This classic adventure tour that combines two of our favourite Indian destinations of Ladakh and Kashmir. This amazing cultural journey takes you from the Buddhist world of ‘Little Tibet’ and across Ladakh to the fabled gardens of the Mughal kings at Srinagar. A wonderful mix of dramatic landscapes, cultural charm and interesting accommodation, this 11-day journey is perfect for travellers with a real sense of adventure.

The journey begins in Srinagar, which takes you by way of the impressive Lamayuru Monastery and the Koji Pass. Once in Srinagar you’ll enjoy the unique hospitality of a traditional Kashmir houseboat; with the option of taking time to tour the famous gardens, visit a local floating market or exploring nearby Gulmarg, once a favoured haunt of the British Raj and home to the world’s highest gondola.

In Leh, high in the Himalayas, where you will have a chance to enjoy the beautiful palaces and temples of this fascinating town before heading into the Nubra Valley. Only recently opened, this provides your gateway into the timeless world of the Tibetan Plateau, where you will have a chance to experience village life before taking the High Road on to Kashmir.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

Highlights

Explore Leh and the monasteries of the Nubra Valley
Drive across the Khardung La, the highest road in the world
Visit the spectacular Lamayuru Monastery in Kargil
Relax aboard a traditional Kashmir houseboat
Embark on a camel ride through the Nubra Valley
Experience rich Tibetan culture, history and lifestyle in "Little Tibet"

Day 1 :

Singapore-Delhi

Assemble at Changi Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival, our representative will meet you. Transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 02 :

Delhi - Srinagar (1730m) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to airport for a spectacular mountain flight to Srinagar. On arrival, transfer to deluxe boathouse anchored on the famous Dal Lake. Srinagar, the capital of the state in Jammu and Kashmir, is a crowded and colourful city. The water world of the Dal and Nagin Lake are amazingly clear and the houseboats have been a part of Kashmir’s aquatic culture for centuries. Late afternoon Shikara Ride on Dal Lake visiting the backwaters of the lake with its Floating Gardens, Lotus Garden and vegetable gardens.

Day 03 :

Srinagar-Gulmarg (2700m) - Srinagar (B/L/D)

After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Gulamarg (Meadow of Flowers) at height of 8800 feet above sea-level. Here you will witness the natural beauty of the surroundings of Kashmir set out like a Doll’s Villa’e. Gulmarg used to be a favorite hunt of the British in Summer and you will find old fashioned hotels and shops in the village. Gulmarg has the the highest 18 hole Golf Course in the world and has developed into a Ski Resort during Winter. Enjoy tour of Gondola Ride from 8800 ft to 10,200 ft 1st phase. Return to houseboat for lunch, visit Shankeracharya Shiva temple situated 1000ft above Srinagar city and commanding a magnificent view of town and some lakes around Srinagar later enjoy trip to Mughal gardens of Nishat (Garden of Pleasure) and Shalimar(Garden of Love) built by famous Mughal Emperors, also visit silk carpet weaving centre and other handicraft centers Look for pure pashmina while in Kashmir. Dinner and overnight stay at house boat Premium Deluxe Luxury Houseboats.

Day 04 :

Srinagar –Sonamarg (2,800m) (B/L/D)

Drive along the Sindh River to Sonamarg, en route stop at Kangan town, an interesting small town where mountain people from the surrounding valleys come down for trading. The meadows of Sonamarg have a spectacular beauty with the loveliest of Alpine flowers, lots of fir, pine and silver birch trees. After lunch, take a pony ride to Thajwas Glaciers.

Day 05 :

Sonamarg–Kargil (2,704m) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, drive to Kargil via Zojila Pass (3529m), a scenic drive all the way up to the Pass, after the crossing Zojila pass the landscape completely changes. Drive through Drass Town, the second coldest place in the world, enjoy some time exploring Kargil town and here you will see the people are different and these are of Dard Stock which are found in Baltistan region of western Himalayas. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.

Day 06 :

Kargil – Leh (3,256m) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we take a scenic mountain road to Leh (230km) via Namikala Pass (3,737m) and Potula Pass (4,294m), the highest point of Srinagar-Leh road. The drive to Leh is a spectacular drive with the scenery of Karakoram Range on the way. En route visit Mulbeck, Maitreya the future Buddha built about 1400 years ago on a huge rock. Next visit Lamayuru Monastery, the finest monastery of Ladakh, which is 900 years old and houses the image of Chandric (God of Compassion and Mercy). After lunch drive to Leh with a panaromic landscape. Check in to hotel. Dinner & overnight.

Day 07 :

Explore Leh (3,256m) (B/L/D)

Today is full day for exploring Leh and its surroundings. After breakfast visit various monasteries around Leh, Shanker Gompa, it is a monastery of yellow sect of the Buddhism, it houses the image of Chanaric and various tankas and visit Shanthi Stupa and also visit Leh palace and Leh bazaar and visit Tibetan Market. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 08 :

Explore Leh & Surroundings (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we leave for Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries. Shey is 15-km from Leh is set up on a hill, the monastery has two storey statue of the sitting Buddha wrought of copper and gold that leaves the sense breathless. Thikse, enroute to Hemis gompa provides a panoramic view of the green Indus valley. Thikse houses beautiful tankas, there are 60 resident lamas. Later visit Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh, which contains quite a few gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones. It has a super collections of tankas including the one which is supposed to be the largest tanka in existence and is exhibited once in every 11 years. Return in the late afternoon to Leh. Visit Ladakhi family in the afternoon. Dinner and Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 09 :

Leh/Pongong Lake (B/L/D)

After early breakfast, depart at 5:30am for Pongong Lake 140km one way, situated at 4,267m through Changla Pass (5490m), enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the villages below the pass, after crossing the pass halt for picnic lunch at Tsoltak, the summer pasture land of the yaks. Arrive Durbuk and from there a short drive takes you to the western shore of the lake. Enjoy the land scape in the back drop of the lake. A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometer at its widest point and over 130km long, it is bisected by the international border between India and China. The first view of the lake is breath taking because of striking colors of its water especially towards evening when it is deep blue. Return to Leh in the afternoon and enjoy some shopping in the bazaar for Tibetan artefacts. Overnight and dinner at hotel.

Day 10 :

Leh -Delhi (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for a short spectacular mountain flight to Delhi. Upon arrival check in hotel and later coach will be provided for a half day to explore Delhi and also time to do some shopping in Connaught circus area followed by a farewell dinner at North Indian Tandoori Restaurant or Chinese restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 :

Fly back to Singapore

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight back home.