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Holiday Overview

Pangong Lake (Nivalink Trip Dated - 15 July 2010)
Pangong Lake (Nivalink Trip Dated - 15 July 2010)
Pangong Views - Photos Courtesy Milind Kshirsagar (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 August 2013)
Enroute Pangong - Photos Courtesy Milind Kshirsagar (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 August 2013)
Chang La Top - Photos Courtesy Milind Kshirsagar (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 August 2013)
Enroute to Basgo - Photos Courtesy Milind Kshirsagar
View of Leh from Shanti Stupa - Photos Courtesy Milind Kshirsagar
View from Thiksey - Photos Courtesy Milind Kshirsagar
Nagin Lake Views
Zanskar Indus Confluence (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
River views enroute Sonamarg
Riverside Sonamarg in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
Thajwas Glacier in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
River views enroute Sonamarg
Riverside Sonamarg in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
Thajwas Glacier in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
Riverside Sonamarg in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
Thajwas Glacier in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)
Thajwas Glacier in Summer (Nivalink Trip Dated - 30 July 2014)

Best of Ladakh via Kargil takes you through the rugged region of Ladakh exploring high mountain passes, remote villages, ancient monasteries, and superb countryside. Here you arrive at Srinagar (Kashmir), pass the Zojilla pass and drive to Leh via Kargil. Best of Ladakh via Kargil is for those looking for adventurous drives and an experiential holiday in high Himalayas.

Highlights
  • Sonamarg (8500 ft asl) - Thajiwas Glacier
  • Sonamarg - Leh Route - Kargil War Memorial, Mulbekh Buddhas, Lamayuru Monasteries
  • Leh (11500 ft asl) - Shanti Stupa, Shey / Thiksey / Hemis Monasteries, War Memorial
  • Nubra Valley (10000 ft asl) - High Altitude Desert (Bactrian Camel Ride), Diskit Monastery, Hot springs
  • Uley (10000 ft asl) - White Water Rafting, Lamayuru Monastery (Excursion), Alchi Monastery
  • Pangong Lake (15000 ft asl) -High Altitude Lake, Chang La Pass (Enroute)
Route

Sonamarg(1) - Uley(2) - Nubra Valley(2) - Pangong Lake(1) - Leh(2)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrive at Srinagar and travel to Sonamarg
  • Day-2 Travel to Uley via Zojila Pass, Kargil war memorial and Lamayuru
  • Day-3 Activities and Exploration around Uley
  • Day-4 Travel to Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass
  • Day-5 Turtuk Exploration and Diskit Monastery visit
  • Day-6 Travel to Pangong Lake via Durbuk
  • Day-7 Return to Leh
  • Day-8 Leh Exploration
  • Day-9 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Leh - Hall of Fame Museum (4.00 kms), Shanti Stupa (5.00 kms), Kali Mata Temple (5.00 kms), Sindhu Bank (10.00 kms), White Water Rafting in Zanskar (12.00 kms), Shey Monastery (15.00 kms), Thiksey Monastery (19.00 kms), Gurdwara Pathar Sahib (25.00 kms), Khardungla Pass (39.00 kms), Hemis Monastery (45.00 kms), Alchi Monastery (70.00 kms), Lamayuru Monastery (109.00 kms), Pangong Lake (128.00 kms)

Nubra Valley - Double Humped Camel Ride (5.00 kms), Diskit Monastery (14.00 kms), Turtuk Village (80.00 kms)

Pangong Lake - Pangong Lake (0.50 kms)

Sonamarg - Thajwas Glacier (5.00 kms)

Uley - Alchi Monastery (39.00 kms), Lamayuru Monastery (87.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Srinagar Departure - Leh
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

Given additional night, can also visit Tso Moriri lake between Pangong and Leh

Distances
  • Srinagar to Sonamarg -85 kms (3 hrs)
  • Sonamarg to Uley -280 kms (8 hrs)
  • Uley to Nubra Valley -178 kms (7 hrs)
  • Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake -170 kms (6 hrs)
  • Pangong Lake to Leh -150 kms (5 hrs)
Route

Srinagar - Sonamarg(1) - Uley(2) - Nubra Valley(2) - Pangong Lake(1) - Leh(2)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrive at Srinagar and travel to Sonamarg Arrive at Srinagar Airport and travel to Sonamarg (85 kms - 2.5 hours), a transit point on the Srinagar - Leh route overlooking the massive Thajiwas Glacier. Time permitting, take a short trek or pony ride to the glacier.

