Srinagar Ladakh 2016

Day 1. Chandigarh

Day 2. Chandigarh to Jammu. (370 Kms)
Drive on the highway to Pathankot, and then reach Lakhanpur, where we officially enter the state of J and K. Reach Jammu in the evening and check into a comfortable hotel.

Day 3. Jammu to Srinagar ( 340 Kms)
Driving on the Highway 1D, we cross the hill station of Batot and Patni top. We drive along the river for some time and reach Banihal. After Banihal we have to cross a 2.85 Kms long tunnel known as Jawar tunnel. This tunnel is at an elevation of 2194 metres. This tunnel is guarded by military round the clock, photography or videography inside or nearby the tunnel is strictly prohibited. Once the vehicle enters the tunnel, it has to maintain the same speed throughout the tunnel. CCTVs are installed in the tunnel for continuous monitoring. We are in Kashmir valley now, and the first village on this side is Quazikund. You are treated to breath taking landscapes on the way. There is place called Sangam, which is a Willow bat paradise. You can see a long line of shops on both sides which are manufacturing cricket bats. This place makes one of the finest cricketing bats in the world. We reach Srinagar in the evening. This night will be spent in a house boat at the Dal lake.

Day 4 Srinagar to Kargil (220 kms ,7 hrs)
the day early. You will cross the beautiful meadows of Sonmarg today. After this we cross the 12000 m high Zojilla Pass. Zojilla can be tough sometimes with the road conditions and traffic jams. so It is important to leave Srinagar early. After Zojilla, We enter the Dras valley. You will be able to feel the contrast in the landscape as you move further. The lush green Kasmir valley will give way to the more desolate and barren Ladakh Landscape. Dras has a war memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the 1999 War. Then you driving though beautiful alluring landscapes and reach the town of Kargil. this is going to be your halt for the night. Overnight stay in a Hotel.

Day 5 Kargil to Leh ( 215 Kms, 7 Hrs)
You cross over the river at Kargil and then you get your first feeling of landscape transition. The greenery starts to lessen, and you are into the cold desert zone. The landscape is strewn with wonderful coloured barren mountain, which is a sight to behold for ever. You cross the famous 4018 m Fotu La pass on the way, which is the highest point on the highway. The Fotu La Pass at the beginning of a descending road that leads past the Lamayuru Monastery down to the Indus River. This winding road descends almost 4,000 ft or 1,219 m from the pass to the river. has a very beautiful monastery with a backdrop of a wonderful moon like landscape. After crossing the village of Lamayuru you drive along the Indus once gain. You will be able to see the great confluence of the zanskar and indus river at Nimmo. You will reach Leh by evening. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 6 Tour of Hemis, Thiksey, Shey Monastery, 3 Idiots School Campus ( Around Leh)
After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45 km west of Leh. Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. From Hemis, we drive back on the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hilllock with formidable views of the Indus Valley. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and its Dukhang assembly hall, which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. After that, we continue to drive through series of chortens to visit Shey Palace – the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh, and 3 Idiots school campus. Overnight stay at a hotel in Leh.

Day 7 Leh to Pangong (150 km)
After early breakfast, we leave for Pangong Lake (14,500 ft), through Changla Pass 17,350 ft. which is the 3rd highest motor able road in the world. Pangong Tso is the highest land locked lake and the highest salt water lake in the world, shared by two countries: India and China. The lake is one beautiful sight to behold in your memories for life time. The colour of the lake goes dark blue in the evening and has a wonderful contrast with the adjoining mountains that give a golden yellow tinge.You will appreciate the changing colors as the evening progresses. Enjoy this moment as you are going to miss it for life.Overnight stay at camp.

Day 8 Pangong Lake to Leh (150 Kms)
Next morning, we drive back to Leh and spend evening exploring Leh market. Overnight stay at a hotel in Leh.

Day 9 Leh to Khardung La (18832 ft), Nubra Valley, Hundur Sand Dunes ( 130 Kms)
After Breakfast, we drive for 120 km (4/5 hrs) to reach Nubra Valley via Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the world at 18,380 ft. The journey to Khardung La is an amazing experince with amazing views of Stok mountains as we reach great elevation while driving on a gradual gradient. After reaching the top, we sip a cup of hot tea at the army canteen and quickly visit the sovereign shop.
Then the road descends toward Khardung village. We are in Nubra Valley now. Hereon, we drive along the Shyok River to reach Diskit, which is the headquarters of Nubra. We cover another 8 km to reach Hundur famous for sand dunes and rare bactrian camels. Overnight stay in a guesthouse/hotel.

Day 10 Diskit- Monastery-Leh (130 Kms)
After breakfast, we visit 515-year-old Diskit Monastery and drive back to Leh on the same route, crossing Khardung La. We reach Leh by evening and spend some time to explore Leh market. Overnight stay at a hotel here.

Day 11 Leh to Keylong

Day 12 Keylong to Manali