Detailed Itinerary
LEH - NUBRAY - ALCHI - LAMAYURU - KARGIL - SRINAGAR
On arrival at Leh airport & meet our representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Leh. Upon arrival & proceed for check-in at your hotel & remaining of the day will be for rest, to acclimatize & since you are reaching an altitude of 4000 mtrs approximately from 200 mtrs in just one hour time & you may be excited and would want to explore everything on your very first day. However, it is your body which needs to get acclimatized to such height and climate. We sincerely suggest that you rest on the first day for body acclimatization & at evening we will provide you vehicle to visit Leh Market & back to hotel & overnight stay at the leh.
Morning after breakfast excursion to Phyang, Located 22 Kms from Leh. The monastery is remarkably built on the hilltop, similar to the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa order. On the way back visit to Spituk monastery which was founded by Od Lde, in the 11th century AD. In those days the gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum ilde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery.
Later we drive back to hotel on time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, visit sightseeing tour the Sanker Gompa, which is towards the north of the Town, it has an impressive). Later visit Shanti Stupa, The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. From there one can see the nice spectacular view of Leh town, evening back to hotel & overnight at leh.
Morning after breakfast then Excursion of Stok, Matho and Stakna. Stok Palace Museum which is about 12 kms from Leh across Indus river. It houses some old statues and other equipment. Matho is about 6 kms from Stok and houses some incredible statues and paintings. Later visit Stakna gompa which is famous for its numerous statues and paintings. Later in the evening afternoon drive back to leh hotel & evening at leisure to stroll in the bazaar and overnight at the leh..
In the morning, after breakfast, drive to Sangam (Confluence). En route visit Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Patthar Sahib. Visit Confluence of Zanskar and Indus River. The Sangam (Confluence): Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers lies in Ladakh at Nimu. The Indus runs through Ladakh all along by your side serving as a constant companion and you feel a sense of respect for this ifeline of the people of Ladakh, especially since Ladakh experiences rainfall of only 2 to 3 inches throughout the year. Both Indus and Zanskar Rivers merge with each other as if they had flown all along just for that purpose. From this point on, beyond this Confluence of the two, the waters are regarded as the Indus River. Magnetic Hill: Can anyone ever imagine the movement of a vehicle up a steep mountain with its engines off? Reach Magnetic Hill to experience this phenomenon which sounds unbelievable. Gurudwara Pathhar Sahib: Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a beautiful Gurudwara constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak, about 25 miles away from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil road, 12000 ft above sea level. The Gurudwara was built in 1517 to commemorate the visit to the Ladakh region of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder Guru of the Sikh faith. Hall of Fame: Hall of Fame in Leh is a must visit for every individual of India. This is constructed by the Indian Army. You will find memorabilia, eminent defence personalities’ biographies, images and weapons used during Kargil war and belongings of enemy soldiers found at war site. Leh Palace, Leh Monastery, Leh Palace - Built in 1430, the Leh Palace is popular among tourists for its large statue of Lord Buddha called Chamba by Ladakhi. The statue represents the future Buddha according to Lamas. Sankar Gompa - Located at a distance of 3-kms, the monastery has a good collection of miniature paintings. This can also be visited in the evening as it is well lit. & back to hotel & over night in leh.
Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World’s Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. (approx. 140kms one way 5/ 6 hrs to nubra )
Khardung la Pass (18,380ft above sea level): It is not very often that one gets to drive on a road at an altitude of 18,380 feet. That is where Khardungla Pass, meaning the ‘Pass of Lower Castle,’ is located on the way from Leh to the Nubra Valley in Ladakh. It is the highest motorable road in the world as signs put up by the Border Roads Organization proudly proclaim. Arrive Nubra Valley and proceed for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can also enjoy a camel ride here (Camel ride on direct payment basis).
Nubra Valley: Popularly called the orchard of Ladakh, Nubra valley offers a graceful view of yellow and pink wild roses in summer and a carpet of wild lavender in the post-monsoon season. You will definitely be overwhelmed to see the Bactrian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes. Thereafter, check in at comfortable Camp or Hotel & evening at leisure & overnight stay at the camp or hotel in nubra.
After breakfast Full day visit of Nubra Valley first visit the hot sulphur springs at the village of Panamik, the last destination travellers are permitted to travel to in Nubra are believed to have certain medicinal qualities that cure a number of ailments. Later 3-4 hrs walk till the Esna monastery that is over 250 years old. This is the oldest monastry in Nunbra valley & drive back to camp rest of the time free for leisure & overnight stay in nubra.
