KASHMIR-LADAKH OVERLAND TOUR

After breakfast leave for Kargil, driving through the picturesque Sindh Valley and   Sonamarg   , thence crossing the   Zojila   pass   (11,500-ft. / 3,505 mtrs), the watershed axis between alpine Kashmir & the desert landscape of Ladakh.   Drass,   the first town over the pass is famous as the 2nd coldest inhabited place in the world and seat of the famous Kargil War Memorial , which you may like to visit & explore. About an hour's drive down the valley from Drass is   Kargil , 2nd largest town of Ladakh and headquarters of Kargil district. Overnight at Kargil.

After breakfast leave for Leh, en-route stopping briefly at Mulbek to view the 9-Mtrs. tall rock sculpture of   Maitreya   Buddha (7th - 8th century AD). Driving on towards Leh, crossing the   Fotula & Namika La   passes en-route, stop briefly at Lamayuru to view and admire the dramatic setting of the Lamayuru monastery   with the adjoining ‘ Moonland   ” hills forming its backdrop. Driving further on along the Indus toward Leh, en-route visit   Sanagm   (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers),   Magnetic Point ,   Pathar Sahib Gurudwara& Hall of Fame   (museum of military heritage). Reach Leh in the late afternoon / evening. Overnight at Leh.

In Leh: Visit Monasteries & Palaces / Shanti Stupa & City Centre

After breakfast, proceed to explore the Indus Valley cultural & historical attractions, starting from the dramatically located   Thiksey   M onastery,   a major Gelukpa foundation dating from the 16th century.. On the way back from Thiksey, you may walk up the hill at Shey to visit the   Shey Palace, oldest royal residence of Ladakh's ruling dynasty ,  where the main attractions are the two gigantic copper - gilt Buddha statues installed during the mid - 17th century. Thereafter, drive to visit the   Druk Padma Karpo School at Shey, which became famous as the Rancho School in the popular Hindi film ‘ Three Idiots' .

In the afternoon, drive to visit the Shanti Stupa , a prominent landmark located on a great vantage point overlooking Leh town & the valley beyond. Thereafter, proceed to explore the 9-storied Leh Palace, dating from the 1600 AD, a historic landmark of the region, which renders a unique heritage character to Leh town. Wind up the day's trip with a walking tour of the city centre and exploring its main markets. Overnight at Leh.

After early breakfast leave for Nubra Valley , driving across Khardong-la , highest motorable pass in the world. Nubra Valley lies between the Ladakh & Karakoram Ranges at an average altitude of 10,000 ft. Till closure of the trans-Karakoram trade route by the Chinese in 1949, Nubra Valley was a busy trade corridor on the Central Asian trade route network.

Reach Deskit ( headquarters of Nubra valley) in the afternoon and visit the gigantic image of Maitreya Buddha (32 mtrs ) seated out on a hillock which was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2010, Thereafter drive on to Hunder & check-in at your accommodation. Later, proceed to explore the white Sand Dunes where you can also take a short camel Safari on the double-humped Bactrian camel found here ( optional - direct payment ).
Overnight at Nubra

After early breakfast, proceed toward Deskit and drive up the hillside to visit the 15 th century Deskit Monastery located dramatically on a rock promontory overlooking the Nubra valley. Thereafter drive upstream along Shyok valley & follow the Shyok – Durbuk Road amidst spectacular mountain sceneries to approach Pangong Lake. The road passes through the pretty villages of Aghyam, Shyok & Durbuk en-route to Pangong (alt: 14,500 ft.), the largest brackish water lake of Asia, which is about 4-5 kms wide and about 135 kms long, of which about two-third lies on the other side of the Indo-China border . Overnight at Pangong

After breakfast, leave Pangong Lake and follow the road to Leh via Chang-la pass ( alt: 17, 370 ft.), 3 rd highest motorable pass in the world. Upon reaching Karu, take a short trip across the Indus to visit the 17 th century Hemis Monastery , biggest monastery and principal centre of the Drukpa-Kargyut monastic order in the Ladakh region. A museum set up recently in the complex displays some of the rare art treasure collected through the centuries and is well worth exploring. Later drive on to Leh, reaching in the evening. Overnight at Leh.

Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight back home.