Group size

min. 2 persons

Delhi - Leh (flight)

On arrival at Leh airport you will be received and transferred to the hotel. Complete rest for acclimatization. O/N Guesthouse in Leh. 

Leh

Leisure day for acclimatization, in the afternoon explore Leh with some small activities. O/N Guesthouse in Leh. 

Leh: full day local sightseeing

Day tour to some of the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh. After breakfast drive to Stok and visit the Stok Palace Museum. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Indus valley and Ladakh mountain range of snow-capped peaks. Later head on to visit Shey and its 2-story high statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni, the explore Thiksey which resembles the Potala Palace in Tibet. After lunch proceed to Hemis, the Hidden Monastery of Ladakh and of its biggest and richest Gonpas, admire the huge statues of Guru Padmasambhava and Buddha Sakyamuni. Visit also the museum with its large collection of rich and beautiful ancient items. Later drive back to Leh. O/N Guesthouse in Leh. 

Leh: rafting on the Indus river

A thrilling day on the currents of the Indus. After an early breakfast drive to Phey, the starting point of the rafting trip. When ready and equipped with the full safety gear, slowly proceed downstream through the narrow gorge of the Indus. Enjoy a variety of landscapes and mountain patterns. The trip takes 2 hours until the village of Nyemo at the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers. Have lunch and chill out before driving back to Leh. Evening enjoy a Ladakhi Cultural Show. O/N Guesthouse in Leh.  

Leh - Nubra Valley (by surface, 5 hours)

The road journey to Nubra Valley passes over the Khardong-La (5'602m, 18'380ft), the highest motorable road in the world. From the top, enjoy an amazing view of the entire Indus Valley and the surrounding peaks of the Zanskar range to the South, and the giants of the Saser Kangri of the Karakoram range to the North. The Nubra Valley is popularly knows as the valley of flowers, and is situated between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of this valley is 3'48m (10'000ft). The Shayok and Saichen rivers drain Nubra. The villages look pretty with greenery, willow and poplar trees. Nubra Valley was one of the trade centers with the ancient famous Silk Road passing through this area. Stop for a picnic lunch at Khardong village. After lunch proceed to Khalsar and Shyok Valley. Continue along the Nubra river and arrive in the afternoon at the village of Tigar (Kyagar). In the evening visit the Samstanling Gonpa in Sumur. O/N camp. 

Nubra Valley: Deskit - Hundar - Panamik (4 hours)

After breakfast drive to Deskit and visit its famous 515-year old Buddhist monastery lying magnificently on a hilltop facing the entire valley. Proceed towars Hundar. On the way see the sand dunes on the right side of the road and the characteristical ladakhi landscape of rocky mountains and snow-capped peaks. At Hundar, take the opportunity to ride on a endangered Bacterian double humped amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert. Drive back on the same road towards Sumur and arrive at Panamik and its hotsprings. O/N camp.

Nubra - Leh (by surface, 5 hours)

After breakfast drive back to Leh over the Khardong-La. Afteroon in Leh for rest and leisure. O/N Guesthouse in Leh. 

Early morning drive on the Leh-Upshi road upstream along the Indus river. From Karu head upwards through the Sakti valley and have an amazing sight at the Chemrey Gonpa rising majestically on a hill. While the base of the valley is dotted with green cultivated fields and houses in typical Ladakhi architecture, the pass road winds up in a number of hairpin bends. Cross the Chang-La (5'320m, 17454ft), world's third highest motorable pass. Arrive at Pangong Tso, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, one third being in India and two-thirds in Tibet with most feeding stream coming from Tibet. Enjoy the serene ambience and a stunning view of the crystal clear water, the desert and mountains in the back ground. You may observe one of the few birds at this high altitude, the Black Necked Heron. Later drive back to Leh. O/N Guesthouse in Leh. 

Leh - Wakha Nunnery (25Km before Kargil, by surface, 218Km, 8 hours)

After breakfast drive on the Leh-Srinagar highway. On the way visit the famous Alchi monastery, a world heritage dating back to the 10th century. Ahead also visit the Lamayuru monastery standing tall on a hill surrounded by the legendary moon-land. Proceed to Wakha Nunnery. O/N at Wakha nunnery approx. 25Km before Kargil.  

Wakha Nunnery - Srinagar (by surface, 207Km, 7 hours)

Early morning drive towards Srinagar crossing Dras, the second coldest place in the world, and the Zozila pass which remains covered in snow throughout most of the year. Descend along the alpine forests into Srinagar. O/N houseboat in Srinagar. 

Srinagar: full day sighseeing

Visit the famous Nishat & Shalimar Mughal gardens, the Shankaracharya Temple on the hilltop and take a Shikara ride on the Dal Lake. Explore the bustling Kashmir market and the best Mughal cuisine. O/N houseboat. 

Srinagar - Gulmarg - Srinagar (by surface, 80Km, 3-4 hours)

Drive to one of the prime hill resorts in the country: beautiful Gulmarg with its sight of grassy slopes and emblazoned wild flowers. Gulmarg has the world's highest green golf course at 2'650m (8'694ft) and is the country's prime ski resort. The road to Gulmarg is enchanted by avenues of poplar trees and flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. After Tangmarg the climb to Gulmarg continues through fir-covered hillsides. Enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-covered mountains almost within touching distance. Drive back to Srinagar. O/N houseboat. 

Srinagar - Delhi (by flight)

Transfer to Srinagar airport for flight back to Dehli.