Ladakh women group tour with Hanle - 7N/8D

Ladakh – Of Passes, Lakes and Milky Way!

Ladakh

8 Days

Moderate Walk/Climb (3-5 km/day)

Starts in 7 weeks

START DATE

20 JUN, Sat

END DATE

27 JUN, Sat

₹58,000*

on double sharing

* 5% GST extra

❮

Ladakh – Of Passes, Lakes and Milky Way!

₹ 58,000 * 5% GST extra

START DATE

20 JUN, Sat

END DATE

27 JUN, Sat

₹ 58,000 * 5% GST extra

Ladakh is a heart-warming example of how nature allows life amidst the harshest conditions. Cross the Khardung La and enter the stupendous Nubra Valley to understand why it is the heaven on earth. Explore Turtuk, to understand the Baltistan culture. Witness the ever changing colours of Pangong Tso, and if you need further divine presence, gaze into the Milky Way in Hanle, now a Dark Sky Reserve. This Leh-Ladakh women only tour brings you the diversity of Ladakh served on a warm, crafted platter with a lot of heart.

Highlights

Enjoy the night sky stargazing at Hanle!

Behold the pristine blue waters of Pangong Tso

Experience calmness at the Thiksey and Hemis monasteries

Drive to the high pass of Khardung-La at 18,000 ft

Important

Ladakh is a high altitude desert and part of the Leh Ladakh tour will be through some of the highest roads in the world. You will need to sign an agreement with F5 that you are undertaking this Ladakh group tour after your doctor’s consultation on travelling to high altitude.

Getting there

Any doubts on arrival and departure guidelines?

Reach out to us

Reach anytime on 20 JUN

Leh Airport (IXL)

Ladakh

Return anytime on 27 JUN

Leh Airport (IXL)

Ladakh

Itinerary

3°C - 25°C | Cold mornings, Sunny days

Chance of rain: Low

Note: This is a prediction. The weather may change

Day 1: Arrive in Leh.

Arrivals

Acclimatise

Arrive at Leh airport and proceed to your hotel. Today will be only to acclimatise your body to the altitude. Enjoy the calm. Sit and drink your tea in the beautiful garden. Overnight at Leh.

All tourists/visitors arriving in Leh must undergo at least 48 hrs of acclimatisation before initiating their journey to high-altitude areas as per the Leh Ladakh GOVT health advisory. The first two days are strictly for acclimatisation. Also, ensure you get enough sleep during your stay.

Allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude by spending the first day in Leh without strenuous activities. Slowly increase your physical exertion over the next few days. We have planned our Leh Ladakh trip itinerary accordingly. It might look like we are not doing a lot in a day but that is because we are not travelling to plains.

Remember to drink plenty of water (min. 3-4 litres/day) and avoid alcohol to minimise the risk of altitude. Also, you can keep some sachets of ORS like Electral handy and keep taking sips of it.

FUN FACT!

You’ve tasted gur-wali chai, but have you heard of Gur-Gur chai? Ladakh’s Gur-Gur chai or butter tea, made with salt (and not gur/sugar) gets its name from the gur-gur churning sound while being made. It’s creamy, hydrating, and it’s said that the second cup always tastes better!

Day 2: Monasteries, Palace, Hall of Fame.

Walk: 2-3 hrs

Local attractions

Local cuisine

Explore Leh town today. Sit calmly, pray, and be aware of yourselves at the Thiksey and Hemis monasteries. Visit Stok village for a traditional lunch and explore the Stok Palace. Visit the Hall of Fame, a poignant reminder of the bravery, courage, and sacrifices of our armed forces. Overnight at Leh.

Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert. So while the temperature may not exceed 25°-30° Celsius, the afternoons can still feel extremely hot due to the sharp sun. In Leh and Nubra, expect cold desert autumn weather - pleasant but extremely sunny days and cold evenings/nights.

Indigestion is a common reason why people feel nausea. During the Ladakh tour, have a light meal on the first day to avoid indigestion. Also, keep in hand digestive/antacids of your choice. A diet rich in carbohydrates and low in fats is recommended. This helps in acclimatisation and provides energy to cope with the altitude.

Note on Altitude Medication: Consult a doctor for altitude sickness medication, like Diamox, before your trip. This can help prevent and alleviate symptoms. If you are already consuming any blood thinner medicine in your regular chart then mention that to the doctor specifically. You will need to sign an agreement with F5 that you are undertaking this trip after your doctor’s consultation on travelling to high altitude.

Minakshi Sharma

F5 Escapes is almost like a family to me since I went on my first trip to Ladakh couple of years back. If you are a women looking for experiencing culture, food, people and fun then this is right place for you!

Day 3: Drive through Khardung La. Nubra Valley.

Drive: 5-7 hrs

Mountains

Nature

At 18,000 feet, Khardung-La is one of the most adventurous roads to cross where the snow line is the closest to you. We cross the mighty pass today and enter Nubra, literally, the valley of flowers. The journey is long and winding today, so relax for the rest of the day in the beautiful village surrounded by lush green fields and barren, mighty Himalayas. You will be staying on the banks of the Nubra River. Overnight at Sumuru village.

