Ladakh: Pang to Tso-Moriri Trek

Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Delhi

   Delhi

   After clearing Customs and Immigration, step into the receiving area, where our representative will meet you and escort you to the hotel.

   On arrival, check into the hotel.

   Overnight at hotel (No Meals)
2. Day 2 Delhi

   Delhi

   Delhi is a dynamic city where the past coexists with the present. While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.

   On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).

   Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.

   Thereafter, visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. It was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, a 17th century Indian ruler. It is open to people of all faiths, castes or creeds. The premises house a sacred pond in which devotees bathe. They believe that this would wash off their misdeeds and thus allow them to attain peace of mind. The 'Langars' or the community kitchen proves to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs. Anyone and everyone can have scrumptious meal irrespective of caste, color or class.

   Conclude the day by visiting the Delhi's most striking monument, The Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed in 1192 by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft) and contains 379 stairs. A Soaring conical tower, it is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and is the tallest minaret in India.

   Overnight at hotel (B)

   

   Bangla Sahib

   Sikh Temple

   

   Chandni Chowk

   

   Old Delhi Cultural Rickshaw ride

   

   Qutub Minar

   

   Red Fort

3. Day 3 Fly Delhi – Leh (GoAir Flight # G8-221 Delhi/Leh ETD: 09:10/ETA: 10:30 Hrs.)

   Leh Ladakh

   After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board your flight to Leh.

   You arrive at Leh airport, step into the receiving area where you will be met by our representative and drive to hotel.

   Rest of the day for acclimatization through rest.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)
4. Day 4 Leh

   Leh Ladakh

   Explore Leh town: Leh, a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main street is open and airy, with rows of shops on either side. On either side of the market are seen a long line of Ladakhi women in traditional dress and colourful jewelry of coral and turquoise, seated behind enormous baskets, selling vegetables. The spectacular eight-storey Leh Palace looming above, overlooking the town, was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala in Lhasa which it resembles.

   The stroll through the town is followed by a visit to Sankar gompa, about 2 km from the market. It has a number of pure gold icons and richly painted walls, its pictures depicting different stories, including some from the Panchtantra. Return to the Ladakh Sarai for dinner and overnight stay.

   On either side of the market are seen a long line of Ladakhi women in traditional dress and colorful jewelry of coral and turquoise, seated behind enormous baskets, selling vegetables.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)
5. Day 5 Leh

   Leh Ladakh

   After breakfast explore some of Ladakh's ancient gompas. A picnic lunch is provided.

   After breakfast, we visit the Oracle of Sabu in the village of Ayu. Although many oracles are lamas, this oracle is an old woman who is believed to possess supernatural powers that enable her to prophesize.

   After our visit to the oracle. we visit the Shey Palace was built in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older ruined fortress.

   In 1655, in memory of his father, this same king built the two-storey Shey gompa adjacent to the palace. Hundreds of chortens of all shapes and sizes stand below the palace and gompa. These chortens demonstrate the interest taken in Shey by the Ladakhi kings and queens who succeeded Shey's original builder.

   Located on the second storey of the gompa is a large Buddha statue made in 1655 by a Nepalese sculptor who was assisted by three Ladakhi craftsmen. The seated Buddha is 12 meters high and worked of copper sheets gilded with gold. This Buddha is the biggest metal statue in the region and was the largest Buddha statue of any type in Ladakh until Thiksey gompa installed a 15-meter tall Buddha made of clay in 1970. The castings of the statue were made in Leh while the statue's copper was collected in Zanskar and hammered into plates on big rocks. More than five kilos of gold were then used to plate the copper. The statue was built in parts in the Zanstil Palace (Zans means copper and til means to hammer) in Leh and then transported to Shey where it was assembled and installed.

   Sacrificial offerings such as grain or jewels, holy signs and mantras are contained inside the figure. In front of the Buddha is a large bowl of wax with a central flame that burns for one year before being replaced. This flame represents divinity and purity and is present in front of all Buddha statues in Ladakh.

