Trip to Leh Ladakh

Ladakh trip is not for everyone. From my perspective it is for the adventurous lot! Those who love trekking,  photography, biking, cycling or just enjoy watching nature!

Few things to take care of for ladakh trip:
Ensure you are in good health for the trip
Have ayurvedic medicine or  Diamox tablets (2 continuous days after meal) before leaving for Ladakh. It has side effects. So check with doctor. Also it has a tingling sensation in finger & toes for a day or two. Otherwise high altitude & low oxygen can cause nausea, head ache which could keep you from enjoying your stay in Ladakh.
Have meals at correct time else it will cause you headaches!
Have a strict diet if you are a South Indian. Don't over eat as it can cause vomiting if you are traveling to higher altitudes. Have lot of fruits like apple & banana & drink lot of water even if you don't feel like.
Have maggi in high altitude places like Khardungla pass & changla pass to keep you going!
Avoid exposure to direct sun light as it has UV.
Those who don't want to tan, use sun-screen lotion with extra UV protection.
Ask the driver to stop every hour for a 5 min break so that you don't get vomiting sensation during your trip to nubra valley, khardungla pass & pang gong lake.
If you are staying in nubra valley ensure the itinerary is such that you visit Hundar desert next day morning & not the same day afternoon cause it is quite hot & you will be tired by the journey.

If you are short of time, you can skip:
Shey & Leh palace are under renovation & not so well maintained.
Druk padma karpo school as it is only famous cause of the movie (3 idiots).

Don't miss Thiksey Monastery & Shanti Stupa as they are very beautiful.

Shopping: Nice gifts to buy at Leh market. Items made from wool, yak wool, silk, pashmina etc, Paper mash, Post cards, apricot nuts & other dry fruits. Brass work of buddha & other Buddhist works are nice but expensive. Traditional dresses are also nice to shop.  Bargaining is common & negotiate well :)

Here is the details of our itinerary:

Package inclusions:
Round trip airfare from B'lore to Delhi & Delhi to Leh with taxes in economy class
Accommodation in Standard and Deluxe Category Hotels.
Accommodation for 6 nights at specified hotels in Leh with attached bath
Accommodation for 1 night in Nubra Valley
Stay on MAP basis (7 breakfasts and 7 dinners)
Lunch on arrival in Leh during the stay
Transportation by non air-conditioned Qualis for arrival/ departure transfers
Sightseeing tours as per the itinerary (suitable vehicle will be used as per the group size)
Assistance at the airport at the time of arrival and departure
Miscellaneous charges like inner-line permits, porter services at hotel and airport and all applicable luxury/ road taxes

Package itinerary (MakeMyTrip):
Book 2 months in advance to get at a low rate (Rs. 33K from b'lore to leh)

Guests arriving in Delhi from other hubs(Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Nagpur) will get return airfares, one night accommodation and return airport transfres.

Day 1 : New Delhi - Leh
On your arrival at Leh, an MMT representative will meet, greet, assist and transfer you to your Hotel in Leh. Rest of the day is free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. Stay overnight at Hotel in Leh.

Day 2 : Sightseeing around Leh (80 Kms round trip)
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Sangam. Enroute visit Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Patthar Sahib. The Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers is in Ladakh, India at Nimu. From this point on, beyond this Confluence of the two, the stream is regarded as the Indus River. Can anyone ever imagine the movement of a vehicle up a steep mountain with its engines off? Reach Magnetci Hill to experience the nature which sounds unbelievable. Just before reaching Leh visit Spituk Monastery (Kali Mata Temple) Ladakh Hall of fame. Arrive at your hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 : Leh - Nubra Via Khardungla Pass (140 Kms 5hours approx)
Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. Popularly called the orchard of Ladakh, you will definitely be overwhelmed to see the Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries. Arrive at Nubra Valley and proceed for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can enjoy the camel ride (at your expense). Later if time permits visit Hunder and Diskit monasteries and check in at Deluxe Camp. The evening is at leisure. Stay overnight at the Swiss comfortable camps.

Day 4 : Nubra - Leh (140 Kms, 4hours approx)
Morning after Breakfast proceed for Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass, the World Highest Motorable road.

Day 5 : Monastery tour and Leh Sight seeing
Morning after breakfast drive to Thiksey Monastery. After visiting the Thiksey Monastery drive to Shey Palace, located 15km to the south of Leh on the Leh-Manali highway is the Shey Palace. Later visit Sindhu Ghaat. Then Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. Then lunch. Return to your hotel for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Day 6 : Excursion to Pangong Lake (280 Kms round trip)
Morning after breakfast drive to to Pangong Lake on the Indo China border. Pangong Lake is situated in the northeast of leh, 4,350 meters above sea level. The long and narrow lake lies in the neighborhood of the famous Chushul Mountains. The size of the lake is best inferred from the probable etymology of its name, Pangong, which means extensive concavity. The mirror-calm water is cold, clear, and extremely salty. By the evening, come back to your hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight sleep.

Day 7 : Leh at leisure

Day 8 : Airport Departure