Itineary
Day 1: Delhi - Sri Nagar.
Arrival in Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to Domestic flight early in the morning to Srinagar. Arrive Srinagar and check in to the House Boat at Dal Lake. Rest for some hours and Enjoy the Shikara Ride in the Lake. Overnight at Srinagar in houseboat for 2 nights.
Day 2: Sri Nagar.
Early Morning leave for a spectacular view of the Floating Market on the Dal Lake.After Breakfast Full day visit of Srinagar Mughal Gardens and old city. Overnight at Houseboat, Srinagar.
Day 3: Sri Nagar - Sonmarg - Kargil (232 km/8-9 h drive).
You will begin your journey by car to Kargil which is about 6-8 hrs drive. Arrive Kargil and check in Hotel. After Sonmarg, you start a steep ascending rough road and drive over the Zojila pass 3527 metres known and continue the drive towards Drass. Stop for a passport check and lunch. A further 2½ hour drive will take you to Kargil. Dinner and overnight at Hotel D’Zojila/ Siachen. Vehicle. Kargil district is nestled in the Himalayas, giving it a cool, temperate climate. Summers are warm with cool nights, while winters are long and cold with temperatures often dropping to 40 °C with recorded temperatures of 60°C in Drass, especially in the tiny town of Drass which is situated 56 km from the Kargil town. The Zanskar plateau is even colder, thus making it a near-uninhabitable place for humans to stay, except for the hardy Khampas. The entire Kargil district is spread over 14,086 km².
Day 4: KAargil - Mulbek - Lamayuru - Uletopko (170 km – 6/7 hrs drive).
40 km down the road is the town of Mulbek. Next to the road is a statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. A short ride from Mulbek will take you to the 12,198 ft high Namika La. Roughly 40 kms from Namika La is Fotu La, the highest point on the Srinagar - Leh highway at 13,479 ft. After a short scenic drive you will reach the village of Lamayuru, Ladakh's - one of the largest and most important Gompa in Ladakh. When Kashmiris invaded in the year 1830’s the monks hide their treasures in the
mountains, hence today the ancient books and idols are still intact and are used on special occasions. Onwards proceed Uletopko. Arrive and check in to Uletopko Camp, on the Bank of Indus River.
Day 5: Uletopko – Rizong - Alchi - Leh (Alt 3500 m drive 65 km).
Drive to Leh on the way visiting Julichen monastery, Ridzong gompa, Phyang and Spituk Monastery. Visit Alchi Monastery which is only one in the Ladakh region on flat ground and was founded by Ringchen Zangpo – the great translator. The three story Dharma Wheel Gompa is noted for its massive Buddha statues and with in the complex, there are other statuses made out of clay, lavish woodcarvings, the only example of Kashmiri – style wall paintings in the area. The beautiful frescoes showing the life of Buddha is an artistic masterpiece. Check in to hotel at Leh and relax.
Day 6: Leh. Visit of Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Shankar Gompa & Zorwar Fort. Whole day explore the Town of Leh with the places of Interest. Overnight at Leh.
Day 7: Leh – Hemis – Chang La – Pangong (alt 5380 m – 150 km/8-9 h drive).
Drive to Pangong Lake on the way visiting the Hemis Monastery. Cross the Chang La at 5380mtrs above the sea level. Hemis Monastery further away from Leh, this is the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh belonging to red sect - it is here each summer that plays and mask dances performed by lamas are held during the monastery festival and Ladakhis from all parts of the country join the festival. Overnight at atermark
Camp on the Lake.
Day 8: Pangong – Shey – Matho – Stok. After a leisurely breakfast, leave for Leh on the way visiting Shey and Stok Palaces and Matho Monastery. The Shey was the summer place of Ladakhi Kings and is where you can see the 36 feet high statue of Buddha, made of copper and covered with gold. We visit Matho Gompa which is only gompa of Ladakh that belongs to the Saskya order of Tibetan Buddhism. The oracle of the monastery is a priest, who resides in the monastery itself. Also situated near the monastery, are a number of sacred shrines, of which one is dedicated to the guardian deities. Finally proceed to Stok and check in Hotel. Later visit the Stok Palace and palace museum. Overnight at Skitsel, Stok.
Day 9: Stok – Kahrdung La - Leh (3120 m – 65 km/3 h drive). Over World highest Motorable Khardungla Pass (5600 m). The road from Leh to Nubra follows the old Caravan route to Central Asia. It is one of the highest motorable roads in the world, passing over the Khardung la pass at a height of 5,602m. The road begins from Leh itself and winds its way up to reach the Khardung la. The views from here are magnificent and take in the Zanskar and Karakoram ranges.
