Region: Zhung (Middle Ladakh), Sham (Lower Ladakh), Nubra
Season: year-round
Max. Altitude: 5602m
Length: 13 days in India
Land Cost: $1,375

Highlights: Journey to Nubra Valley north of Leh is special for several reasons. First it is accessed by the highest motor able road in the world traversing the stunning Kardung La at the thin air of 5600m above sea level with views of the Saser Spur, the easternmost outcrop of the Karakoram further north and the Zanskar range and the principal chain of the Himalayas to the south. Second, from the awesome highs we descend to a picturesque valley with an average altitude of 3000 meters and thus a milder climate than the rest of Ladakh. And third, this valley once constituted the last staging ground for the caravan trade with Central Asia. Here started the route taken by the trade caravans, and Panamik, the last village on this circuit, today a sleepy outpost but at that time a busy center, the last major settlement before the caravans plunged into the mountains of the Karakoram and the Kun-Lun on their way to Yarkand, Kashgar and other parts of Chinese Turkestan and Tibet. Today a reminder of this bygone era is the small population of Bactrian camels (Bactria, a satrapy of the ancient Persian empire), Double-humped animals, which in the old days were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade routes when up to 10,000 horses and camels a year are said to have traversed the district.

Day 1: Early morning flight Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest.

Day 2: Morning sightseeing
Shanti Stupa, and Sangkar Gompa; lunch at hotel, afternoon rest.

Day 3: Full day of sightseeing
Famous Ladakh monasteries - Shey, Thikse, Hemis; picnic lunch; return to hotel in Leh.

Day 4: Full day of sightseeing
Likir Gompa and Alchi Gompa; picnic lunch, overnight at Uletokpo Camp.

Day 5: Full day of sightseeing
Lamayuru Gompa; picnic lunch; return to Uletokpo Camp.

Day 6: Drive back to Leh, on the way visit Bazgo Gompa, overnight in Leh.

Day 7: Drive to Nubra Valley crossing the highest pass of the region, the Khardong La (5602m); hotel in Diskit.

Day 8: Visit Diskit Gompa (now a major branch of Thikse Gompa), Hunder, and Bactrian camel farm; picnic lunch; return to hotel.

Day 9: Morning visit Samstaling Gompa, another impressive monastery in Nubra, and drive back to Leh.

Day 10: Free day - relax, go shopping, in the evening see cultural show of Ladakhi songs and dances.

Day 11: Fly back to Delhi and transfer to hotel.

Day 12: Drive to Agra.
Lunch in a hotel in Agra, after lunch visit Taj Mahal.

Day 13: Morning sightseeing around Agra.
After lunch drive back to Delhi; depart India