RARE Ladakh Itinerary

Julley! You will be greeted on arrival by our friends in Ladakh waiting to welcome you. After quick introductions, you will be driven to Nurla (80 kms). On the hour-long drive, you will skirt Leh town and drive past the army cantonment area. Stop en-route for a photo stop at the very scenic viewpoint over the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers.

Arrive at the idyllic The Apricot Tree, except to be pleasantly surprised to see this small RARE Hotel ensconced within an orchard of apricots and apples. The next two nights here you will be in residence of one of best examples of a significant original style of traditional Ladakhi architecture. Its beautiful rooms overlook the Indus river from every room and decorated with traditional furnishings giving it a lovely warm ambience.

Lunch will be served in the restaurant. Gentle explorations around to allow you to acclimatize with lot of fluids and rest. It is common knowledge that at a little over 10,000 ft, Nurla helps you acclimatize faster. Early dinner and overnight.

Another easy day of gentle exploration. A thirty minute drive to Alchi where the terrain is mostly even. Lunch and rest for the day. (We recommend lunch at Alchi Kitchen, its Ladakhi fusion food by Chef Nilza) Early dinner and overnight.

FYI: Staying at Nurla gives you driving access to Alchi, Mulbec, Likir monasteries as well as the petroglyphs of Dumkhar and cave paintings of Saspol. Wildlife sightings at Ulley include Ibex, Urial, Tibetan Gazelle, Bharal and Aragali.

A third night is recommended if you love hiking and wish to cover Lamayuru and much of the above sights.

Early breakfast and drive to Leh Town which is just over and hour’s drive. To stay at The Grand Dragon is to be close to the city centre, markets and museums.

Leh is the high altitude desert capital city of Ladakh. An erstwhile stop for trading caravans, it is now known for its impressive monasteries and Buddhist buildings as well as a base for trekkers and mountain climbers. The old town’s bazaars selling all everything from woollens to quilted jackets, crafts and jewellery to apricots and oils – within its maze-like lanes is especially interesting.

To stay at The Grand Dragon is to stay in a modern hotel, centrally air-conditioned and with a multi-cuisine restaurant. The Grand Dragon has beautiful suites and heritage rooms which are the best in comfort. All the rooms have picture postcard views of Stok Kangri peaks. The restaurant and bakery serve some of the best food in Ladakh and the thukpa comes highly recommended by local gourmands.

The Central Asia museum gives you a glimpse of the role played by Ladakh in the Silk Road trade with rooms that focus on China, Turkestan, Tibet and Ladakh. LAMO (Ladakh Arts & Media Organisation) is a treasure trove of culture and information. Other sights include – Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and the market place to buy dried apricots, dried apples, yak cheese and apricot oil.

Staying in Leh town also gives you the chance to explore the textile and modern couture of young and creative Ladakhi designers (Jigmat Couture, Lena etc.) There are also great dining options besides the hotel.

This is a scenic route and not very populated especially in the summer, with hordes of people going through Khardungla. The highest motorable pass at Khardungla is not to be missed and you can return via this pass.

Nubra Valley is scenic and beautiful and has the areas of Sumour, Hundar and Diskit within an hour’s driving radius. The above are excessively busy during summer and hence we recommend Lchang Nang Retreat (The House of Trees) set in 25 acres in the Teggar Village. Quiet and away from where the domestic market travels in hordes, especially Hundar where there are so many tents and places to stay.

Lchang Nang is an organic, boutique hotel in the tiny hamlet of Teggar. Ladakhi styled cottages are set amidst an orchard of elm, apricot and apple trees, with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. High on sustainability they use solar power and water from glacial melts.

Arrive in Lchang Nang in time for tea, enjoy tea at one of the tea hideouts – like the Ladakhi Kitchen or Alice in Wonderland to great views from their gardens. You may take off for a riverside excursion on your first day here. Evenings are around the camp fire to some music, Dinner is in the restaurant which serves a great mix of grills, Ladakhi, Chinese and Indian from the menu.

Just before you head to bed, don’t forget to take the stairway upto the terrace to see a galaxy of stars overhead, it literally feels like you can reach out and touch them.

Enjoy breakfast looking out at the picturesque mountains around the Siachen river. The hotel has several inhouse activities, like yoga, village walk, their tea houses, organic gardens, etc.

Lunch with an enterprising agriculturist, just next door to Lchang Nang, Ka Wangial is something we recommend to our guests, has a lovely farm to table lunch with and he is amongst the most interesting people to meet and speak with in Nubra.

Also Turtuk (the last Indian village), Siachen (on permits only) , Samasthaling, Ensa and Diskit Monasteries are drivable, so is Hundar for the Bactrian camels (highly avoidable in summer with a lot of travellers from the plains).

Famous campfire nights & night skies at Lchang Nang followed by dinner. Overnight.

After breakfast, leave the Nubra Valley (155 kms / 4-6 hrs depending on traffic) towards Nimoo.

As you ascend out of Nubra, and over the Khardungla pass (18,379 ft), you are rewarded with some of the most stunning landscapes of the Trans Himalayan region, and perhaps even more remote and stunning as you leave behind Nubra Valley (10,000ft) embraced by the Shyok and Siachen rivers.

Nimmu House is a charming eco-resort nestled at 10,000 feet in the traditional village of Nimmo. Located 45 minutes from Leh, it is the ideal anchor spot for trekkers who want to explore the Himalayan paths or travellers who wish to discover the cultural jewels of the region.

Another day for a last glimpse of the awe inspiring landscapes before heading back home. A quick breakfast and transfer to airport for your flight out of Leh.