Itinerary

 

Day 1 : SRINAGAR 

Upon arrival at Srinagar Sheikh Ul Alam Int’l Airport (This must be one of the Most Scenic Flights in the World, Srinagar is popularly known as the “City of Reshi’s & Sufi’s” and it is also the summer capital of state Jammu & Kashmir. You will be met by driver and transfer to House Boat for Check in. In the afternoon, we take a visit to Mughal Gardens, Nishat Garden known as ‘Garden of pleasure’ built in 16th century (1633) by Mughal King Asif Khan. Then visit to Shalimar Garden known as ‘Garden of love’ built in 16th century (1619) by Mughal King Jahangir for his beloved wife Noor Jahan or (Mehr-un-Nissa & Chashmashahi (The Royal Spring). The Chashmashahi Mughal Garden in Srinagar had been loved by emperors and picnickers alike.

Evening time you take a shikara ride on world famous Dal Lake, where you visit the floating vegetable gardens & Open Dal Lake. While riding the Shikara’s there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching with plentiful species including Kingfisher, Little Bittern, Common Pariah Kites, Grebe etc. Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel

 

DAY 02: SRINAGAR TO SONMARG - 87 Kms – 2 to 3 hrs One Way  

Post breakfast we depart we check out from hotel & Drive towards Sonmarg, which means Meadow of Gold, has its backdrop of snowy mountains against the blue sky. The drive offers incredible scenic beauty, dense pine forests and gigantic mountains. On the way Visit Kheer bhawani Temple. The place provides an ideal base for various trekking routes, high mountain lakes, glaciers, and Sri Amarnath Holy cave. The river meanders along here & abounds with Trout & Mahseer. Sonamarg’s importance lies in the fact that it is the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Srinagar to Leh. On arrival in Sonmarg we check in at our pre-arranged hotel. Early afternoon, ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajwas Glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer. Return back in the evening for dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

 

DAY 03: SONMARG TO KARGIL (VIA DRASS) – 108 KMS / 4 HOUR 

Post breakfast we drive to Leh via Sonmarg also known as Meadow of Gold. In Sonmarg, one can take a pony ride (at additional cost) to Thajwas Glacier where snow remains round the year. Further we drive towards Kargil enroute crossing Drass Village (The 2nd coldest inhabited place in the world) and have a magnificent view of famous Kargil War Peaks viz. Tiger Hill & Tololing. Later pay tribute to Vijay Smarak (The War Memorial) located right on the highway at the base of Tololing. After reaching Kargil, we check in at our hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

 

DAY 04: KARGIL TO LEH (VIA SHAM VALLEY) - 250 KMS / 8 HRS 

This morning do early breakfast & departure till 08:00 am to Leh via Shamvalley sightseeing. Drive to Leh enroute visiting Lamayuru, which belongs to Dripung Kagyu (Red Hat). After visiting the Monastery, we continue our drive along the River Indus to Uletokpo visiting Ridzong Monastery, there is the option to walk up to the Monastery for those that wish to do so. Hidden at the end of a steep valley, the first view of the Monastery is dramatic. Later visit the famous Sangam Point which is the confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers just after 4 km from Nimmu and drive further to Magnetic Hill which defies the law of gravity. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up. Next pay a visit to Gurudwara Pathhar Sahib, which was built by the Lamas of Leh in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev. Upon arrival in Leh, check in to the hotel for dinner & overnight stay..

HALL OF FAME: -

An important stopover on the tourist circuit, the Hall of Fame encapsulates the essence of patriotism and displays exhibits relating the bravery of Indian soldiers and their courageous accomplishments. As you pass through the OP Vijay Gallery, which showcases weaponry that was used in the Kargil War, and see the elaborate display of the documents of the war, uniforms that are worn at the Siachen glacier and others, you will be filled with a sense of pride. The letters written by soldiers to their families, photographs clicked during wars fought in the region and a 30-minute documentary on the Kargil War, are some of the highlights. On the second floor, guns and equipment that were detained by the Indian Army during its confrontations with the Pakistan army have been put up as exhibits. The museum also houses a souvenir shop. The hall has been built inside a museum that was erected by the Indian Army in honour of soldiers who perished during the various wars that have been fought in this region.

MAGNETIC HILL: -

Perched at an altitude of 14,000 ft, Magnetic Hill is one of the most intriguing spots in the country. This tiny hillock is said to defy gravity as it tends to pull vehicles upwards. It is quite thrilling to defy the laws of science and be pulled in the opposite direction. The scientific theory states that there is a strong magnetic force emanating from the hills that defies gravity at this particular spot. It is a good pitstop on the highway and serves as a break in between mundane road travel. Do note that it is best to visit between May to September, when the road is easily accessible. There is a board that marks the location of magnetic hill, so it cannot be missed while driving down the highway. Local Ladakhi superstition believes that the road is a straight stairway to heaven.

