Jeep Safary - Turtuk

As winter gives way to spring, as darkness gives way to light, and as dormant plants burst into blossom, Nowruz is a time of renewal, hope and joy”.

Come and experience this festive spirit in lesser explored gem called Turtuk. The visual delights would be aptly complemented by some firsthand experiences of the local lifestyle and traditions like a Traditional Balti meal combined with Polo match. During the festival one get to see the flamboyant and vibrant tribe from Balti region, all dressed in their traditional best.

Day 1: Arrive Leh (3505 M/11500 ft.)

Board a morning flight and reach Leh airport. Our representative will receive you at the terminal and you then drive for about 20 minutes to reach Leh town. Check into your room. It is critical for proper acclimatization that people flying in to Leh don’t indulge in much physical activity for at least the first 24hrs. So the rest of the day is reserved for relaxation and a short acclimatization walk in the vicinity.

Day 2: In Leh

Post breakfast, visit Shey Monastery & Palace and then the famous Thiksey Monastery. Drive back and before Leh take a detour over the Indus to reach Stok Village. Enjoy a traditional Ladakhi meal in a village home later see Stok Palace & Museum. Enjoy the rest of the day in Leh seeing the Palace & Bazaar Photo ops: the gompas & the monuments, the Stok & Rimo range of mountains from various vantage points, at Stok Village, in Leh Palace and at the Bazaar.

Day 3: Leh - Nubra Valley at Turtuk (avg. alt. of Nubra Valley is 3048 M) 215 km / 8 hrs)

We leave after breakfast on a stunning drive over the mighty Khardung La (5602 M) into the verdant Nubra Valley. We reach the base of the valley at Khalsar. Here the road forks & the broad valley get divided into two distinct parts by the Shyok & Nubra Rivers, the RHS branch goes all the way to Siachen Glacier. We move on the other branch, via Deskit & Hunder, past the Thoise Airfield. The wide open Nubra Valley starts closing in dramatically with the rocky mountain face getting darker & darker, finally bursting out into the verdant & vibrant Turtuk area at the north western end of the valley. Upon reaching check into safari tents at a verdant campsite amidst fields & orchards, sprinkled with clumps of wild & vibrantly colored blooms. Relax for a while, have your evening cuppa, and go for a short stroll to enjoy the sunset.

Day 4: In Turtuk

This day you will witness the inauguration of an extraordinary festival – Nawroz “new day” which is celebrated from 21st march every year – the first day of spring. The Nawroz Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, live music, sports – ‘POLO MATCH’ which is the main highlight of this festival played each day during this week.

Day 5: Turtuk - Leh

Post breakfast retrace your route past via dunes of Hunder. Reach Deskit by afternoon and enroute visit huge outdoor statue of the Sakhyamuni Buddha near Deskit Gompa. Reach Leh by evening. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Leh – Pangong Tso (4260 M / 14000 ft) - Leh 150 km / 5 hrs each way

Leave as early as possible carrying packed breakfast on an incredible drive from Leh on the road to Manali past Shey & Thiksey. At Karu we take a detour and start ascending to cross the Ladakh range over Chang-La (5,475 M /17950 ft). At the foot of the pass on the other side we reach Tangse. Reach Pangong by afternoon and spend a couple of hours enjoying the beauty of this place. Have your packed lunch. Leave by 1500 hrs so that you cross Chang La with daylight to spare and reach your resort in Leh by say 2000 hrs.

Day 7: Departure Day

After breakfast get transferred to the airport to board a flight for your onward journey.