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Himalayan Jeep Safari Tour |
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| Ladakh the remote borderland
at the end of the Western Himalayas and cut off for the road
communication for seven months of the year is now accessible
from Manali in Himachal Pradesh through the highest mountain
passes in the world.
The safari takes off from the green, verdant valleys of Kullu-Manali,
skirts the mysterious valleys of Lahoul and Spiti, climbs over
the passes as high as Tanglang (5112 Mts.)
and Baralacha (4891 Mts.) to the awesome vistas of the tableland
of “ Little Tibet”. You drive across three major
mountain ranges of-the Greater Himalayas, Zanskar and Ladakh-to
the foothills of the highest mountain mass of the world. The
Karakorams or Mustagh, embossing the world’s second highest
peak, K2 (8611 Mts.). In between high passes and grotesque gorges
you traverse extensive, stark moonscapes, the legendary Moore
plains and the surrealistic steppes of Sarchu. The valley heights
range between 1700 Mts. to 4600 Mts., where cold, wild, winds
scrape the rubble and whistle past a lonesome Chorten or a Mani-stone
wall. Atop high passes you are face-to face with a maze of snow-capped
mountain tops and serrated craggy ridges which hide some of
the worlds largest glaciers outside the polar region.
Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers.
It is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram
& Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. Nubra lies at an altitude
of about 10,000 - ft above sea level.
Yet this daunting terrain did not deter the lone wayfarer or
the caravans of yore who traveled back and forth on this route
on foot, camel and yak, carrying spices brocades and jewels.
These ancient travelers carried cross currents of culture and
ethnic variations, transferring this Trans-Himalayan land into
repository myriad cultural and religious influences from mainland
India, Tibet and Central Asia. |
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Delhi-Chandigarh-Nalagarh-Manali-Jespa-Sarchu-Leh-Sumoor-Leh-Delhi |
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| Total no of days |
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14 |
| Best Season |
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July-October |
| Grade |
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Moderate |
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| The safari takes off from the verdant
green valleys of Kullu-Manali, skirts the mysterious valleys
of Lahoul and Spiti, climbs over the passes of Tanglang La (5112
Mts.) and Baralacha La (4891 Mts.) to the awesome vistas of
the tableland of “ Little Tibet”. You drive across
three major mountain ranges of-the Greater Himalayas, Zanskar
and Ladakh-to the foothills of the highest mountain mass of
the world, the Karakorams or Mustagh, embossing the world’s
second highest peak, K2 (8611 Mts.). In between high passes
and gorgeous gorges you traverse the legendary Moore plains
and the surrealistic steppes of Sarchu. |
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| Itinerary |
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 Day
1: Arrive Delhi
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| Arrive at Delhi’s international
airport a Mountain Trails representative will be waiting
for you outside the EXIT gate of arrival terminal, holding
a Mountain Trails placard. Met upon arrival and transfer
to your hotel for overnight stay, where accommodation
will be protected for you from previous night. Afternoon
half day city tour of Old Delhi, visiting Red Fort, Jama
Masjid drive pass old Delhi Bazars. Evening free to rest
and relax. Overnight at hotel.
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Day
2: Delhi-Chandigarh-by shatabdi express-
Nalagarh-drive
60 km; approx. 1½ hrs |
| In time transfer to the railway
station to board your train for Chandigarh. On arrival
you are met and you continue your journey by car/coach
to Nalagarh. On arrival check into Nalagarh Fort for overnight
stay. |
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| Day
3: Nalagarh-Manali – drive 250 km, 7-8 hrs |
| After breakfast drive to Manali,
which is 1896 m above sea level and situated at the northern
end of the Kullu valley. A picturesque little town bustling
with activity, Manali is the most popular place in Himachal
Pradesh during the summer season. Around Manali, nature
has lavished the region with forests, waterfalls, green
slopes, rivulets and soaring snow covered
mountain peaks. |
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| Manali also boasts of a Mountaineering
Institute, which imparts training in mountaineering, skiing
and other adventure activities. Drive and explore the beauty
of nature. Overnight stay in hotel. |
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4: Manali-Jespa –coach /jeeps- drive 147km-6-7 hrs |
| After an early breakfast drive to Jespa
a small village in the Lahaul region. En route cross Rohtang
Pass (3980 M) and visit Keylong village. The lofty Shingri Glacier
is seen in all its grandeur, it’s high passes standing
between them and the civilized world. The people of these valleys
have an intense love for their home culture; their songs and
dances are as chaste and pure as the snow that clods the mountains
around. Spiti Valley is famous for Yaks and Choru. Overnight
in hotel. |
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Day
5: Jespa-Sarchu – drive 98 km, 5-6 hrs |
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| Beyond Jespa, the regions main town,
the road follows the Bhaga River up towards its source.
