Ladakh is a land that abounds in awesome physical features set in an enormous landscape and, therefore, it appears beautifully desolate and remote. Yet, over the centuries, it has imbibed diverse ethnic, religious and cultural influences through the many missionaries, explorers and traders who traversed its windswept plateaux and deep valleys. In the process, it has been able to evolve and inherit a rich culture, which survives even today as a living heritage of the Western Himalayas. This heritage finds manifestation in the region's monuments, monasteries, art and oral literature, fairs and festivals, and in the time-honoured tradition of collective celebration of various events. Here, every occasion - marriage, birth, farming and harvesting, even the flowering of plants is celebrated with great fanfare, marked with feasting, dancing and singing of folk songs that form part of its rich culture. In summer, most villages hold colourful archery festivals and thanks giving events, while winter is the period in which most of the religious festivals and social and cultural events are held.

The Indus valley which offers fabulous huge and rough landscapes alternating with vast and green oasis constitutes the major axis of Ladakh. The valley is full of all the colours of ladakhi’s life and their Buddhist and Tibetan cultures. The most prestigious monasteries of Ladakh are the soul of this valley. These Gompas are decorated with splendid frescos, which force us to evoke the multiple aspects of their thoughts.

South east of Leh sprawls the picturesque Nubra Valley. Once a halting place for the ancient caravans that travelled on the traditional trade routes to the bazaars of Central Asia, Nubra now plays host to a number of visitors from all over the world. Lying on the other side of the Ladakh range across the highest motor-able road in the world, Nubra is a mixture of desert and lush fields of barley, wheat, peas, millet, buckwheat, and apricot orchards. It is here also that you will find the rare Bactrian Double Humped Camel once used as a pack animal by traders coming in from China. This safari crosses the Khardung La (above 18,000ft) the highest mountain passes in the world and enters the Nubra valley. Two rivers flow through this beautiful valley – the Shyok and the Nubra. Visit the villages of Panamik, Tirirt, Khalsar, Diskit, and Hunder. An unforgettable drive through the Ladakh ranges.

Then head towards the extensive Changthang plateau. On the way stop over at the hot springs of Chumathang known for their healing properties for a refreshing dip. After crossing the Mahe Bridge we reach the ancient village of Karzok with its impressive monastery on a hillside on the northern shores of the TsoMoriri salt water lake. This water body is about 65 Kms in circumference and is ringed by barren mountains. The next destination is TsoKar another salt water lake that has enormous deposits of salt on its shore. Then crossing the extensive Kyungshu or More plains we head back towards Leh crossing the second highest motor-able pass in the world – the Tanglang La and camp at the small village of Rumtse .