Expect traffic jams today (especially enroute Khardungla and Changla)! This is a Ladakh road trip in parts and there will be long drives. So please reconsider if this trip is for you. The trip lead will have all medical necessities, the vehicle will have a portable oxygen cylinder and in case of emergencies there are army first aid centres at higher altitude.

Simple Indian food such as rotis/rice dal etc. toast/omelettes will be available. We will be trying local cuisine including a traditional Ladakhi lunch in Stok and traditional Baltistani cuisine in Turtuk. Carry some meal packets with you if you have special requirements. While a variety of food is available in Leh, the options will be limited when as we move to remote areas.

FUN FACT!

The name Nubra comes from the Tibetan ‘Ldumra’ meaning valley of flowers, referring to the colourful wildflowers that bloom during summer.

Day 4 Visit Turtuk. Baltistani Lunch. Hunder Sand dunes.

Drive: 3-4 hrs

Walk: 1-2 hrs

Local cuisine

Visit Turtuk, which is the last village before the LoC. Geographically, Turtuk lies in the Baltistan Region and is one among four such villages in India. Explore the village. Have a local Baltistani lunch and return to Sumuru. Overnight at Sumuru.

We will be trying traditional Baltistani cuisine in Turtuk today. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance.

FUN FACT!

Did you know? Turtuk is known for its apricot farming producing some of the sweetest apricots in Ladakh. Don’t forget to check out the jams and sun-dried apricots!

Day 5: Reach Pangong Lake via Shyok route.

Drive: 6-7 hrs

Lake view

For those who love mountains, Pangong Tso has been the lake of pristine solitude. Proceed via the Shyok route and reach Pangong Lake. Settle into your cottages with a clear view of the lake. Let the tranquility wash over you. Overnight near Pangong Tso.

Though days will be pleasant, it will get extremely cold during evenings/nights at Pangong Tso and Hanle.

There will be long road journeys today (6-7 hours) and for the next few days. Please reconsider if that is not convenient for you or if you have back and knees issues.

FUN FACT!

Pangong Tso has been a favourite spot for Bollywood movies, the most popular movies being 3 Idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. But did you know, it was Lakshya (2004) that started the trend? What other movies can you think of before that?

Day 6: Hanle. Stargazing.

Drive: 6-7 hrs

Stargazing

Start early and proceed to Hanle. Owing to the cold and dry weather and the high altitude plateau topography, Hanle offers unique opportunities for stargazing. After dinner, witness the celestial wonders with the aid of your guide and a telescope. Overnight at Hanle.

Hanle is the home of Hanle Indian Astronomical Observatory, the tenth highest optical telescope in the world in India’s first dark-sky preserve, where light is managed so that scientists and astronomy enthusiasts can witness the night sky in its purest possible form. It is a Dark Sky Reserve so man-made light pollution is restricted and bright lights are not allowed after dark.

Chitra Murthy

This trip turned about to be amazing and exceeded my expectations. Right from accommodations, sight seeing, food etc. was well taken care of. I got back home with some amazing stories and beautiful memories.

Day 7: Return to Leh. Shanti Stupa.

Drive: 6-7 hrs

Walk: 1-2 hrs

Local sightseeing

Return to Leh. The evening will be at leisure to unwind from the long road journey of the past 4 days. In the evening visit Shanti Stupa and Leh market for some shopping. Overnight at Leh.

Day: 8 Fly Out

Return flights

Catch the flight back after breakfast. This marks the end to our Ladakh all-women group tour. Trip ends, memories formed.

Please book your return flights anytime today. Hotel check-out is at 10 AM.

FUN FACT!

If you want to capture the best views of the mountains on your return flight, try to book a morning flight and a right side window seat (Seat F). Avoid seats over the wing and yes, you can thank us later.

Important

Add ons

Single Occupancy Supplement: INR 19,750 + 5% GST

Children (5 yrs to 10 yrs): INR 53,000 + 5% GST

Adolescents (11 yrs to 17 yrs): INR 58,000 + 5% GST

Inclusions & exclusions

Inclusions

We want to enable you to travel wallet free. That’s why, when you travel on our women group trips, we take care of most of your travelling expenses. Our trip includes:

Accommodation for 7 nights on double sharing basis

Road transportation in a Tempo Traveller as per the itinerary

All meals starting from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on on Day 8

Monastery and Monuments entrance fees

Inner Line Permits for restricted area

Guide for exploring Turtuk

Access to telescope for stargazing in Hanle

Guidance of an F5 Tour Lead

Exclusions

Some expenses are excluded (especially those of personal preferences) and will have to be taken care of by the individual. Exclusions include:

Flights to Leh from your city of residence and back

Tips, shopping and other expenses of personal nature.

Snacks and meals other than mentioned in inclusions

Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions.

Bottled/Packaged Water

Camera charges

GST at 5%

Cost arising due to natural occurrences, road closure and flight delays. We will help you navigate them and make alternate arrangements but the cost will be borne by you.

