Lakes of Ladakh with Kargil and Alchi

Arrive Leh. Leh is situated at an altitude of 3500 meters, passing over the Himalayan barrier.. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities and for acclimatization. In the afternoon we will make a visit to Shanti Stupa.
Overnight at the Guest House or Hotel.
Meal – D

We spend one more day in Leh and surroundings, as it is essential for proper acclimatization before leaving on the trek. Today we visit to Leh Palace, Thiske Monastery and Shey Palace.
Leh Palace: The Leh palace has been described as a miniature version of Lahasa’sPotala Palace. It was built in the mid-16th century, the palace was partly in ruins by the 19th century. It has nine storeys, slopping buttresses and projecting wooden balconies. From the town below it is dazzling in the morning sun and ghostly at night. Built by king Singe-namgyal and stil owned by the royal family, it is now unoccupied – they live in the Palace at Stock. A part of the palace is a museum. Like the LahasaPotala Palace it has numerous rooms, steps and narrow passages lined with old thangkas, paintings and arms. The central prayer room (not in use), usually locked but opened on request, has religious texts lining the walls. There are many painted scrolls, murals and old manuscripts in the ruined palace.
Shey Palace: 15 km east of Leh, the ruined palace of Shey sits on a knife edged with the main Indus Valley road running along its base. The flat valley floor near the palace has scores of Stupas. Inside a temple near the road is two-story image of Buddha. Another temple contains a Buddha that was gilded in bronze by eight Newari craftsmen from Nepal.
Thiksey: 19 km southeast of Leh, this is the most architecturally impressive Gompa of Ladakh, situated on a splendid hill-top perch. This is the 12-storeyed, 800 years old monastery. There are ten temples, around 50-60 Lamas and few nuns (called Chomos) live here. The treasure of this monastery is a gold and silver statue of Buddha, ancient swords, Tankhas and Tantric wall paintings. There is also a huge brass pillar, which came from Tibet, engraved with Buddha’s sayings.
Later in the afternoon explore the beautiful market of Leh.
Overnight at the Guest house or Hotel
Meals – B, D

Today we drive to Kargil which is nearly 04 to 05 hours enroute visiting the famous Lamayuru monastery. The drive is very facinating as we dive alongwith the Indus river roadside .The landscape will spellbound you with its beuaty. It will take nearly 02 hours to Lamayuru.
Lamayuru is a small hamet which is the home of one of the oldest and largest Gompa in Ladakh. There is tale about this place was a lake which later dried up. Dated back to 11th century Lamayuru belongs to Kagyu sect, according to the historian it was initially the foremost Bon Monastery of Ladakh its name means sauwastika and is a popular symbol in Bon for “eternity “. Originally, the monastery had five buildings, though now only the central building exists, and is a home to 150 monks.
After visiting Lamayuru drive another 02 to 03 hours to Kargil. Upon arrival transfer to the guest house.
Kargil came into the limelight after the Kargil war between India and Pakisthan.
Overnight at the Guest house
Meals – B, D

Today we drive back to Leh on the way visiting Alchi and Likir monasteries.
Alchi another one of the oldest monastery in Ladakh. Alchi Monastery is fundamentally a monastic complex situated in Alchi Village. The complex has four separate settlements with monuments dating back to different times. The eye-catching paintings in Alchi Monastery are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh.
Alchi Monastery has three temples that have a long history of attracting tourists due to their interesting and elaborated carvings and the age-old statue of Buddha. Beside the enthralling beauty it has also historical and cultural importance. Alchi is one of the very few places where one can actually get a chance to peep into the cells of monk to know how they live there.
After exploring Alchi we drive 30 minutes to another bewitching monastery “Likir”
The Likir Monastery or gompa belongs to Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism is one of the oldest and well managed monastery in Ladakh. It is believed that this monastery was built in 11th century. Once it was destroyed by fire and in 18th century was rebuilt. This monastery is the home of 75 feet statue of Buddha. The monastery was built like a fort so that it offered a safe house to local inhabitants during the war. Monk’s quarters are perched above the Fields and the temple compound and the assembly hall are located above the monks’ residence.
Later drive back to Leh.
Overnight at the Hotel or Guest house
Meals – B, D

After breakfast 05 hours drive to Pangong Lake. The drive is very fascinating on the Manali – Leh highway. The drive takes us through two valleys .The first drive is along with Indus valley and the second drive continues to the one of the highest motorable pass – Chang la (5360 meters) and then we enter into the Shyok River valley. The whole drive keeps you in an awe with its unparallel beauty and jaw dropping sceneries. Upon arrival transfer to our fixed camp and later explore the beautiful Pangong lake
Pangong Lake 40 miles in length and nearly 2-4 miles in width is the world’s highest brackish lake at 4230 meters above sea level which makes it world’s highest saltwater lake. The name is driven form the Tibetan word “Pangong Tso- high grassland lake”. What strikes the eye in coming first in view of this lake is the lovely color of its water, especially towards evening, which is of the richest deep blue over the whole expanse, at morning time, it is of a lighter a very brilliant color. The water of the lake is so clear that it changes the colour with the time.
Lake and its surroundings.
Overnight camping
Meals – B, D

Anoter day of another mesmerizing lake Tso Moriri which is 05 hours drive.
Tso moriri tranquilized at an altitude of 4522 meters, Tso moriri is a brakish lake which is formed by several springs and snowmelt that drain into it from surrounding mountains, is one of the most mesmerising and scared lake of ladakh. The only highest lake that comes under the Indian territory. The lake is 3 to 7 km wide at its broadest point and about 19 km in length.
Tso moriri lake is the inhabitant of the Chang-pa, a nomadic tribe. For their livelihood they deepand on livestock herding and grow barley in well known highest fields on the planet.
Tso Moriri is a haven for several species of animals and birds and the common ones are Tibetan gazelle, great Tibetan sheep and the Tibetan wild ass. Other mammals include Himalayan marmots, three species of mouse hares, hares and voles. The high slopes are the habitat of snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and red fox. The lake is famous for the birds it shelters. Its location makes it an important migratory rest point for an estimated 40 species of birds from six families. The lake is renowned for being the only breeding point in India for the bar-headed goose as well as for the globally threatened black-necked crane.
Overnight Camping
Meals – B, D

06 hours drive back to Leh. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel or Guest house. Rest of the day free for independent activities.
Overnight at Hotel or Guesthouse
Meals – B

Our services end by giving the departure transfer from the hotel to the Airport.