An enthralling journey through the mysterious heights of the last Shangri-La that allows you to discover a land shrouded in mysteriousness and mysticism. Ascend through the lush and teeming south-western Himalayas towards a remarkable, arid, jagged and picturesque expanse. Over nine days, you’ll experience majestic forests, visit ancient monasteries, stay in luxurious locations, and drive through the arresting elevations of the Himalayas.
WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO
- An enchanting drive through the high mountain passes and arid deserts of the southern extension of the Karakoram range
- Exploring age-old Monasteries, visiting high mountain passes and soaking in the region’s unique Tibetian-Buddhist heritage
- A chance to spot varied fauna; including Bactrian Camels, Wild Yak, Marmots, to name a few
- Staying at the finest luxury hotels and culturally iconic resorts
- Negotiating challenging roads with ease behind the wheel of your Defender
- A dedicated team of instructors assisting you along your journey
DAY WISE ITINERARY
SHIMLA TO LEH: June 17-25, 2023
Day 1: June 17, 2023 (Saturday) – Chandigarh to Shimla
Welcome to the “Queen of the Hills,” Shimla. You’ll be transported in chauffeured vehicles from the airport in Chandigarh to the hotel at Theog, at a short distance from Shimla. After your day of leisure, spend the evening getting to know your fellow travellers over a pre-drive briefing.
Dinner in Shimla
Day 2: June 18, 2023 (Sunday) – Shimla to Manali: 226 Km | 7.5 hrs
You’ll check out and drive to Manali. You will ascend to the Jalori pass at 10,282 ft and stop to take in the scenic beauty surrounding you. Once in Manali, you can take a stroll on the banks of the Beas or head to the busy Mall Road.
Breakfast in Shimla | Lunch en-route | Dinner in Manali
Day 3: June 19, 2023 (Monday) – Manali to Jispa: 90 Km | 2.5 hrs
After check out, you will traverse through the 9.02 km long Atal Tunnel, the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 10,000 ft. in the world. You’ll pass Tandi and Keylong to reach Jispa, a quaint and scenic village perched on the banks of river Bhaga which exudes a zen-like charm quite unlike any other. Located at a short distance from Manali, Jispa is a convenient halt to rest and acclimatise before the drive to Leh the following day.
Breakfast in Manali | lunch and Dinner in Jispa
Day 4: June 20, 2023 (Tuesday) – Jispa to Leh: 336 Km | 8 hrs
An early start in preparation for one of the most breathtaking drives of your journey. This picturesque and awe-inspiring route will see you ascending and passing through some of the highest and most stunning passes in the world, including Baralacha La (15,910 ft.), Nakee La (15,547 ft.), Lachlung La (16,600 ft.) and Tanglang La (17,480 ft.). You’ll drive through the heart of the Himalayan snow desert, past the Deepak Tal and Suraj Tal lakes, across the Sarchu and More plains and over the seemingly endless Gatta loops. Later that evening, you will reach Leh, with a natural beauty that cannot be adequately articulated in words.
Breakfast in Jispa | Lunch en-route | Dinner in Leh
Day 5: June 21, 2023 (Wednesday) – Leh
Today will be a day to relax and unwind. After a late breakfast, you will spend the day at leisure or indulge in short drives to visit the Indian Army’s Hall of Fame, the gravity defying Magnetic Hill, the highly revered Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers or the Shey Palace and Thiksey Gompa. The old town, with the Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, the lofty peaks, and the local food and drink make exploring this city truly unequalled.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Leh
Day 6: June 22, 2023 (Thursday) – Leh to Nubra: 123 Km | 4 hrs
You’ll drive to the top of the Khardung La (18,380 ft.), the gateway to the tri-armed Nubra valley, beyond which lies the Siachen Glacier. You will reach Hundar, famous for its white rolling sands and accentuated by the trees & snow-capped mountains in the distance. You can relax and unwind or visit the Diskit Monastery, built in the 14th century, that features a giant statue of Maitreya Buddha atop it. The Hundar dunes with the double humped Mongolian Bactrian camels, the only living remnant of India’s connection with famous silk route, are worth a visit as well.
Breakfast in Leh | Lunch and Dinner in Nubra
Day 7: June 23, 2023 (Friday) – Nubra to Pangong Tso: 191 Km | 5 hrs
You will set off to drive on a scenic route along the Shyok river and find yourself by the banks of the Pangong lake. Nestled amongst the high peaks, at an altitude of around 14,270 ft., the lake is 134 kilometres in terms of length and stretches from Eastern Ladakh to Tibet. The crystal-clear brackish waters of Pangong Lake transform between different shades of blue and green with the sun’s changing position. Once you reach Merak, you’ll catch the sunset by the lake and spend your time relaxing and unwinding.
Breakfast in Nubra | Lunch en-route | Dinner in Merak
Day 8: June 24, 2023 (Saturday) – Pangong Tso to Leh: 177km | 4.5 hrs
You’ll start the day early to catch the sunrise on the lake. You will then begin the last leg of your journey and make your way northwest towards Leh, passing through Chang La (22,051 ft.) Later that afternoon, you will reach Leh to indulge in a shopping spree to buy local handicrafts and souvenirs at the Leh Market or relax and unwind at the hotel.
Breakfast in Merak | Lunch and Dinner in Leh
Day 9: June 25, 2023 (Sunday) – Leh
Enjoy your final goodbye breakfast and wish everyone well on their next adventures.
Breakfast in Leh
LEH TO SHIMLA: July 7-15, 2023
Day 1: July 7, 2023 (Friday) – Leh
Welcome to “Little Tibet”, Leh. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted at your hotel and spend the day resting to acclimatise.
