Offbeat Ladakh

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'.