DAY 01: ARRIVE AT SRINAGAR + HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING (IF TIME PERMITS)
Arrive at Srinagar airport & transfer to hotel. Post lunch, proceed for sightseeing trip to Mughal Gardens visiting Nishat Bagh (Abode of pleasure) built by Asif Khan, brother-in-law of Jehangir in 1632 AD & Shalimar Bagh (Abode of love) built by Jehangir for his wife, Empress Noor Jahan. All the gardens are situated on the bank of Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains in the background. Later pay a visit to the famous Shankaracharya Temple. Dinner & overnight stay in Srinagar Hotel / Houseboat.
DAY 02: SRINAGAR TO KARGIL (VIA SONMARG) – 204 KMS / 6 TO 7 HOUR ONE WAY
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 03: KARGIL TO LEH (VIA LAMAYURU)
Post breakfast we 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 were 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 for tourists. The hall has been built inside a museum that was erected by the Indian Army in the honor 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.
SANGAM POINT: The Indus River originates from the great Himalayan ranges and Zanskar river originates from the Zanskar ranges. Zanskar river is shiny blue in color, 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 commemorates 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.
DAY 04: IN LEH
Morning at leisure to explore the destination on your own & evening visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Sankar Gompa & Leh Market. Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel in Leh.
DAY 05: 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 Second 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 dinner & overnight stay. In the evening you can walk around the tiny villages to see how the locals live in this part of the world.
DAY 06: NUBRA VALLEY (EXCURSION TO TURTUK)- 80 KMS ONE WAY
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. Places to visit here comprises of a 16th Century Mosque, (comprising of a touch of Turkish & Iranian culture), ruined fort of Dhards and a Monastery. You can also admire the magnificent view of the famous K2 peak (The second highest peak in the world after Mount Everest). Later back to Hunder for dinner & overnight stay.
DAY 07: NUBRA VALLEY TO PANGONG LAKE (150 KMS / 5 HRS)
After an early breakfast, we check out and drive towards Hunder where you have the opportunity to ride on a Bactrian Camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high-altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Next stop will be 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 the majestic 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, you will also pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you have a sudden view of the majestic Pangong lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). Upon arrival we check in at our Camp/Hotel near Pangong lake. Dinner & overnight stay at Camp in Pangong.
DAY 08: PANGONG LAKE TO LEH VIA CHANGLA (140 KMS / 6 HRS)
Morning at leisure to explore the beauty of the lake which is famously known to show upto 5 shades of blue depending upon the time and location of the viewer. Later we drive back to Leh via Changla Pass 5486 Mtrs enroute visiting Hemis Gompa, the largest monastic foundation of Drukpa Kagyu Order of Tibetan Buddhism. And futher to 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 for dinner & overnight stay.
DAY 09: DEPART LEH (FLY OUT)
Tour concludes Through a punctual transfer to the Domestic Airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.
