Ladakh – A Land of Fascination and Wonder
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal, owner of Stok Palace, restored and converted his home into a Heritage Hotel with the idea to preserve and share the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Ladakh. He has lived all his life in Ladakh and shares with us here some of the best secrets to discover the Indus and NubraValleys.
All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- Indus Valley
- Hemis Monastry
- Nubra Valley
“So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked” – Mark Twain
As you journey along the roads once trodden by Tibetan monks and steeped in legends, discovering the richness and beauty of The Indus and Sham Valleys, you will feel as if you have been transported back in time.
The Indus Valley is in the heart of Ladakh. Surrounded by picturesque valleys and Tibetan style architecture it is home to the Ladakhi Buddhists and their gentle Tibetan culture.
At a relatively low altitude of 3400m, life in The Sham Valley is more gentle than that of the high pastures of Changtan or the valleys of Zanskar. The Sham Valley is famous for the richness and diversity of its wildlife, both flora and fauna.
It is here in The Indus and Sham Valleys that you will visit some of the most celebrated and beautiful monasteries of Ladakh.
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Your Journey Day by Day
9 days / 8 nights from 1,900 USD /person
(This program can be combined with Kashmir in extension)
In winter (October to March) only a short version of 5 days / 4 nights between Leh and Stok is possible
based on 2 person sharing the same room
Day 1 : Leh Airport - Nimmu (3,100m elevation) (-/L/D)
You will be welcome at the airport by your driver, and start to drive to Nimmu, located 45mn along the Hindus Valley. As Nimmu is lower in elevation than Leh or Stok, this is where we start to adjust to the elevation.
The first day is an acclimatizing day, relax & enjoy Nimmu House garden, drink lot of water, tea, juices.
After the lunch at Nimmu House, take a breath with 15mn Pranayam session, guided by our yoga master.
Have a visit of the house to understand the Ladakhi lifestyle and enjoy the beautiful paintings and carving.
Share a drink at our bone fire place before the dinner.
HOTEL: Nimmu House (April-October only)
Day 2 : Nimmu (-/L/D)
After the breakfast you will go to Seaspol, at 30 mn drive of Nimmu to discover the meditation caves and their amazing paintings.
From there you will continue to Alchi (15mn drive) who is one of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh, from the 11th century. Enjoy this particular structure and location in the middle of apricots tree orchard.
Have lunch at Alchi, and continue your day to Mangyu monastery important by this history.
Back to Nimmu House, to relax, enjoy the bone fire and the dinner
HOTEL: Nimmu House (April-October only)
Day 3 : Nimmu – Kardung La (5,600m) – Nubra Valley (3,000m) (B/L/D)
After the breakfast you will start at 08.30 to the Nubra valley. This will be a long journey drive to Summur (around 6 hours). You will cross the Kardung La, one of the highest motorable road in the world at 5600m, tracing the erstwhile Silk Roads. En route, have a walk on the Hundar sand dunes with the native Bactrian camels the views are almost reminiscent of the Sahara - if your imagination allows you to momentarily conceal the snowy peaks.
For lunch, enjoy a real Farm to Table Ladakhi experience with an enterprising agriculturist, followed by a guided nature walk to understand the flora of this region.
We continue the drive to reach Summur Village and check in at The Kyagar.
Sumur is a quaint mountain village situated at the confluence of the Shayok and Nubra rivers.
Enjoy a walk in the village, before a relaxing yoga session or a massage if you prefer (extra charges apply).
Dinner, bone fire and stars gazing through a telescope at The Kyagar.
HOTEL: The Kyagar, on the Silk Road (April-October only)
Day 4 : Nubra Valley (B/L/D)
After a morning yoga session, have your breakfast and start your Nubra valley exploration day.
You will drive to Yarab Tso Lake, situated around 15 km from the sacred 600-year old Diskit Monastry. After a hike of around 20 mins, the sight of this holy lake is really captivating, with crystal clear fresh water underneath the rocky and barren terrain. We continue with the visit the biggest petroglyph site of Ladakh at Murgi, where the carved rocks are bearing rare inscriptions telling us story from Kushan period and Bronze Age.
A picnic is set for lunch.
