An Overland Trip Through Amritsar

Day 01: Arrive Delhi.

Upon arrival in Delhi, you are met by our representative and transferred to hotel.

Day 02 Delhi-Amritsar

After breakfast, explore the highlights of Delhi-such as Red Fort, Jame Mosque etc. Afternoon, board on train ( Air Conditioned Chairs Cars) to Amritsar-the city of the Goden Temple. Its about 6 hours train ride. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the hotel.

Day 03: Amritsar Sightseeing

Visit the Golden Temple –a site where Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to The Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification. Also in Amritsar is the Jallian Wala Bagh - notorious for the massacre that took place here under British rule in 1919. At the east end of the garden there is a large memorial built in memory of those who died here. Later this afternoon, visit the Wagha Border - the international border between India and Pakistan where the pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat & Change of Guard ceremonies make for a most charming spectacle

Day 02: Amritsar/ Dharamsala (200 kms/ 6 hrs)

Morning drive to Dharamshala - home of the Tibetan leader- The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. The town is perched on the slopes of the Kangra Valley and set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar Mountains. Dharamshala is a busy bazaar town, serving as a base camp for those who wish to explore the nearby mountains. Upon arrival, check in hotel and you are at your leisure to explore the surroundings on your own.

Day 03: Dharamsala Sightseeing

In the morning, visit Namgayal Monastery of Dalai Lama and Bhagsunath Temple. There are many fresh water springs close to the temple, which are considered sacred by the Hindus. Later we visit St. John's Church, one of the most poignant memories of the British Raj is the church of St. John, situated in the wilderness. Under the shade of Doedar branches, a memorial has been made over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863. & Tibetan Children Village Institute. Afternoon free to explore Mc Leodganj-known as Little Lhasa in India. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Drive to Manali (240 kms)

Drive to Manali, and on the way we will enjoy spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded slopes. Stop briefly in Palampur town and visit old Shiva temple at Baijnath. The road runs through apple orchards and tea gardens. Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as great countryside for those with a passion for adventure sports. On arrival check in at hotel and take leisurely walk in the township.

Day 05: Manali Sightseeing

Manali tour includes Hadimba Devi Temple-a four-tiered Pagoda with a carved doorway, associated with Hadimba- the demon wife of Bhim-one of the major characters of Hindu Epic Mahabharata, Manu Temple- dedicated to the Creator of the Human Race, Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temples,  Naggar Castle and Roerich Art Gallery. 

Day 06: Manali to Keylong (115 km/72 miles, 6 hrs)

The journey from Manali onwards is quite challenging but equally rewarding. Today, we drive to Lahaul valley, crossing over Rohtang Pass at an altitude of 4000m (13,120ft) and following Chandra River. At Tandi, Chandra River meets Bhaga River and we follow upstream of Bhaga River towards Keylong. Situated at an altitude of 3350m (10, 988m), Keylong is the head quarter of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh lying on Indo-Tibetan Border. The region is strange, exciting, primitive mountainous and delightful. Evening free to explore Keylong. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Acclimatization in Keylong

The road towards Sarchu is very much nasty and involves crossing of a high Barlacha La Pass, infamous as a killer pass. People get hit by acute mountain sickness as they start climbing the pass. So, its very important to halt another day in Keylong for proper acclimatization. We can explore the temples and monasteries of Keylong at our leisure.

Day 08: Keylong to Sarchu (117 kms/73 miles, 6 hrs)

Now, we are all set to face the challenges of the road and the altitude of Barlacha La. We have a long ride on muddy and dusty road with several water crossings, with no signs of civilization for miles but the mountains- snow capped ones, brown ones, green ones, rocky ones up to Barlacha La (16,000ft). From the pass, we quickly descend to Sarchu (4200m/13,776m and settle in the tented camp and take easy to cope with the altitude sickness.

Day 09: Sarchu to Leh (240km/150 miles, 8 hrs)

The road from Sarchu crosses high mountain Passes of Namika La and Lachalung La to reach the army camp in the Pang valley. The dry barren mountains around Pang are eroded in very spectacular way. From Pang, the road climbs up and reaches a totally different world. Here is the flat high desert of More Plains, 50-60 km of road bisecting it. This is Rupshu, an extension of Changthang plateau of Tibet. The road then climbs for Tanglang Pass (5415 m), the second highest motorable mountain Pass and then finally reaches Leh. Overnight stay in the hotel at Leh.

Day 10 Leh Sightseeing

We can’t wait to see the wonders of Leh-Ladakh. After breakfast, we hop on our jeep and first visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. Then we visit Thiksey Gompa, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. We drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall. Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. Later we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence of the King of Stok & the Museum that has a rich collection of Ancient Ladakhi artifacts including old Thangkas, precious stones, arms and armory, the Queen’s necklace and the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Day 11 To Pangong Tso Lake (7-8hrs)

After early breakfast we drive to Pangong Tso Lake. From Leh we reach Karu, an Army camp on Leh-Manali road and then turn left and cross Changla Pass (17500 ft) and finally to Tangtse. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay little beyond Tangtse in tented camp at Lukung near Pangong lakeshores.

Day 12 At Pangong Lake.

Situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m), Pangong Tso is a long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometers at its widest point and over 135 km long. About 1/3rd of the lake is under Indian occupation and remaining under China. The Chinese border is just beyond the mountains across the lake. There are spectacular views of the mountains of Changchenmo range to the north and their shimmering reflection in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake’s brackish waters is breathtaking. Above Spangmik are the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range. Spangmik and other scattered tiny villages along the lake’s southern shore are the summer homes of a scanty population of Chang-pa, the semi-nomadic herdsmen of Tibet and southeast Ladakh. The Pangong Chang-pa cultivate sparse crops of barely and peas in summers. During the winters that they pack their tents (rebo) and take their flocks of sheep and pashmina goats out to the distant pastures.

