Trip plans for Ladakh

I am excited!  This is a picture of Pangong Lake - I hope my pictures are as beautiful as this. Tomorrow I head out for a 6 day trip to Ladakh, India Himalayas.  During my fellowship I cannot take vacation but arranged that I work on Saturdays. I have already worked two Saturdays, so only one more- which I will more than make up.  My short travel time forces me to make use of every day. It involves lots of driving time but hopefully the rewards will be worth it.  I do get to spend one night camping (supplied by tour) in Nubra valley which I am looking forward to.  Not much trekking, but more exploration.  I can think of it as a reconnaissance mission to see if it is worth visiting again for a lengthy backpacking trip.  Leh, capital of Ladakh sits at 10,000 feet, it is recommended that people stay in Leh for two days exploring before taking excursions that put you at higher altitude.  I was able to pick up diamox at the pharmacy, no prescription necessary, and will take it if I feel I need to.  I have not had major problems with altitude before as the approach to higher elevation was done slowly by walking, but this will be a big change from Delhi, 700 feet, up to 10,000 feet. Below is the itinerary.

ITINERARY

day 01 / 26 Jul: arrive leh

welcome arrival at leh airport and transfer to hotel. complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize. evening visit leh market & shanti stupa. overnight at hotel in leh.

  day 02 / 27 Jul:: leh - excursion to monasteries

post breakfast we proceed for the indus valley monastery tour including shey, the ancient capital of ladakh, thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village and stok palace the present residence of the royal family. enjoy packed lunch at sindhu ghat. overnight at hotel in leh.

  day 03 / 28 Jul: leh - excursion to pangong lake (290 kms / 10 hrs)

after an early breakfast we leave for pangong lake through changla pass 5486 mtrs. pangong lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m) is a long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130km in length, it is bisected by the international border between india and china. after spending some time at pangong we drive back to hotel in leh.

  day 04 / 29 Jul: leh to nubra valley (120 kms / 5 hrs)

after an early breakfast we drive to nubra valley crossing khardung-la-pass - the highest motorable road in the world at 18,380 ft. nubra valley is popularly known as ldorma or the valley of flowers. it is situated to the north of ladakh between the karakoram and ladakh ranges of the himalayas. check in at the resort and later visit the samstaling monastery. enjoy your evening at the campsite.

  day 05 / 30 Jul: nubra valley – leh (190 kms / 7 hrs)

after your breakfast at the camp, visit the diskit monastery and the sand dunes to enjoy a camel safari (optional). later we drive to leh over khardung la. afternoon rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. overnight at hotel in leh

  day 06 / 31 Jul: depart leh

tour concludes. ladakhsafari thank you for your patronage and ensure a punctual transfer to the domestic airport.