The classic overland approach to Ladakh, starting among the Mughal gardens of Srinagar and climbing over Zoji La to Kargil, Lamayuru and Leh. Nine days take in the monastery trail, the dunes of Nubra Valley, the Balti village of Turtuk and a night beside Pangong Lake.
Route: Srinagar – Kargil – Leh – Nubra Valley – Turtuk – Pangong Lake – Leh
Tour Highlights
- Mughal Gardens of Srinagar: Nishat Bagh, Chashme Shahi and Shalimar Bagh
- Zoji La pass and the valley of Sonamarg
- Drass War Memorial and museum at the world’s second coldest inhabited place
- Lamayuru Moonland and its lunar landscape
- Shey Palace, Thiksey Gompa, Hemis Monastery and Rancho School
- Khardung La and the Hunder dunes of Nubra Valley
- Turtuk, a Balti village beside the Line of Control
- A night in cottages beside Pangong Lake
01
Day 1
Arrive in Srinagar, Mughal Gardens
- Arrive in Srinagar and meet our representative for an assisted transfer to your hotel.
- In the evening visit the Mughal Gardens founded in the Mughal era: Nishat Bagh, Chashme Shahi and Shalimar Bagh.
- A shikara ride on Dal Lake is available at your own cost.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Srinagar.
02
Day 2
Srinagar to Kargil over Zoji La
- After breakfast check out and begin the road journey to Kargil, roughly 204 km and 6 to 7 hours.
- Stop at Sonamarg, a pristine valley of lush meadows and snow clad peaks.
- Cross Zoji La, the high altitude pass that opens the road into Ladakh.
- Stop at Drass village, the second coldest inhabited place in the world, and visit the Drass War Memorial and museum built by the Indian Army.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Kargil.
03
Day 3
Kargil to Leh by way of Lamayuru
- After breakfast check out and drive towards Leh.
- Stop at Lamayuru Monastery, set in the eroded landscape known as Moonland for its resemblance to the lunar surface.
- Continue past the Sangam and Magnetic Hill, and pay your respects at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
- On arrival in Leh visit the Hall of Fame museum, a war memorial to Indian soldiers.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.
04
Day 4
Leh Monastery Tour
- After breakfast visit Shey Palace, once the summer palace of the pre Tibetan kings, whose monastery houses a large bronze blue haired Buddha.
- Continue to the 16th century Thiksey Gompa, perched on a hilltop above the Indus valley.
- Visit Hemis Monastery, the largest and richest monastic complex in Ladakh.
- In the evening see Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and the main market.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.
05
Day 5
Leh to Nubra Valley over Khardung La
- After a leisurely breakfast check out and drive to Nubra Valley over Khardung La at 18,300 feet.
- Take in the view south over the Indus valley from the top of the pass.
- Descend to Hunder and its rolling sand dunes, home to double hump camels. A camel safari is available at your own cost.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Nubra Valley.
06
Day 6
Nubra Valley, Turtuk & back
- After breakfast drive to Turtuk, opened to visitors only in 2010 and part of India since the 1971 war.
- Explore one of the few Balti villages in India, where households still use utensils carved from stone.
- Walk through the village for views over the Shyok valley, and on clear days a glimpse of K2 across the border.
- Return to Nubra Valley by evening.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Nubra Valley.
07
Day 7
Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake by way of Shyok
- After breakfast check out and drive to Pangong Lake by way of Shyok, Tangtse and Spangmik.
- Visit Diskit Monastery a short drive from Hunder.
- Follow the Shyok river as the road climbs and then descends into Shyok village.
- Reach Pangong Lake in the afternoon and spend the day beside the water.
- Dinner and overnight stay in cottages or camps at Pangong Lake.
08
Day 8
Pangong Lake to Leh over Chang La
- Enjoy an early morning photo session around the lake.
- After breakfast check out and drive back to Leh over Chang La pass, arriving by noon.
- The rest of the day is free to relax or shop in Leh.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.
09
Day 9
Leh Departure
- After breakfast check out of your hotel in Leh.
- Transfer to Leh airport for your return journey with sweet memories of Ladakh.
INCLUSIONS
- 01 night accommodation in Srinagar
- 01 night accommodation in Kargil
- 03 nights accommodation in Leh
- 02 nights accommodation in Nubra Valley
- 01 night accommodation in Pangong Lake
- Welcome drink on arrival at the hotels, non alcoholic
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Inner line permit, wildlife fee and Red Cross fee
- Nubra and Pangong sightseeing
- Turtuk day trip as per the itinerary
- All transfers and sightseeing by private non air conditioned vehicle
- Pick up and drop at Leh airport as per the itinerary
- All toll tax, parking charges, driver bata and fuel
- All applicable taxes
EXCLUSIONS
- Air fare
- GST
- Lunch
- Room heater, camel ride and tour guide
- Monastery entry tickets, gardens and parks
- Oxygen cylinder
- Tips to waiters, airport porters, drivers or any other person
- Additional sightseeing or extra use of the vehicle beyond the itinerary
- Any cost arising from natural calamities such as landslides, road blockages or strikes, payable on the spot
- Any meals not listed in the inclusions
- Personal expenses such as laundry, porterage, telephone calls, tips and gratuity
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Acclimatisation: Leh sits at roughly 3,500 metres. The first day is deliberately kept light so your body can adjust before the high passes.
- Permits and ID: carry a valid photo ID. Aadhaar, passport or voter card are accepted, and foreign nationals must carry a passport with a valid visa.
- Mobile network: only postpaid connections work in Ladakh, and coverage disappears in Nubra Valley and around Pangong Lake. Tell family in advance.
- Cash: Leh has only a handful of ATMs and they run dry, so carry enough cash for the trip.
- What to pack: light woollens even in summer, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap. Temperatures can drop to 5°C at night.
- Health: carry basic medication and speak to your doctor about altitude tablets before travelling. Anyone with asthma or a heart condition should seek medical advice first.
- Local customs: Ladakh is home to Buddhist and Muslim communities. Ask before photographing people and avoid flash photography inside monasteries.
