On this trip in the mystical Ladakh region, visit some amazing and awe-inspiring tourist destinations. The journey starts from Srinagar, from where you travel to Kargil, passing through Zoji La, and visiting the Dras War Memorial and Sonamarg en route. The ensuing morning, drive towards the Sham Valley after paying small visits to Batalik, and Dha village. Once in the valley, visit attractions like Alchi Monastery or gompa, Magnetic Hill and Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. After exploring these, visit the Hall of Fame museum, and thereafter stay overnight in the city of Leh.

The next morning, travel to the breathtaking Nubra Valley through Khardung La, while enjoying magnificent views of nature. Surprising tourists, rides on the back of Bactrian camels on sand dunes along the Nubra River are also part of this trip. Thereafter, drive to Turtuk and Tyakshi, small villages that became part of India in 1971. Post spending the night in the valley, head to Leh, and passing through Khardung La. Driving on this mountain pass adds significantly to the charm of this trip, and camping near Pangong Tso gives an adventurous touch to it.

On the eighth day of the excursion, travel back to Leh, visiting the en route Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. The next destination to be visited as part of the tour is Nyoma village. Also, see the incredible hot springs in the town of Chumathang. On the tenth and eleventh days of the trip, see two of the most serene lakes in the region, namely Tso Moriri and Tso Kar, respectively. The overnight stay for the eleventh day will be in Sarchu. Situated in a valley, surrounded by mountains, it is an important stop for people travelling between Manali and Leh. Then, passing through the Baralacha and Rohtang passes, reach Manali where the journey officially ends.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Srinagar to Kargil
Post breakfast, leave for Kargil, and visit Sonamarg and Zoji La on the way. With its name, translating into the meadow of gold, Sonamarg is a popular hill station and base camp for many trekking expeditions. Zoji pass is an important link between the plateau of Ladakh and the valley of Kashmir. Also, stop in Dras, one of the coldest inhabited places on earth. Here, pay a visit to the Dras War Memorial, also known as Vijaypath. The site was built by the Indian Army in memory of the martyrs of the Kargil War. In the evening, reach Kargil to enjoy an overnight stay at your lodging.

Day 02: Kargil – Batalik – Dha – Sham Valley
After an early breakfast, drive towards Batalik, one of the most prominent scenes of battle during the 1999 Kargil War. Dha and Beema are some other destinations that you visit during the journey. Dha is a small village, considered to be the home of Brokpas – the descendants of the people of Alexander, the Great, whereas Beema is where the descendants of the Aryans reside. On arrival in the Sham Valley, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 03: Sham Valley to Leh
After breakfast, start driving towards Leh, and stop to visit Alchi Monastery on the way. The walls of the gompa feature breathtaking murals, depicting Buddhist symbols and Hindu kings, painted by Kashmiri artists. Thereafter, halt at Magnetic Hill, which appears to defy the laws of gravity, pulling vehicles up the slope towards itself.

Furthermore, travel to Gurdwara Pathar Sahib – built to celebrate the visit, which Guru Nanak Dev – the first Sikh religious leader – paid to Ladakh. With an interesting history and spiritual significance, this site is often frequented by the local people. Thereafter, explore the Hall of Fame museum, built and maintained by the Indian Army in honour of the soldiers, who lost their lives during the various Indo-Pak wars. The 2-storey establishment features a souvenir shop on the ground floor and confiscated weapons on the other. On reaching Leh, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 04: Leh to Nubra Valley
Post breakfast, drive to the Nubra valley crossing Khardung La. This pass is one of the highest motorable roads in the world, and a drive on it is quite an experience. On reaching the valley, ride on the backs of double-humped camels around Diskit town and Hunder village. After the experience, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 05: Hunder – Tyakshi – Hunder
Post breakfast, continue the venture, and drive to Turtuk. Around 200-km from Leh, this village was a part of Baltistan till 1971. The local people speak Baltistani, with some Ladakhi and English. Turtuk, along with some of its neighbouring villages, was opened for tourists only after 2010. Later, travel to Tyakshi, which is another village that India gained back from Pakistan in the 1971 war. After sightseeing, return to Hunder for an overnight stay.

Day 06: Nubra Valley to Leh
After breakfast, drive to Diskit Monastery, located in Diskit village. The gompa was founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, and it features an over 100-feet tall statue of Maitreya – the future Buddha. Driving back to Leh, pass through Khardung La, where you can enjoy the same mesmerising views of snow-capped mountain peaks as before. On reaching Leh, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 07: Leh – Pangong Tso – Man
Post breakfast, travel to the Pangong lake, and before reaching here, drive over Chang La, another high mountain pass in Ladakh. Situated at an altitude of over 14000 feet, Pangong Tso stretches from India to Tibet. The beauty and serenity of the lake are enchanting, and its brackish water appears to change colour during different times of the day. In the evening, take a walk around the lake, and then transfer to your camp in Man village for a peaceful sleep.

Day 08: Pangong Tso to Leh
Enjoy breakfast after watching a mesmerising sunrise over the realm, and later drive back to Leh. Stop at the en route Thiksey monastery and Shey Palace before reaching the destination. Because of its striking resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the gompa is often referred to as Mini Potala. The 12-storey building features an assembly hall and 10 temples, and it is home to around 120 monks. Shey Palace is the highlight of Shey – the former capital of Ladakh. Now mostly in ruins, the palace was constructed in the 17th century by King Deldan Namgyal. On reaching Leh, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 09: Leh to Nyoma
Post breakfast, travel to Nyoma, visiting Chumathang en route. Nyoma is a small town near the India-China border that features a small monastery on a hilltop, while Chumathang is known for its sulphur-laden hot springs. Later, enjoy a peaceful sleep at the homestay.

Day 10: Nyoma to Tso Moriri
Post breakfast, drive to Tso Moriri - an enchanting lake, surrounded by beautiful mountains. The drive to the lake may take you about 2 hours, but do not worry as on the way you will get spellbinding views of snow-covered peaks. On reaching the lake, explore it as per your wish, and then travel to Korzok village for an overnight stay.

Day 11: Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Sarchu
After breakfast and capturing one last view of Tso Moriri in your memory, drive to yet another marvellous waterbody of the region, Tso Kar. Before reaching the destination, journey past the Puga sulphur mines, and experience driving on the plains of Skyangchu Thang. Situated in the Rupshu Valley, Tso Kar has become quite popular among bird watchers because of the wide array of avifauna it supports. Colonies of black-necked cranes, brahminy ducks, bar-headed geese and great crested grebes can seen in its vicinity.

Later, travel to Sarchu, passing through Nakee La and Lachulung La – two more high altitude passes. On arrival in Sarchu, transfer to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Sarchu to Manali
Post breakfast, drive to Manali, and enjoy mesmerising views of surrounding mountains from Baralacha La. Relish lunch in Sissu village, located in the Lahaul Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. While driving to Manali, also journey over Rohtang Pass. This popular road has become a major spot for adventure lovers from all over the world. On reaching the hill station of Manali, disperse for your onward journey.