LADAKH WITH THE ULTIMATE TRAVELLING CAMP

Overview

The Ultimate Travelling Camp is the first truly mobile luxury camps in India, covering a range of destinations and festivals. TUTC introduces glamping in India through its Ladakh tour packages. The Chamba Camp at Thiksey creates once-in-a-lifetime experiences -watch a game of polo, a sport of the royal family of Ladakh, raft down the River Indus, enjoy picnic lunches amidst the most picturesque spots with unforgettable views and much, much more.

Day 1: Arrive at Leh * Check into the Chamba Camp, Thiksey

This morning, following your arrival into Leh, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your residence, Chamba Camp, Thiksey. Soak in the serenity of the surroundings as you are accorded a traditional Ladakhi welcome. You will be then accompanied to your well appointed Luxury Tent after your check-in formalities at the Reception Tent is completed. There will be no activity on your day of arrival as it is medically mandated that you relax and undergo minimal exertion to enable you to acclimatize to the rarefied oxygen levels at this high altitude. The Excursion Specialist at Chamba Camp, Thiksey will meet with you to discuss the itinerary suggested and help you plan your excursions and make changes if required, to suit your interests, choices and leisure. You may take a stroll through the blessed hamlet of Thiksey and engage with the joyous local community and its pastoral lifestyle, immersing you to the scintillating peace and tranquility. Overnight at the Chamba Camp, Thiksey

Day 2: The Little Tibet Experience

Today brings a late start, leaving the morning free for you to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and walk around the camp site, taking in the sights and the peaceful milieu where each tent opens out on to alfalfa pastures. Enjoy the view of the willow trees as the wind gracefully brushes the branches and the rustling sound of the poplar trees create an aura of unmatched beauty and serenity, making you unwind and relax. Or, you may take an easy, invigorating walk in the vicinity of the camp through the lush farmlands of Nyerma, with insights into ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs, agricultural practices and religious life in the nunnery. Return to the camp for your lunch. This afternoon following lunch, you will visit the famed Matho monastery. The village of Matho is located at the mouth of a deep gorge running out of the Zanskar Range and across the river Indus. Founded in 1410 century by Lama Dunpa Dorje, it belongs to the Sakya Order. It is noted for its six-hundred-year-old thangkas and its conservation project of the monastery undertaken by local women and led by a spirited team from all parts of the globe. We then proceed on a gentle orientation tour of Leh. Our Leh City Heritage Walk ushers you to the labyrinth of by-lanes of Leh City under the gaze of the imposing 17th century nine storied Leh City Palace. Our walk takes you through this last big frontier town where everything from daily needed rations to locally spun woolen clothing , rugs, yak fur and yak tail and ritualistic items can be sourced. The city boulevard presents a cauldron of shops which sell Pashmina shawls, stoles to Tibetan handicraft items. A few scattered curio shops also offer traditional Ladakhi jewelry set with turquoise, jade and emerald. Your walk concludes near Chubi village where your vehicle will pick you up and take you to Shanti Stupa, perched upon a great vantage point over Leh, with spectacular views of this mesmerizing stone strewn landscape. Optional:- Bird Watching: If you are an early riser, may we suggest setting out on our optional bird watching session, with our camp naturalist, spotting and identifying a variety of birds indigenous of the trans Himalayan region. Séance with the Oracle: Drive to the Choglamsar village for a séance session with the village Oracle. [Note: This optional excursion will be confirmed a day prior subject to the oracle willing to give an audience]. Overnight at the Chamba Camp, Thiksey

Day 3: Two Paths to Nirvana

An early morning start with tea and coffee followed by a visit to the Thiksey monastery, which stands about a kilometer from your camp. This beautiful monastery houses a two storey statue of the Maitreya Buddha seated on a lotus and boasts of a spectacular view of the Leh valley. At the monastery, you will have the privilege to participate in the Buddhist morning prayer ceremony at sunrise. Continue on a guided tour of the monastery, visiting the beautiful prayer rooms which has many handwritten and painted books as well as the temple dedicated to goddess Tara with her 21 images placed in glass-covered wooden shelves. You will also see small shrines devoted to the guardian divinities including Cham-Sing, the protector deity of Thiksey. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast. The rest of the morning is free, allowing you time to relax and take in the pristine beauty around you. After a sumptuous lunch at camp, proceed to explore the jewel in the crown of the Drukpa lineage, the Hemis Monastery, the biggest monastic institution of Ladakh, situated about 23 kilometers (45 mins) from Thiksey. Built in a secluded valley, the monastery belongs to the Drukpa School or the Dragon Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Explore the many interesting facets of this institution, established under the patronage of King Senge Namygal in the 17th century, where young lamas are taught literature, history, philosophy, yoga and tantra. The monastery halls are adorned with beautiful statues and mural paintings. Optional Ride with the Wind – Wari La: After an early morning breakfast you will be driven to one of the most scenic passes in Ladakh – the Wari La (5,300 mtrs /17,384 ft) – which is also the world’s fourth highest motorable road. This pass connects the two most exotic and most travelled valleys in this trans-Himalayan region. You get a breathtaking view of the Nubra valley, which lies beyond the pass, as well as the many villages dotting the Indus valley. A hot lunch in the outdoors here is truly magical. After a short safety briefing after lunch, you will then cycle down the best track that the Ladakh Himalayas has to offer. The road criss-crosses its way down the mountain side into the green oasis of Shakti village, where we will end our cycling trip. Overnight at the Chamba Camp, Thiksey

