Pleasurable 12 Days 11 Nights Leh Vacation Package

The thing about getting to these splendid barren mountains in Leh is that, even if you're raring to head over to Nubra Valley, you absolutely need to rest and get acclimatised first. Later in the evening you can drive down to Shanti Stupa. The epitome of peace and harmony, Shanti Stupa's white dome stands tall on a raised pedestal against brilliant blue skies. At 3, 609 metres above sea level, the stupa offers unparalleled panoramic views of Leh town. Usually a lovely green in summer, the trees here turn leafless and brown in winter.

Another day of acclimatisation and we invest our time in gentle excursions, exploring for wildlife along the banks of the Indus in search of enigmatic birds such as Ibis bill, Solitary Snipe and Gouldenstadt's White-winged Redstart. Drive on to Thiksey monastery, around 18 kilometres away. Now one of Leh's largest monasteries, there is a separate residential building for women as well. With fascinating wall paintings throughout the 12-storey complex, stupas, thangka paintings, statues and numerous artefacts make for a very interesting visit.

A 45-minute drive will take you to Zingchen. It is the entry to the Hemis National Park and has just 2 households. From here we hike for about an hour and a half to the campsite. Get a good look around the area of the campsite which will be home to you for 8 nights hereafter. The camping is fully pottered in and out, and though basic, you will be very well looked after, with a whole team of cooks and camp helpers attending to your needs.

The calls of Himalayan snow cocks and chokers are most likely the first sound that you will hear each morning. The typical day will start with hot tea or coffee delivered to your tent, followed by a bowl of hot water for a refreshing wash. Our guides will be already on the lookout for snow leopards, either from camp, or from a vantage point close by. You can choose to join them on the lookout, or take your time and have a leisurely start. Breakfast will be in the dining tent, where the welcoming warmth of a gas fired heater will ensure breakfast is a more comfortable and enjoyable experience in the chilly morning. If no spotting of the ghost has been made, we will hike out of camp to carry on searching for them. You may choose to stay around camp, or join the group. The amount of hiking you choose to do is, within certain parameters, optional. You may, if you wish, choose to stay around camp all day, and just head out when a snow leopard is spotted. But what is the fun in that. However, it is our aim to hike a few miles every day, with the uphill sections being at a slow pace due to the altitude. Most of the hiking will be on gentle inclines, on primitive trails, but occasionally we may want to get into a better position for viewing which may involve Day 5 : Arrival in Leh