MIXED EXPERIENCE
11 days | 10 nights

FIXED DATES
Jun, Jul & Aug

ALL INCLUSIVE

NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS

Overview

Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, popularly known as, the land of numerous passes of mystic Lamas.

Ladakh lies at an altitude from 2750m/alt to 7670m/alt above the sea level. At these heights, you are on the roof of the world! As the highest inhabited land in the world, Ladakh is a land of peaceful Buddhist monks, medieval monasteries, fluttering prayer flags, pretty villages, cold desert, high passes, dramatic mountain scenery and surrounding countryside.

This eXperience is designed to give you an insight of Himalayan Land while riding at high altitude in the high mountain ranges of Changthang located in Eastern Ladakh. While riding you have the opportunity to get a closer look at himalayan birds and mammals like panther, bear, crocodiles, eagles, vulture, green parrots, peacock and other exotic birds, antelope, sambar deer and wild boar, though these beautiful animals are now rare and mostly confined to wildlife reserves.

You start you adventure with an enchantingly impressive flight over the Great Himalaya admiring its majesty while observing the places you will ride and camp, in traditional royal stylish indian tents.

Seeing and visiting the Great Himalaya it's a once in a lifetime eXperience but admiring it from a rider's perspective will take you to another level!

Itinerary

Day 1
On Arrival in Deli you will be received by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel to relax. Overnight in hotel at Deli.

Day 2
Early morning board the flight* to Leh, perhaps the most fascinating flight over Himalayas. Upon arrival in Leh, traditional welcome by our representative and transfer to a Ladakhi style hotel. Morning free to take a complete rest for acclimatization due to the high altitude of Leh (3505m/alt).

Day 3
Morning after breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to the Indus valley, visiting Shey Palace, a ruined Castle, followed by a visit to a 14th century Thikse monastery, an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture. It is a glorious buddhist monastery and a marvelous Buddha statue in the seated position is adorning the main prayer hall. Later visit the Hemis monastery, the richest monastery in Ladakh. In the last, visit the Royal Stok Palace and museum, the residence of the royal family of Ladakh. Later back return to your hotel for overnight.

Day 4
After breakfast you will be driven 4 hours to Kharnak Valley (4500m/alt) on the Leh Manali road via Taglang la. Reach there by lunch time and camp by the fresh water Zara stream and beautiful green patch. Post lunch you will take a short ridding trip around Kharnak valley. Overnight in Tents.

Day 5
After breakfast you ride for about 45minutes to reach the Leh Manali road and stop over at the roadside cafe for a hot cup of coffee. Then carry on riding for about 3 hours to reach Punganu. The landscape here is flat and soft and perfect to run the horses. The camp is set at Punganu and post lunch ride along the Tsokar wetlands to get a glimpse of the Tibetan Wildass. Overnight in Punganu camp (4600me/alt).
The area is also known to have a good population of the Tibetan Argali and may also see the Tibetan Wolf occasionally. The local inhabitants are called the Changpas who are a nomadic pastoralist community that move from pasture to pasture along with their Yaks and Pashmina Goats. Overnight in Tents.

Day 6
The Tsokar lake is one of the best places in Ladakh for birding and you you will spend another day by the lake. Ride about 4 hours today along the wetlands and enjoy the liberty to come close to the birds as they do not really fly away when on a horse. Post lunch visit the Thukje Monastery and stop at a village famous for its Buddha statue in between a narrow opening in the mountain. Camp right at the lakeside of this wetland reserve, salt pans bring a variety of birds and animals, nesting ground for birds like the Black Necked Crane, Ruddy Shelduck, Bar Headed Geese and Sand Plowers of different kind. Overnight camp at Tasaphuk.

Day 7
Wake up once again by the lake side and enjoy the stunning sunrise along the diferent lake colors. Post breakfast ride for about 3 to 4 hours over green pastures, next to a stream to reach Polokonka La crossing nomadic camps on the way up. Visit these nomadic camps to see their way of life an event to remember. Ride to the reach the pass adorned with Buddhist prayer flags. One can put up prayer flags and partake in local customs. Overnight camp near Polokonka La Pass (5300m/alt).

Day 8
Today you ride along one of the most dramatic nomadic trails and you can sure of meeting absolutely no one on the way. You will ride over green pastures, scaling the Nakpokunzin Pass (5700m/alt). The flat grassland on high altitude is magnifcient and words will fall short to describe it. On this stretch you may get an opportunity of sighting the Pallas Cat, more rare than a Snow Leopard sighting, plenty of Wolly Hare, Himalayan Marmots, Pikas of different kinds and the Blue Sheep. Just before the descent to Kyamdar get the first incredible views of the Tsomoriri lake from a distance. This blue emerald lake between the brown and white snow capped mountains shines and stands out from a distance , an image imprinted in your mind. For the last half hour get off the horses and descend to Kyamdar. (4600m/alt).

Day 9
Post breakfast descend further down and ride along the fast flowing Thasang River, busily emptying itself into the Tsomoriri Lake. Along the way you may get an opportunity to view the Kiang, Tibetian Wild Ass, up real close. Red Starts, Robin Accentors, Wagtails, Horned Larks, Yellow-Billed Choughs, Brown-Headed Gulls and the Bar-Headed Geese are commonly found here. Reach the camp or Guest house by noon and enjoy a warm lunch overlooking the stunning Tsomoriri Lake with a sense of accomplishment. Here your journey in Himalayan land finishes.

Day 10
Morning drive back to Leh. On arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

Day 11
Morning assistance transfer to Leh airport to board to Deli for once again in one of the most fascinating flights over the heights of the great Himalayas.

Additional information

*domestic Deli-Leh flight ticket not included

All transfers included | Airport Gateway DEL

Breakfast only on non-riding days

Monument entrances included

Restricted and wildlife area permits included

Mineral water when riding and snacks during rides like packed juice, fresh fruits, biscuits, chips, tea, coffee, etc. included

Additional beverages are paid separately

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The Great Himalaya

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