Day 1: Arrive Chandigarh - Manali
On arrival pick up from Chandigarh and transfer to Manali ( 350 km/9 hrs).Overnight at hotel.
On arrival pick up from Chandigarh and transfer to Manali ( 350 km/9 hrs).Overnight at hotel.
Early morning drive to Serchu, driving across Rohtang Pass (13050 ft) and passing through Keylong, Jispa and Dracha and then cross the Baralacha Pass (16020 ft) to arrive at Serchu in the late afternoon. Overnight in fixed camp at Serchu.
After early breakfast leave for Leh en-route crossing Nakeela and Lachalung-la Pass (16,617 ft.). Break for lunch at Pang and then drive on towards Leh passing through Skyangchu Thang (a vast plateau stretching for 42 kms) and then crossing Taglang-La (17,585ft) and driving through the upper Indus Valley. Reach Leh by evening. Overnight in hotel.
The morning is at leisure for rest after the long journey. Afternoon visit Shanti Stupa. Overnight at the hotel.
Early departure for Pangong Lake (approx. 145 kms, located on the Indo China Border), via Chang-la pass (alt: 17370 ft). After full day of sightseeing around the Lake check-in at fixed tented camp near the lake at Spangmik or drive back for 30 kms to Tangtse and check into Hotel / Guest House for overnight stay.
After breakfast, leave Pangong / Tangtse and retrace the Leh route across Chang-la. Upon reaching Karu, drive across the Indus and visit the famous Hemis Monastery, biggest monastery of Ladakh. Later drive on to Leh, enroute visiting the picturesque Thiksey monastery. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast leave for Nubra Valley, driving across Khardong-la (alt: 18,380 ft). After descending from the pass, drive on for sightseeing of Sumoor area and Samstaling Gompa. Later check into a fixed camp in the same area or drive across to Deskit / Hundar for overnight in a fixed camp or hotel.
In the morning visit / explore Deskit , Hundar and the Sand Dunes where you can enjoy a short camel safari using the double-humped Bactrian camel found here (optional on direct payment). Later drive back to Leh reaching in the late afternoon / evening. Overnight at the hotel.
After leisurely breakfast drive down the Indus Valley on the first leg of your journey to Kargil & Srinagar. On the way, visit Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Point, Sangam (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers) and then the 11th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic complex famous for its wall frescoes and architecture - a UNESCO listed heritage site. Overnight in fixed camp / resort at Uleytokpo.
After breakfast leave for Kargil, enroute visiting the dramatically located Lamayuru monastery and the adjoining "Moonland" hills. On the way to Kargil you can view the 9-Mtrs. tall rock sculpture of the Maitreya Buddha at Mulbek (7th –8th century AD). Overnight in hotel at Kargil.
Early departure for Srinagar driving through Drass (famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world) and crossing the Zoji-la Pass (11,500-ft. / 3,505 m) to reach hill station of Sonamarg from where it's smooth driving through the beautiful Kashmir countryside to reach Srinagar. Overnight in hotel at Srinagar.
Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight back home.