Sep 11, 2014
Contents
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1. About Ladakh
2. Itinerary
3. Route map
4. Package Details
6. About Us
7. Contact
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L A D A K H
Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, it is a high‐altitude desert located at the western edge of the Tibetan plateau. Its awe‐inspiring landscape has been modified and sculpted into its spectacular shape by wind and water over the millennia.
The moon‐like scenery is extraordinary: stark and barren but interspersedwith isolated settlements of green oases full of swaying poplar trees, apricot orchards and cultivated farmland. Despite the rugged terrain and high altitude, the people of Ladakh exhibit a natural joie de vivre and their customs and lifestyle are a continuum from the past; these friendly and gentle people will all contribute to make your visit to this stunning area both fascinating and memorable. The vibrancy and colourof their cultural traditions can be seen in the many local festivals that take place all through the summer.
Whatever you do here you can be sure of an extremely unforgettable unbeatable experience in one of the most mind‐blowingly beautiful places on earth.
Ladakh’s rich Buddhist heritage is on display during the annual monastic festivals at the numerous Gompas that dominate the area. Perched high up in the mountain ridges, these enchanting medieval monasteries, surrounded by fluttering prayer flags, are still places of active worship and hold treasure troves of superb artifacts, images and ancient frescoes.
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DAY DESTINATION HOTEL / CAMP
Day 1 – 15th July New Delhi – Manali Overnight journeyDay 2 – 16th July Manali – (Manikaran & Nagar) River Country ResortDay 3 – 17th July Manali – (Local village tour) River Country ResortDay 4 – 18th July Manali – Sarchu Camp Gold DropDay 5 – 19th July Sarchu – Tso Moriri Yak CampDay 6 – 20th July Tso Moriri – Leh Ladakh SaraiDay 7 – 21st July Leh – (Shey, Thiksey, Hemis) Ladakh SaraiDay 8 – 22nd July Leh – Pangong Tso Pangong Resort Day 9 – 23rd July Pangong Tso – Leh Ladakh SaraiDay 10 – 24th July Leh – Khardugla – Hunder Camp ChambaDay 11 – 25th July Hunder – Khardungla – Leh Ladakh SaraiDay 12 – 26th July Leh – Likir – Alchi Uley Ethnic CampDay 13 – 27th July Alchi – Lamayuru – Leh Ladakh SaraiDay 14 – 28th July Leh – (River Rafting on Indus) Ladakh SaraiDay 15 – 29th July Leh – (Day at leisure) Ladakh SaraiDay 16 – 30th July Leh – Delhi End of Journey
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
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Options:16 Days – Drive In / Fly Out12 Days – Drive In / Fly Out– on 26th July (Day 12)9 Days – Fly In – on 20th July (Day 6) / Fly Out– on 28th July (Day 14)6 Days – Fly In – on 20th July (Day 6) / Fly Out– on 25th July (Day 11)
Day 1: DELHI – MANALI(Distance: 565 km, Travel Time: 12‐14 hrs, Elevation: 2,050m/6,726ft)
Pickup from a designated point and transfer to board an AC Coach to Manali. Overnight bus journey.
Day 2 and Day 3: Explore MANALI
Manali, at the northern end of Kulu valley, is a beautiful Himalayan hill station with an unbeatable location. The river Beas meanders through the town, surrounded by deodar and pine trees, tiny fields, fruit orchards and grassy meadows carpeted with wildflowers which give way to stunning views of lofty snow‐capped peaks. The friendly people of this area are famous for their unique style of dress, including men’s pill‐box caps with colourful geometric embroidery.
Overnight at River Country Resort
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ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
Sightseeing options: Hadimba temple, Manu temple, Vashisht Hot Water Springs and Temple, ManikaranHot Springs and Temple, Kasol, Naggar Castle and Roerich Art Gallery, Shankchar Village.
Day 4: MANALI – ROHTANG – KEYLONG – JISPA – BARALACHA LA – SARCHU(Distance: 51km / 64km / 30km / 43km / 42 km– 230km; Travel Time: 8‐9 hrs; Elevation: Rohtang– 3,978m / 13,051ft,Keylong– 3,350m/10,991ft, Jispa–3,182m/10,439ft, Baralacha La ‐ 5045m /16,551ft, Sarchu – 4,290m/ 14,075ft)
From Manali, we drive towards the Beas watershed where we quickly climb and cross the first high pass of our journey, the Rothang La (13,051 ft). La is the Tibetan word for a mountain pass. Descending the far side of the pass we enter the rain shadow of the Himalaya and the district of Lahaul. Passing through the bustling town of Keylong, we continue on to Jispa. Jispa is located in the Lahaul Valley and is a pleasant hamlet next to a river. From here we start a steep climb, an absolutely breathtaking drive to Baralacha La, one of the most picturesque of the high passes we crest en‐route to Leh. A steep descent takes us to Sarchu where we camp for the night.
Sarchu is a campsite in the Himalayas on the Leh‐ManaliHighway, on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. It is sited between Baralacha La to the south and Lachulung La to the north.
