2025 Jeep Safari

(Day 0 - arrive Delhi / early Leh arrival)

Do plan your arrival time well, considering your flight to Leh, see Delhi-Leh travel. We are happy to assist planning, and with early arrival provide transfer and hotel booking.

Day 1 - Sunday 20 July - meet in Leh 3480m

We meet you at Leh airport (code IXL) and now you can relax after the long flights. We show you around so you can get your bearings and we usually meet up at 6pm or so on the hotel terrace prior to heading out to dinner. The Omasila is a homely hotel.

2 - Leh 3480m

Today and tomorrow are for sightseeing, acclimatization and further preparation. These couple of days in Leh really allow for winding down and adapting to the timezone change and altitude.

3 - Leh 3480m

By now you should be feeling better with the altitude and there are plenty of sightseeing options, including a possible hike up to the Peace Stupa.

**We must go to the Phyang Tsedup masked dance, on today and tomorrow.**

4 - drive Alchi 3120m

** Visit the Phyang Tsedup!!! We also have time today.**

Alchi is the oldest gompa in Ladakh and has an interesting history. It is often busy during the day however staying overnight is peaceful and means you can visit the gompas at a quieter time.

5 - drive Dah-Hanu 2800m

Tucked away from the main highway are these villages of Drokpa (Aryans) close to the Pakistan border (and therefore requires a special permit, which we get).

6 - Dah-Hanu 2800m

Explore the villages and sample their produce. It is an area famous for growing many vegetables and early season apricots.

7 - drive Hinju 3800m

Passing through Wanla and spectacular gorges, we rejoin the trekkers at the small village of Hinju, also tucked away at the end of the road.

8 - drive Kanji 3850m via Lamayuru

For this road trip, we have the option of stopping at Wanla Gompa and/or better-known Lamayuru. Then, leaving the main highway, we optionally walk a kilometre of the spectacular gorge approaching Kanji village.

9 - Kanji 3850m

As well as wandering around the village, there are spectacular days walks possible. The rock faces around here must be seen to be believed.

10 - Lamayuru? 3500m

Leaving Kanji, there are plenty of options for today. Continuing further along the highway to Srinagar, there is Heniskot, Mulbekh and Wakha with old stone carvings and gompas. And where to stay? Perhpas Lamayuru is best, but there are plenty of alternatives. 

11 - drive Photoksar 4120m

Wander around Lamayuru or Wanla, then drive through the most incredible gorge before Hanupatta (3760m), once a fearsome trekking route. We stop on top of the Sirsir La (pass) for an expansive panorama including the backpacking trek route. Photoksar is a pleasant village slightly off the through road, so pleasant to wander around, and is spectacularly set. We may meet the trek group tonight, or more definitely tomorrow. (Staying the night at Hanupatta is also an option).

12 - Photoksar 4120m

If we haven't met the trek group, we do today, and enjoy this out of the way village.

13 - drive Lingshed 4050m via Sengge La 4955m

We drive across the Sengge La, Lions head pass, that we trekked most years way back. We stop at Lingshed with its friendly monastery school while the trekkers are dropped off, or we may camp with them at a rough spot. Let's see.

14 - Lingshed 4050m

Oh, it is so beautiful wandering around the spread out houses of the village, views in every direction.

15 - drive Yelchung / Nerak 3670m

Briefly heading back the way we came, we turn off down the road to the Zanskar River. Both Yelchung and Nerak are scenically set villages with gobsmacking views of Zanskar mountains. 

16 - Nerak / Pidmo 3420m

Now down in the Zanskar River valley, we have a choice of where to stay, whether to stay two nights in delightul Nerak (if we stayed yesterday too) or keep moving and stay in Pidmo in the now wide valley. It would also be possible to arrive early in Padum and make some sightseeing day trips from there.

17 - drive Padum 3570m

Meeting the trekkers in Pidmo, we drive to Padum, probably via the Zangla Palace with it expansive view. Lets see if we can find the key to see the historic palace as well. We then drive to Padum and stay in a basic hotel, rather than a homestay. Padum is the growing centre of Zanskar and is facinating to explore.

18 - drive Phuktal 3850m or Purne

Driving to Phuktal, there are many gompas en route and a couple are definitely worth a visit. Can we drive to Phuktal itself, or do we stay at Purne and walk to famous Phuktal?

19 - drive Kargyak 4120m

After a photogenic morning, we drive a short distance on the highway to Kargyak, once one of the more remote villages of Zanskar. This is the home of Kunga's family and we stay at his house looked after by his parents. And the view of the Gumbarnajon - oh!

20 - drive Keylang 3050m (or Manali! 2000m)

Once upon a time, the trek over the Shingo La/Shinku La 5050m was major, now it is a scenic drive. Down the other side, the terrain changes and we are moving to a very different area, culturally as well. Welcome to the monumental Great Himalaya.

21 - Keylang 3050m / (Manali 2000m)

Let's see where it might be best to have a breather. Keylang involves less driving, but in truth Manali is not so far off the route either.

22 - drive Chandra Tal fixed camp 4120m

We are driving through the brutal, monumental Himalaya, quite a different character from Zanskar and Ladakh.

23- Chandra Tal fixed camp 4120m

We drive up to near then lake then trek for a few hours around this most scenic of spots.

24 - drive Kibber / Key 3750m

Road trip time! Seeing is believing the gorge at Kibber but also Key Gompa is spectacular. Choices!

25 - drive Kaza 3800m

A shorter drive, we apply for the inner line permit. Deyzor restaurant must be experienced, and more than once! Beware of afternoon dust storms.

26 - drive Dhankar 3850m

Another shorter drive as we leave the main road for the must do detour to Dhankar, this time staying, which also gives time to stretch the legs and walk up to the lake.

27 - drive Tabo 3260m

Our itinerary is flexible however today it makes sense to drive to Tabo, with its uniquely preserved gompa.

28 - drive Rekong Peo 2250m

29 - drive Shimla 2180m

Sunday: Famed from Kipling's day, the carless Mall is still a pleasure to wander around (if it isn't the busy weekend). Our hotel is a stone's throw from the Mall with an old world feel.

30 - Shimla 2180m

The museum is a must visit, and perhaps a barber?

31 - train to Delhi

We begin with the ~10am historic Himalayan Queen toy train that descends to the plains and then take a fast express train to Delhi, arriving ~10pm in the late evening. Are you flying out later this evening or spending time in this busy city?

Day 32 - Wed 20 Aug - depart

You are free to fly out any time after about 3am.

 

Shorter trip end

18 - drive Leh

For a shorter jeep safari, you can end in Padum then drive to Leh using the new "Chadar" highway along the Zanskar River (assuming it has opened). It is also possible to see Phuktal instead and take a longer two day drive back to Leh along the Leh-Manali highway.

19 - Thu 7 Aug - finish

Safe travels!