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H K L 1 0: T H E I N D U S
& N U B R A V AL L E Y T
R A V E R S E - ( 1 6 D a y s )
 The
beautiful Nubra Valley lies north of Leh across the 5570m
/ 18,269ft. the second highest motorable mountain pass in
the world and was once an important staging post for the
caravans traversing the silk route to the teeming bazaars
of Central Asia. It borders both China and Pakistan sandwiched
between the Ladakh ranges to the south and the Karakorum
mountains to the north and east. The remnants of those lively
bustling days can be seen by the existence of the Bactrian
double humped camels once used as beasts of burden and left
behind by some of the traders. With a milder climate the
fertile land sustains a rich variety of apricots, apples
and other crops.
Day 01: We welcome you on your arrival at the Indira
Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and escort you
to your hotel where you stay overnight.
Day 02: Take the morning flight to Leh and check
into your hotel. Afternoon free to wander around the bazaars
and relax. A couple days in Leh is strongly advised due
to the high altitude.
Day 03: We visit the ancient monasteries of Shey
with its enormous state of Buddha and Thikse one of the
most important Gompas in central Ladakh which has some beautiful
wall paintings besides gilded statues of the Buddha. In
the afternoon we drive down to the famous Hemis Gompa in
a secluded grove of poplars. Return to your hotel for the
night.
Day 04: Visit the secluded Stok royal palace the
Spituk monastery and the Tibetan Camp of Choglamsar and
get further acclimatized for the days ahead before returning
to your hotel for the night.
Day 05: Leh over the Khardung La - 5570m / 18,269ft
to Hunder - 3020m / 9,905ft.By Jeep. The road to Nubra goes
along the Indus valley till it begins its steady climb to
the Khardung la pass. From here the terrain gets more arid
and assumes all the characteristics of a cold desert. Once
on the pass the views to the north are some of the most
spectacular with towering snow clad mountains rising to
the north and west and a green valley stretching out below.
The Nubra valley appears like a green emerald in the midst
of a brown and barren landscape. On the way to the village
of Hunder we stop briefly at the Deskit monastery which
offers grand views from its terrace. Overnight camp.
Day 06: Day at leisure in Hunder. Spend a relaxed
day wandering around this lush green valley with rippling
sand dunes stretching out nearby. We take you on a special
Hunder Camel safari across this sun washed landscape on
the quirky looking double humped Bactrian camels that were
once used as pack animals during the days of the caravans
which crossed the vast Taklamakan and Gobi deserts of Central
Asia. Overnight camp.
Day 07: Hunder - Skarchen - 3800m / 12,464ft. The
trail follows the Hunder Tokpo and the Skarchen Tokpo upstream
and through a few gorges to our campsite at Skarchen where
we set up camp for the night.
Day 08: Skarchen - Thanglesgo - 4400m / 14,432 ft.
The trail climbs gently and emerges into vast pastures where
we camp for the night.
Day 09: Thanglesgo - Base of Lasermo La - 4600m
/ 15,088ft. The trail goes along a glistening stream and
through green pastures adorned with an amazing variety of
wild flowers. The trail attains a gentle slope right up
to the base of the Lasermo La pass.
Day 10: Base of Lasermo La over the Lasermo La pass
at 5200m / 17,056ft to Morubuk located at 4400m / 14,432ft.
Climb gradually to the top of Lasermo La on one of several
routes depending on the time of the year and the snow conditions.
The climb reveals the grandeur and beauty of the Zanskar
range and the Indus valley while the descent to the sleepy
village of Morubuk is steep and involves a number of stream
crossings.
Day 11: Morubuk - Phyang - 3500m/ 11,480ft. to Taru
at 3700m / 12,136ft. .
The trail continues to descend alongside the river till
we reach the ancient Phyang monastery located on a hill
above the village. From here the trail turns west to the
Indus valley. Camp near Taru for the night.
Day 12: Taru over the Taru La pass - 4200m / 13,776ft.
to Nimo at 3700m / 12,136ft. 5 hours. The trail steeply
climbs towards the first pass of the trek, and then gently
descends to the spread out village of Nimo that stands a
little ahead above the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar
rivers. Camp overnight.
Day 13: Nimo - Nie - 3800m / 12,464ft. 5 hours.
The route passes the large village of Basgo once the capital
of lower Ladakh also known for its impressive monastery
and dominated by striking ruined fortresses. The trail passes
numerous Chortens as we continue to our campsite at Nie.
Day 14: Nie - Likir - 3600m / 11,810ft. 4 ½
hours. The trail now enters a desolate and barren landscape
as we head towards the small spread out village of Likir
with its well maintained and ancient Gompa built on a hillside.
The views are quite impressive as we near the village and
green terraced fields appear. Camp near the village.
Day 15: Drive back to Leh and check into your hotel.
Day 16: Catch your early morning flight to Delhi
where you send the afternoon at leisure. Transfer to the
airport late in the night or early morning when international
flights take off for your next destination.
If you need more information please feel free to write
us at info@himalayakingdom.com
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