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ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
Day 5: SARCHU – LACHULUNG LA – PANG – TSOMORIRI(Distance: 54km/ 26km / 90km – 170km; Travel Time: 8‐9 hrs; Elevation: Lachulung La – 5,059m/16,598ft, Pang – 4,500m/14,764ft, TsoMoriri – 4,595m/15,075ft)
We drive across beautiful landscapes crossing over the Lachulung La into the breathtaking Changthang area to the lake TsoMoriri. This beautiful white lake is famed for the high quality salt that rings its edges. TsoMoriri is the largest of the High Altitude Lakes to be situated entirely within India.
ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
Day 6: TSO MORIRI – TSO KAR – TANGLANG LA – LEH(Distance: 45km/ 120km – 165km, Travel Time: 7‐8hrs;Elevation: Tso Kar: 4,200m/13,780ft, Tanglang La – 5,359m/17,582ft, Leh – 3,505m/11,500ft)
We explore the spectacular area surrounding TsoMoriri. The Karzok Gompa on the western bank of the lake, one of the oldest settlements of the world; the salty Tso Kar (White Lake) northwest of Tso Moriri. The area along this lake is inhabited by nomadic people, known as Changpas, employed in rearing of goats, cows
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and yaks. A variety of rare and endangered species birds and animals can be spotted in the area.We then head to Leh crossing the Tanglang La, on of the world’s highest and most scenic motorable passes.
Note: Those opting to fly in will reach Leh on this day and spend the day relaxingin Leh to acclimatize.
Day 7: Around LEH(Hemis – 42km; Thiksey – 29km; Shey – 3km; Leh – 15km: Total: 89km)
We start with the Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Located 45 Km to the south of Leh. Hemis Gompa was built in 1630 and houses monks of the Brokpa or Red Hat sect. Tourists can see beautiful frescoes (paintings) on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, over 12 m in length. From Hemis, we make our way towards Thiksey – an impressive imitation of Lhasa’s Potala Palace – dramatically perched on a slope overlooking the Indus
Later ,we visit Shey, the King’s old palace. The palace was built in 1645 as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above it is an even older fortress, now classified as world heritage sites, The monastery is in use to this day housing a 39‐foot statue made of gilded copper of the Sakyamuni Buddha.
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Valley. Approximately 600 years old, Thiksey consists of 12 levels ascending a hillside, with the Incarnate Lama's private apartments at the summit.
ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
Day 8: LEH – CHANG LA – PANGONG TSO(Distance: 78km / 82km – 160km, Travel Time: 5‐6 hrs; Elevation: Chang La – 5,425m/17,800ft, Pangong Tso – 4,250m/13,943ft)
Drive to Pangog Tso – a high altitude lake in the Ladakh Himalayas. It is 134 km long and extends from India to Tibet. Two thirds of the length of this lake lies in Tibet. The lake is 5 km (3 mi) wide at its broadest point. The road to Pangong Tso traverses the Chang La, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors.
Day 9: PANGONG TSO – STOK – LEH(Distance: 153km / 17km – 170km, Travel Time: 5‐6 hrs)
We drive back toward Leh, stopping en route at Stok, current residence of the former royal family of Ladakh, known for its gompa and the museum containing the shrines, crown, ceremonial dress and jewelry of the Ladakhi king.
Day 10: LEH – KHARDUNG‐LA – HUNDER (Distance: 37km / 90km – 127km; Travel Time: 4‐5hrs;Elevation: Khardung La – 5,602m/18,380ft, Hunder –3,245m/10,646ft)
Driving from Leh, we cross Khardung La (18, 380 ft), known as one of the world’s highest motorable passes, into the Nubra Valley towards Hunder. Note: Those opting to fly out on Day 11 will drive back to Leh after a visit to Khardung La.
ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
The Nubra Valley, on the Nubra and Shyok rivers, is a mix of desert sand dunes and lush green villages tumbling down the hillside. Making their way through the middle of all this are herds of Yak, double‐humped Bactrian Camels and the occasional small whirlwind of dust. The valley is one of those rare places on earth where you can see in one place the splendid beauty of a desert complete with bactrian camels (two‐humped), sand dunes, rolling mountains,flowing streams and snow peaks. giving it a surreal, dreamlike quality.
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Day 11: HUNDER – DISKIT – LEH(Distance: 8km / 119km – 127km, Travel Time: 4‐5hrs;Elevation: Khardung La – 5,602m/18,380ft, Leh – 3,505m/11,500ft)
Heading back over the Khardung La we drive back to Leh. En route we stop at the Diskit Gompa dating back to the 14th century.
ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
Day 12: LEH – LIKIR – ALCHI(Distance: 52km / 58km – 110km; Travel Time: 5‐6 hrsElevation: Alchi – 3,500m/11,483ft)
Drive to Likir, a small town most famous for the Klu‐kkhyil (meaning "water spirits") Gompa. First built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 18th century, it has a twenty‐five foot tall gold‐covered Buddha statue. The gompa at Alchi is nestled in a secluded, tree‐lined spot beside a bend in the milky‐blue River Indus amid dramatic scenery. It harbors an extraordinary wealth of ancient wall paintings and wood sculptures, miraculously preserved for over 900 years inside five mud‐walled temples.