Day 10: Leh - Tso Moriri (4485 m-240 km-8/9 hrs drive). Drive into Rupshu valley via Chuma – Thang (3965 m). Chuma-Thang is known for its famous medicated hot water springs where people from various parts of Ladakh come for relieving their pains. Enroute drive past beautiful villages of Nurnis, Kery and Kadgam. The Jeep drive through this part of the Indus valley is quite flat without much uphill or downhill drive, a wide open village Sumdo and Mahe Bridge from where the road crosses to the south bank of the river by a bridge; it then follows the unmetalled road through Sumdo village up to join Puga stream. Onwards drive to Tsomoriri is one of the most interesting drives as it goes through sandy deserts and rocky paths and follows a smooth drive till we arrive the isolated Thasang Tso - a small torquoise lake which appears like an emerald of a queen's necklaces along the lake.
From here we will see the first glimps of the Tsomoriri lake and fallow the drive along the banks of the lake with breathtaking view all around till we arrive our camping resort at Tsomoriri - also called white lake because of salt deposit around it. Rupshu valley is geographically part of the Tibetan plateau but lies within India. The natural lights splashed across the high plateau create a magical atmosphere. The inhabitants are nomadic Changpas of the Tibetan origin, who travel widely across the high steppes, totally reliant on their yak and sheep herds for subsistence. Overnight at Tso Moriri Resorts, Karzok
Day 11: Tso Moriri. Full ll day exploration. Visit Karzok Gompa and Nomade Camps by Trekk. Overnight at Tso Moriri Lake Resort.
Day 12: TSso Moriri – Sarchu (4253 m, 165 km/8-9 hrs drive). Drive to Tso Kar and fallow the road uphill towards moray plains. The further journey descends to small mobile settlement at Pang. Onwards crossing over Lachung La (4985 m) Arrive Sarchu and check in tented accommodation. Sarchu is border of J&K and Himachal Pradesh. Overnight at Himalayan Camp, Sarchu.
Day 13: Sarchu – Manali (2050 m-223 km/9-10 hrs dive). We cross the formidable Baralacha La, 4,891 m and enter from arid to semi arid region of Lahaul valley. There are one or two lakes and impressive canyons and huge plains. Passing through Darcha in Bhaga valley we arrive Keylong (3,349m), - the Lahoul’s capital. Lahoul is semi green, with barley and potato fields lined with poplar and willow trees, but already the high peaks are screening out the monsoon rains and it really feels still like high mountain country.
From here we ascend to last pass - the Rotang La, 3,978m. This pass featured heavily in the early exploration of the western Himalaya and gives excellent panoramic views of the high peaks. The Rohtang is the gateway to both new culture and climate. From the pass we drop down to the lush green region of Himachal and pass by many important touristic places of Kothi, Marhi, Ralla falls and finally Nehru Kund. Arrive Manali and check in Hotel. Overnight at Manali.
Day 14: Manali - Dharmashala (1387 m, 235 km/7-8 h drive). After an early breakfast, you will head on your way to Dharamshala (Mcleodganj) via Mandi. Arrive Mcleodganj and check in Hotel. Evening is free to visit market at Mcleodganj known as little Lhasa. Overnight at Dharmashala.
Day 15: Dharmashala. Morning visit of Dharamshala covering the Official residence of Dalai Lama the exiled Tibetan Leader, and town of McLeodganj. Also visit visit Norbulinga Institute of Tibetan Culture which was founded by Department of Religion and Culture to preserve Tibetan culture. Stroll Around the Bazar area. Overnight at Dharmashala.
Day 16: Dharmashala - Amritsar (215 km/5 h drive). Drive to Amritsar. Arrive and check in hotel. At late after noon drive to Wagah Border to watch Border Retreat Ceremony The pageant of the beating of the retreat and the change of guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces here makes the most charming of the spectacles as a daily evening drill. Overnight at Amritsar
Day 17: Amritsar - Delhi. Morning visit Golden Temple - is the most sacred temple for Sikhs. It is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. In the evolution of the Darbar Sahib, is entwined the history and ideology of Sikhism. In its architecture are included, symbols associated with other places of worship. This is an example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds. Also visit Jallianwala Bagh - Martyrs’ Memorial built in the shape of eternal flame of liberty is situated on the outskirts of Golden Temple. Here about 1500 and 2000 persons who were attending a peaceful meeting during the freedom movement fell under the bullets of the British General Dyer on 13 April 1919 and the city of Amritsar. Evening depart for railway station to catch train for Delhi at 17:00 hrs which arrives Delhi at 23:00 hrs.
Day 18: Depart Delhi by midnight flight. Met upon arrival in Delhi.
Depart for International airport on onwards destination.
Notes:Airfare is not included in the tour price.
