This particular trip is for all those, who like travelling on high-altitude roads, lined by mountains on both sides. Rohtang Pass, Khardung La, Nakee La, Chang La, Baralacha La, Lachulung La and Tanglang La are such roads that you travel through on this tour. You will also experience the adventurous journey through the treacherous Gata Loops, and this will be contrasted by an easy drive across the flat Morey Plains. These incredible drives will be complemented by sightseeing ventures in the city of Leh, Nubra Valley and Sham Valley. Take a ride on the backs of Bactrian camels in the Nubra Valley, and also visit Diskit gompa here.

Enjoy a memorable camping experience near Pangong Tso, and on your way to Leh, explore Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. During the sightseeing trip in Leh, visit Shanti Stupa, the Hall of Fame museum, Leh Fort and Spituk gompa. Also tour Alchi gompa, Lamayuru Monastery, Mulbekh, Magnetic Hill and Moon Landscape while on your way to the Sham region. Put a sweet end to your already incredible trip with an overnight stay at a hotel or in one of the famous houseboats in Srinagar.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Manali to Sarchu | Visit to Raja Gepan Temple
In the morning, begin the adventurous and picturesque journey towards Sarchu. Cross the famous Rohtang Pass after starting the drive from the hill station of Manali. As the pass is crossed, the greenery of the Himalayas will diminish to reveal the barren landscape of Lahaul and Spiti.

Further on the journey, stop in the village of Sissu to pay homage at Raja Gepan temple. Thereafter, resume the venture and reach Keylong – the headquarters of the Lahaul and Spiti district – for lunch. Further on the journey, travel through Baralacha La – an approximately 16000-feet high mountain pass.

On reaching Sarchu, transfer to the lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Sarchu to Leh
Relish breakfast early in the morning, and then drive towards the city of Leh. First, travel through Gata Loops, the famous stretch of the highway with as many as 20 road bends and switchbacks. Later, cross Nakee La – a mountain pass located around 15550 feet above sea level. Further ahead, ascend to the summit of the Lachulung La mountain pass, which lies at an altitude of about 16600 feet.

Relish lunch, and thereafter drive through Skyangchu Thang, a vast high-altitude plateau. Also, enjoy a leisurely drive through Morey Plains that is a stretch of flat terrain, about 40 km in length. Later, cross Tanglang La, which at about 17480 feet altitude is among the highest drivable roads on earth. On reaching Upshi, follow the Indus River upstream till the city of Leh is reached. On arrival in the city, transfer to your lodging and rest.

Day 03: Leh to Nubra Valley
Post breakfast, begin the most adventurous phase of your trip yet as it will take you all the way across Khardung La – a mountain pass that needs no introduction. Following lunch, travel through sand dunes between the town of Diskit and the village of Hunder on the backs of the twin-humped Bactrian camels. Later, reach your lodging in the Nubra Valley for a relaxing overnight stay.

Day 04: Nubra Valley to Leh | Visit to Diskit Monastery
Relish breakfast at your lodging, and then head out to explore Diskit Monastery. The site houses a sculpture of Maitreya Buddha, Tibetan texts, wall paintings and supposedly the head and hand of a demon, killed near the premises. Later, travel back to Leh by crossing Khardung La yet again. On reaching the city, enjoy an overnight stay at your lodging.

Day 05: Leh to Pangong Tso
Following breakfast, drive to Pangong Tso for an incredible camping time. Cross Chang La, a mountain pass over 17500 feet above sea level, on the way to this mesmerising natural wonder. On reaching the shores of the lake, transfer to the campsite and spend the rest of the day as you wish. If the day is clear, then the blue waters of the lake, surrounded by brown mountains and topped by a bright azure, is a scene to capture in photos. The surrounding land is home or the migrating grounds of numerous species of birds. Post exploring the area; enjoy an overnight stay in your camp.

Day 06: Pangong Tso to Leh | Visit to Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery
Witness an attention-catching sunrise over the lake, followed by breakfast. Afterwards, begin the road journey towards Leh, and on the way explore Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery.

The highlights of Shey Palace are a behemoth sculpture of Lord Buddha and images of learned monks and Padmasambhava. Thiksey gompa houses a giant idol of Maitreya Buddha, and cloth paintings and murals of Je Tsongkhapa, Manjusri, Mahakala and Goddess Tara. Later, resume the drive to Leh, and after reaching here, travel to your lodging for an overnight stay.

Day 07: Sightseeing in Leh
After breakfast, embark on a marvellous sightseeing tour of the city and visit Hall of Fame, Shanti Stupa, Leh Fort and Spituk gompa. The Hall of Fame museum is adjacent to the city airport, and it exhibits documents and weapons, used or confiscated during the various battles in the region. A particular section of the display is dedicated to the war efforts of the Indian Army on the Siachen Glacier – the highest battlefield on earth.

Shanti Stupa – located a little outside the city – was constructed to promote the idea of world peace. Its first circular platform features an image of a golden Dharmachakra, while the second one has those of Lord Buddha. At Spituk gompa, see statues of numerous Buddhist deities, sacred masks, antique weapons and hordes of intricate cloth paintings, called thangkas. The main attraction here however, is an enormous sculpture of Goddess Kali.

Leh Fort or Tsemo Fort consists of several white brick buildings and a tall victory tower. Inside the temple of the fort is an approximately 26-feet tall sculpture of Maitreya Buddha. Post sightseeing, spend the evening as per your wish, and end it with an overnight stay at your lodging.

Day 08: Leh – Sham Valley – Kargil
Following breakfast, journey to the Sham Valley, and stop at Magnetic Hill and Alchi Monastery on the way. Magnetic Hill is said to pull metallic objects like cars up the slope towards itself, and this has made it a popular tourist attraction.

Alchi gompa has statues of Vairochana, and paintings of Mahakala, Bhavacakra, Bodhisattvas, Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Akshobhaya and Amitabha. The prime attraction here is the Sumtseg – a temple with a richly carved wooden exterior. After lunch, visit Lamayuru gompa and see the cave where the famous Indian scholar, Naropa, is said to have meditated; and remnants of awe-inspiring wall paintings.

On recommencing the journey, travel to Moon Landscape – a stretch of land said to resemble the surface of the moon. Further during the say, see a gigantic bas-relief of Maitreya Buddha on the face of a high cliff in Mulbekh. Later, reach the district of Kargil for an overnight stay.

Day 09: Kargil to Srinagar
After breakfast, begin the road journey towards Srinagar – the capital of the Jammu and Kashmir state. On the way, stop in Dras – the coldest permanently inhabited place in the country – and visit the Kargil War Memorial. Here, see through photographs how the Indian soldiers marched on treacherous terrain and cooked food atop rugged mountains. The museum also displays some of the weapons, captured by the Indian Army from intruders, during the 1999 Kargil War. End the day by reaching Srinagar, and enjoying an overnight stay at a hotel or a houseboat.