Day-2 Travel to Uley via Zojila Pass, Kargil war memorial and Lamayuru Today you depart early to cross the Zojila Pass, one of the ultimate mountain passes in India. Upon crossing the pass travel further on Srinagar - Leh to visit Kargil War Memorial at Drass, ultimate tribute to the heroes of Kargil war. After spending some time at the memorial proceed to Kargil and reach there for Lunch. Thereafter you proceed further towards Lamayuru Monastery via Mulbekh Buddhas. After spending some time at the Lamayuru (one of the ancient and most significant monasteries in Ladakh) travel further to reach Uleytopko by evening. Uleytopko is the Orchard region of Ladakh renowned for its resort like character.

Day-3 Activities and Exploration around Uley Today you explore activities in an around Uley (such as Cycling, Walking, river rafting). Alternatively may explore around to visit Magneting hill, Alchi monastery and Indus-Zanskar confluence

Day-4 Travel to Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass Today you drive to Nubra Valley (Known as the Valley of Flowers and the warmest region in Ladakh) via Khardungla pass (One of the highest motorable passes in the world). Enroute, admire the spectacular views of the never ending snow-capped mountain ranges. After spending some time at Khardungla and North Pullu (Riverside), proceed to Nubra (210 kms from Uley – 6 hours). You arrive by afternoon and later in the evening proceed to Hunder, the high-altitude desert area for a Camel ride.

Day-5 Turtuk Exploration and Diskit Monastery visit  Today you undertake excursion to Turtuk (100 kms one way), a village on the Indo-Pak border having its unique ethnic character and stunning views enroute. Visit Diskit Monastery in return. Set on the hilltop, Diskit offers spectacular views of the Nubra Valley and is best visited in evenings around Sunset time.

Day-6 Travel to Pangong Lake via Durbuk Today you travel to Pangong Lake (15000 ft asl - 180 kms from Leh - 7 hours) via Durbuk. Pangong Lake is a saltwater lake renowned for its stunning views and for being featured in the climax sequence of the Super hit Bollywood movie "Three Idiots". You will reach by late afternoon and rest of the day for you to explore the windy lakeside character of Pangong. You may visit the exact location of the famous movie “Three idiots” & enjoy outing along the banks of the lake. On a clear sunny day, you can see seven colour formations in the lake

Day-7 Return to Leh Today you drive back to Leh via Chang La Pass. Enroute you may visit Hemis and Thiksey Monastery, two ancient monasteries in Leh.

Day-8 Leh Exploration Today you enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then visit Hall of fame museum and Pathar Sahib Gurdwara. Thereafter return to Leh market for some exploration for Souvenir Shopping. You may also enjoy some local style dining / Pizzas / Continental cuisine. In the evening you may visit Shanti Stupa in outskirts of Leh for stunning Views

Day-9 Departure  Today you depart from Leh for onward destination.

Detailed Sightseeing

Leh :

  • Hall of Fame Museum - Hall of Fame Leh is a museum constructed and maintained by the Indian army in memory of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Indo-Pak wars

  • Shanti Stupa - Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist stupa on a hilltop near Leh built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. The stupa has become a tourist attraction not only due to its religious significance but also due to its location which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

  • Kali Mata Temple - Kali Mata temple is a locally popular temple near Leh Airport dedicated to Goddess Kali.

  • Sindhu Bank - Sindhu Ghat is situated at 10 km up stream the Indus River from Leh near the Shey monastery. It is a peaceful river bank offering excellent views of the area around.

  • White Water Rafting in Zanskar - White Water Rafting starts in July-August season from Phey at 12 kms from Leh and ends at Nimo which is 36 kms from Leh. This is mostly of Grade II or III easy rapids and one can experience amazing natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, villages and monasteries.

  • Shey Monastery - The Shey Monastery and the Shey Palace complex are located 15 kilometres south of Leh on the Leh-Manali road. Shey was the summer capital of Ladakh in the past

  • Thiksey Monastery - Thikse Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Hat sect at 19 kms and is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest gompa in central Ladakh. The monastery is located at an altitude of 11,800 ft asl and is a 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords.

  • Gurdwara Pathar Sahib - Gurdwara Pathar Sahib was constructed in 1517 to commemorate the visit to the Ladakh region of Guru Nanak Dev in the region. Gurdwara is located at about 25 kms from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil road, 12000 ft above sea level.

  • Khardungla Pass - Khardung La (17582 ft asl) is one of the worlds highest motorable passes at 39 kms from Leh. Khardung La offers spectacular views and is kind of must visit for any traveller to Leh.

  • Hemis Monastery - Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage, located at 45 kms from Ladakh. The monastery existed before 11th century and was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June.

