Our very first group trip as ‘Pace, Places and Faces’ was to Ladakh. It had been my long standing dream to go to Ladakh, and I don’t need to give you a reason for it (obviously the name ‘Ladakh’ is reason enough). And none the less this place exceeded my expectations. The planning of this trip has a story of its own. My dream of Ladakh was not because of ‘3 Idiots’ but it was way before that. Sandeep had already been there once but was more than happy to go back there.
We did a lot of soul searching for the perfect itinerary online, looking to join a group. Days of online searches and emails being sent back and forth, we weren’t impressed. No doubt all the packages were designed perfectly but it just wasn’t “The One”. That’s when we decided to get a custom made plan for ourselves. because a lot of places we wanted to see were missing from the commercial itinerary. That’s where we came across ‘Offbeat Escapes’, they were our saviours. These guys were kind enough to design a whole package for us. All we did was tell them the “must do” places and our dates, and voila the whole plan was ready.
As the name suggests they specialize in offbeat vacations and sort off hold a PHD in all fields “Ladakh”. This is the detailed plan that they designed for us.
Day 1: Reach Srinagar
Visit: Dal Lake in the evening and may be go for a Shikara ride
Stay: Hotel JH Bazaz Srinagar (5,200 ft)
Day 2: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zojila Pass – Drass – Kargil
Visit: Great vistas of Drass Valley with views of Tiger Hill, Kargil War Memorial
Max. Altitude: Zojila Pass at 11,575 ft
Approx Distance: 205 kms odd
Travel time: 7 - 8 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Drass
Stay: Hotel Greenland Kargil (8,780 ft)
Day 3: Kargil – Lamayuru - Alchi
Visit: Rock Carved Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Monastery
Max. Altitude: Fotu La Pass at 13,478 ft
Approx Distance: 225 kms
Travel time: 7 - 8 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Lamayuru
Stay: Hotel Zimskhang Alchi (10,200 ft)
Day 4: Alchi – Leh
Visit: Gurudwara Pathir Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Lunar Landscapes
Approx Distance: 60 kms
Travel time: 2 -3 hrs odd
Stay: Hotel Kidar Leh (11,562 ft)
Day 5: Leh - Khardung La - Diskit
Visit: Khardung la , highest motorable road, Diskit Monastery, which has 106 Feet tall Buddha statue,Go for Camel Safari over Hunder Sand Dunes in the evening
Max. Altitude: Khardung La Pass at 18,379 ft
Approx Distance: 142 kms
Travel time: 5 - 6 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Khardung Village
Stay: Hotel StenDel Nubra Valley (10,315 ft)
Day 6: Diskit – Turtuk
Visit: Traditional Village of Turtuk
Max. Altitude: Khardung La Pass at 18,379 ft
Approx Distance: 103 kms
Travel time: 5 - 6 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Khardung Village
Stay: Turtuk Holiday Camp Turtuk (10,315 ft)
Day 7: Turtuk – Khardung La – Leh
Max. Altitude: Khardung La Pass at 18,379 ft
Approx Distance: 213 kms
Travel time: 8 - 9 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Khardung Village
Stay: Hotel Kidar Leh (11,562 ft)
Day 8: Leh – Hemis Monastery – Chang La Pass - Pangong Tso Lake
Visit: Hemis Monastery,
Pangong Tso: One of the largest salt water lakes in the world which is 1/3rd in India and rest in Tibet
Max. Altitude: Chang La Pass at 17,585 ft
Approx Distance: 170 kms
Travel time: 5 - 6 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Packaged Lunch
Stay Camp Watermark (Panorama) Pangong Tso (14,270 ft)
Day 9: Pangong Tso Lake – Chusul – Tsaga – Hanle
Visit: Hanle village. Hanle site is deemed to be excellent for visible, infrared and sub millimeter observations throughout the year
Max. Altitude: Tsaga La Pass at 15,202 ft
Approx Distance: 170 kms
Travel time: 6 – 7 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Packaged Lunch
Stay: Padma Guest House Hanle (14,760 ft)
Day 10: Hanle – Tso Moriri via Charchang La
Visit: Lam Tso, a small lake on the way to Tso Moriri,
Tso Moriri , high altitude salt water lake changes colours many times a day
Approx Distance: 140 kms
Travel time: 5 – 6 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Packaged Lunch
Stay: Tso Moriri Camps and Resort Tso Moriri (15,075 ft)
Day 11:Tso Moriri - Leh via Taglang La
Approx Distance: 240 kms
Travel time: 8 - 9 hrs odd
Suggested lunch point: Packaged Lunch
Stay: Hotel Kidar Leh (11,562 ft)
Day 12: Rafting Day
Stay: Hotel Kidar Leh (11,562 ft)
Day 13: Leh Airport
We travel from Srinagar airport was by a tempo traveler that stayed with us for the whole trip. This also, was arranged by OffBeat Escapes. And thanks to them we met our driver-tour operator-joke teller-friend Sonamji. He added the essence of fun and was a constant support to us. Thanks to him we have many great group pics too.
This trip was originally published on 'Pace Places and Faces'.