BEST OF LADAKH

On your arrival at Srinagar Airport you’ll be received by our executive and transfer to your hotel or Houseboat as per your booking. Check-in and unwind cool summer breeze, alpine scenery and romantic houseboats which make you feel a true Kashmir experience. Later we will go for the following sightseeing’s.

Dal Lake is one of the famous lakes of Kashmir & was a popular destination for Hindi movies. The shore line of the Lake is about 18kms and is known for romantic houseboats. You can enjoy the Shikara ride (own expense) at Dal Lake for a calm and soothing experience; you could avail the ride on a direct payment basis.

Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal Garden & is the second Largest garden in the Kashmir Valley. Located on the bank of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop

The Shalimar Bagh is also called the crown of Srinagar was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Noor Jahan, in 1619. It is liked through a channel to Dal Lake and it is the largest garden of Kashmir.

Later visit the handloom centre famous to produce Pashmina and Shahtoosh shawls and world-famous carpets. After a day of exploration, enjoy a comfortable stay at the hotel in Srinagar. Please note that entry tickets for monuments or any other sightseeing points are not included.

Then visit the Shankaracharya Temple, located on a hillock it renders beautiful panoramic views of the entire city and the famous Dal Lake and River Jhelum.

Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel or houseboat for your overnight stay.

Morning After breakfast leave for Kargil, by visiting Sonamarg, cross famous Zojila pass which is 10 km away from Sonamarg at and altitude 11,575 ft., Drass Village (2nd Coldest Inhabited place in the World), Enroute have a magnificent view of Kargil War Memorial & the famous peaks The Tiger Hill from Vijay war memorial hall site, reach Kargil by evening. Overnight stay at Kargil.

Sonamarg also known as Meadows of Gold. It is at 82Km from Srinagar takes about 2 hours to visit Thajiwas Glacier through horse ride. (Note: Vehicles outside of Sonamarg are not allowed for sightseeing and hence you must either hire a local taxi or take a horse ride. This cost is not included in the package).

Drass is a small town located adjacent to National highway 1D, it is the Gateway of Ladakh. It is the 2nd coldest inhabited place in the world. The Place is also known for 1999 Indo Pak war.

Kargil War Memorial, is a war memorial built by the Indian Army, located in Drass, in the foothills of Tiger Hill. It is located on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway 1D. The memorial is in the memory of the soldiers and officers of the Indian Army who lost their life in 1999 Indo Pak war. Kargil war Diwas is celebrated on 26July of every year.

Post breakfast we drive to Leh enroute visiting Mulbek – Giant Buddha on the Rock mountain and Lamayuru – where the oldest monastery of Ladakh is located. Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh’s most loved monastery. Further we drive Sangam – Confluence of The Indus and Zanskar River just after 4 from Nimmu and 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 and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib Nestled deep in the Himalayas, which was built by the Lamas of Leh in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev. Following this will be the Hall of fame museum maintained by the Indian army which tell you the detailed move of Indo Pak Kargil War of 1999.

Around 45 km east of Kargil town heading toward Leh, is the famous Chamba Statue in Mulbek village, a striking enormous figure carved into the rock face on the right-hand side of the road. It pictures a standing Maitreyan Buddha.

Alchi Monastery is a Buddhist monastery, known for its monastic complex of temples in Alchi village in the Leh District. It is located about 65Km away from Leh towards the Srinagar Leh Highway. It is located at the banks of Indus river and at an altitude of 10,170 feet. You can spin the wheels of fortune and make a wish happiness for everyone.

The Sangam is the confluence of the Indus and the Zanskar river which meet at this point. You can click some photos from the top to see the difference in the color of the water from each river. You may opt for rafting here at your own cost if not included already included in the package.

The Magnetic hill is located between Leh and Alchi on the Srinagar Leh Highway. It’s place where you can see the natural demonstration of gravity where the cars are pulled against the inclined road and appears to be rolling back a steep which we would call as an optical illusion. We suggest you carry a ball to see it by yourself.

Gurdwara Shri Pathar Sahib is situated on the Srinagar-Leh Road, 25kms before the Leh. It is very beautiful, and it was created after the famous incident occurred when the demon lived nearby planned to kill Guruji and throwed stone (Pathar) at him during his worship to almighty and the stone turned into a wax. This made the demon realize himself that almighty is the ultimate power.

