LEH 7NIGHTS 8 DAYS JOURNEY MAKERS

Transcription

1 LEH 7NIGHTS 8 DAYS JOURNEY MAKERS

2 Leh Cut away from the real world, Ladakh is an unexplored land of mystery and beauty. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, remote valleys and wild expanses, there is something about this highaltitude desert that makes people 'always want to go' but never dare to. Step into Leh, Ladakh's capital city if you long for some adventure and you will understand why one trip here is a lifealtering experience. The journey up to Leh is a test of endurance. However, this little backpacker town isn't too hard to settle in. The biting chill here is infused with the pleasant chatter of tourists, students and monks in long red robes. Souvenir shops and pizzerias open their doors, despite being a breathless ft above sea level. Settled at the foot of the Namgyal Tsemo peak, fluttering prayer flags add colour to the barren, snowy mountains that rise and fall around it. Thought that life here was slow and dull? You couldn't have been more wrong! Places to see Get in touch with its culture by taking a break from the monotonous routine and enjoying some mountainside entertainment. The Hemis Gompa is a riot of colour when the Hemis Festival (Hemis Tsechu) celebrations are underway in July every year. The atmosphere comes alive in fiery tones of red and yellow, oranges and blues as locals dress up in costume, perform mystical Chaam dances, and sway to temple music to the cheering crowd. While the festival is slowly losing its authenticity with growing tourism, you could visit the newer Ladakh Confluence, which celebrates Ladakh-Leh's affinity to music, adventure, culture and the arts. Add that splendid finishing touch with a bowl of Chang, the region's own traditional, country liquor. Thiksey Monastery and Matho Gompa are other cultural treasures that one can visit. The Matho Gompa is famous for its Winter Oracle Festival. The Stakna Gompa, and thehemis - Leh's wealthiest monastery are must visits. Tibetan architecture and Buddhist culture are an integral part of town, and add colour to Leh's desolate landscape. The Nine Storey Palace (Leh Palace), built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal, who ruled over the Old Kingdom treasures a fine collection of beautiful murals. The Dhukar Temple on the fourth floor houses the image of Goddess Tara and several religious artefacts that you could look through. About 140 km from the bustling hub of Leh is the Nubra Valley, well known for its white sand dunes and the double humped camel. The drive to the valley opens exciting vistas and passes through the world's highest motorable road - Khardungla Pass (5602 meters). Fondly called 'K- Top' by the locals, rugged ridges and steep falls test your will and stamina to fly high. Avid bikers must try this! Breathlessness is a common feeling, the weather will play fair and foul when it feels like it, and honking Indian Army trucks may block your way though the pass. But when you sit at that legendary tea stall at K-Top, snack on some instant noodles and drink a

3 nice, steaming cup of tea while you chat with an Army Jawan or two, you will agree that there is no better feeling in this world. Once in the valley, a ride on a double humped camel is what most travellers try their hands at. Hunder and Diskit monasteries are other interesting places that one can visit. Another popular and must visit place for a traveller to Leh is the beautiful, serene and soothing Pangong Lake. The very presence of the lake at such a height (approx feet) in between the stark mountains is a source of great joy. Only half the lake is within the Indian region and it is quite an experience standing at its side, knowing you can never get across. Things to do Adventurers get set. The higher you climb, the more you feel like you are in heaven! Trekking trails that start from town are one too many. Drive up to the ancient village ofchilling and cross the great Zanskar River by ropeway into Skiu village in the desolatemarkha Valley, one of the highest plateaus in the world. The valley's rich wildlife will keep you enthralled for days. Camp at the base of the Kang-Yutze peak and revel in solitude. Life in Leh unfolds at a leisurely pace. Leave your worries behind and enjoy simplicity. Run with the Chang Paa (Khampa) nomadic horsemen as they charge their steady wild horses through the hillside. Say hello to a naughty Himalayan Marmot or a Kiang (wild ass). Indulge in shopping at the Leh Bazaar. Watch snake charmers enthral crowds as they make Cobras dance. Leh's lunar landscape dazzles with wild roses, poplars, shimmering glaciers and gurgling streams. Fall asleep on a moonlit night in an outdoor camp, beneath a star-studded sky. Haunting and mysterious, a trip here is sure to change your life. Places to eat The Main Bazaar in Leh is a great spot to try local delicacies. Sample some authenticgur Gur Cha (butter tea) which Ladakhis swear by, or a slice of Khambi (local bread). If that doesn't satisfy you, try a plate of steaming Tibetan Momos. The German Bakery has splendid baked goods with honey and cheese. Indian food is readily available in the Main Bazaar. Thukpa (noodle soup) and Momos are a staple diet in most Tibetan restaurants but others also love Indian snacks like Chana Dal with Puri, and Samosas. A few local dishes that you must try are Pava (loose dough with vegetables), Mok Mok (steamed dumplings), Skyu (wheat flour vegetable dumplings) and Cholak (barley flour dough with Ladhaki tea). Surprisingly, although Leh is a small hill town, there are plenty of places where beer is served over the counter. Tourism has generally had a healthy response among the locals. But if you want that taste of local living, sip on some Chang, Leh s own home brewed beer and you will not regret.