CONFLENCE OF THE ZANSKAR:

indus river is originated from the great Himalayan ranges and Zanskar river originates from Zanskar ranges. Zanskar river is shiny blue in colour, on the other hand Indus looks a little green. Zanskar meets Indus in Nimmu valley from the north-east. This is a scenic view for the visitors and they find it fascinating to mark both the rivers even after their confluence

GURUDWARA PATHAR SAHIB

is a highly revered gem located 25 miles away from Leh town on Kargil Leh Highway. Devoted to Guru Nanak Devi Ji, the founder of Sikh Religion, the sacred place beautifully commemorate his visit to Ladakh. Dating back to 1517, the Gurudwara houses a boulder with imprints of the head, shoulders and backside of Shree Guru Nanak Dev.

ALCHI GOMPA

The architecture of Alchi Monastery is of Tibetan style. The monastery complex has three major shrines - the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri. There are also chortens in the complex. Wall paintings are the major attractions here as they depict details of both Buddhist style and Kashmiri style. The complex houses a huge statue of the Buddha and lavish wood carvings and artwork, similar to baroque style.

 

Day 5: LEH 

Morning at leisure to explore the destination on your own & Afternoon visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa & Leh Market. Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel in Leh.

SHANTI STUPA

is situated on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the north Indian state of Leh. Shanti Stupa as know Buddhist white-domed stupa. It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. Shanti stupa provides beautiful and panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This has become a primary reason for Shanti Stupa to become a popular tourist attraction, apart from its religious.

LEH Place

also known as 'Lhachen Palkhar,' is a 17th-century former royal palace and one of the central attractions in Leh. Built under the patronage of by King Sengge Namgyal, it used to house his family. The nine-storey dun-coloured palace now houses a museum and a prayer room, while the highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountain from the rooftop.

 

DAY 06: LEH EXCURSION TO MONASTERIES - 50 KMS / 02 HRS – ONE WAY 

Post Breakfast we proceed for Indus Valley Monastery Starting with Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism, Thiksey Monastery an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village, Shey Palace, The ancient capital of Ladakh, 3 Idiots Rancho School & Sindhu Ghat. After visiting above places we drive back to Leh. Overnight at Hotel.

 

DAY 07: LEH–NUBRA VALLEY VIA KHARDUNG LA 18,390 FT. 120 KMS / 4 – 5 HRS 

Post breakfast we drive to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road In The World) at 5,602 Mtrs / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh. 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. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. Upon arrival in Nubra we check in at our Camp / Hotel in Hunder for Overnight stay. In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world. Overnight Stay at the Camp or Hotel.

 

DAY 08: IN NUBRA (HUNDER VILLAGE) – EXCURSION TO TURTUK 

After an early breakfast, proceed to Turtuk (A village that was won by India in the 1971 war with Pakistan) and extremely close to the border. Visit a 16th Century Mosque, (comprising of a touch of Turkish & Iranian culture), ruined fort of Dhards and Monastery. Admire the magnificent view of the famous K2 peak (The second highest peak in the world after Mount Everest). Later back to hotel. Dinner & overnight stay Nubra.

 

DAY 09: NUBRA VALLEY TO PANGONG LAKE (150 KMS / 5 HRS) 

After an early breakfast we check out from Camp or hotel and drive towards Hunder where you have opportunity to ride on a bacterian 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. 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 after crossing this adventurous part we drive further towards Durbuk & Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can have a sudden view of the Pangong lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). Upon arrival we check in at our Camp/Hotel Near Pangong lake. Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel

DAY 10: PANGONG LAKE TO LEH VIA CHANGLA (140 KMS / 6 HRS)

Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of lake and later we drive back to Leh via Changla Pass. Chang La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh at an elevation of 5,391.30m (17,688.000 ft) in the Ladakh Range between Leh and the Shyok River valley. The Chang La, on Leh to Pangong Lake road, lies on the Leh-Karu-Sakti-Zingral-Chang La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Pangong Lake motorable road. Chang La is approached from Zingral village by a steeply climbing asphalt road which requires a careful drive. The stretch of 10–15 km road on either side of Chang la becomes loose dirt and slush after the winter and requires regular maintenance. Drive further to Leh. Evening reach leh hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at Leh

DAY 11: DEPART LEH (FLY OUT)

After an early breakfast at 07:45, check-out at 08:30 am. Proceed to airport & Drop to Leh Airport till 09:30 AM for onward journey with a wonderful holiday memories with SKYLINE TOURS.