Hall of fame gets closed by 6 PM evening and hence if not cover today then we will visit the place next day.
Upon arrival in Leh you will met by our representative and check in at our hotel for overnight stay

The morning is free after breakfast to get acclimatize to Leh altitude. Evening around 4:30 pm visit Shanti Stupa, Leh palace and local Market which offers the best things to buy from Leh town. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

The Shanthi Stupa as the name suggest it is dome-shaped building erected as a Buddhist shrine which is the “symbol of peace”. It is one of the forms of Peace Pagoda built in Ladakh. It is constructed at an altitude of approx. of 11800 ft (3608 mts), at 5 Km from the Leh town by a group of Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhist.

Leh Palace also referred as the ‘Lhachen Palkhar’ is a royal palace located in the picturesque Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh. It was designed in line with the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The palace is a nine-storied architecture and was built for the Royal Family of Ladakh. The view of the Leh town from Leh palace is amazing during the evening.

On this day you will be asked to provide a photocopy of Indian Government issued Photo ID Proof (Aadhar card preferred) or Passport copy for foreign nationals of all individuals to get the inner Line Permits (ILP). The cost for this is already included in the package and no need to pay anything additional for the same.

The day is to explore the north-eastern part of Leh – the Nubra Valley. It is located at about 150Kms and an altitude of about 10000 ft. To visit the Nubra valley one must cross the worlds highest motorable road – the Khardung La Pass and one can expect the valley in about 6-7Hrs of time.

The Khardung La Pass is at an altitude of at an altitude of 18,379 ft (5,602m) and so far, the world’s highest motorable world. One should be careful not to stay at this place for more than 30 mins and it may lead to Acute mountain sickness.

The Diskit is the capital of Nubra Valley and host the Diskit Monastery. The monastery is at the edge of the mountain and hence have amazing valley views from the top.

Leh is an ultimate cold desert of the Himalayas and this can be defined by the dunes. It is also the only place in India where one can find double humped camel. Enjoy your camel ride before we proceed further.

Any trip to any destination is incomplete unless one enjoys the local culture and with Explarience Tours and travels we always offer the cultural show as complimentary. The show is usually in the evenings and each session would last for about 30 mins with 5 variants of the songs.

Check in to your camps and enjoy a pleasant dinner & overnight stay.

Since Nubra valley is at lower altitude we suggest you enjoy your bon Fire at Nubra Valley.

After an early breakfast we check out from the Camp and drive to Hunder where you have opportunity to ride Quad bikes. We usually recommend this to do it in the morning as one can take nice videos and Photos during this time of the day.
After your quad bikes if we have missed any of the sightseeing in the previous day we will cover them up today and head to Leh for an overnight journey.

One can opt to few optional spots such as Sumur, Panamik or Turtuk Village.

The Sumur is a 45min drive from Diskit and is located the Samstanling Monastery. One can be here early in the morning to see the monks performing their morning prayers and if you are lucky then you may receive their blessings.

If you opt to visit Panamik then we suggest you to check out the camps early and take the morning bathe at the hot Sulphur springs of Panamik. It is also the last destination where tourist can access post which are located the Siachen Glaciers.

Turtuk is a small village located on the banks of the Shyok river and was a part of Pakistan till 1971 and is now the last outpost of India. Turtuk is one of the gateways to the Siachen Glacier

Early morning full day excursion to Pangong Lake 135 km / 4400m east of Leh crossing Changla Pass 17500ft and driving via Durbuk and Tangtse villages. On a normal day one can consider about 5 hrs. to reach the Lake. The following are the noticeable places to be sighted during this journey.

This is a small temple maintained by the great soldiers of India. It is believed that there existed a baba here and the temple is in maintained in memories.

The Chang La pass is at an altitude of 17,590 ft (5,360 m). It is claimed to be the world’s second highest motorable road in the world. This is the gateway of the Changthang Plateau situated in the Himalayas.

The Pangong Tso Lake means a “High Grassland Lake” located in the Changthang region of Ladakh. The lake is situated at an altitude of 14,270 ft (4,350m). It is the highest salt-water lake in the world and the view, so the lakes are amazing. It is believed the lake changes its color 4 – 5 times a day.

One can visit Shooting Point (3 Idiots movie shoot) and View point (panoramic view view of the lake) of the lake for some selfies before you check in at the camps for your overnight stay.