Dinner in Leh
Day 2: July 8, 2023 (Saturday) – Leh
Today is a day to further relax and unwind. After a late breakfast, you will spend the day at leisure or indulge in short drives to visit the Indian Army’s Hall of Fame, the gravity defying Magnetic Hill, the highly revered Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers or the Shey Palace and Thiksey Gompa. The old town, with the Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, the lofty peaks, and the local food and drink make exploring this city truly unequalled.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Leh
Day 3: July 9, 2023 (Sunday) – Leh to Pangong Tso: 177 km | 4.5 hrs
You’ll begin the first leg of your journey and make your way southeast towards Pangong Tso, passing through Chang La (22,051 ft.). Nestled amongst the high peaks, at an altitude of around 14,270 ft., the lake is 134 kilometres in terms of length and stretches from Eastern Ladakh to Tibet. The crystal-clear brackish waters of Pangong Lake transform between different shades of blue and green with the sun’s changing position. Once you reach Merak, you’ll catch the sunset by the lake and spend your time relaxing and unwinding.
Breakfast in Leh| Lunch and Dinner in Merak
Day 4: July 10, 2023 (Monday) – Pangong Tso to Nubra: 191 Km | 5 hrs
You’ll start the day early to catch the sunrise on the lake. You will set off to drive on a scenic route along the Shyok river towards the tri-armed Nubra valley, beyond which lies the Siachen Glacier. You’ll reach Hundar, famous for its white rolling sands and accentuated by the trees & snow-capped mountains in the distance. You can spend your time relaxing and unwinding or visit the Diskit Monastery, built in the 14th century, that features a giant statue of Maitreya Buddha atop it. The Hundar dunes with the double humped Mongolian Bactrian camels, the only living remnant of India’s connection with famous silk route, are worth a visit as well.
Breakfast in Merak | Lunch en-route | Dinner in Nubra
Day 5: July 11, 2023 (Tuesday) – Nubra to Leh: 123 Km | 4 hrs
You’ll drive to the top of the Khardung La (18,380 ft.) and exit the Nubra Valley. Later that afternoon, you will reach Leh to indulge in a shopping spree to buy local handicrafts and souvenirs at the Leh Market or relax and unwind at the hotel.
Breakfast in Nubra | Lunch and Dinner in Leh
Day 6: July 12, 2023 (Wednesday) – Leh to Jispa: 336 Km | 8 hrs
An early start in preparation for one of the most breathtaking drives of your journey. This picturesque and awe-inspiring route sees you ascending and passing through some of the highest and most stunning passes in the world, including Tanglang La (17,480 ft.), Lachlung La (16,600 ft.), Nakee La (15,547 ft.) and Baralacha La (15,910 ft.). You will drive through the heart of the Himalayan snow desert, past the Suraj Tal and Deepak Tal lakes, across the More and Sarchu plains and over the seemingly endless Gatta loops. Later that evening, you will reach Jispa, a quaint and scenic village perched on the banks of river Bhaga which exudes a zen-like charm quite unlike any other.
Breakfast in Leh | Lunch en-route | Dinner in Jispa
Day 7: July 13, 2023 (Thursday) – Jispa to Manali: 90 Km | 2.5 hrs
After check out, you’ll pass Keylong and Tandi and traverse through the 9.02 km long Atal Tunnel, the highest highway single-tube tunnel above 10,000 ft. in the world. Once in Manali, you can take a stroll on the banks of the Beas or head to the busy Mall Road.
Breakfast in Jispa | Lunch and Dinner in Manali
Day 8: July 14, 2023 (Friday) – Manali to Shimla: 226 Km | 7.5 hrs
You’ll check out and set off for Shimla. You will ascend to the Jalori pass at 10,282 ft and stop to take in the scenic beauty surrounding you. You will arrive at Shimla to relax and unwind on the final night of your journey.
Breakfast in Manali | Lunch en-route | Dinner in Shimla
Day 9: July 15, 2023 (Saturday) – Shimla to Chandigarh
Enjoy your final goodbye breakfast and wish everyone well on their next adventures. You’ll be transported in chauffeured vehicles from the hotel at Theog to the airport in Chandigarh.
Breakfast in Shimla
ACCOMMODATION:
The Taj Theog Resort & Spa is a sublime resort that exudes provincial chic with its architecture and design inspired by the best that Himachal Pradesh has to offer. The rooms and suites are all at a vantage perch, offering majestic views of the surrounding Himalayan range.
The Aloka Resort, Manali, is a luxury resort with comfortable rooms and amenities. Located in Chadiyari, this Resort is the perfect stopover for heading out and back across the Atal Tunnel as well as for experiencing the city.
Hotel Ibex Jispa is situated on the banks of the Bhaga river in the Lahaul valley right on Manali-Leh Highway with most comforts and conveniences. The property exudes an alpine charm that makes for a memorable stay.
The Grand Dragon, Leh is the finest 5-star rated hotel in the city located 10 minutes from Leh Palace and Leh Market and offers fabulous views of the snow-capped Stok Kangri Mountains.
Stone Hedge, Nubra is an eco-tourism hotel constructed using wholly local materials. It is one of the best hotels in the Nubra region. The Desert Himalaya, is a resort with 6 acres of greenery nestled in the beautiful Nubra Valley and offers unparalleled views of the majestic Karakoram and Ladakh Range.
The Merak, located at Merak village, is a boutique hotel that overlooks the incredible crystalline expanse of Pangong Tso.