Morning after breakfast proceed for Diskit Monastery. Post the Diskit Monastery, proceed for backward journey to Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass the World Highest Motorable road & evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenir and some shopping on your own & overnight stay at the leh.
After breakfast we drive to Likir and visit Likir gompa situated at the top a windy cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire. In its courtyard is a yellow-coloured 3 storey high mammoth statue of the Lord Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk. The top floor has an impressive museum containing old tangkhas and weapons used many centuries back. Basgo, The seat of power of a branch of the Namgyal family. It is here in 1680 A.D. that invading Mongol and Tibetian armies were held in check over a three year long seige. Original 16th century murals and other arts of Basgo are well worth a visit. Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries, which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden. After Alchi, we have an option to visit the impressive Ridzong Gompa, reached from the road head after a 30-minute uphill walk. It’s an impressive monastery well hidden in the lap of the mountains until you’re face to face with it. It is situated on the mountainside wedged in between 2 ends of a ridge. It is about 100 years old and the name means 'mountain fort' aptly describing this isolated Gompa. It also has a nunnery of female monks. Overnight stay at Alchi Camp or Hotel in alchi.
After breakfast we check out from Camp and drive to Lamayuru monastery, founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This Gompa is located amidst the massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this Gompa and its renowned collection of carpets, tangkhas, and frescoes has been attracting many people over a long time. It is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh. After visiting the monastery we drive straight to Kargil over Fatu-la [13,489 ft] which is the highest pass on Srinagar - Leh road. Upon arrival in Kargil check in at hotel & Overnight stay in kargil.
After breakfast we drive to Srinagar by car. While entering in to the Kashmir valley you will pass through the Zoji-la and Sonamarg, Drass –( Located at an altitude of 3230 mtrs) in the west of Kargil, Drass is a small township in the centre of the valley. It is also regarded as the coldest inhabited place in the world. During spring and summer it is one of the most visited place in the valley for its picturesque beauty. The valley mainly starts from the Zojila pass which is known as Himalayan gateway to Ladakh. Upon arrival in Srinagar. The Valley of Kashmir - Set like a jeweled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a many faceted diamond, changing character with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful. The contrast of Kashmir valley led the poets of all nations to speak of it as an "Emerald set in Pearls. In the heart of Kashmir valley is Srinagar, the Capital city. It is situated at an altitude of 1,730 meters above sea level. No destination is quite so romantic & no setting as enchanting as Srinagar. Srinagar is a unique city because of its Lakes. Upon arrival in the Paradise city transfer to Houseboat / hotel over night stay at Srinagar
After breakfast & proceed for local sightseeing of Srinagar visit:- Mughal made garden these Gardens are known as Mughal gardens like-
Nishat garden: Nishat Bagh is a garden of bliss that commands a magnificent view of the lake beneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range that stands far away to the west of the valley. The Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan.
Shalimar Bagh: It is here that Emperor Jahangir built his celebrated Shalimar Bagh, his dream project to please his queen. He enlarged the ancient garden in 1619 into a royal garden and called it 'Farah Baksh' ('the delightful'). He built it for his wife Nur Jahan ('light of the world'). In 1630,
Cheshma Shahi: Chashme Shahi or Chashma i Shahi (translation: the royal spring), also called Chashma Shahi, is one of the Mughal gardens built in 1632 AD around a spring by Ali Mardan Khan, a governor of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as per the orders of the Emperor, as a gift for his elder son Prince Dara Shikoh.
PARI MAHAL: Pari Mahal or The Angels' Abode is a seven terraced garden located at the top of Zabarwan mountain range over-looking city of Srinagar and south-west of Dal Lake.[1] The architecture depicts an example of Islamic architecture and patronage of art during the reign of the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi, Srinagar. The Pari Mahal was built by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh in the mid-1600s. It served as a library and an abode for him. Dara Shikoh was said to have lived in this area in the years 1640, 1645, and 1654. It was further used as an observatory, useful for teaching astrology and astronomy.
Shankaracharya Temple: The Shankaracharya Temple, also known as the Jyesteshwara temple or Pas-Pahar by Buddhists. Shankracharya Temple, it was renamed as Takht-e-Suleiman, is situated on the top of the Shankaracharya Hill, also called Gopadari Hill in the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is on the summit of the same name at a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the plain and overlooks the city of Srinagar & shopping in market for Kashmir handicrafts, shah art palace & at evening Shikara ride will be provide to visit Famous Nehru Park, golden Lake, floating garden, lily flower Garden. Evening Back to hotel / houseboat overnight stay in Srinagar
Morning After breakfast, transfer will be given to Srinagar airport to board your flights for onwards destination. Our service terminates here.