LADAKH SPRINGS

Our Staff will arrive at the Airport & settle you to the Hotel in Leh. On Today will be rest full day and get Acclamiatise, drink plenty of water / fluids(tea /juice etc). Evening you will drive to Shanti Stupa & Tsemo Monastery for great view of Leh Town.

In the morning, drive approximately 60 km—about 1 hour and 30 minutes—to Likir (Lukhil) village. Upon arrival, visit the ancient Likir Monastery, celebrated for its peaceful ambiance and panoramic views of the valley. After exploring the monastery, meet the skilled local potters of Likir and spend a few hours discovering their traditional craft. Renowned for its age-old pottery techniques, Likir uses locally sourced clay mixed with sand and water, shaped by hand or with a simple wheel, and fired in traditional cow-dung kilns. During this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to prepare, shape, and dry the clay while gaining insight into the firing process. Participants can even create their own pottery pieces to take home as meaningful souvenirs. In the afternoon, continue your journey to the ancient Alchi Monastery, known for its centuries-old murals, before driving onward to the dramatic landscapes of Lamayuru Moonland. Overnight stay at a hotel in Lamayuru.

After breakfast, begin your journey from Lamayuru, one of Ladakh’s oldest and most iconic monastic settlements. Often called the Moonland of Ladakh, Lamayuru is famed for its dramatic, lunar-like terrain formed by ancient geological processes. The monastery itself, believed to date back over a thousand years, stands majestically above these otherworldly formations, offering a glimpse into Ladakh’s deep spiritual heritage and ancient legends. Leaving Lamayuru behind, drive toward the enchanting Aryan Valley, home to the Brokpa or Drokpa community—an ethnic group believed to be among the oldest settlers in the region. The Brokpa people are known for their distinct cultural identity, unique Himalayan Aryan features, and centuries-old traditions. Their customs, attire adorned with flowers and silver ornaments, and deep connection to nature reflect a heritage preserved through isolation and time. According to local history, the community settled in this fertile valley along the Indus River, nurturing a way of life rooted in agriculture, pastoralism, and ancient rituals. As you approach Garkhon Village, the valley bursts into hues of white and pink during the beautiful apricot blossom season, creating an unforgettable sight. Spend the night at a hotel in Garkhon Village, surrounded by the charm, culture, and natural beauty of the Aryan Valley.

Today’s journey includes gentle walks and rich cultural encounters as you travel through historic villages. Begin with a visit to Temisgam Monastery, followed by a short descent to the ancient underground spring, believed to have provided water to the village for centuries. Temisgam holds great historical importance as the site of Tingmosgang Palace, built in the 15th century by King Drag-pa-Bum. Once the summer capital of Ladakh, it was here that the Treaty of Tingmosgang was signed in 1684, shaping trade and territorial relations between Ladakh and Tibet. Continue onward to Tia village, one of the oldest settlements in lower Ladakh. Known for its traditional mud-brick houses and maze-like alleys, Tia’s architecture reflects a clever adaptation to harsh winters—retaining warmth, reducing wind exposure, and encouraging close community living. After exploring the village’s unique layout and heritage, resume the drive back to Leh, arriving by late afternoon.

Begin your day with a scenic drive from Leh to Hundar, crossing the dramatic Khardong La Pass at 5,350 m, one of the world’s highest motorable roads. Stop briefly at the summit to admire sweeping views of the Eastern Karakoram and Shyok mountain ranges, with towering peaks reaching above 6,000 m. As you descend, the terrain gradually opens into the vast and picturesque Khardong Valley, offering beautiful viewpoints along the way. Continue to Diskit, a peaceful settlement beside the Shyok River and home to the region’s oldest and largest monastery, Diskit Gompa, founded in the 14th century. Its hilltop location provides an impressive panorama of the surrounding valley and sand dunes. Your journey then leads to Hundar, once the capital of the Nubra Kingdom. Here you can explore remnants of its royal past, including the ruins of Langchen Khar, the Gula Fort, and the ancient Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Marpo temples. In the evening, visit the iconic Hundar sand dunes, where the rare double-humped Bactrian camels — descendants of Silk Route caravans — offer a unique riding experience. In spring, the valley glows with delicate apricot blossoms, adding gentle pink and white hues to the dramatic desert landscape.

The journey from Hundar to Turtuk covers about 80 km along the scenic Shyok River, offering mesmerizing views of the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges. The route unfolds through narrow gorges, rugged cliffs, and remote hamlets, showcasing the raw beauty of Nubra. Turtuk, a picturesque village of Baltistani heritage, holds deep geographical and cultural significance. Originally part of Baltistan, it came under Indian administration in 1971 after being reclaimed by the Indian Army. The village is known for its traditional stone houses, warm Balti hospitality, and thriving apricot orchards. Turtuk also serves as a strategic gateway to the Siachen region. A short drive ahead lies Thang, India’s last inhabited village, where visitors can view Pakistani settlements across the Line of Control and buy fresh local produce at women-run stalls.

The drive from Hundar to Pangong Lake is a spectacular 150 km journey that follows the winding course of the Shyok River — its Tibetan name meaning “gravel spreader.” The route showcases Ladakh’s dramatic terrain, with sweeping gravel plains, towering mountains, and narrow gorges. Along the way, you may come across nomads and shepherds tending goats, sheep, and yaks, offering a glimpse into traditional high-altitude life. After about five hours, the landscape opens to reveal the breathtaking Pangong Lake, or “Pangong Tso,” perched at 4,350 meters. Stretching over 160 km, with one-third in India, the lake is renowned for its ever-changing shades of blue and green. Your day ends at Merak village, where a peaceful overnight stay awaits amid serene lakeside views.

After a peaceful night at your Pangong Lake resort, begin your return journey to Leh with a scenic drive over the high-altitude Changla Pass. The route offers dramatic mountain scenery as you descend into the Indus Valley. Along the way, visit the historic Hemis Monastery, the largest in Ladakh, followed by Thiksey Monastery, known for its majestic hilltop structure and grand Maitreya Buddha statue. Continue your drive to Leh, arriving by late afternoon. In the evening, visit the local market, where you can shop for traditional handicrafts, handmade Souvenirs and Ladakhi art — a perfect way to end the day.

​