It hairpins up to the Baralacha-La (16050 ft/4,892m),
a pass that is perhaps unique in its being a tri-junction,
with a trail from Spiti coming in from the southeast.
Overnight in your camp. |
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| Day
6: Sarchu-Leh -drive 253 kms: 8-9 hrs |
| After breakfast drive to Leh. The
Zanskar Range remains to be crossed and this takes two
more |
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| passes, the La Chung-La (16,600ft/5,059m)
and the Tanglang La (17,469ft/5,325m). Leh is rapidly
spreading in all directions from its original position beneath
the long abandoned Namgyal Palace. While the town has come a
long way from the days when polo was played on its main street,
Leh still remains a pleasant, traditional Himalayan town. Overnight
in hotel. |
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| Day
7: Leh |
| After breakfast full day
sightseeing to the massive Tibetan Buddhist Gompas & monasteries
of Hemis, Shey and Thiksey. A few kilometers up the Indus is
Shey, the ancient capital, with its palaces, temples, and vibrantly
colored murals, cleaned and restored in the mid 1980’s.
Hemis was founded under the direct patronage of members of the
ruling Namgyal dynasty. Overnight at your hotel. |
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8: Leh - Sumoor - ht 4350 mtrs -Over Khardong La-ht 5260 mtrs
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| After break fast drive to Sumoor
village 120 kms; (5-6 hrs) over Khardong La, the highest
motorable road pass in the world. The view from the top
of this pass is amazing. One can see all the way south
over the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and
ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of
the Saser massif. After crossing the pass, drive another
80 kms; (2-3 hrs) across the river Shyok to reach Sumoor
village. Overnight at Sumoor Camp. |
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9: Sumoor–Disket- ht 4600mtrs-Hundar-ht 4150mtrs - Sumoor
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| Bacterian camel safari subjects
to availability. Drive to Hundar, en route visit Disket. See
the Disket monastery perched on a rock overhanging a stream,
which is the source of energy, used by the mills of the monastery.
The monastery is full of Tangkas (silk paintings), magnificent
giant statues of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which
can be noted a multitude of influences. Overnight in camp at
Sumoor. |
| Day 10: Sumoor – Leh-by surface |
| After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung la. Afternoon rest & relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at Guest House/hotel. |
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Day 11: Leh |
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| Full day tour
of Leh. Visit Shankar Monastery-a relativity modern
monastery, it is closely associated with the Spituk
monastery and serves as the residence of the head
priest Kushak ba kula. A number of gold icons are
to found here. 8km from Leh, Spituk monastery stands
prominently on the top of a hillock commanding panoramic
view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of
Buddha and fine thankas are to be found in this
15th century gompa. The gompa also houses collection
of ancient masks, antique arms,
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| and an awe-inspiring image
of Mahakli. Also visit Phyang Monastery which is 17kms
from Leh-Kargil road, built by Tashi Namgyal in the later
half of the 16th century AD. It belongs to the RED CAP
SECT of Buddhist. Hundreds of icons of Buddha and other
Gods are kept on wooden shelves. Overnight in your hotel.
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| Day 12: Leh-Delhi - by air |
| In time transfer to the airport to board your flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half day city tour of New Delhi visiting India Gate, drive pass government buildings and Qutab Minar. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day 13; Leave Delhi |
| In time transfer to airport to connect flight back home. |
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Journey To The highes tand
