Ladakh - Prettiest Vagabond Trip

Vagabond Experiences

 

The idea for Vagabond Experiences came from a small group of friends who had a general disdain for the ordinary. The idea was simple: take people out of their comfort zones. Just enough to bond them together through beautiful and authentic experiences. Happiness, as they say, is only real when shared. And share we did.
 

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18 to 35 Years

Boys & Girls

Hotels & Camps

10 Days & 9 Nights

 

Inclusions

 

• Double-sharing accommodation at Leh, Turtuk, Sumur, Pangong, and Hanle (triple/quad).
• Tickets/Entry cost wherever applicable.
• Two meals a day i.e. breakfast and dinner while in Ladakh [Veg & Non-veg] (if available).
• Private internal transport during the trip (tempo travellers/jeeps).
• All activities as per itinerary.
• Visits to places as per itinerary.
• Oxygen cylinder backup in each vehicle for high-altitude routes. 
• First-aid kit and assistance.
• All permits, tolls and parking charges.
• Experienced local guides.
• Assistance by Vagabond EMs.

 

Exclusions

 

• Flights to Leh and back.
• One meal a day in Ladakh.
• Travel insurance (we recommend you take one).

 

Day 1

 

• After your flight lands, we will make our way from the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport to our hotel in Leh. After checking in, you will do some hard-core resting. Since you have suddenly arrived at (11,500 ft.) your body is going to take some time to acclimatize. 
• After a hearty lunch, we’ll familiarise ourselves with Leh and visit the Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace.
• We will first visit the Shanti Stupa. This was built to celebrate 2500 years since the first Buddha attained enlightenment and started Buddhism. We will then visit the crown jewel of the erstwhile kingdom of Ladakh, the Leh Palace. This nine-storeyed royal residence was built in 1553.
• We’ll get some time in the market before we re-group for dinner and get a good night’s rest. 

 

Day 2

 

• Our day begins with a journey to one of the oldest and well-maintained monasteries in Ladakh — The Alchi Monastery. Said to be built by Rinchen Gyalpo, also known as The Great Translator, this monastery holds a special place in Buddhist culture.
• On our way back to the capital, we will make a quick stop to see the Sangam of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
• The second half of the day is going to be dedicated to walking about the historic little town of Leh. As an important stop on the erstwhile Silk Route, Leh was an important trade center and witnessed a vibrant multi-cultural past. While the bright and shiny new market has a great variety of things to buy, there are some rare jewels hidden in plain sight all around this ancient town.

 

Day 3

 

• We’re heading to Nubra Valley! We will of course make our way through the famous Khardung La. Located at a lower altitude than Leh, this valley is unique in many ways. To start with the most obvious, yes there are sand dunes here, at (10,000 ft.) above sea level. 

 

Day 4

 

• A mere 10 km from Turtuk lies Thang — The last village in India. Thang is one of the twin villages of Frang (Fraono) and Thang. We will travel to the last point that can be accessed from India and get a peak into Pakistan which is visible from across the Line Of Control. 
• We will return to Turtuk and spend the day exploring the village on foot. Visit the Balti House and Heritage Museum to understand the ancient practices of the Balti people. We will also visit the natural cold storage room that Turtuk is famous for.

 

Day 5

 

• We will start our journey outwards of Nubra Valley and visit the famous sand dunes at Hunder. Catch a glimpse of the double-humped Bactrian Camels. This is the only place you can see them in India. These creatures exist in the wild only in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. 
• Our next stop will be Diskit Gompa. The huge Maitreya Buddha statue atop it, which was inaugurated by HH Dalai Lama is a thing of beauty! From the base of the statue, one can get a gorgeous panoramic view of the Nubra valley.
• We’ll check in to our hotel in Sumur and get a good night’s rest. 

 

Day 6

 

• From Sumur, we start the long journey across the gorgeous Ladakhi landscapes and go to one of the most well-known places—Pangong Tso. While the journey is pretty long, nothing, and we mean nothing, can prepare you for the pure blue waters of this mystical lake. 
• We’ll be by the lake till dark and then retire to our campsites for some well-deserved rest. It’s going to be a cold night, so it’s best to fill your stomach and tuck in before too much of your body heat escapes. 

 

Day 7

 

• We’ll now start our final leg of this expedition with a journey to the easternmost region of Ladakh. Before modern borders were drawn, the town of Hanle was an important stop on the route that connected Tibet to Ladakh. On our way, we’ll make a quick stop at the Rezang La War Memorial.
• We’ll get to the remote town of Hanle and retire to our homestay for the evening. 

 

Day 8

 

• Until recently, Khardung La, which we will take on day 3, held the record for being the world’s highest motorable road. From Hanle, we will take a trip to Umling La — the highest motorable road in the world. At a staggering 5,798 metres (19,024 ft.), it is at a higher altitude than even the Mt. Everest base camp. 
• After returning from the frigid high mountain pass, we make our way back to our homestay to rest a little.
• Evening at leisure to explore the beautiful landscape of Hanle.

 

Day 9 

 

• Back to base. After exploring the edges of Ladakh, we’re going to start our journey back to Leh. Enroute we drop by the beautiful Thiksey Monastery, which is the largest monastery in Central Ladakh. It’s also famous for its (49 ft.) tall statue of Maitreya Buddha in the lotus position, covering two floors of the monastery!
• Absorb the jaw-dropping landscapes and picturesque sceneries as they change throughout the journey. We’ll check in to our hotel for one last night. We’ll gather together for one last dinner.

 

Day 10

 

• After a good breakfast, we’ll board our vehicles one last time and go to the airport.