Introduction:
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.
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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