4 Good restaurants where you can enjoy cleanliness, comfort and cuisine are few in Leh. The Mona Lisa Restaurant serves amazing Pizzas, Momos, Chicken and international cuisine. Mostly, it is the ambience here that will bowl you over; a quiet garden with lanterns and a restless breeze. Ah. The Dreamland Hotel has a good restaurant. If you are looking for good Chinese or Tibetan cuisine, this is the place to be. The Leh View Restaurant serves excellent biryani and sizzling Kashmiri delights and is snug right in the middle of the Main Bazaar. The much-hyped Tibetan Kitchen is good value for money and is definite to set you drooling in no time. Amdo, which is right opposite, has lovely Ginger Tea in the evenings. The restaurant at the Oriental Guesthouse has a delicious buffet breakfast. Summer Harvest Restaurant is another little gem. Shopping and popular buys Handicrafts and embroidery are everywhere you look in Leh. The bazaar is a great place to pick up a small keepsake for home. Prayer wheels, Buddha statues, thangka paintings and masks are popular buys for tourists. The Tibetan Market near the Old Leh Road is a good place to buy clothes. Moti Market near the bus stand too is a lovely place to shop and linger. The Tibetan Handicraft Emporium, Ecology Centre in Changspa and the Women's Alliance have wonderful pieces for your display cabinet. Tibetan silver jewellery and a box of apricots are special gifts to take home. Traveller Tips The best time to visit Leh is from May to September. Weather at this time is pleasant and the average day temperature ranges from 20 to 30 Degrees Celsius. It is important to acclimatize for a day at Leh if you are taking a flight to reach there. Always carry chocolates, energy bars and drinking water wherever you go. Toiletry like medicines for nausea and headache, moisturizers and sunscreen lotion are a must on any trip to Leh. Another necessary item is a torch in case of power shortages. Warm clothes are mandatory. A pair of good walking shoes is another compulsory addition to your travel kit. Day 1 : New Delhi - Leh Meals: Complementary Light Vegetarian Lunch, Dinner Board your flight early morning from Delhi to Leh. Leh,Ladakh is the largest province within the North Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, covering approximately 60,000 square miles (100,000 sq. km). It is surrounded and bisected by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. On your arrival at Leh, an MMT representative will meet, greet, assist and transfer you

5 to your Hotel in Leh. Rest of the day is free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. Stay overnight at Hotel in Leh. Day 2 : Sightseeing around Leh (80 Kms round trip) After breakfast at hotel, drive to Sangam. Enroute visit Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Patthar Sahib. The Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers is in Ladakh, India at Nimu. From this point on, beyond this Confluence of the two, the stream is regarded as the Indus River. Can anyone ever imagine the movement of a vehicle up a steep mountain with its engines off? Reach Magnetci Hill to experience the nature which sounds unbelievable. Just before reaching Leh visit Spituk Monastery (Kali Mata Temple) Ladakh Hall of fame. Arrive at your hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight stay. Day 3 : Leh - Nubra Via Khardungla Pass (140 Kms 5hours approx) Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. Popularly called the orchard of Ladakh, you will definitely be overwhelmed to see the Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries. Arrive at Nubra Valley and proceed for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can enjoy the camel ride (at your expense). Later if time permits visit Hunder and Diskit monasteries and check in at Deluxe Camp. The evening is at leisure. Stay overnight at the Swiss comfortable camps. Day 4 : Nubra - Leh (140 Kms, 4hours approx) Morning after Breakfast proceed for Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass, the World Highest Motorable road. In the evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenirs, visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by foot. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 5 : Monastery tour and Leh Sight seeing Morning after breakfast drive to Thiksey Monastery. One of the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakh, it belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. After visiting the Thiksey Monastery drive to Shey Palace, located 15km to the south of Leh on the Leh-Manali highway is the Shey Palace. The 3 storey palace is perched on a hillock overlooking the beautiful Shey village. Later visit Sindhu Ghaat for Sindhu Darshan. The festival is also a symbolic salutation to the courageous soldiers of the country, who have endanger their life to save ours. Arrive at Leh and you will be dropped at Leh Market / hotel for Lunch(On own). Post lunch you will leave for sightseeing to Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. Return to your hotel for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. Day 6 : Excursion to Pangong Lake (280 Kms round trip) Meals: Breakfast, Complementary Light Vegetarian Lunch & Dinner Morning after breakfast drive to to Pangong Lake on the Indo China border. Pangong Lake is situated in the northeast of leh, 4,350 meters above sea level. The long and narrow lake lies in

6 the neighborhood of the famous Chushul Mountains. The size of the lake is best inferred from the probable etymology of its name, Pangong, which means extensive concavity. The mirrorcalm water is cold, clear, and extremely salty. By the evening, come back to your hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight sleep. Day 7 : Leh at leisure Today is a day to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Leh town. You may want to walk down to the local bazaar to buy souvenirs that will remind you of your small but enthralling rendezvous with Ladakh. As an option, you may opt for the various additions mentioned. Day 8 : Airport Departure Meals: Breakfast on board Leave on time for Leh airport to board your flight to Delhi.