Wake up early in the morning to witness the mesmerizing beauty of Pangong Lake under the fresh morning rays. Post breakfast set off for a drive back Leh. You will reach Leh by the afternoon; you can spend the rest of the time in the local markets of the city.

Enroute the following are the places of interest.

The Druk White Lotus School of Leh is popularly know as 3 idiot school after the famous movie 3 Idiot was shoot here. The visitors can access the school only under the observation of the guide.

The Shey palace was built in 1655 on the hills of Shey village at an altitude of 11,204 ft (3415m). Shey village is located to the south of Leh. The Shey monastery was built within the palace complex on the instructions of Deldon Namgyal, in the memory of his late father, Singay Namgyal. Inside the Shey monastery reside the Shakyamuni Buddha.

The Thiksey monastery is largest monastery located in central Ladakh about 19Km away from Leh town and at 11,000 ft (3900m). it is also called as “Mini Potala”.

In the morning, enjoy your breakfast and start your road journey to Sarchu, driving past the scenic Puga Valley, Tsokar Lake- another picturesque lake in Ladakh, Skyangchu Thang – a plateau stretching to 42 km. Lunch at the town of Pang. Continue your journey to Sarchu by driving past Nakee La and Lachlung La. The journey would be for 8 hrs. and have few landmarks to be seen.

After crossing the villages as Kharu – Upshi & Rumtse you will find the first high altitude pass on this road, located at a height of 17,582 ft. This pass is the highest on Manali Leh highway and considered as second highest motorable pass in the world Although disputed.

Your third high altitude pass, located at a height of 15,547 ft. If you are lucky, you may even see some wildlife here.

Your third high altitude pass, located at a height of 15,547 ft. If you are lucky, you may even see some wildlife here. Getting down the pass you will cross a series of 21 hairpin bends. It is also reported to be a haunted site.

By evening reach your Camps for a dinner and overnight stay.

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. During this one can visit the following places.

Time to get a little taste of Supernatural. The ruins of Shaheed Sainik Bhawan at the top of Baralacha La are a haunted site.

Also known as Surya Taal, it is a small lake at the top of Baralacha La Pass. It is the source of the Bhaga River and presents a stunning view amidst the mighty hill tops all around. If luck favored you, you may find the lake completely frozen even in July.

This will be your second-high altitude pass on Manali Leh highway. Ironically, though Tanglang La is at a higher altitude, it is Baralacha La that remains covered with snow for a longer duration and receives way more snow than Tanglang La.

Right before Darcha and after the descent of Baralacha La, it is a very small lake but do not let the size deceive you. It may be smaller in size but a giant when it comes to natural beauty.

Jispa is a small town in the highway and is a place where one can enjoy their lunch. The only thing worth mentioning about Darcha is that it is the end or starting point of the famous Zanskar trek. There are a few chadar tents here if you would like to stay for the night.

Keylong is the administrative headquarter of Lahaul & Spiti Valley and the largest town on Manali Leh highway. It is also home to Khardung Monastery, the largest and most important monastery of Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

This is your last highest pass of the journey and most of the time you will find snow and traffic congestion. Beguiling landscapes consisting of fierce wind, chilling temperature, snowcapped peaks and lush green valley’s around is what Rohtang Pass is famous for.

By evening reach Manali, dinner and overnight stay in Manali.

Today, get all set for visiting the prime attractions of Manali. Visit Hidimba Devi Temple- an ancient temple around 450 years old that is dedicated to Hidimba Devi wide of one of the Pandava brothers Bhim, Jagatsukh- a small village that houses old Shikara-style temples and Vashisht Kund- hot water Sulphur springs. Later in the day explore the Tibetan Monastery and the handicraft center. Take a walk up to the old Vashisht village.

It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which was worshiped as an image of the deity.

Vashisht Kund is a 4000 years old temple located at the cliff of hill in Manali. ashistha village is extremely significant when it comes to the heritage Indian Hindu culture as one of the saptrishis rishi Vashistha stayed there for sometimes. There is a hot water spring known as Vashisht kund. According to legend the saddened Rishi Vashisht after knowing that his children were killed by Vishwamitra tried to commit suicide, but the river refused to kill him. The river was therefore named as Vipasha which means ‘ freedom from bondage.’ & now popularly known as Beas river.

Return back to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After your morning breakfast check out for the hotel and drop will be provided at the bus stand for your onward journey.