  • Alchi Monastery - At 70 kms from Leh, Alchi Choskor(10000 - 11000 ft) is situated on the banks of Indus River. It is the Jewel among Ladakhs monasteries. The main attraction here is the Alchi Gompa, a Buddhist worshipping place and study center, with an estimated 1000 years old

  • Lamayuru Monastery - Lamayuru is one of the largest and oldest gompas in Ladakh and visited enroute on the Leh - Srinagar route. It has a population of around 150 permanent monks resident.

  • Pangong Lake - Pangong Lake is an high altitude lake visited ex-Leh (128 kms). The lake is 134 kms long and max 5 km wide. Pangong drive from Leh is most spectacular via Changla pass and staying overnight at Pangong Lake is nothing short of an experience. Pangong area is also renowned for bird watching as its a nesting grounds for migratory birds like Bar headed Geese and being considered for a Ramsar site.

Nubra Valley :

  • Double Humped Camel Ride - Nubra Valley (120 kms from Leh) is known for being the high altitude desert area and home to double humped camels. A camel ride here is popular with tourists.

  • Diskit Monastery - Diskit Monastery is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley region of Ladakh. Lachung Temple and Hundur Monastery are also located nearby.

  • Turtuk Village - Turtuk Village is a popular excursion for travellers to Nubra Valley. Set at 80 kms from Hunder, The village was part of Pakistan until 1971, when the Indian army occupied the village during a border war along the Line of Control and is the only village in Indian control that has Gilgit - Baltistan ethnicity population.

Pangong Lake :

  • Pangong Lake - Pangong Lake is an high altitude lake visited ex-Leh (128 kms). The lake is 134 kms long and max 5 km wide. Pangong drive from Leh is most spectacular via Changla pass and staying overnight at Pangong Lake is nothing short of an experience. Pangong area is also renowned for bird watching as its a nesting grounds for migratory birds like Bar headed Geese and being considered for a Ramsar site.

Sonamarg :

  • Thajwas Glacier - Thajiwas is a major attraction during the summer months where guests can enjoy snow experience. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier.

Uley :

  • Alchi Monastery - At 70 kms from Leh, Alchi Choskor(10000 - 11000 ft) is situated on the banks of Indus River. It is the Jewel among Ladakhs monasteries. The main attraction here is the Alchi Gompa, a Buddhist worshipping place and study center, with an estimated 1000 years old

  • Lamayuru Monastery - Lamayuru is one of the largest and oldest gompas in Ladakh and visited enroute on the Leh - Srinagar route. It has a population of around 150 permanent monks resident.

Destination Overview

Srinagar - Srinagar is the summer capital city of Kashmir. Srinagar is a city famous for its lake experience. Houseboats, Shikaras and Mughal gardens, Handicraft shops all combine to give a unique holiday experience.

Sonamarg - Sonamarg (85 km from Srinagar) is the last major town before Ladakh and has one of the closest and best Himalayan views found at any destination in India.

Uley - Uley (or Uleytopko) lies on the Leh - Srinagar highway at about 70 kms from Leh near Alchi Monastery.

Nubra Valley - Nubra Valley (120 kms from Leh) is known for being the high altitude desert area having sand dunes and the double humped camels.

Pangong Lake - Pangong Lake (160 kms from Leh) is situated at about 14,200 feet and is the world’s highest saltwater lake.

Leh - Leh lies at altitude of 10500 ft and the region basically is a high altitude desert and home to ancient monasteries, offers some extreme weather and exceptional views.

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageSrinagar
Prefered Departure : No ImageLeh
Distances
  • Srinagar to Sonamarg -85 kms (3 hrs)
  • Sonamarg to Uley -280 kms (8 hrs)
  • Uley to Nubra Valley -178 kms (7 hrs)
  • Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake -170 kms (6 hrs)
  • Pangong Lake to Leh -150 kms (5 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

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Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email lh-06@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Best of Ladakh via Kargil.

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Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Ladakh Experience

Ladakh (9000 - 17000 ft asl) is home to a number of high altitude monasteries. Guests typically more

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Srinagar to Sonamarg -85 kms (3 hrs)
  • Sonamarg to Uley -280 kms (8 hrs)
  • Uley to Nubra Valley -178 kms (7 hrs)
  • Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake -170 kms (6 hrs)
  • Pangong Lake to Leh -150 kms (5 hrs)

Expert Speak

Best of Ladakh via Kargil is the most recommended itinerary for first time travellers to Ladakh. Travelling from Srinagar avoids having to spend a day acclimatising and minimises chances of High altitude Sickness.

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

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