Manali-Leh Safari                                                                                                                     Photo Gallery

Manali to Leh - Through the Highest Mountain Road in the World !!

This once restricted route takes us across high Himalayan passes and two extensive plains resembling the Prairies of Russia & America. On the way amidst a barren and awesome landscape, tiny streams glisten in the sun whilst large snow clad mountains loom in the distance.

Here, the landscape assumes fantastic and bizarre shapes, a result of nature’s erosion factor.

Surrealistic colors splash off rocks ranging from rust, gold, pink and yellow. Here, one is traversing the roof of the world, where Buddhism is a dominant factor in moulding the lives of the local inhabitants. Once the high Tanglangla pass is crossed, the road winds downward into the Rupshu valley of Ladakh. Tiny villages appear like small oasis in a mountain desert.

On reaching Leh, it seems one has stepped back into time. Here ageless monasteries cling precariously to craggy hillsides which present one, with a strangely beautiful picture. Manali-Leh Safari would be one of the most memorable Safaris, one will experience, in a lifetime.

Exploring Ladakh

Ladakh is a separate province of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and distinct in its culture and topography. It is a region, which was opened to tourists only a few years ago. Since then, foreign tourists, particularly young visitors have thronged to Ladakh to see its unspoiled beauty.

The Ladakh region is part mountain, part flat terrain and is quite arid. It is a high altitude desert and its capital Leh, is located at an altitude of 3,330 meters - 11,500 feet above sea level.

The region is predominantly Buddhist and several important monasteries dominate the region. Some of them are located within visiting distance from Leh. The spectacular Zanskar mountains are where the venturesome go for river-rafting and for exhilarating treks. The clean, dry air, magnificent scenery and the warm hospitality of people makes Ladakh truly memorable.

Despite this forbidding description of the climate, Ladakh has its charm. The blue sky, bright sunshine and green valleys dot the region like oasis and make up for its starkness. The cultural life of the people inhabiting different valleys is very interesting.

Ladakh can be divided into a number of valleys, the principal one among them being the Indus, which runs through the entire region from southeast to northwest.While Leh has come a long way from the time when Polo was played on its main street, it retains its pleasant traditional quality.

On arrival, the visitors are advised to rest for a minimum of 24 hrs. to acclimatize themselves with the peculiar high altitude climate of Leh.

Monasteries : Leh is the town of Buddhist monasteries. A look at the monasteries gives you a peep into the life of the people of Ladakh. The most visited monasteries are Thiksey and Hemis, all spread along the river Indus.

Thiksey is situated on a hill-top in picturesque surroundings. From here, you can enjoy the view of the Sindh Valley below. Hemis Gompa is the biggest and very richly endowed monastery of Ladakh.

Duration

Himalayan Adventurers has organized this safari of 25 participants from 24 Aug. to 04 Sep. '10.

Fees

The fees for this safari will be Rs. 25,000/-.+ Srinagar - Mumbai fares at actual. This will include all travelling,
accommodation and food except charges for food during the train journey from Pune - Delhi & Srinagar - Pune which
will have to be borne by the participant.

MANALI - LEH SAFARI - 2010

Day       Programme                                                                                                                 Kms.

01         Dep. for New Delhi.                                                                                                     1596

02         Arr. New Delhi & Proceed to Manali by bus.                                                          560

03         Arr. Manali in the morning. 1/2 day local sightseeing

04         Manali to Sarchu. Enroute visit Rohtang Pass (13,360 Ft.),
             Keylong, Bara-la-Cha Pass (16,000 Ft.)                                                                    225

05         Sarchu - Leh. Enroute visit Pang, More Plains, Tanglangla Pass (17,400 Ft.)  250

06         Local sightseeing at Leh.                                                                                          20

07         Thiksey, Hemis Gompas and Shey Palace 60

08         Leh - Nubra Valley. Enroute visit Khardungla pass (18,360 Ft.)                          125
             (Highest motorable road in the World !!!)

09         Nubra - Leh. Visit Shanti Stupa. Night halt at Leh.                                                125

10         Leh- Pangong Lake-Leh                                                                                            270

11         Leh to Kargil. Enroute visit Kargil war memorial                                                  220

12         Kargil - Srinagar. Enroute visit Zojila Pass & Sonmarg.

13         Srinagar - Gulmarg - Srinagar

14         Srinagar - Mumbai by air. proceed to Pune.                                                          1596.