KASHMIR-LADAKH OVERLAND TOUR

After breakfast leave for Kargil, driving through Sonamarg and crossing the Zoji-la pass (11,500-ft. / 3,505 mtrs) en-route. Drass, the first town over the pass is famous as the 2 nd coldest inhabited place in the world. About an hour's drive down the valley from Drass is Kargil , 2 nd largest town of Ladakh and headquarters of Kargil district. Overnight at Kargil.

In the morning leave for Leh, en-route stopping briefly at Mulbek to view the 9-Mtrs. tall rock sculpture of Maitreya Buddha (7 th - 8 th century AD). Driving on towards Leh, stop at Lamayuru to view / visit the dramatically located Lamayuru monastery and the adjoining ' Moonland " hills. Driving further on along the Indus, visit Sanagm (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers), Magnetic Point , Pathar Sahib Gurudwara& Hall of Fame (museum of military heritage). Reach Leh in the evening. Overnight at Leh

After breakfast, proceed to explore the Indus Valley attractions starting from dramatically located Thiksey M onastery a major Gelukpa foundation dating from the 16 th century. Thereafter drive on to visit the 17 th century Hemis Monastery, biggest monastery and principal seat of the Drukpa-Kargyut monastic order in the Ladakh region. On the way back from Hemis, walk up the hill at Shey to visit the Shey Palace where the main attractions are the two gigantic copper-gilt Buddha statues installed during the mid - 17 th century. Thereafter, visit the Druk Padma School (Rancho School) at Shey, if interested.

Before returning to Leh, drive across the Indus to visit the Stok Palace (Circa 1825 AD), present residence of former royal family of Ladakh, and visit the palace museum displaying the priceless collections of art & artifact of the royal family. Overnight at Leh.

After early breakfast leave for Pangong Lake via Chang -la pass (alt: 17370 ft. / 5486 meters), 3 rd highest motorable pass in the world. Pangong Lake (alt: 14,500 ft.), largest brackish water lake of Asia, is4-5 kms wide and about 135 kms long of which about two-third portion lies on the other side of the Indo-China border . After sightseeing at the lake, return to Leh , reaching in the evening. O vernight at Leh.

After breakfast leave for Nubra Valley , driving across Khardong-la (alt: 18,380 ft.), highest motorable pass in the world. Nubra Valley lies between the Karakoram & Ladakh 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.

Reach Deskit / Hunder in the afternoon and explore the area and the white Sand Dunes where you can also take a short camel Safari on the double-humped Bactrian camel found here (optional service). Overnight at a deluxe camp or hotel

After breakfast, explore Deskit (headquarters of Nubra valley) and then drive up the hillside to visit the 15 th century Deskit Monastery dramatically located on a rock promontory overlooking the valley. Nearby, you can visit the gigantic image of Maitreya Buddha (32 mtrs) seated out on a hillock, installed in 2010. Later return to Leh via Khardongla, reaching in the afternoon. Overnight at Leh .

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