Best of Sringar Ladakh

Day: 01

Route: Srinagar airport - houseboat (5,200 i.e 1,585

Night stay: Houseboat/hotel

Distance/Time: 57km( 1 hour)

Road condition: Smooth  

Upon arrival at Srinagar airport you will be received by our representative, transfer to your hotels or house boat as per your hotel booking. Check in hotels an enjoy cool summer breeze of Srinagar , later in the late evening you will explore the below places

Dal Lake: Dal Lake is knowns as jewel crown of Srinagar for its beautiful houseboats and Shikaras spread over 26 sq. km. It is the second largest in the state, stretch from Dal gate to Nehru Park.

Nishat Garden (Garden of Joy) -Built in the Mughal era (founded in 1633 by Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan) located eastern side of the Dal lake, its majestic architecture is making it one of the most popular attraction of Srinagar. its long stretches, believed to be one of the largest Garden made during the Mughal era., cascading fountains make this a must see for every traveller.

Shalimar Bagh :- One of a beautifully laid garden by Mughal emperor Jahangir. exemplary craftsmanship of Mughals in horticulture, the place is quite popular with tourists from all over the world.

Shankar Acharya Temple: Shankaracharya Temple is situated about 1100 ft on the top of south -east of Srinagar on Shankaracharya Hill, which is equally sacred shrine for Hindus and Buddhist religion. The temple was probably established by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka at around 200 BC.

Day: 02

Route: Srinagar- Kargil via Zojila pass (5,200 i.e 1,585)

Route : Srinagar – 80Kms- Sonamarg –26Kms- Zorji La Pass-38 Kms – Drass – 60Kms - Kargil war memorial- Kargil

Night Stay: Kargil, Hotel

Distance/Time Taken:  250 km (6-7 hrs Approx)

Road condition: Zojilla Pass can sometime time consuming due to traffic (Otherwise smooth roads all the way to Kargil

After breakfast at Hotel/Houseboat. Our driver will pick up from your hotel to take you to Kargil the journey pass through the magnificent village Sonamarg (known as meadow of gold), take a break for a sip of tea and photograph and further continue to Kargil by crossing Zojila pass which is at the altitude of 11,575 ft. the road from Sonamargh to Drass is wet and rough. Drass “the second coldest inhibited places in the world) where you can explore Kargil war Memorial and spot the famous Tiger hill. Take a break for another cup of tea or Maggi. further drive along the Drass river till reach Kargil. check -in and over night stay at Kargil

Day: 03

Route: Kargil - Leh (11,562 i.e. 3,524 mts)

Route: Kargil –45 Kms - Mulbekh – 11 Kms - Namik La – 45 Kms – Fotu La – 15Kms - Lamayuru 24 Kms – Khalsi – 40 Kms- Sangam – 5 Kms - Magnetic hill -3 Kms– Gurduwara- 30 Kms – Leh

Night Stay:  Leh, Hotel

Distance/Time Taken: 240 km (7-8 hrs one way Approx)

Road Condition: Excellent smooth ride all the way to Leh 

Restaurent/ Dhabas: available at Lamayuru – Khalsi – Nimmu

Today it’s advisable to leave Kargil for Leh as there is lots to see today, if you start early you will get good enough half to explore those interesting places, though you will be riding on smooth and beautiful road. After a short drive to Kargil you’ll pass an eight-century ancient rock cut Statue of Mulkekh Matriya Buddha statue. Take a break for tea/snacks. now its time to cross Leh – Srinagar highest pass Namkila and Futola As you are decending from Futola you will witness the beautiful landscape view of Lamayuru, one of the oldest monastery in Ladakh. Take a half for lunch or tea/snake. soon after leaving Lamayuru, you’ll reach the Indus valley . From here drive along the Indus River (Sindhu -Hindu- Hindustan from where India got its name) and proceed to  Leh enroute visit Indus & Zanskar river confluence (Sangam), Gurdwara Pathar Sahiband Magnetic Hill further on to Leh Hall of Fame (which has a museum of the Kargil War memorabilia) Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day: 04

Route:Excursion to Monastries -  Stok Palace, Stakna and Matho Monastries  (9846 i.e 3001 mts)

Night Stay: Leh, Hotel

Distance/Time Taken: 60 (4-5 hrs Approx)

Road Condition: Very smooth

Food recommendation: Cloud 9 Thiksey

After leisurely breakfast in the hotel, will be followed by day trip to the Matho Monastery which is 26km towards the south-east of Leh city. Located other side of the Indus River, this sacred monastery dates back to the 16th century. its founded by Lama Dugpa Dorjay. Visiting this monastery on the 14th and 15th day of first Tibetan month; late March or early April, you can attend the annual Naghrang Matho Festival.

After visiting Matho, the drive will continue to the Stakna Monastery. Stakna literally means ‘the nose of a tiger’. It gets the name from the shape of the hill on which Stakna monastery is located in a picturesque landscape and you can get spectacular views of the Indus River from the monastery.

