Ladakh & Kashmir Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel (hotel check-in/ out time 12 pm). Later city tour of Delhi. In Old, Delhi visits the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry, and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery, and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.
In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar is a 73-meter tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also, drive and pass President House, Parliament & India Gate, etc. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi – Srinagar (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Srinagar. On arrival transfer hotel check-in. Evening Shikara ride on the Dal Lake, visiting floating vegetable gardens. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Srinagar (B)

City tour of Srinagar. Visit Shalimar Bagh the largest of the 3 breathtaking Mughal Gardens and one of the most sublime places to see in Srinagar. This stunning garden was constructed by Jahangir back in the year 1619 for his beautiful wife Noor Jahan. Nishat Bagh is located near the Dal Lake, an enchanting twelve terraced garden, packed with green trees, scented flowers, and beautiful fountains. Known to be the 2nd biggest Mughal garden, this garden was constructed by Noor Jahan’s elder brother, Asif Khan, in the year 1633. Chashma Shahi is a well-manicured triple-terraced garden, showcasing the Persian style architecture. A two-story hut has been positioned atop the garden top terrace and this structure is considered as the source of origin of the natural spring. Tulip Garden the largest tulip garden in Asia in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain overlooking the mesmerizing Dal Lake. Shankaracharya Temple the sacred 250BC temple occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The temple boasts breathtaking views of the valley. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Srinagar – Gulmarg (56kms) (B)

Drive to Gulmarg (The Meadow of the Flowers) check-in at the hotel. Located at an altitude of 9,000ft, Gulmarg is a mountain resort of exceptional beauty. It has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650m, and is the country`s premier ski resort in the winter. Enjoy a cable car ride on Gondola which will take you to the Majestic height of 13,000ft above sea level covering the magnificent views of the Himalayan Mountains and Pirpanjal ranges. You can also enjoy a view of Nanga Parbat if the weather permits. Golf playing, Riding, Hiking & Snow Skiing are other optional activities available here at an additional cost. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Gulmarg – Pahalgam (142kms) (B)

Drive to Pahalgam (the Valley of Shepherds) 7,000ft above sea level. On the way visit the famous Saffron growing fields and Awantipur Ruins (1100 years old temple of Lord Vishnu built by King Awantivarman). Enjoy the beautiful countryside on the way. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Pahalgam once a humble shepherd`s village with breathtaking views is surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Pahalgam (B)

Visit Mamleshwara Temple a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the few temples constructed purely of stone by the then King Jayasima. Inside the temple complex is a shrine completely covered in gold. Aru valley is the base camp for trekking to the Kolhoi Glacier and Tarsar-Marsar Lake noted for its scenic meadows. There are about 20 alpine lakes, peaks, and meadows around the Aru Valley. Betaab Valley, a breathtaking combination of picturesque surroundings encircled by tall deodar trees and pine forests, with the Lidder River flowing right through it. Lolab Valley is an oval-shaped valley famous for its scenic natural beauty, dense pine forests, and bubbling springs. It is also home to some animals like Himalayan brown and black bears, snow leopards, hangul, and musk deer. Sheshnag Lake, an epitome of natural beauty, peace, and serenity, enveloped in snow-capped mountains and surrounded by tall alpine meadows, the lake is a haven for nature lovers. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Pahalgam – Srinagar (83kms) (B)

Drive to Srinagar, check-in at the hotel. Rest day free and easy for personal activities relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Srinagar – Leh (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Leh. On arrival at Leh airport assistance & transfer to hotel. Rest time to get acclimatize at a high altitude. Later, in the evening visit the Leh Market an ideal place for all those who like to fill their bags with souvenirs and local produce. The markets offer beautiful Tibetan jewelry, motifs, decorated carpets, and woolen clothes. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Leh (B)

City tour of Leh. Visit Leh Palace, a 17th-century former royal palace built under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal, it used to house his family. The nine-story dun-colored 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. The beauty of the Leh Palace still stands in pride with a lot of ancient Buddha relics, paintings, old utensils, cutlery used by the royal family, and artifacts adorning the walls, most of which are almost 450 years old. Thiksey Monastery built in 1430 AD belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. Lakhang Nyerma a Temple dedicated to Goddess Dorje Chenmo is within the Thiksey monastery. Apart from Lakhang Nyerma, there are a few more shrines inside the monastery complex. Shey Palace and Gompa, built in the 16th Century AD, the monastery enshrines the Du-Khang with an almost 10-meter high copper statue of Lord Buddha. Shanti Stupa, a magnificent white-domed Buddhist monument located atop a steep hilltop at a dizzying height of 11,841 feet. Built-in 1991 jointly by the Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace.
Also visit the popular Magnetic Hill of Ladakh, a cyclops hill where vehicles defy the force of gravity and move upwards on the hill when parked at the marked location. To experience this phenomenon, park the car in neutral gear in the yellow box marked a few meters ahead of the Magnetic Hill road. From this point, the car starts moving at a speed of 20kmph. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Leh – Nubra Valley (140kms) (B)

Drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La, a high mountain pass in the Ladakh region. Situated at an altitude of 18379ft., Khardung La is believed to be the highest motorable road in India at an elevation of 5602 meters. It offers astonishing views of the twisting roads up the mountain and the awesome valley. Drive between Khardung La and Nubra alongside the Shyok river. Visit the Samstanling Gompa in the Sumlur village. The place is in the middle of pleasant scenic beauty and is surrounded by traditional hues of Gold, Red Ocher, and white. The entrance of the Monastery is lined with religious flags and the inside Halls are lined with wall paintings representing Buddha and his lectures, Dharamchakra, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the other facts of Buddhism.
Next stop at Panamik to visit Hot water springs which contain high amounts of sulfur, and is believed to possess a lot of medicinal properties. Head to Hunder the sand dunes village amidst the cold desert of the Nubra Valley. The gorgeous silver sand dunes are located at an altitude of 4000m and are bounded by snow-capped mountains. Ride Bactrian Camels to the remote village of Hunder. Check-in & overnight in tent/ guest house.

Day 11: Nubra – Pangong Lake (150kms) (B)

Visit Diskit Monastery, the 14th-century monastery with a huge Maitreya Buddha statue atop it is considered to be the largest and oldest monastery in Nubra Valley. From the base of the statue, one can get a gorgeous panoramic view of the Nubra valley. The monastery was founded by Changzen Tserab Zangpo in the 14th century and is situated on a hill above the plains of the Shayok River. The monastery house a vast collection of murals and a display of frescoes. Later drive to Leh again via Khardungla pass. Arrive Leh, check-in & overnight at the hotel.
Drive to Pangong Lake via Shyok river road. On arrival check-in at camp/ guest house. Spend time soaking in the beauty of Pangong Tso Lake at an altitude of 4350m. It changes colors from azure to light blue to green and grey. Enjoy the color-changing lake and the sunset on the banks of the lake. Overnight at camp/ guest house.

Day 12: Pangong Lake – Leh (140kms) (B)

Early morning enjoys the picturesque view of Sunrise on the lake. Later drive to Leh taking the road via Tangste village, towards Chang La the third highest motorable pass in India. Pass by the beautiful green valley of Shakti and Karu. En-route you will see many endemic and migratory bird species and possibly will encounter the Tibetan Marmots. Arrive Leh check-in & overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Leh – Departure (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi.