The Karakorams is a Mountain Range which lies beyond the Great Himalayan Range and though many people consider it to be a part of the Himalaya its actually a different Mountain Range. It names comes from the Turkic words “Kara” meaning Black and “Koram” meaning Stone. The Karakorams are the second Highest Mountain Range on the Planet and is home to the Mountain named K2 which is the Second Highest Peak on the Planet.

But more than people have this misconception that the Karakorams lie in a neighbouring Country which is very tough for us to visit. The fact is that out of the 9 Sub Ranges or Muztaghs of the Karakorams 3 are fully in Territory on the Indian side while 2 more are partially on the Indian side. Even the largest Glacier in the Karakorams is mostly under India though its a no go area for Tourists due to reasons that most people would already understand.

In this unique Karakoram Odyssey we take you on a Journey through the Karakorams and bring you up close to the Mountains and Ranges of this spectacular Mountain Range. The Journey wont be just through a certain Geography but it will also give you a glimpse of the Culture of the People who delve amidst the Karakoram Mountains. The Itinerary purely focuses on the Karakorams in India and that is something truly unique as far as Ladakh Tours are concerned. And from the Karakorams you would be able to encounter the Sub Ranges of the Karakorams namely the Sasser Muztagh, the Baltoro Muztagh and Rimo Muztagh.

Day 1 : Arrival in Leh. The first 2 Days you need to take it easy in Order to acclimatise to the Altitude and the Weather. Acclimatization is the key to enjoying the Trip so that's our first priority. You should avoid any Physical activity on the Day of Arrival and the First Day would be complete Rest at your Stay in Leh.

Day 2 : Today you go and visit the Sangam which is the point where the Zanskar River meets the Indus River. You can drive down a bit along the Zanskar River as a new Road is now complete which connects Nimmoo with Padam in Zanskar. It is along the same Route that the famous Chadar Trek was undertaken every Year. After this visit the Basgo Monastery and the Basgo Fort where the famous Battle of Basgo between the Mughals and Mongols took place a few centuries ago. In the Afternoon you can visit the Zorawar Fort / Shanti Stupa/ Central Asian Museum in Leh. In the Evening you can wander around the Leh Market which besides Shopping has a number of Eateries and Bars. Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Leh.

Day 3 : Today we head towards Hunder in the Nubra Valley across the Khardungla Pass, one of the Highest Motorable Passes in the, over the Ladakh Mountain Range. From the top of the Khardung La Pass you will catch your first Glimpse of the mighty Karakorams. And then we will descend into the Nubra Valley (actually its the Shyok Valley) and its here you see the Karakorams close up across the River. The Shyok River which runs through the Valley separates the Ladakh Range from the Karakorams. We proceed to Hunder where we can see Baltoro Muztagh driving beyond the very scenic location where the Nubra River merges with the Shyok River. The Nubra also separates the Baltoro Muztagh from the Sasser Muztagh. After passing Diskit we reach Hunder. Hunder is famous for its Sand Dunes and the resident Double Humped Bactrian Camels who are the last vestiges of the once thriving Silk Route which connected Ladakh with Central Asia. Overnight Stay at the stylish Stone Hedge in Hunder

Day 4 : We go more into the depth of the Karakorams and travel North into the Chorbat area which lies in Baltistan and we can see a Cultural transition from Ladakh to Baltistan. You visit the now famous Village of Turtuk and you go further up into the Karakorams till the point where you reach the Line of Control at the Village of Thang. In the Evening after returning you can pay a visit to the Artisans Market in Hunder where you can buy local Handicrafts and Produce Return to the Stone Hedge. Overnight Stay at the stylish Stone Hedge in Hunder

Day 5 : Today we head into the main Nubra Valley and check into the Osay Khar. We spend the day exploring the local Villages. We visit the Charasa Palace and have a short Hike to a high Altitude Lake in the Karakorams called the Yarab Tso. Overnight Stay at the Osay Khar.

Day 6 : Today the day is dedicated to a visit to the Siachen Glacier which is the largest Glacier in the Karakorams at over 50 kms long. However since this also has the dubious distinction of being the Highest Battlefield in the World the Glacier is Militarised and we can visit till the Siachen Base Camp from where the snout of the Glacier is visible. On the way to Siachen you can also visit the Hot Springs at Panamik. We return to Osay Khar for the Night Stay.

The First Glimpse of the Siachen Glacier

Day 7 : Today we head towards Leh but via a different Route as we travel up the Shyok River to the edge of the Karakorams and visit the Karakoram Dwar Bridge (Karakoram Gateway Bridge). The Shyok River at this point where it changes direction and starts heading North and this bend defines the South-Eastern boundary of the Karakoram Range. We would travel to the Villages of Agham and Shyok and head towards the Chang La Pass and then descend towards Leh. Overnight Stay in Leh.

Day 8 : Fly out Leh and return Home.