Ladakh Siachen Off Beat Tour

Arrival at Leh airport and transfer to Hotel for rest & acclimatization, followed by dinner.

Leh town is at an altitude of 3,524 m/ 11,562 ft above sea level. At such a height, it is mandatory & advisable to take adequate rest, ample intake of water & carbohydrate rich diet to get acclimatized to the surrounding conditions. On the day of arrival, it is recommended to partake in limited physical activity & to consult a medical specialist if any symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) arise. The symptoms may include, and are not limited to - headache, vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid pulse rate, difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite, etc. In order to avoid symptoms of AMS, it is highly recommended to take ample rest & hydration.

Acclimatization day at Leh. Recommended activities include a walk around Old Town Leh and visit to Tsemo Monastery, Leh Palace & LAMO (Ladakh Art & Media Organization). Other sightseeing locations around Leh are: 

• Thiksey Monastery / 17kms (NH3)
• Magnetic Hill / 26kms - (NH1)
• Confluence of Indus & Zanskar rivers (Sangam) / 45kms - (NH1)
• Gurudwara Pathar Sahib / 23kms (NH1)
• Hall of Fame / 5kms (NH1)
• Shey Monastery / 15kms (NH3)

Early morning drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La (one of the highest motorable roads in the world- 17,582 ft.). The topography of Nubra Valley is starkly different to that of Leh. Enjoy the drive through the sand dunes of Hunder and see the enormous & majestic Chamba of the Diskit Monastery. The camel safari over the sand dunes, into the sunset is an indelible experience to have. 

Nubra has the option of various plush eco resorts & overnight camping around a bonfire in Hunder under the brightly lit night sky & giant mountains for company**.

A 2 hr drive away, the village of Turtuk is the epitome of serenity and rugged mountains. Spend the day walking through the villages here and picking apricots from trees (seasonal). 

Turtuk is also renowned for its apricot orchards, which look ethereal during blooming season. Apricot Blossom Festival of Turtuk takes place in April every year*.

An early start for the Siachen Base Camp, which has been opened for domestic tourists only in 2021. Overnight halt will be at Sumur, Nubra Valley. 

Siachen Base Camp is the world's highest battlefield, where the Indian Army is stationed year round, even in winter when temperatures drop to -60 degrees Celsius. 

An early start after breakfast for the renowned Pangong Tso which popularly featured in the Bollywood movie '3 Idiots'. The long drive through the beautiful picturesque locations & villages will be more rewarding than ever. The Southeastern route towards Pangong presents an assortment of sights worth beholding. With halts & hot lunch enroute, it will assuredly be an unforgettable drive. Reaching the high altitude saline lake well before last light will ensure the beauty of the lake is witnessed in its true shades of blue & green. Hot dinner & overnight stay at the lake.

Post breakfast at Pangong Tso, start for Leh. Make sure to keep your cameras charged & handy, as they are going to be required aplenty throughout the roadtrip. Lunch will be had enroute & post arrival at Leh, the day is free for relaxing. Ensure to explore your taste palate with the local cuisine in the main market. 

Alchi & Lamayuru are two villages in the district of Kargil, Ladakh. These towns are famous for their rock cut monasteries and unique terrain. There is an option of exploring these villages OR of visiting the gorgeous Tso Moriri - one of India's largest, highest freshwater lakes. 

Facts: On the way to Kargil, on NH1 will be some of the must-visit tourist destinations including the Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill & Confluence (Sangam) as mentioned above. Lamayuru is called 'Moonland' for the landscape makes you feel like you are on the surface of the Moon. Village Wakha-Mulbekh is famous for its stone Chamba of Maitreya Buddha which is as old as 1,400 CE.

Tso Moriri lies in Karzok village. It forms part of Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve where every year hundreds of migratory birds have been noted to arrive. There are various treks which stem from Tso Moriri as well. Notably, the Rumtse- Tso Moriri trek & the Parang La trek.

Return to Leh for final day souvenir shopping & relaxation.

After an early breakfast, arrangements for drop-off at the airport shall be made & the trip of a lifetime will come to a close. Only to be continued...