This tour shows you the amazingly beautiful contrast between alpine valleys of Kashmir & highaltitude desolate arid mountainscape of Ladakh. With every changing day you will travel from the old colonial charm of Srinagar's houseboat life to the delightful backwaters of Dal lake. From the rich persian & Islamic heritage sights along river Jehlum in the down town to the cascading fairy land -- Mughal gardens rolling down the green hills. The highlight of this trip is a week long trek in the upper golden meadows and alpine lakes few of them glaciated in the backdrop of magnificent mountains. This trek is regarded as one of the best in Himalayas for the sheer wealth of its flora, fauna & fishing. Finally driving through Suru Valley of old carvan serai of Kargil to the 1000 years old monasteries at Lamayuru & Alchi. We conclude in Leh the capital city of Ladakh-" The Little Tibet", exploring its many monasteries and old valleys along the Indus River.
Duration: 16 Days (Trek 07 days)
Best Time : Mid June to Mid September.
Focus : Islamic & Buddhist culture, lakes, Rivers, Meadows, Mountains, Flora & Fauna, Mosques, Monasteries & Traditional People.
Area : Western Himalaya---Srinagar, Sonamarg, Gangabal, Kargil, Lamayuru & Leh.
Trek Grade : Moderate to strenuous (average walking time 06 hrs.)
Highest point : on Trek Razbal Gali (4191 m) , while safari drive Namikala (3718 m).
Day 1 : New Delhi
Arrive New Delhi and transfer to prebooked hotel. Early morning transfer to domestic airport for flight to Srinagar (Kashmir), departs at 10.45 hrs. Arrive Srinagar at 12.00 hrs, met upon arrival and with assistance transfer to your House Boat. Lunch at Houseboat. Late afternoon Shikara boat cruising to the back waters of Dal lake (2 hrs). o\n Houseboat.
Day 2 : Srinagar
Srinagar, Morning sightseeing of the Mughal gardens , visiting Nishat Bagh built by Asaf Khan, the brother -in- law of Mughal Emperor Jehangir in 1632 A.D., and Shalimar Bagh built by Jehangir for his wife empress Nur Jahan. All the gardens are situated on the banks of the Dal Lake with the Zabarwan hills in the background . Late Afternoon visit Shankaracharya temple dedicated to lord Shiva perched on the hilltop with lovely views of the valley & old city. O\n Houseboat.
Day 3 : Srinagar-Sonamarg (2720 m).
Full day excursion about 87 kms / 3 ½ to Sonamarg (the meadow of gold). The route goes through the villages of Ganderbal, Gund and Kalan en route to Sonamarg which is the last village in the Kashmir valley on the way to Ladakh. Sonamarg lies in Sindh Valley strewn with flowers and surrounded by mountains. Sonamarg is also the base for some interesting treks to high altitude Himalayan lakes. O\ n Tents.
Day 4 : Sonamarg-Nichinai (3620 m).
Half a kilometre past the Shitkari bridge the trail leaves the bank of the Sindh and climbs up the left side of the mountain. Nichinai is at 3620 meters, 910 meters above Sonamarg and on 15 kms distance from Sonamarg. Wood and water are on hand in the camp. O\n tents.
Day 5 : Nichinai---Vishansar (3680 m)----Krishansar (3819 m).
The 13 km trek starts by crossing the 4080 meters Nichinai chain then follows the river before crossing it at Hirampathri. Enroute you pass by Vishansar at 3680 meters and reach the camp at Krishansar at 3819 meters. There is a good site for camping with water available and trout fishing possibilities but the only wood is that sold by nomads at rather high prices. O\n tent.s.
Day 6 : Krishansar-Dubta pani
Cross the Razbal Gali at 4191 meters and follow the right bank of the river. The route descends to the Gadsar Lake at 3680 meters and crosses the river at Gadsar Maidan. There is no wood at Dubta Pani, there is possibilities to collect fuel on the final ascent to the camp at 3280 meters. O\n tents.
Day 7 : Dubta Pani-Gangabal Lake (3570 m).
The day's 17 km trek starts with an ascent to the Satsaran Gali pass at 3680 meters, it's only open from June to October. You have a fine view of the Satsar Lake at 3600 meters. The climb then follows to the 4081 metres Zajibal Gali pass, also open only from June to October. From here there is fine view of the Nund Kol Lake (3501 m). The camp site at Gangabal Lake (3570 m) has wood, water and trout fishing. The Lake, at the foot of Harmukh, is the site for a major pilgrimage each August. O\n tents.
Day 8 : Gangabal Lake
Enjoy the day with trout fishing . Visiting the Nomads with their floks of sheep & goats. o\n tents.
Day 9 : Gangabal Lake-Wangat (2050 m).
The 19 km trek descends 1500 metres to wangat at 2050 meters. About five kilometres from Wangat there are the interesting ruins of two old temples. O\n tents.
Day 10 : Wangat-Kargil
Drive Kargil about 07 hrs. Kargil (2650 m), is the headquarters of district Kargil. It was a transit for caravans on their way to and from China, Tibet Yarken and Kashmir till 1949, today it is a major stop over for the travellers to Srinager and Zanskar. O\n hotel D'zojila.
Day 11 : Kargil-Lamayuru-Alchi.
Drive Alchi about 160 km, overcrossing Namikala ( 3718 m) and Fotula (4094 m) . Enroute visit the huge rock cut statue of Lord Buddha at Mulbek, also visit Lamayuru monastery-known to be the oldest monestic establishment in Ladakh. Arrive Alchi and transfer to hotel. . O\n hotel Alchi Resort.
Day 12 : Alchi-Leh.
Morning visit Alchi Choskor (Religious Enclave)- famous for its architecture, woods carvings and frescoes. Evening stroll around the charming village of Alchi . Later drive to Leh (69 km/ 2 hrs.), en route visit Likir gompa & Museum.. Arrive Leh and transfer to hotel.. O/n hotel. Singge Palace.
Day 13 : Leh
Morning visit Stok Palace Museum and Tibetan refugge camp back to the Hotel for lunch. Late afternoon visit Leh Palace, Shankar Gompa and Shanti Stupa. Return to hotel via main bazaar. O\n Hotel.
Day 14 : Leh.
Explore Indus Valley, After breakfast proceed for a day excursion with packed lunch to visit Shey Palace, Thikse and Hemis monastery. Later drive back to Leh. O\ n hotel.
Day 15 : Leh-Delhi .
Morning transfer to domestic airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Hotel in the center. Afternoon old Delhi sightseeing. Late evening transfer to international airport.
Day 16 : Delhi-Europe fly, back to your home country.
| Cost for 02 to 03 Persons | USD 980 per person on twin sharing basis. |
| 04 to 05 Persons | USD 925 per person on twin sharing basis. |
| 06 to 09 Persons | USD 870 per person on twin sharing basis. |
| 10 to 15 Persons | USD 840 per person on twin sharing basis. |
One tour leader half free after 06 paying Pax.
One tour leader full free after 12 paying Pax.
Cost Includes :
» Domestic airfare Delhi \ Srinagar & Leh\ Delhi in economy class.
» Hotel accommodation at Delhi on Breakfast basis, rest of the places on full board including breakfast + lunch + dinner.
» Non aircon car \ coach for all overland journey including arrival\ dep., transfer and sighseeings.
» Entrance fees to the monuments and monasteries.
» English speaking local guide.
» Shikara rides, Ponnies for luggage on trek, trekking arrangements on full board with permit, tents, dining tent, kitchen tent, alpine stools & table.
» Airport assistance.
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