Ladakh - High Passes, Lakes and Milky Way! - F5 Escapes - Solo and Group Women only Travel Company India
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    High Passes, Lakes and Milky Way!

Day 1 Arrive in Leh.

Day 2 Monasteries, Palace, Hall of Fame.

Day 3 Drive through Khardung La. Nubra Valley

Day 4 Visit Turtuk. Baltistani Lunch. Hunder Sand dunes

Day 5 Reach Pangong Lake via Shyok route

Day 6 Hanle. Observatory. Stargazing.

Day 7 Return to Leh. Visit Shanti Stupa

Day 8 Magnetic Hill. Heritage Walk of Leh. Shopping.

Day 9 Fly out.

This trip is ex- Leh. Arrive anytime on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 9.

Use Early Bird Discount Code EBJUN1000 for INR 1000 off. Valid till 30th June 2024

TOUR OVERVIEW

Ladakh is a heart-warming example of how nature allows life amidst the harshest conditions. When you cross the Khardung La at 5602m (18,379ft) and enter the stupendous Nubra Valley, you understand why it is the heaven on earth. Explore Turtuk, the nearest you can get to LoC in that region and understand the Baltistan culture, distinctly different from the Ladakhi cultur
The ever changing colours of Pangong Tso make you cry. And we narrate by experience. No religion of the world can give the peace and clarity you get by staring at those ever changing blue waters. And if you need further divine presence, experience the Milky Way in Hanle, now a Dark Sky Reserve.
Explore the history of Leh with a heritage walk. This trip brings you the diversity of Ladakh served on a warm, crafted platter with a lot of heart.

Price – INR 58,000 + 5% GST

Single Occupancy Surcharge – INR 19,000 + 5% GST

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Day 1 - 07 Sep 2024

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.

Day 2 - 08 Sep 2024

Ladakh conjures up the image of Buddhist monks praying, smiling and going about their tasks in those beautiful monasteries. Today we try to become a part of it, even if briefly. 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.

Day 3 - 09 Sep 2024

At 18000 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 and we 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. Freshen up and visit the nearyby centre to witness a cultural program. Overnight at Sumuru village.

Day 4 - 10 Sep 2024

Visit Turtuk, which is the last village before the LoC. Turtuk was under Pakistan’s control until 1971, after which India gained control of this strategic area. Geographically, Turtuk lies in the Baltistan Region and is one among four such villages in India. Have a local Baltistani lunch return to Hunder where you witness the double-humped Bactrian Camels on the dunes of Hunder. That’s right! A place where you have Indus, Himalayas, snow and a desert! Overnight at Sumuru.

Day 5 - 11 Sep 2024

3 Idiots’ made it famous, but for those who love mountains, Pangong Tso has been the lake of pristine solitude. Proceed via the Shyok route and reach the Pangong Lake. Settle into your cottages with a clear view of the lake. Let the tranquillity wash over you. Overnight near Pangong Tso.

Day 6 - 12 Sep 2024

Start early and proceed to 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. 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.

Day 7 - 13 Sep 2024

Return to Leh. The evening will be at leisure to unwind from the long road journey of the past 4 days. In the evening, stroll in the Leh Market or just relax in the beautiful garden. Overnight at Leh.

Day 8 - 14 Sep 2024

After breakfast, go for a heritage walk of the old Leh town. Starting at the Leh Palace,  the walk will take you through winding labyrinth-like narrow pathways and past artisanal workshops, wood-fired bakeries, and historical buildings. After lunch, visit the Magnetic Hill. In the evening visit Shanti Stupa and Leh market for some shopping. Overnight at Leh.

Day 9 - 15 Sep 2024

Catch the flight back after breakfast. Trip ends, memories formed.

Inclusions

  • Accommodation on twin sharing sharing basis 8 nights
  • Road transportation in a Tempo Traveller as per the itinerary
  • All meals starting from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on on Day 9
  • Evening tea/coffee every day
  • Monastery and Monuments entrance fees
  • Inner Line Permits for restricted area
  • Guide for exploring Turtuk
  • Guide and access to telescope for stargazing in Hanle
  • Guided heritage walk of Old Leh town 
  • Cultural program at Sumuru
  • Guidance of an F5 Tour Lead

Exclusions

  • Flights to Leh from your city of residence and back
  • Tips, shopping and other expenses of personal nature.
  • Evening snacks and meals other than mentioned in inclusions
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • 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.

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.

Arrival & Departure timings

This trip is ex- Leh. Arrive anytime on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 9.

Weather

  • 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(~4500m).

