In the late afternoon you will drive/walk to the Leh Palace from where you can view the Leh Town. The drive to Sankar Gompa, which belongs to Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism.  This small Gompa is a branch of Spituk Gompa, founded by the first incarnation of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk monastery).

After which you can drive/walk to Shanti Stupa to witness the Sunset.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Leh.

You begin the day by visiting SHEY PALACE. Overlooking a small lake, the palace and fortification of Shey was the site of one of the former capitals of Ladakh. In the 10th century the first ruler of Western Tibet, Nyima-Gon, laid the foundations of the first dynasty of Ladakh. On a large rock below the palace is an engraving in shallow relief of the Five Dhyai Buddhas, credited to him. His son constructed the small place and made it the first capital of Ladakh. During subsequent reigns the palace was expanded and the present structure dates back to the time of Deldan Namgyal who lived here for the better part of his reign. The significance of the sight is apparent from the large number of chortens that dot the entire landscape around Shey.

A short drive from Shey takes you to THIKSE MONASTERY, which is one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region. It dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Gelug-pa Sect. It is headed by successive reincarnations of the Khanpo Rimpoche.   The monastery is 12 storied and painted in deep shades of red, ochre and white. It has evolved around a central courtyard with buildings surrounding it from three sides. At one extreme lies the main dukhang, which houses numerous racks containing religious texts. Behind the main alter lies a small chamber that contains images of revered deities.

Continue your drive on a well mettled broad road traveling upstream along the Indus River to HEMIS GOMPA, crossing over the Indus at the village of Karu. The most famous of Ladakh’s monasteries, Hemis or Changchub Samstanling (The love palace of the compassionate person), dates back to the 17th century and was built over a period of 40 years (1602 – 1642 A.D.). Today Hemis is well known for its festival or Hemis Tsechu commemorating the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava. In the year of the Monkey (every 12 years) a giant thangka depicting Guru Padmasambhava is unfurled from the terrace draping the five-storey facade. Delicately wrought in pearls and appliqué, it is one of the most famous art treasures of Ladakh. The central courtyard forms the focus for the masked dances held every year in summer. In the dukhang, remnants of the original 17th century murals can be seen. The gompa boasts of an excellent library, well preserved frescoes and murals, silver gilt chortens and a Kashmiri lacquered wooden throne.

On the return journey to Leh, drive to STOK PALACE, which is the present residence of the former royal family of Ladakh. King Teswang Thondup Namgyal built the palace in 1825. The last king of Ladakh died here in 1974. The main palace is five storeys high. The palace museum displays the collections of the royal family.   In the queen’s chamber can be seen royal ornaments such as the beautifully crafted turquoise studded perak (head dress), the queen’s crown as well as the necklace of the Balti Princess, Gyal Khatun. Within the king’s room are displayed exquisite thangkas, most significant of which is the set of 35 thangkas depicting the stories relating to the former lives of Buddha.   Other artifacts include silver chortens, the king’s crown and a 7th century image of Avalokitesvara as well as jade cups, fine porcelain and ritual objects.     

A Gompa is situated behind the museum and contains some ritual dance marks and frescoes. An annual archery contest is held here in July.  Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Later return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay

The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (the highest motorable road in the world) at 5602 M / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh.  From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers drain Nubra. The flat part of the river is sandy & occupied by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty with greenery, willow & poplar trees. Till partition Nubra Valley was one of the trade centers, the ancient famous Silk Route passed through this area.
Before proceeding to your camp at Hunder, stop to visit Diskit Monastery perched on a rock overhanging next to a stream, which provides the source of energy used by mills in the area. The monastery is rich, full of thangkas, magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences.  It was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod around 1420 A.D. Diskit is the main village or headquarters of Nubra Valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops. 
After your visit to the monastery and shortly after leaving Diskit you will comes across sand dunes on the right of the road. Seen in isolation you could well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed a strange sight since immediately on the left of the road are Rocky Mountains that characterize the Ladakhi landscape and in the distance can be seen snow-capped mountains.
Overnight in your camp at Hunder.

DAY 05 LEH – ACROSS CHANG LA (5,320 M / 17,556 FT) – PANGONG TSO – LEH - BY SURFACE / 160 KM One Way APPROX 6 HRS   

You start early heading out on the Leh – Upshi road driving upstream along the Indus River. From Karu you turn left to ascend through the Sakti valley. As you drive up the amazing sight of Chemrey Gompa rising majestically on a hill to the left with the residences of the lamas spilling along its contours greets you. As you negotiate a number of hairpin bends climbing higher towards the pass, green cultivated fields dotted with village houses in typical Ladakhi architecture continue along the base of the valley. Finally you cross over Chang La (5320 M / 17,800 Ft), a signboard proclaims it to be the third highest motorable pass in the world.
On reaching Pangong Tso, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, an absolutely amazing and captivating sight is laid out in front of you. One third of the lake is in India while the rest two thirds of the lake is in Tibet. Most of the streams feeding the lake are on the Tibetan side.
It seems never ending. The crystal clear water of the lake, the desert sand mountains in the background, some herons swimming around, and above all, its’ absolute virginity not being disturbed by any human settlements gives it an ambience of total serenity. The turquoise blue to dark blue colour of the water depending on the sky conditions, the hazy reflection of the mountains, and the glittering of sunlight in the water of the lake is a picture of a lifetime. One can drive up to some 300 meters from the beginning of the lake. After that, there is no proper road. One of the few types of the birds that may be seen here is the Black Necked Heron, a rare species. They are usually to be seen at around the beginning of the lake.
After having thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the lake, you drive back to Leh for an overnight stay.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Later return to Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

• Accommodation at all places as per the above list/similar in Dbl/Twin sharing room with all meals
• Arrival/Departure transfers in Leh using 01 Non AC Toyota Innova/Scorpio/Innova/Safari
• All drives, sightseeing and excursion in Leh as per the itinerary using 01 Non AC Toyota Qualis/Scorpio/Innova/Safari
  Assistance on Arrival / departure transfers
• English speaking local guide through out the tour as per the itinerary.
• Permit handling & Wildlife Fees for the visit to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley.
• Rafting trip from Chilling to Nimo
• Entrance fees to Monuments and Monastaries.

• Any airfare and airport tax.
• Any personal, medical and evacuation insurance
• Personal expenses like table drinks, mineral water, tips, phone calls etc
• Personal clothing including sleeping bags etc
• Any other item not specified under cost includes

END OF SERVICES