The river Beas meanders through the town, surrounded by deodar and pine trees, tiny fields, fruit orchards and grassy meadows carpeted with wildflowers which give way to stunning views of lofty snow-capped peaks. Start the day with paragliding near the Solang Valley, rest of the evening at leisure to explore the town. Day 3: Manali
(Distance: 51km/64km/30km/43km/42 km 230km; Travel Time: 8-10 hrs; Elevation: Rohtang 3,978m / 13,051ft, Keylong 3,350m/10,991ft, Jispa 3,182m/10,439ft, Baralacha La - 5045m /16,551ft, Sarchu 4,290m/ 14,075ft)

Rohtang

Keylong

Jispa

Baralacha La

Sarchu

The toughest part of the journey, the drive from Manali to Leh. The highway is open only between June and September when snow is cleared from the road by the Indian Army. It connects the Kullu valley, Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh. The highway crosses some of the highest mountain passes in the world and promises to be one of the most memorable and scenic experiences of all time. Day 4: Sarchu Lachulung La Tanglang La Leh
(Distance: 54km/81km/109km 244km; Travel Time: 6-7 hrs; Elevation: Lachulung La 5,059m / 16,598ft, Tanglang La 5,359m / 17,582 ft, Leh 3,505m/11,500ft)

Depart early morning from Sarchu. Crossing over the picturesque Lachulung La, More Plains and Tanglang La, we arrive in Leh by late afternoon. Relax after the long journey or walk around Leh town in the evening. Note: Those opting to fly in directly would me met upon arrival at Leh by our representative and assisted to the hotel to be joined by the group. Day 5: In Leh Leh, the capital city of Ladakh is a historical transit point for caravans of the bygone Silk Route, and still looks and feels like a trading post of the ancient past. It is an imminently accessible and fascinating locale, featuring two notable monasteries, a palace, a mosque, and countless narrow, crooked alleyways beckoning the curious visitor. Day 6: Leh
(Distance: 78km / 82km 160km, Travel Time: 5-6 hrs; Elevation: Chang La 5,425m/17,800ft, Pangong 4,250m/13,943ft)

Chang La

Pangong Tso

Drive to Pangong Tso a high altitude lake in the Ladakh Himalayas. It is 134 km long and extends from India to Tibet. Two thirds of the length of this lake lies in Tibet. The lake is 5 km wide at its broadest point. Along the way we traverse the high Chang La, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. Day 7: Pangong Tso
(Distance: 153km / 17km 170km, Travel Time: 5-6 hrs)

Thiksey

Leh

We drive back toward Leh, stopping en route at Thiksey Gompa. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha and bears close resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Day 8: Leh

(Distance: 37km / 90km 127km; Travel Time: 4-5hrs; Elevation: Khardung La 5,602m/18,380ft, Hunder 3,245m/10,646ft)

Khardung-La

Hunder

Driving from Leh, we cross the Khardung La (18,380 ft), known as one of the world s highest motorable passes, into the Nubra Valley towards Hunder. Spend the evening at the famous desert sand dunes with the option for rides on Bactiran (double humped) camels. Day 9: Hunder
(Distance: 90km, Travel Time: 2hrs;

Turtuk

For the first time, the remote village of Turtuk, which was once a part of Baltistan, is open to travellers. Besides the amazing scenery, there is an ancient fort and a monastery, springs with healing properties and pearls to be picked up in the mountains. The area boasts of rare wildlife: marmots, ibex and the elusive snow leopard. We spend the day exploring the area and stay at the Turtuk Holiday Camp, a brand new property surrounded by Apricot orchards. Day 10: Turtuk
(Distance: 98km / 119km 217km, Travel Time: 5-6hrs; Elevation: Khardung La 5,602m/18,380ft, Leh 3,505m/11,500ft)

Diskit

Leh

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Elevation: Khardung La 5,602m/18,380ft, Leh 3,505m/11,500ft)

CoSurvivor | Travel and Photography | Departures | Ladakh

Drive back to Leh over the scenic Changthang ranges. Evening at leisure in Leh town. Day 11: Leh
(By Air, Travel Time: 1hr15mins) - Airfare not included.

Fly Out

Transfer to the airport to catch the early morning flight back to New Delhi. Pick up and transfers from the airport on arrival can be arranged on special request. For those interested in driving back via Manali or Srinagar instead of flying back, transport arrangements can be made on request.

Package and Pricing

- 11 Days / 1st 11th August / Drive In and Fly Out - INR 26,987/- per person - 8 Days / 4th 11th August / Fly In and Fly Out - INR 16,547/- per person Option to start the road trip from Delhi or fly in to Leh and join the group on day 4

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LADAK

Inclusions: - Accommodation on twin sharing basis in comfortable hotels/guest houses or deluxe camps only in Manali - Meals: Breakfast as mentioned. and Leh. - Meals: All meals Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner during stay at camps in Sarchu, Pangong, Nubra Valley and Turtuk. - All transport to Ladakh by SUV s (Scorpios/Xylos/Innovas) - Representative for assistance on arrival and departure in Manali and Leh. - Volvo coach journey from Delhi to Manali. - Inner Line Permits and Wildlife fees for restricted areas. - Paragliding in Manali

Exclusions: - Any Airfare - Personal expenses like laundry, telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, entrance and camera fees, medical expenses, gratuities etc. - Any Insurance - Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.

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Rah l Kiran I would love if there is a Pillion option. Reply Like Follow Post September 20 at 3:56am
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