Day 13: ALCHI – LAMAYURU – LEH(Distance: 58km / 125km – 183km; Travel Time: 5‐6 hrsElevation: Lamayuru – 3,510m/11,515ft)
We head towards Lamayuru, the 10th/11th century Ka‐gyü‐pa order monastery, which is our furthest point West and is known for its moon like landscape or ‘moonscape’. The Monastery has always been very active and powerful and was, at one time, the main contender for acknowledged supremacy throughout Tibet.
Day 15: Explore LEH
Leh, capital of Ladakh, is a historical transit point of the bygone Silk Route, and looks and feels like a trading post of the ancient past. It is an imminently accessible and fascinating locale, featuring monasteries, a palace, a mosque, and countless narrow, crooked alleyways beckoning the curious visitor. To stroll through Leh, taking in it’s sights, sounds is to experience what writer Andrew Harvey called “the peaceful life.”
A walk around Leh includes a visit to the Market, Shanti Stupa & Leh Gompa. Strolling around, one can enjoy looking at curios and souvenirs, Tibetan handicraft items including prayer wheels, Buddhist masks, Thangka paintings, Tibetan silver jewelry and traditional Ladakhi jewelry with turquoise.
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ITINERARY : DRIVE IN/FLY OUT
Day 16: LEH – NEW DELHI(By Air, Travel Time: 1hr15mins)
Catch the early morning flight back to New Delhi. Arrival in New Delhi by 10:45 a.m. Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel or next transit point.
Day 14: River Rafting on The Indus
A day with some thrilling adventure, we drive to a point on the Indus to commence a stretch of white water rafting. Return to Leh town by the early evening.Note: Those opting to fly out on this day will proceed to the airport for an early morning departure.
ROUTE MAP
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* Prices quoted are as per current airfare and are subject to change. ** USD Prices are based on current conversion [USD 1= INR 48.17] and are subject to change.
Package Includes: ‐• Transfer Delhi – Manali by AC coach.• Accommodation on twin sharing basis in ‘A’ category hotels or deluxe camps as mentioned for deluxe plan.• Accomodation in comfortable guest houses and organized ‘home stays’ for economy plan. • Camping in Tso Moriri and Tso Kar wih all logistic support. • All meals.• Transportation in Ladakh by mini bus accommodating 6‐10 passengers. • Local Ladakhi English speaking guide and a Synapses trip leader for the duration of the trip.• Inner Line Permits, Camping and Wild Life fee for Tso Moriri, Tso Kar and Nubra Valley.
Package does not include: ‐• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera
fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc. • Any Insurance• Any Airfare• Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
Cost per person
Head Deluxe
avg. INR 2635 / USD 55 per day
Economy
avg. INR 1950 / USD 41 per day
16 Days / 15 Nights (Delhi – Manali – Ladakh) INR 42,160 / USD 876 INR 31,200 / USD 648
12 Days / 11 Nights (Delhi – Manali – Ladakh) INR 31,620 / USD 657 INR 23,400 / USD 486
INR 17,550 / USD 365
INR 11,700 / USD 243
Air Fare (Delhi – Leh / Leh – Delhi) INR 4,525 /‐*
9 Days / 8 Nights (Ladakh) INR 23,715 / USD 493
6 Days / 5 Nights (Ladakh) INR 15,810 / USD 329
PACKAGE DETAILS
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ABOUT US
a passion for the Great Outdoors has enabled Synapses to set up a formal approach to learning with experience – ‘Experiential Learning’. The Team has specialized in mountaineering and experiential learning activities with the most reputed institutions of the country, like the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering & National Outdoor Leadership School. A unique blend of corporate and outdoor experience has thus enabled Synapses develop an edge in delivering quality training, while building on ‘Camaraderie’ & developing ‘Leadership Skills’for organizations and educational institutions.
Whilst keeping the remotest parts of the world as the centre of their activities, Synapses endeavors to encourage and inspire individuals of any level through positive experiences and participation in engaging and motivating tasks and events.
The association:
Our association represents our commitment to each other borne out of having understood our collective values, objective and vision. Together we aim to establish distinct benchmarks in our endeavors, while at the same time realizing our responsibilities towards society and the environment.With the association thus established, we look forward to enriching experiences, that of our customers and our very own as well!
About Synapses:
As an organization, Synapses comes across as one with a lot of energy and enthusiasm at its core, one that wants to learn more and do better. With a team of young and passionate enthusiasts, Synapses puts forward its expertise in Outdoor Education, Travel, and Adventure. An extensive background in training coupled with
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CONTACT
Mandeep Dhillon+91 [email protected]
Rohit Chawla+91 [email protected]
Aditya Shinde+91 [email protected]
or mail your details and queries to: [email protected] on : www.synapses.in/ladakh.html
Synapses1021, Sector 29, Noida (NCR)
Uttar Pradesh, INDIA – 201 301 Tel: +91 120 4321869 Fax: +91 120 4257027
For details, clarifications and bookings, please contact any one on the team
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