Day 4: Drive to the Nubra Valley

Following breakfast this morning, your exciting journey continues through some of the region’s most awe-inspiring and dramatic landscapes, passing through the Khardung La Pass (5570 mtrs / 18,381 ft.), considered to be the highest motorable road in the world. From the pass one gets to see the Nubra Valley and rich agricultural lands interspersed with poplar and willow trees, giving the landscape a lush green look. Following a packed lunch in the village of Khardung continue onwards driving past the famous sand dunes of Nubra, arrive at the village of Diskit. Your arrival at Chamba Camp, Diskit comes as a delightful oasis after your adventurous drive. Our camp here is inspired by the aesthetics of safari camping and equipped with every modern comfort to pamper your senses. Rest yourself on your own private deck and breathe in the tranquility of the serene water body reflecting the high mountains and cloudless blue skies. Be at leisure as the wind whispers fables of the famed Silk Route and the mighty mountains boast of stories untold. Loose yourselves to the peaceful pleasures of solitude. Overnight at Chamba Camp, Diskit

Day 5: The Kalon Farm Experience at Sumur, Yarab Tso – The Hidden Lake and Camel Safari

After a sumptuous breakfast, we drive to the picturesque village of Sumur located across the Shyok and Nubra Rivers. You can also supplement this with a rafting on the shimmering Shyok River. You can also opt to drive towards the most northern road on the Saichen Glacier route and then hike towards the hidden lake – Yarab Tso – which is one of the high altitude and sacred lakes in the Nubra Valley. It holds crystal clear holy water, secluded within a rocky terrain. We then whisk you to experience local life and be privy to the special initiative by the Women’s Alliance of Nubra. These hard working women have collaborated to come together in activities like handicrafts, documentation of natural and oral history along with traditional performing arts. A lovely drive through the farmlands of Sumur brings you to a traditional local farm which promises you delectable promises of a sumptuous homely lunch. Visit the house of the Kalon family which allows you a glimpse into their rich historicity of this region. This evening, we usher you for an adventurous ride on the double hump Bactrian camel on the sand dunes of the Hunder cold desert. Relive the dreams and glories of the merchants, mercenaries and monks as they trudged these very sands in search of Gold, Glory and God in the days of yore. Optional:- Shyok River Rafting: The mighty Shyok flows down in all her glory from the famed Rimo Glaciers in the Karakoram Range to meet the blessed land of abundance in the wide Nubra Valley. Come be a part of this magic as you paddle down the thrilling whirls of the river’s rapids. Overnight at Chamba Camp, Diskit

Day 6: Day is at Leisure OR Optional Excursion to Turtuk

Soak in the solitude and serenity of our camp location amidst the whispering winds of the sand dune of Diskit and hear of lost stories of the bygone Great Game played out in this frontier wilderness. Optional:- Turtuk: Following an early morning breakfast, embark on an adventurous journey driving through spectacular landscape into the realms of the Balti dynasty, to the quaint village of Turtuk. Enjoy exploring this frontier hamlet admiring the traditional houses, called “nangchung’’, unique traditional kitchen implements and savour the delicious apricots grown in the region. Following a packed lunch, return to the homely comforts of your luxurious tent in Diskit. Overnight at the Chamba Camp, Diskit

Day 7: Nubra Sojourns and return to Leh through Wari – La

After an early morning wake up call, we drive you up towards the Diskit Gompa. Perched on a hill in the village of Diskit and considered to be the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley, it belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a sub-gompa of the Thiksey monastery and has a statue of the Cho Rinpoche “the crowned Buddha” in the prayer hall, a huge drum and several images of fierce guardian deities. An elevated cupola of the monastery depicts a fresco of the Tashilhunpo monastery of Tibet. Start the day with a special prayer high up near the towering Maitreya Buddha. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast and after breakfast get ready for your journey back to Leh Valley through picturesque landscape traversing through Wari – La (5,300 mtrs / 17,384 ft) the fourth highest motor able pass in Ladakh. En route, enjoy seeing the shepherds graze their pashmina goats, stop for photograph of the scattered villages. Not to be missed is spotting the famous yaks grazing in the meadows along the streams. NOTE: If Wari-La is closed due to any local conditions, then the drive will be back through Khardung-La. On arrival into the Leh Valley, check into the Chamba Camp, Thiksey. Rest of the evening is at leisure to relax and unwind in the luxurious environs of your camp. Overnight at the Chamba Camp, Thiksey

Day 8: Bid farewell to the land of the lamas

Today you bid farewell to the enchanting and breath.

Inclusions

Return Airfare from Delhi / Leh / Delhi (Airfare as of now, subject to change based on seats availability) .
4 nights accommodation in Chamba Camp, Thiksey village.
3 nights accommodation in Chamba Camp, Diskit ( Nubra Valley)
Assistance at the airport
Daily breakfast, lunch & dinner in camp restaurant
Excursions to Hemis Monastery, Orientation of Leh Town, Thiksey Monastery & Matho Monastery
Butler service
Private guided excursions as specified in the seven nights tour program
Currently applicable taxes

Exclusions

5% GST
Expenses of personal nature.
Entrance fee at Monuments as per the itinerary
Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, tips to guides / drivers etc.
Any other items/services not mentioned in “ Inclusions “.

Important Information