HIGH ALTITUDE LAKE SAFARI

Season: June to September
Duration: 12 nights / 13 days
Places Covered: Shey - Thiksey - Stok - Chumathang - Sumdo - Tsomori-ri - Tsokar - Taglang-La - Leh

Day 01: Arrival Delhi
On arrival meet to representative, follow to drive to hotel near the airport for overnight.

Day 02: Delhi - Leh
On arrival meet to local assistance drive to hotel. Check in hotel. For all Leh flights one must report at least 2 hrs before the flt.. On arr. in Leh airport transfer by jeeps to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to get used to the rarefied air of Ladakh. Evening you can take a small walk in the mkt overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Indus Valley Sightseeing
Morning proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. Visit to SHEY PALACE -The ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery has a huge copper-gilded image of Sakyamuni and the large silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Visit to THIKSAY GOMPA that is actually a complex of buildings on a crag rising in tier upon tier above the village. The temple was dedicated by His Holiness Dalai Lama in 1980 and houses an immense image of Maitreya Buddha. Drive further to visit the famous HEMIS GOMPA, founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall, Hemis is the is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has given Hemis a particular reputation. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava. Visit STOK PALACE & MUSEUM - the Royal residence of the King of Stok, the museum has a rich collection of Ancient Ladakhi artifacts which includes old Thankas, precious stones, arms and armory, the Queens necklace and the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04: Leh - Sightseeing
Morning proceed to visit Sankar Gompa, Shanti stupa and Leh Palace. Afternoon Phyang, Spituk, & Indus View Points. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Leh - Chuma Thang
Morning drive to reach Chuma-Thang (3965 M) by covering 140 kms. This place is known for its famous medicated hot water springs where people from various parts of Ladakh come for relieving their pains. Enroute drive past beautiful villages of Nurnis, Kery and Kadgam. The Jeep drive through this part of the Indus valley is quite flat without much uphill or downhill drive. Arrive and overnight stay in tents.

Day 06: Chuma Thang - Sumdo
Morning drive to Sumdo, a wide-open village. Enroute stop at Mahe Bridge from where the road crosses to the south bank of the river by a bridge; it then follows the unmetalled road through Puga stream up to join Sumdo village. The drive from Mahe to Sumdo follows a narrow mountain gorge through green bushes. Upon arrival in Sumdo check in at the camp and later visit the monastery of Sumdo that is famous for its well-preserved paintings. Overnight stay in tented camp.

Day 07: Sumdo - Tsomoriri (Korzok)
Morning drive to Korzok (4,572 mt) the only village near Tsomoriri Lake. The safari from Sumdo to Tsomoriri is one of the most interesting as it goes through sandy deserts & rocky paths. After slowly zigzagging up to the Namshang-La, the drive follows a smooth descent and drive past the isolated Thasang Tso - a small turquoise lake that appears like an emerald of a queen's necklace. Little before Tso-Moriri Lake drive past a small green valley of wild Marmots locally known as Phya. Arrive at Korzok village and check in at the camps. Afternoon explore KORZOK: Situated at 15,000 ft (4,572 mt), it's the only permanent settlement in Rupshu region with an approximate population of 500 people. The few barley-fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world. Visit KORZOK MONASTERY with its dimly lit prayer halls. Overnight stay in tents.

Day 08: At Tsomoriri (Korzok)
Day free to explore the Lake area and the village. TSO-MORIRI LAKE: The clear blue lake is one of the most breathtaking fresh water lakes in Ladakh. The locals consider the lake sacred. Beautiful peaks like Mt. Mentok and Mt Kharlung on the right side and Mt Kurchu and Mt Lungser on the left side surround the Lake. The Lake is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds like Bar Headed Goose which is found in abundant, Great Crested Grebe, the Brahmini duck etc Overnight stay at the camps.

Day 09: Korzok - Tsokar
Morning drive to reach Tsokar via puga by covering 75 kms in 3-4 hours. Tsokar Lake 4485 mt is also called as white lake because of salt deposit around it. It is approx 45 kms northwest of the Tsomoriri Lake. Tsokhar Lake is so salty that salt extracted from its margins are still sold all over Ladakh. Overnight stay in tents.

Day 10: Tsokar - Leh
Morning drive to Leh via Thukje Gompa. Join Manali-Leh highway and drive down to Leh via Tanglang-la (5224 mt.) the 2nd highest motor able road in Ladakh. Enroute drive passes beautiful villages of Rumtse, Gia, Meeru. Arrive Leh and check into hotel for overnight stay.

Day 11: At Leisure in Leh
Day free at leisure for independent activities. Evening proceed to see Folk dances of Ladakh which shall be arranged on the spot. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Leh/Delhi
Morning transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival meet to assistance & drive to hotel for rest day.

Day 13: Delhi - Departure Home