   Thiksey Gompa is the most picturesquely situated monastery in Ladakh, perched high on a hill above the Indus. Its buildings are arranged at various levels, leading up to the private apartments of the incarnate lamas on the summit. From here one commands a magnificent view of the valley. The gompa possesses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of hand-written or painted prayer books.

   A new temple contains a 15-meter tall Buddha statue, constructed in 1970 to commemorate a visit to Thiksey by the Dalai Lama. The statue, made of clay and covered with gold paint, is the largest Buddha figure in Ladakh and took four years to construct. Inside, the statue is filled with the Kandshur and the Tandshur - volumes of Buddhist canonical texts. The statue was made entirely by local craftsmen and represents Maitreya, ("compassion" in Sanskrit) the Buddha of the Future. The prophecy made of the Future Buddha is that the world will be undergoing such chaos that He will teach compassion to the people.

   Hemis Gompa is one of the most important in Ladakh, the largest and also the wealthiest. The king-architect Singe Namgyal, a great patron of Buddhism, built it in 1620. He filled Hemis with golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thangkhas brought from many places, including Tibet.

   The lamas of Hemis were associated with the Ladakhi royal family and became quite prosperous, owning much land and supervising many smaller, scattered monasteries. Although only about a dozen lamas actually live here, Hemis has several hundred lamas attached to its subsidiary monasteries.

   The Rimpoche or spiritual head of Hemis is a reincarnation of the monastery's founder Stagtshang Raspa. The last Rimpoche was a reincarnation who, as a five-year old child, was being taught in Tibet when the Chinese invaded. There has been no communication with the Rimpoche since the 1960s. During the 1975 festival, Drugpa Rimpoche, a 12-year old youth, became the new Rimpoche as a new incarnation.

   Hemis is the location for numerous religious festivals throughout the year, although the most important one is in summer (July 4 and 5 this year) when a huge thangkha, one of the largest in the world, is hung in the courtyard. It takes about 50 monks to carry the thangkha to its place and unfold it. The thangkha is made of fine heavy silk and embroidered with pictures of various gods as well as of the founder of Hemis. The dances in front of this thangkha represent the forces of good, symbolized by legendary heroes and saints, overcoming demons. Eventually, the violence of the demons is overcome by the superiority of virtue resting on wisdom and the demons are driven from the courtyard.

   Spectators watch these dances from the upper storey verandahs around the courtyard. Hemis also has a thangkha, reputed to be the largest in the world, that is displayed once every eleven years. It was last shown in July 1992. The hands of the artist who painted this thangkha are preserved at Hemis as holy relics, though they are not shown to the public.

   Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

   

   Hemis Gompa

   

   Another perspectice of Shey Palace by Kgbadariprasad / CC BY

   Shey Palace

   

   Thiksey Monastery, Leh (Thikse Gompa) by Antara Sarkar / CC BY

   Thiksey Monastery

6. Day 6 Leh – Pang (Approx. 109 Miles / 175 Kms / 4.5 hour drive)

   Pang

   We start our journey by driving through spectacular geography, over the Tanglang La pass (5360 m.), the second highest motor-able pass in the world. We would reach Pang (4700 m.).

   We would hike a short distance through this western part of the Changthang Plains to reach our camp site.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
7. Day 7 Trek To Takstago (4800 Mts)

   Pang

   The trek is an easy walk on a river bed and crossing the small river several times as the stream meanders spanning the entire width of the river bed.

   Experience amazing wind sculpted gravel laden mounds on either side of the valley.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
8. Day 8 Takstago – Zozogong (4670 Mts) Over Thelakung La (4980 Mts.)

   Pang

   To reach the base of the pass, we cross through the gorge. From the top of this pass you can have a view of vast expanse of the beautiful valley that we would be exploring in the next few days.

   The camp would be setup just after descending from the pass.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
9. Day 9 Zozogong – Phuang (4850 Mts) Trek

   Pang

   The trekking is going through the dry landscapes of the cold desert.

   On the way you get to see wild asses in this area. Camp would be established near a stream.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
10. Day 10 Phuang – Manechan (4760 Mts) Trek

    Pang

    During the walk we go through very arid desert scenery.

