The desert plateau of Ladakh, despite its high altitude and cold weather conditions, has a high tourist significance. Some of the extremes of the country like the largest high altitude lake and the coldest inhabited place are all located here. On this tour, which stretches for 8 days, you get to visit and explore them all. Begin the venture from Srinagar – the state capital of Jammu and Kashmir – and travel towards Kargil. On the way, explore the spellbinding valley of Sonamarg, and stop at Zojila – a high mountain pass. Thereafter, see the War Memorial in the coldest place of the country – Dras. Post an overnight stay in Kargil, move on to the Padum village and see a gigantic carving of Lord Buddha, hewn into a rock, in Karsekar.

While sightseeing around Padum, visit the Buddhist monasteries or gompas of Karsha, Stongdey and Sani. Later, make your way back to Kargil after an overnight stay in Rangdum. On the way to Leh, visit the village of Dha, famous for being home to the descendants of those, who came to the country with Alexander, the Great. The next morning, head towards Tso Moriri, and enjoy camping on the shores of this picturesque and tranquil lake. En route Leh, pass through some scenic sites, such as the Tso Kar lake, Tanglang La mountain pass and the sulphur mines of Puga. Bring your trip full circle by boarding your onward flight from Leh, and flying over mountains.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Srinagar to Kargil | En route Sightseeing
Relish breakfast at your lodging, and then leave for Kargil, deep inside the Ladakh Plateau. On the way, make a halt at the bewitching valley of Sonamarg, located about 9000 feet above sea level. See gentle slopes, covered with lush grass, and with dark green fir trees visible throughout. Also, click photos of snow-covered mountains in the backdrop before continuing the journey further.

Further on the drive, stop at Zojila – a mountain pass at an altitude of around 11575 feet. Beyond the pass, the lush mountains of the Himalayas will change into the barren and rugged slopes of the Ladakh Range.

Thereafter, stop in Dras – the coldest place in the country – where temperatures regularly plummet below -40 degree Celsius in winters. Here, visit the War Memorial to learn in detail about the 1999 Kargil War. The museum displays photos of solders, showing them marching and cooking on the mountains, and some weapons confiscated from the intruders. Post remembering the martyrs here, continue the venture and on reaching Kargil, travel to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Kargil to Padum
In the early hours of the day, begin a road journey to the village of Padum. En route, stop in the village of Karsekar to see an enormous rock carving of Lord Buddha, made somewhere in the 10th century. Thereafter, resume the journey and on reaching Padum, enjoy an overnight stay at your lodging.

Day 03: Sightseeing around Padum | Padum to Rangdum
Have your breakfast and set out to explore the gompas or monasteries of Stongdey, Sani and Karsha. Stongdey gompa has several small stupas, and the temples in the complex have paintings of many angry deities. As it is positioned atop a cliff, you will be able to look far and wide into the Zanskar Valley from here.

Sani Monastery has a stupa, housing a veiled idol of Naropa – a famous Indian Buddhist scholar. Apart from it, the main assembly hall of the site has statues of numerous deities and monks, and intricate wall paintings. Karsha gompa houses several temples and stupas, painted scrolls, called thangkas, and relics of some monks. Relish lunch, and later travel to the village of Rangdum for an overnight stay.

Day 04: Rangdum to Kargil
Have a filling breakfast and thereafter leave for Kargil. On reaching the town, transfer to your lodging and rest.

Day 05: Kargil – Dha – Leh
After breakfast, journey to Leh and en route, explore the village of Dha, where the descendants of Alexander, the Great supposedly live. On reaching Leh, transfer to your lodging an overnight stay.

Day 06: Leh to Tso Moriri | Tso Moriri to Korzok
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and then head to the pristine lake of Tso Moriri. On the way, pass the town of Chumathang, which is known for its natural sulphur hot springs. On reaching the lake, explore the area and take as many photos as you like. It is at a height of around 15000 feet above sea level, and it is fed by several mountain rivers. The area around it is home to animals like black-necked cranes, bharals, Tibetan sheep, snow leopards and Tibetan wolves. After enjoying your time here, travel to the village of Korzok for an overnight stay.

Day 07: Tso Moriri to Leh via Tso Kar, Tanglang La and Puga
After breakfast leave for Leh, travelling past the lake of Tso Kar, the mountain pass of Tanglang La and the geothermal field of Puga. On arrival in Leh, travel to your lodging and rest.

Day 08: Departure from Leh
Check-out from your lodging, and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.