Policy

Terms & Conditions

REFUNDS/CANCELLATION:

15% of the trip cost if cancelled 90 days or more in advance.

25% of the trip cost if cancelled 89 – 60 days in advance.

50% of the trip cost if it is cancelled 59 to 16 days in advance.

Last 15 days – no show – the entire amount will be forfeited.

If you use our services to book flights, cancellation charges will apply.

DISCLAIMER

All our trips are well-researched, including identifying access to medical facilities. In case of a medical emergency, F5 will assist the traveller in getting medical attention.

F5 Escapes is in no way responsible for any untoward incident happening due to the ignorance/negligence of the guests, natural/man-made calamities, accidents or any other events that are out of human control during the trip.

F5 reserves the right to cancel the trip under certain conditions – in such a case, the amount will be refunded in full.

FAQs

What type of accommodation will be provided?

We select accommodation based on their uniqueness/character, location, cleanliness and comfort, hospitality, food quality, and more. Hence, we work with a variety of stays - boutique hotels, heritage properties, well appointed standard hotels, premium homestays etc. You can download the pdf itinerary to get more details on the stays being used in the trip.

What type of food will be available?

Simple Indian food such as rotis/rice, dal etc. toast/omelettes will be available. We will be trying local cuisine including a traditional Ladakhi lunch in Stok and traditional Baltistani cuisine in Turtuk. If you have special dietary requests, please let us know beforehand. It would also be a good idea to carry some meal packets with you if you have special requirements.While a variety of food is available in Leh, the options will be limited when we are on the move to far flung places.

What are some of the Important things to know before signing up for a Ladakh trip?

Ladakh is a high altitude desert and part of our journey will be through some of the highest roads in the world ~ 4000 m above MSL. Please consult your physician before booking the trip. Please note that we will be staying in certain places where no specialised medical help is available. Some days will have long drives (5+ hrs). You will also need to sign an agreement with F5 that you are undertaking this trip after your doctor’s consultation on travelling to high altitude. Please have a look at the Important section (Documents) for more details. You can also reach out to us if you have questions.

What is the consent form with F5 Escapes Ladakh Group Tour?

As mentioned earlier, Ladakh is a high altitude region. Before joining us for the trip, you will need to sign an agreement with F5 Escapes that you are undertaking this trip after your doctor’s consultation on travelling to high altitude. Please reach out to us if you have questions.

As a solo-female traveller, can I join the Ladakh women group tour?

Absolutely! We design our women group tours to make it convenient, fun, and safe for women travellers. While female-solo trips in India give you the autonomy to pace your trip, group travelling is hassle-free and without the mental load of planning and organising. You travel with a group of like-minded women, make new friends, and share experiences for a lifetime. Join our Ladakh women tour to experience the joy of travelling with your tribe.

What type of weather can we expect during the Ladakh trip?

We will be covering several places in Ladakh. Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert. So while the temperature may not exceed 25 degrees C, the afternoons can still feel extremely hot due to the sharp sun. Mornings and evenings will be cold, especially near Pangong Tso with temperatures as low as 3 degrees C at night. In other words, typical cold desert autumn weather – pleasant but extremely sunny days and cold nights in Leh/Nubra(~3000m) and very cold nights at Pangong/Hanle (~4500m). Note: This is only a prediction and the weather can change during the actual travel dates.

What places are covered in the Leh Ladakh tour package?

Please go through our Ladakh trip itinerary details. Our trip spans over 7D/8N and will cover destinations like Pangong Tso lake, Hanle, Leh, Turkuk among others. You can find all details in the itinerary or reach out to us for queries.

What are the company policies on smoking/drinking?

Note on Smoking and Alcohol: Alcohol on higher altitude can make you extremely dehydrated. And even smaller quantities can cause altitude-related issues. If you have to taste a local alcohol, try it towards the tail end of the trip. Avoid smoking at higher altitudes as the oxygen is already rare.

How does F5 Escapes promote responsible and sustainable tourism?

When we travel, we visit somebody’s home, be it a city, village or a place of stay. We treat them with utmost respect. We encourage all our guests to leave no trace, only footprints. We recommend carrying one's own steel water bottles. Most places of stay we partner with provide clean drinking water and water is available for refill. Small shift, big impact. We are mindful about our group not littering the destination. We try choosing vendors who make a conscious effort to employ locals, thereby enabling us to give back to the local economy. We encourage local handicrafts and on several trips we visit local artisans. We try to reduce overcrowding by travelling in small groups of maximum 12 people. We support women-led enterprises and seek them out on our travels. We work with local organisations across India involved in conservation, culture preservation and employment generation.

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Memorable relaxed family trip

Hence I got in touch with ... @ F5 for organising and booking a family trip to Ladakh in September 2022.We had a super trip, a well organised, a well planned itinerary where we dint feel the stress of travelling long distances. Our entire trip was a relaxed one where we had good food and good stay facilities.Thank you for making our trip a memorable one.

- Raksha AR