In the afternoon, we walk to a waterfall to enjoy the view on the valley and continue to Ensa monastery, a jewel hanging at the mountain, then we take a small road to Charasa, an old palace of the Nubra king.
Back to the hotel to rest and enjoy the dinner and the bone fire.
HOTEL: The Kyagar, on the Silk Road (April-October only)
Day 5 : Sumur – Warila Pass – Stok (3,500m) (B/L/D)
Have a breakfast before start to follow the Shyok valley road and cross the Wari La (5,400m) on the way to Leh, to the ancient capital of Ladakh. The Wari la pass is a less travelled road and hence wildlife still inhabits the region, if lucky we may get to see Marmots, Pikas, Hares and Eagles. On the way we may stop to visit Chemdray monastery. Have a free visit at the monastery before continue to Stok for your check in and tea at the Palace.
Stok Palace is a 200 year old summer palace of the royal family of Ladakh. In winter, only the annex, The Chulli Bagh villas, situated in a green oasis of Apricot and Willow trees, just below Stok Palace, are operational.
Rest for a while and dinner will be served in the royal kitchen (or the lounge for Chulli Bagh).
** an extension on 1 night at Pangong Lake can be inserted here: drive from Summur to Pangong lake via Shyok. (lunch en route) Check-in at the Pangong Retreat in your tent. Spend the evening taking a walk by the lake while trying to identify the High-altitude Avian specie. Dinner at the camp. In the morning departure to Stok.
HOTEL: Stok Palace or Chulli Bagh (in winter Chulli Bagh only)
Day 6 : Stok (B/L/D)
This morning we rise early with the sun and we drive right away to attend prayers at Thiksey monastery. We continue with a traditional Ladakhi breakfast, served at a farm, then we go to visit Hemis Monastery and Gotsang meditation retreat with a learned monk, who will takes us through the history and legacy of Tibetan Buddhism and the origins of this particular monastery. We share a simple lunch with the monks of the monastery.
In the afternoon, we cycle along the Indus River and will reach a secret scenic spot right on time for sunset.
Back to the palace, the dinner will be served around a bonfire under a star studded sky.
HOTEL: Stok Palace or Chulli Bagh (in winter Chulli Bagh only)
Day 7 : Stok – Leh (3,500m) (B/-/-)
After the breakfast, we propose you to stroll slowly through the village to understand the Ladakhi lifestyle. On the way we stop at a pashmina weaving unit and we may be invited into villagers houses also for some tea. We walk back to the Palace for check-out.
Drive to Leh, the capita city of Ladakh, you last stop for this itinerary. We shall reach your hotel by lunch time, so that you can enjoy a meal, maybe on the roof top if the weather is nice before check-in.
In the afternoon, we will explore the center of Leh, the 17th century Leh Palace, built in traditional Tibetan style, with breathtaking views of the town and explore the markets around.
Evening at leisure.
HOTEL: Chospa Hotel
Day 8 : Leh (3,500m) (B/-/-)
No program for the last day, you can explore on your own, go shopping for souvenirs and have the Chospa Team to help you. If you prefer we can also arrange a guide and a car for one more day (extra charges)
HOTEL: Chospa Hotel
Day 9 : Stok – Leh Airport (B/-/-)
After breakfast, departure from the hotel to the airport.
End of services.
Extension :
Before of after Ladak, we suggest extension to explore nearby
Kashmir and Dal Lake. Ask Secret Retreats concierge for advice.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
Chulli Bagh
Ladakh – A Land of Fascination and Wonder
9 days / 8 nights
from 1,900 USD /person
(This program can be combined with Kashmir in extension)
In winter (October to March) only a short version of 5 days / 4 nights between Leh and Stok is possible
based on 2 person sharing the same room
The total price includes:
Hotel accommodation for 8 nights
Meals as detailed in the program
All transfers and transport included as per stated in the itinerary
All activities and excursions mentioned in the program
An English speaking local guide to assist you whilst on tour
Inner line permit for the Nubra valley
The total price does not include:
International and Domestic flights to and from of Leh
Airport tax (if any)
Meals not included in the program
Alcoholic beverages
Medical and Travel Insurance
Journey designed in cooperation with Jigmed and Discovery Journeys India (License #1905241HD883)
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