Following this, you will be driven to the Stok Monastery in Ladakh. Located in the Stok village, this sacred monastery is a part of the historic Stok Castle that was built by king Tsepal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. If your schedule falls somewhere between the 9th and 10th day of the first Tibetan month, you can participate and enjoy the Guru Tshechu Festival in Spituk Monastery in Ladakh. After visiting the Stok Monastery, you can also visit the Gurphu Monastery, which is a branch of the Spituk Monastery. With this, the day will come to an end, and you will be driven back to Leh for your overnight stay.

Day : 05

Route: Leh to Nubra via Khardong la top

Place covered : Leh – Khardung La Pass (40 KMs) – Khardung Village (34 KMs) – Khalsar (23 KMs) – Diskit (19 KMs)- Hunder ( 7 KMs) = 123 KMs

Night Stay: Nubra, Hotel/Camp (10,000 i.e. 3250mts)

Distance/Time Taken: 125Km.(4-5hrs one way Approx)

Road Condition:  Bad Around Khardung La for 15-20 Kms stretch  ( Rest smooth 2 lane, road widening is under process  ) 

Food Recommendation : Dhabas available at North Pullu /Khardung Village /Khalsar / Diskit 

After breakfast, start driving towards Nubra Valley situated in the north of Leh, at about 10,000 feet above sea level. The road, which climbs up and over the Khardung La, at approximately 18,380 feet, is believed to be the highest motorable road in the world. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif.  After crossing the Pass, you will see Khardung village, stop for lunch at Khardong or Khalser and cross Deskit (the main villages of Nubra valley). Get engrossed in this colourful valley of flowers. Spend the night in hotel Eveing , you may see a Double Humped, Hairy and Bactrian Camels. Overnight stay Nubra Valley( Hunder)

Day: 06

Route / Place Covered : Hunder – Diskit Village ( 7KMs) – Khalsar Village(26 Kms) – Agham (31 KMs) – Shyok Village (48KMs) – Durbuk(18 KMs) – Tangtse (9KMs) – Pangong Tso(34KMs)

Night Stay: Pangong, camp /Hotel (14270 i.e 4350 mts)

Distance/Time Taken: 150 km (5-6 hrs one way Approx)

Road Condition : Bad after Agyam ( Lot of slides , dry river bed , etc

Dhabas: Khaltsar, Tangtse, Pangong.

After having scrumptious breakfast, we check-out from Camp or hotel and drive towards Diskit along the sand dune where you can ride on a bactrian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. On the return stop at Diskit which is the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Diskit is famous for old Buddhist Monastery, situated magnificently on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley. Later we drive towards Pangong Tso via Agham & Shyok Valley. Some of the road patches in areas are extremely tough (towards nubra side) in terms of road conditions but no doubt the journey is very scenic! Later we drive further towards Durbuk & Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can enjoy this amazing view of the Pangong Lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of it’s running the other side of the "Indo China Border". Upon arrival we check-in at Camp near Pangong Lake. Its magical to see the changing hues of Pangong Lake with the variation in the Sun intensity … Listen to the waves lapping the shores, watch the migratory birds and see the sun fade away at the horizon .. Whether it is a moon lit night or star studded night … The night sky is brilliant in Pangong .. One can spend hours looking at the sky …  ( Loose Fuel Available in the market ) . Pangong Lake, a highest salt water lake in the world, shared by two countries India (25%) and China (75%), enjoy the beauty of Lake on banks of the Lake while appreciating the changing colours of fascinating high altitude Lake. Over Night stay in Pangong

Day: 07

Pangong to Leh

Route: Pangong – Tangtse ( 35 KMs) –Changle ( 45 KMs) – Karu ( 45 KMs) – Thiksey(17KMs)- 3 Idiot school ( 4 KMs) – Shey Palace ( 2 KMs) Leh ( 12 KMs)

Night Stay: Leh, Hotel (11562 i.e. 3524 mts

Distance/Time Taken: 150 km (5- 6hrs Approx)

Road Condition: Bad around Chang La

Dhabas available at Kharu , Food Recommendation: Have your meal at Cloud 9 or in Leh

Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to Leh via Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs enroute visiting Thiksey an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village and another 5 Kms driving through a picturesque landscape we reach to Shey Palace, The ancient capital of Ladakh & 3 Idiots Rancho School. Drive further to Leh and check-in at the Hotel for Overnight Stay.

Day: 08

Route: Leh to Airport (Departure)

After breakfast, get transferred to Leh Airport for boarding the flight to your destination. Tour Concludes with some wonderful long-lasting memories.

———————-Tour concludes—————————

Time to say good by to fellow friend who gonna be your friend for life..

Today you conquered mountains and yourself.

Himalayan Shepherd travels & Group of Hotel Thank you for having trust on us and choosing us for your tour arrangement company in Leh Ladakh