    Towards the end of the day’s walk we would climb over a small pass called Manechan La (4780 m.), across which a beautiful stream gushes with greenery around it. One can see many marmots and birds here.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
11. Day 11 Manechan – Lhatho Trek (4680 Mts)

    Lhatho

    The trek from Manechan would take us across a boulder strewn area and would further go over rolling paths with greenery and swampy pastures.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
12. Day 12 Lhatho – Kyangdom (4550 Mts)

    Kyangdom

    Kyangdom is one of the ends of Tso-moriri Lake. The camp site is a vast grassland which descends into the lake forming a wetland type of area where migratory birds can be sighted. This is a very picturesque sight with high Himalayan peaks around the crystal clear blue waters of the lake.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
13. Day 13 Kyangdom

    Kyangdom

    This would be the rest day besides the lake. Short day hikes for photo purposes, or simply laze at the camp.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
14. Day 14 Kyangdom – Kharlong ( 4630 Mts)

    Kyangdom

    A pleasurable path with a soothing walk beside the lake. Experience the lapping water of the lake at the banks as strong winds blow past. One can see many migratory birds along and in the lake waters.

    At Kharlong a small stream is there, where camping can be organized.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
15. Day 15 Kharlong – Korzok (4630 Mts

    Korzok

    Start your day with a short walk along Buddhist Mane walls with stones having the inscriptions of Om Mane Padme Hum meaning the Jewel in the Lotus which is Lord Buddha, Chortens which are memorials holding he ashes of the monks and Gompas which are small monasteries. Reach Korzok in early afternoon. Cross settlements of the Changpa tribals of Tibetan stock who heard the goats that give the famous Paschmina wool, which is the finest wool on Earth. These tribals live in their Rino tents woven from the Yak hair. Korzok is a small sleepy village at one end of the lake. This is the place where we meet the road that connects to Leh.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
16. Day 16 Korzok – Leh (Approx. 131 Miles / 211 Kms / 6 hour drive)

    Leh Ladakh

    Early morning start the drive across this sceenic geography and ever changing terrain via Mahe bridge where one connects with the Indus River.

    Reach Leh by afternoon, remaining of the day free for own activities snd exploring the bazaar for last minute shopping.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)
17. Day 17 Fly To Delhi (Indigo Flight # 6E-6003 Leh/Delhi ETD: 11:45/ETA: 13:20 Hrs.)

    Delhi

    After breakfast you will be transferred to the Leh Airport in time to fly to Delhi.

    Arrive Delhi, you will be transferred to the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B)
18. Day 18 Delhi

    Delhi

    Full day at leisure or you have an option for Agra excursion.

    Optional Agra excursion:

    Agra: Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. The earliest reference for Agra comes from the epical age, when Mahabharata referred Agra as Agravana. In the sources prior to this, Agra has been referred as Arya Griha or the abode of the Aryans. The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. Akbar made it the center of art, culture, commerce and learning. Later, Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire. During the peaceful reign of Shah Jahan, his passion for architecture came to the fore and world-famous architectural masterpieces were constructed. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. However, after the reign of Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb (1658-1707), and the gradual disintegration of the empire, the city passed from one invader to another before the British took charge early in the 19th century.

    After breakfast, drive to Agra. Visit the imposing Red Fort of Agra (also known as Agra Fort). A creative, architectural, and strategic masterpiece, the Fort is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In a cruel twist, Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal and whose grandfather built the original Fort and who also assumed the throne himself, was imprisoned here at the end of his life by his own son – in a room looking out on the Taj Mahal across the river.

    Lunch is on your own.

    Explore the Taj Mahal, the greatest monument of love and one of the wonders of the modern world. Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 labourers worked for 22 years to build this edifice, constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

    Later drive back to Delhi.

    Overnight at hotel (B)

    

    Agra Fort

    

    Taj Mahal in 1884 by Dr Gustave LeBon /

    Taj Mahal

19. Day 19 Delhi & Departure

    Delhi

    On time check-out from the hotel and transfer to the Airport to connect with the departure International flight.

    (B)