 

*Please note that now a days, climate/ weather is dependent on many factors and unpredictable hence above information might be subject to change during your actual travel days

Stay

  • Leh – A well appointed boutique hotel in the city, not far from the market
  • Sumuru – Ladakhi styled cottages near the Nubra river
  • Pangong Tso – Luxury cottages on the banks of the lake
  • Hanle – A basic homestay with simple but clean rooms and extremely hospitable local people. Rooms will have attached bathrooms.

Please note that Hanle is extremely remote and the accommodation and services will be basic. It is a Dark Sky Reserve so man-made light pollution is restricted and bright lights are not allowed after dark.

Food!

  • Simple Indian food such as rotis/dal, rice etc. Toast/Omelettes will be available.
  • We will be trying local cuisine including a traditional Ladakhi lunchi 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. 

Note about 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. 

Travel tips and advisory for high altitude travel

We remain cautious about the fitness of our participants for a trip like Ladakh. 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. We have conducted a number of very successful trips to Ladakh. We have had an asthmatic person travel to Ladakh without any issues. However, every person has different coping levels to high altitudes and young age or physical fitness may still not guarantee easy acclimatisation. Here are some tips and advisory for the trip

 

  • Proper Rest:  A well-rested body copes better with altitude stress. 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. Also, ensure you get enough sleep during your stay.
  • Hydration is Key: For acclimatisation, staying hydrated is crucial. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol to minimise the risk of altitude. A minimum of 3 to 4 litres of water per day is advised. Sometimes water doesn’t do as much justice hence keep some sachets of ORS like Electral handy and keep taking sips of it.
  • Gradual Acclimatisation: 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 itinerary in a way that gives us ample time to do that. So, it might look like we are not doing a lot in a day but that is because we are not travelling to plains.
  • 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.
  • Indigestion is another reason why people feel nausea when they reach high altitude regions like Leh ,hence it is advisable to keep in hand digestive/ antacids of your choice or ask the host for natural local home remedies. Have a light meal on the first day of arrival to avoid indigestion. Consume a diet rich in carbohydrates and low in fats. This helps in acclimatisation and provides energy for your body to cope with the altitude.

Note > Prepare > Accept > Embrace

  • 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. 
  • You will need to sign an agreement with F5 that you are undertaking this trip after your doctor’s consult on travelling to high altitude
  • The first two days are strictly for acclimatisation. We expect all travellers to follow the guidelines.
  • There will be long road journeys on 5 days (6-7 hours). Please reconsider if that is not convenient for you or if you have back and knees issues
  • Expect traffic jams! (especially enroute Khardungla and Changla)
  • Hanle is extremely remote and the accommodation and services will be basic. It is a Dark Sky Reserve so man-made light pollution is restricted and bright lights are not allowed after dark. Hot water will be made available in buckets. 

Ladakh, September 2017

Wonderful experience, nice to meet new people, very well organised, accommodation, food , local travel were all good. For most of us being around the same age group it added up to the madness 🙂
The visit to eco school and Hall of Fame was a heart touching experience. 

Thanks to the F5 team, especially tour lead for making it a memorable one. Looking forward for more trips with F5 Escapes!

-Monica

Ladakh September 2017

It was a unique and an amazing experience. Travelling with ladies was my first trip and exploring Leh with our tour lead was more fun. Enjoyed her company and other ladies too. Trip was well organised and didn’t feel hectic at all. Tour lead was always there for us when we needed and taking care of everything .

-Viji

Customized tour to Ladakh

Everything was taken care of. We had to worry about nothing – stay, food, payment.

-Venkaraghavan

Ladakh, June 2018

Extremely well organised, it was so planned, that we had a rest period in between long hours of road travel. A homely atmosphere and excellent food at the home stays we stopped over at, went a long way in easing the aches and pains of the bumpy and winding roads we travelled. Beautiful scenery and the amazing landscape we witnessed was the highlight of the trip.

-Cheryl


‘F5 Escapes’ is a Bangalore-based, experiential travel company, with a focus on redefining the way women travel in India. The premise of F5 is an ambitious dream –  to put India on the global travel map as a preferred destination for women from across the globe.

F5 Escapes offers fixed departure all-women group tours, customized itineraries for families, groups and solo travellers. We also do in-city engagements which include #JustGo travel meetups, workshops to educate women on travel safety, sustainable menstruation, motorbiking etc.

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F5 Escapes is a brand of Zingara Solutions Pvt Ltd, 1st floor, Lahe Lahe building, 80ft road, HAL 3rd stage, Kodihalli, Bangalore 560008
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