Ladakh Unplugged

LADAKH UNPLUGGED

Embark on a venturing into the heart of the Himalayas for a blend of serenity and adventure.
This itinerary covers Leh’s historic sites, ancient monasteries, floral landscapes, and high-altitude thrills.

DAYS

NIGHTS

Locations

DELHI
LEH
ALCHI
PANGONG TSO
NUBRA VALLEY

Highlights

Stunning Natural Beauty: Experience the breathtaking high-altitude Pangong Lake and the scenic Nubra Valley, known as the “valley of flowers,” with a drive via the Shyok River.
Cultural Immersion: Visit ancient monasteries like Alchi, Hemis, and Thikse, offering deep insights into Buddhist heritage, alongside Leh’s Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace.
Thrilling Adventure: Drive through Khardung-La Pass, one of the world’s highest motorable roads at 5,359m, for an unforgettable Himalayan adventure.

ITINERARY

Meeting & greeting at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Delhi - Leh (By Air)

After a zesty breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Airport to board a flight for Leh.

After lunch, visit Shanti stupa, a Buddhist white-domed Stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa was built
in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist monk Gyomyo Nakamura.

Also, visit Leh palace and Leh market.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Leh - Alchi - Leh (65 km / 1.5 hrs)

After a scrumptious breakfast, drive to Alchi. Visit Alchi monastry. It is one of the oldest Buddhist learning centers in Ladakh and in India. It is a monument of national heritage and thus, people curious to know about Buddhist culture along with Buddhist followers visit this location every year in large numbers.

En-route, visit Likir Monastry, it is picturesquely situated on a little hill in the valley near Indus River.
Later, drive back to Leh.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Leh - Pangong Tso (220 km / 5.5 hrs)

After a hearty breakfast, drive to Hemis Monastry, a Himalayan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage.
Further, continue your drive to Pangong lake, the largest brackish lake in Asia with a larger part of it extending into Tibet. Enjoy the beauty of the lake while appreciating the changing colors & fascinating high altitude of the lake.
Dinner & overnight stay in deluxe cottage in Pangong.

Pangong Tso - Nubra Valley (275 km / 6.5 hrs)

After a healthy breakfast at the hotel, drive to Nubra Valley, via Shyok River. Nubra, also called Dumra, is a historical region of Ladakh. Its inhabited areas form a tri-armed valley cut by the Nubra and Shyok rivers. Its Tibetan name Dumra means "valley of flowers". The Shyok river is a tributary of the Indus river.
Dinner & overnight stay in hotel.

Nubra Valley - Leh (160 km / 4.5 hrs)

After a nutritious breakfast, drive to Leh via the Khardung-La pass, one of the world’s highest motorable roads at 5359m.
Visit Shey Monastry, complex structures located on a hillock. It contains a huge Shakyamuni Buddha statue. Also, visit Thikse
Monastry, a Buddhist monastery affiliated with the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Dinner & overnight stay in hotel.

Leh - Delhi (By Air)

Delhi - Onward Destination

After a tasty breakfast at hotel, proceed to the Airport to connect to your flight to Delhi.
Visit Lotus Temple (a Bahai House of Worship) and Qutab Minar ( a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of
Delhi).
Post lunch, visit India Gate and drive past President’s house and Parliament House. Also, visit the Red Fort (Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638.)
Later, transfer to airport to connect flight for your onward
destination.

TOUR ENDS AS YOU LEAVE FOOTPRINTS AND TAKE MEMORIES

Click here to download PDF of detailed itinerary.

Some important things to keep in mind before travelling on this itinerary:

Currency: ₹ INR

Time Zone: GMT + 5.5 HRS

Driving Side: Left

Drinking Water: Opt for Bottled Water

Emergency phone: Ambulance: 102; Fire: 101; Police: 100, 103 (traffic accident)

Voltage: 220 V

Power Sockets commonly available:

Power socket type C Power socket type D Power socket type M

Here are some basic phrases that a traveler should know before embarking on this itinerary:

Hello / Greetings
- Ladakhi: Jullay (pronounced “Joo-lay”) – A versatile greeting used for hello, goodbye, or general acknowledgment.
- Hindi: Namaste (pronounced “Na-mas-tay”) – Used widely in Delhi and by Hindi-speaking locals.
Thank You
- Ladakhi: Thuk-je-che (pronounced “Thook-jay-chay”) – Express gratitude for help or service.
- Hindi: Shukriya (pronounced “Shoo-kree-ya”).
Please
- Ladakhi: Nang-parik (pronounced “Nang-pa-rik”) – Used when making a request.
- Hindi: Kripya (pronounced “Krip-ya”).
How are you?
- Ladakhi: Khamzang ina-le? (pronounced “Kham-zang ee-na-lay”) – A polite way to engage with locals.
- Response: Khamzang in (“I’m fine”).
- Hindi: Aap kaise ho? (pronounced “Aap kay-say ho?”).
Where is…?
- Ladakhi: Gawa yod-pa? (pronounced “Ga-wa yod-pa”) – Useful for asking directions (e.g., to Pangong Lake or Alchi Monastery).
- Hindi: Yeh kahan hai? (pronounced “Yay ka-haan hai?”).
How much is this?
- Ladakhi: Di tsam-pa in? (pronounced “Dee tsam-pa in”) – Handy for shopping in Leh Market.
- Hindi: Iska kitna hai? (pronounced “Is-ka kit-na hai?”).
I need help
- Ladakhi: Ngala rogs yod (pronounced “Nga-la rogs yod”) – For emergencies or assistance.
- Hindi: Mujhe madad chahiye (pronounced “Mujh-ay ma-dad cha-hi-ye”).
Goodbye
- Ladakhi: Jullay (same as hello, context-dependent).
- Hindi: Alvida (pronounced “Al-vee-da”) or Phir milenge (“See you again”).
Food / Water
- Ladakhi: Za-za (food, pronounced “Za-za”) / Chhu (water, pronounced “Chhoo”).
- Hindi: Khana (food) / Paani (water).
Beautiful
- Ladakhi: Spenmo (pronounced “Spen-mo”) – Great for complimenting scenery like Pangong Lake or Nubra Valley.
- Hindi: Sundar (pronounced “Sun-dar”).

Here are some local cuisines to try in these regions:

Thukpa: Hearty noodle soup with vegetables, meat (or veg), and spices, perfect for Leh’s cold weather.
Momos: Steamed or fried dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, a popular snack in Leh Market.
Skyu: Thumb-sized pasta stew with root vegetables and meat, a traditional Ladakhi comfort dish.
Chhutagi: Bow-tie pasta in a thick vegetable or meat broth, ideal for warming up near Pangong Lake.
Butter Tea (Gur Gur Chai): Salty tea with yak butter, a unique high-altitude energy booster.
Tsampa: Roasted barley flour, often mixed with butter tea, a staple in monasteries like Alchi or Hemis.
Khambir: Thick, fermented Ladakhi bread, great with local cheese or jam in Nubra Valley.
Apricot-based dishes: Try apricot jam or dried apricots, a specialty in Ladakh’s markets.

Here are some fun facts about this itinerary:

World’s Highest Motorable Pass: On Day 6, drive through Khardung-La Pass at 5,359m, one of the highest roads you can travel by vehicle, offering jaw-dropping Himalayan views.
Pangong Lake’s Colors: On Day 4, visit Pangong Tso, a brackish lake at 4,350m that changes colors from turquoise to deep blue, with two-thirds of it extending into Tibet.
Ancient Alchi Monastery: On Day 3, explore Alchi Monastery, a 1,000-year-old national heritage site, known for its ancient Buddhist art and serene riverside setting.
Nubra’s Unique Landscape: On Day 5, discover Nubra Valley, nicknamed “valley of flowers,” with sand dunes, Bactrian camels, and the confluence of Nubra and Shyok rivers.
Shanti Stupa’s Peaceful Aura: On Day 2 in Leh, visit Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese monk in 1991, offering panoramic views and a serene spot for sunset.
Delhi’s Iconic Finale: On Day 7, tour Delhi’s landmarks like the Red Fort (built in 1638) and Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending history with your Himalayan adventure.
Monastery Marvels: Visit Hemis, Thikse, and Shey monasteries (Days 4-6), each with unique features, like Thikse’s resemblance to Tibet’s Potala Palace.