Rimo Expeditions, India

Overland Safari (Manali to Leh)

Restricted until 1988, this 470km journey is open only three months of the year in the summer - July to September. This drive is along the second highest motorable road in the world to Leh, then where we continue driving across Khardungla (5600 m), the highest motorable road in the world, to Nubra Valley. This track from Manali to Leh is unparalleled for sheer scale and mountain beauty.

Starting in the lush green Kulu-Manali valley, the highway to Leh begins with a steep 50km ascent to the Rothang Pass (3980 m). After crossing the pass, the contrast in landscape is stark with the rugged brown of the rain shadow area of Lahaul. We drive across many high passes, including Taglangla at 5330 metres. We undertake this tremendous safari, camping for three nights along the way to ensure smoother acclimatisation. Enroute we get to see the majestic ochre coloured landscape of this unique and harsh country making this drive a lifetime's experience.

In and around Leh we spend some days visiting monasteries and other sights before going on to Nubra Valley, which has preserved some of the finest Buddhist artifacts and ways of life . Finally we visit the Dha Hanu region in the lower Indus Valley. The Dards or Drogpas as they are locally known as and who live here are the last race of Aryans confined to this region which has considerable ethnographical importance and is an anthropologist's paradise. The Dards have preserved a culture and a way of life that is distinct from the other Ladakhis due to their Aryan features, their customs differ markedly from the Ladakhis of Tibetan descent. They show distinct traces of pre-Buddhist animistic religion known as the Bon-Chos.

This tour is definitely a culturally rich and interesting experience as you meet with these varied people.

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel.
• Day 2: Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Kulu. On arrival, drive to Manali (45mins). Overnight in hotel. (In case of flight cancellation, you will be driving to Manali from Chandigarh).
• Day 3: Drive to Keylong/Jispa. Overnight in Hotel.
• Day 4 & 5: Drive to Leh.
• Day 6 & 7: Sightseeing in Leh.
• Day 8: Drive to Nubra Valley.
• Day 9 & 10: Visit villages in Nubra.
• Day 11: Return to Leh.
• Day 12: Free day in Leh.
• Day 13: Visit Likir and Alchi monasteries and overnight at Uleytokpo.
• Day 14, 15 & 16: Drive to Dha Hanu, visit villages and return to Leh.
• Day 17: Fly to Delhi.
• Day 18: Extra day in case of flight cancellations.
• Day 19: Day free. Evening transfer to International airport.