Explore Ladakh with Kashmir

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi

Overnight at Delhi at Sunstar Residency Hotel.

Day 2 : Delhi

Morning at leisure. Afternoon tour includes, the Presidential-Palace, Parliament House, India Gate, Qutab Minar Tower, Jantar Mantar, the fashionable Connaught Circus. Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Mahalaxmi Temple and Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi. Evening free.

Day 3 : Delhi to Leh

After breakfast flight to Leh. Leh is main centre of Ladakh, Leh is located in small valley just the north of Indus valley. Today is free for complete rest for proper acclimatization to the high altitude atmosphere.

Day 4 : Leh to Alchi

Leh to Lamayuru, Likir and Alchi and night halt at Alchi. Sightseeing Lamayuru, After exploring villages around the area, it comes as a surprise to find that Lamayuru is a cute little hamlet surrounded by rugged Hindukush peaks. The gompa completely overshadowes the landscape which happens to be the most famous and spectacular monastery in Ladakh. Alchi and Likir Monasteries, these two monasteries are located near Saspol on the Srinagar-Leh road. They house many gigantic clay statue of Buddha in various forms. The primary attraction of these monasteries is, however, their 1000-year old wall painting, which alone makes the visit a worthwhile experience.

Day 5 : Alchi to Leh

Local sightseeing, Leh to Lamayuru, Likir and Alchi and night halt at Alchi. Full day sightseeing Lamayuru. After exploring villages around the area, it comes as a surprise to find that Lamayuru is a scruffy little place. The gompa completely shadows and is the most famous spectacular monastery in Ladakh. Alchi and Likir Monasteries, these two monasteries are located near Saspal on the Srinagar-Leh road. They house many gigantic clay statue of Buddha in various forms. The primary attraction of these monasteries is, their 1000-year old wall painting which makes it a very rewarding experience.


Day 6 : Leh

Alchi to Leh, on the way back sightseeing of Rizong and Spituk. Rizong is about 4 miles along a steep, rocky track from the main road is the start of the area with the nunnery of Julochen and the gompa of Rizong. The gompa, belongs to the Gelukpa. Spituk Monastery, just before Leh on the Srinagar-Leh road on the hilltop overlooking the Indus, the Spituk monastery boasts not only of some prized tankha, but also a chamber with enormous statue of Kali, whose faces are unveiled once a year. The chamber contains an ancient collection of face masks too. It houses of 135 yellow capped monks.

Day 7: Leh to Kargil

Drive to Kargil. Sightseeing of Kargil, visit the Tete Sping and other interest places the Suru Valley which form the main stay of Kargil district. Lying nestled along the northeastern foothills of the Great Himalayan wall, it extends from Kargil town, first south ward for a length of about 45 miles up to the expanse around Panikhar, then eastward for another stretch of nearly 50 miles up to the foot of the Penzila watershed where the Suru River rises.

Day 8: Kargil

In Kargil for rest & relaxation.

Day 9: Kargil to Srinagar

Drive to Srinagar via Drass, which is noted for its heavy snowfalls and extreme cold. Drass 10,600 ft. west of Kargil on the road to Srinagar, are a small township lying in the centre of a valley of the same name. It has become famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world by virtue of the intense cold that descends upon the valley along with repeated snowfall during winter. Winter temperature is sometimes known to plummet to below freezing levels. During the spring and summer, however the valley around the township becomes very picturesque as the gently undulating hillsides turn into lush green pastures are splashed with a variety of fragrant wild flowers. Its inhabitants are mainly of Darad stock, an Aryan race believed to have originally migrated to the high valleys of the western Himalayas from the Central Asian steppes. They speak Shina which, unlike the Tibetan-originated Ladakhi dialects spoken elsewhere in Ladakh region, belong to the Indo-European linguistic family. Their ancestral sport, Horse Polo, which the Darads play with particular zeal, resembles our modern polo. After Zoji-la pass we'll drive thru Sonamarg, the gold valley, past winding roads into Srinagar and our abode of luxury houseboat.

Day 10: Srinagar

Icruise through Dal and Nagin Lakes float through a network of canals to the enchanted floating gardens of Nishat and Shalimar; built in the 16th C. by Moghul emperors. Lunch will be served onboard the Shikara (Gondola). Soak in the sun and swim or surf in the lake. This evening enjoy a Wazwan feast (Local multi course meal usually served on weddings or very special occasions). Witness walnut woodcarving and papier machie making demonstration. The temple of Shankaracharya is another important place to visit in Srinagar.

Day 11: Srinagar to Delhi

Morning free. Afternoon fly to Delhi, time free for last minute shopping for gifts and prepare for homeward bound departure.

Day 12: Depart Home

Tour Highlights

- City tour of Delhi.
- Visit villages near Hindukush peaks.
- Visit Gompa, Stupas & Monastries.
- Sightseeing of Kargil.
- Shikara ride on dal lake, Nagin Lakes.
- Witness walnut woodcarving and Papier machie making.
- Sightseeing of mughal gardens.
- Visit the temple of Shankaracharya.