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Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries
Ladakh4 Days 3 Nightsgroup tour

Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries

Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries, photo 1
Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries, photo 2
Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries, photo 3
Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries, photo 4

Duration

4 Days 3 Nights

Pickup

Leh Airport (IXL)

Drop

Leh Airport (IXL)

Type

Short-haul

Overview & Highlights

This long-weekend trip gives you the gentle side of Ladakh in four days. You fly into Leh and rest on the first day, then explore the Sham Valley with Alchi, the Sangam and the Magnetic Hill, and spend a day among Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa. The trip does not cross any high pass, so it is a sensible first taste of Ladakh and suits travellers who cannot take a full week. A trip captain travels with the group, and vegetarian and Jain meal options are available on request.

  • A rest day in Leh to acclimatise at around 3,500 metres
  • Alchi, the Indus and Zanskar Sangam and the Magnetic Hill in the Sham Valley
  • Thiksey Monastery and the large Maitreya Buddha statue
  • Hemis Monastery, the largest in Ladakh
  • Leh Palace and sunset from Shanti Stupa
  • Trip captain with the group and vegetarian and Jain options on request

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Leh | Rest and Acclimatisation
  • Arrive at Leh Airport and meet your trip captain.
  • Transfer to your hotel and check in.
  • Rest for the day, which is essential at around 3,500 metres.
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and smoking.
  • Overnight stay in Leh.
2Day 2: Sham Valley | Magnetic Hill | Sangam | Alchi
  • After breakfast, drive west from Leh along the Indus valley.
  • See the Magnetic Hill, where vehicles appear to roll uphill, and visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
  • Stop at the Sangam, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet, and continue to Alchi to see its ancient monastery.
  • Return to Leh in the afternoon.
  • Overnight stay in Leh.
3Day 3: Thiksey | Hemis | Leh Palace | Shanti Stupa
  • After breakfast, drive east along the Indus valley to Thiksey Monastery and its large Maitreya Buddha statue.
  • Continue to Hemis Monastery, the largest in Ladakh.
  • Return to Leh and visit Leh Palace above the old town.
  • Watch the sunset from Shanti Stupa, if you feel well.
  • Overnight stay in Leh.
4Day 4: Departure from Leh
  • After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
  • Transfer to Leh Airport for your flight home.
  • Many flights from Leh leave in the morning, so no sightseeing is planned today.

Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.

Inclusions

  • 3 nights in a hotel in Leh on twin sharing
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Road travel and sightseeing as per itinerary, in a comfortable vehicle with an experienced local driver
  • Entry tickets for the sights listed in the itinerary, where applicable
  • Services of a trip captain throughout the tour
  • Vegetarian and Jain meal options on request, subject to availability
  • Assistance from our travel experts

Exclusions

  • Flights to and from Leh, and any other transport to and from the destination
  • Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Environment fee and other government or local charges, as per the rules in force
  • Travel insurance
  • Camera fees at monasteries and other sights
  • Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
  • Anything not listed under inclusions
  • GST and other taxes as applicable

Other Info

Must carry

  • Original government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence) and a photocopy
  • Down jacket or heavy fleece, thermals, woollen cap and gloves
  • Sunglasses with UV protection, sunscreen, lip balm and a hat
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
  • Any prescribed medicines, including those your doctor advises for altitude
  • Reusable water bottle and a power bank

Notes

  • Weekend trips are short, so flights or trains should arrive early on day 1 and depart late on the last day to make full use of the programme.
  • Transport to and from the destination is not included. Many Leh flights operate in the morning, so day 4 is kept free of sightseeing.
  • Leh is at around 3,500 metres, and Day 1 is kept free for rest. Altitude sickness can affect anyone; tell your trip captain at once if you feel unwell.
  • Travellers with heart, lung, blood-pressure or other health conditions, pregnant women and families with young children or senior parents should consult a doctor before booking.
  • Every traveller must carry a valid original government photo ID; we confirm the current local rules at booking.
  • Weekend departures run in the Ladakh travel season, roughly May to September. Roads can slow down or close because of weather or landslides, and the order of the programme may change for safety.
  • Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon. Rates and availability are confirmed at booking.
  • This is a group departure of up to 22 travellers and runs on minimum numbers; we will inform you in advance if a departure needs to change. A trip captain accompanies the group.
  • Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.

See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.

Ladakh Weekend Escape: Leh, Sham Valley and Monasteries | Indian Rounds