Day 13 Pangong Tso Lake - Leh

We drive back to Leh the same route and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 14 Leh - Likir - Alchi - Lamayuru

After breakfast we drive to Likir and visit Likir gompa situated atop a windy cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire. Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.

After Alchi, we have an option to visit the impressive Ridzong Gompa, reached from the road head after a 30-minute uphill walk. It’s an impressive monastery well hidden in the lap of the mountains until you’re face to face with it. Finally we reach Lamayuru monastery, founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This Gompa is located amidst the massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this Gompa and its renowned collection of carpets, tangkhas, and frescoes has been attracting many people over a long time.

Overnight stay in Lamayuru.

Day 15 Lamayuru - Leh(124 km)

In the morning we visit the Lamayuru monastery and attend morning worships. It’s a very soothing and spiritual experience to be there among these warm and friendly monks. On our way back to leh we can visit Basgo monastery famous for its statue of Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Day 16 Leh - Upshi – Tso Moriri Lake (Karzok Gompa) ( 8-9 hrs)

After early breakfast, we drive to Karzok (4,572 m/14, 996ft) the only village near Tso Moriri Lake. From Leh we reach Upshi on Leh-Manali road and then we turn to another valley and drive along the Indus River. It is one of the most interesting areas and goes through narrow valleys, sandy deserts, rocky paths, and our vehicle crosses number of mountain streams. Little before Tso-Moriri Lake we drive past a small green valley of wild Marmots locally known as Phya. Arrive at Korzok village and check in at the camps. Situated at 15,000 ft (4,572 m), it is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu region with an approximate population of 500 people. The few barley fields at Karzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world. In the evening we visit Karzok monastery. Overnight stay in the tented camp.

Day 17 Tso Moriri Lake (Karzok gompa)

We have a full day here to explore the Karzok Village and the lake..

The clear blue Tso Moriri lake is one of the most breathtaking lakes in Ladakh. This brackish water lake is considered sacred by the locals. The Lake is surrounded by beautiful. The Lake is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds like Great Crested Grebe, the Brahmini duck, Bar Headed Geese, etc. This region also has large number of Kiangs, Tibetan wild ass and it’s not difficult to spot them.

Overnight stay in the tented

Day 18 Tso Moriri Lake - Tso Khar Lake - Tanglang La Pass - Leh

In the morning, we drive to reach Tsokar via Puga by covering 75 km in 3-4 hours. Tso Khar Lake (4485 m) is also called White Lake because of salt deposits around it. It is approx 45 km northwest of the Tso Moriri Lake. Tso Khar is so salty that salt extracted from its margins are still sold all over Ladakh. We continue to drive and reach Manali-Leh highway and drive down towards Leh via Tanglang-la (5415 m) the 2nd highest motorable road in Ladakh. En route, drive passes beautiful villages of Rumtse, Gya, Miru and Lato. Arrive Leh and check into hotel for overnight stay.

Day 19: Leh-Deskit-Hunder (128 km/80 miles, 7 hrs)

Today we travel north from Leh over the highest motorable road and the Khardungla Pass (5570m), to the Nubra Valley which is little visited, as it is inaccessible for all but a couple of months in the year, its high passes closed by the winter snows. On our way we visit the Diskit Village which is amongst the larger villages in the region, and home to the 350 year-old Diskit Gompa - the oldest, and the largest monastery in the Nubra Valley. The people of Nubra are amazingly friendly in spite of their lack of material disposition. Their traditional lifestyles and homes give you the feel of a Living Museum.

We reach Hunder Village through a gorgeous stretch of sand dunes. The main attractions in this area are the Bactarian Double Humped Camels. This afternoon, we enjoy camel ride over the Sand Dunes. This is a high mountain desert country with fertile dots of land in between. Sand dunes eclipse the mountains; rock and snow capped mountains rising majestically against a pastel landscape. We end the day in absolute peace with ourselves. It is so simple to celebrate the mountains, sun the moon, water, stars and sky - this feeling of presence of a creator that has managed to create such beauty and wonder. Overnight camp in Hunder.

Day 20: Panamik Excursion

This morning we will spend some time exploring the village. Hunder is a quaint and beautiful village, maze-like in its formation, winding paths bathed in dappled sunlight, branches forming tunnels. Today we continue to explore the Nubra Valley and the quaint villages that dot the landscape. Sumur is one such village where we interact with the people and also visit the citadel of their faith - The Samtanling Gompa which is definitely worth a visit, and houses a fine collection of idols, frescos and Thangkas (painted and embroidered scrolls).Continue a short way away to Panamik which used to be a busy centre being the last major settlement before the caravans entered into the mountains of Karakoram. Today, Panamik is a sleepy village, its inhabitants quietly going about their work in the fields. On the mountainside above the village, hot water bubbles out of the earth in thermal springs, reputed to have therapeutic qualities. Across the river, clinging to the mountains, are a few trees rooted among the rocks surrounding the tiny Ensa gompa.

Late afternoon, drive back to Hunder

Day 21: Hunder to Leh .

Return drive to Leh. Rest of the day is at leisure for your independent activities. This is the day to catch up on your shopping. Think about people who are in your thoughts and who 'deserve' souvenirs from this magical destination.

Day 22: Depart Leh for Delhi

Morning in time transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi.

Day 23: Depart Delhi