Rediscover Splendid Himalayas Tour

01 Day: Arrival Delhi

Welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, assistance on arrival, our representative escorts you by a/c car and transfer to the pre-booked hotel. After your check in, you will be given all the required documents related to your tour plan; he will explain all your queries about the entire tour plan. After relaxation in the evening witness Light and Sound show at Red fort. The show projects splendid history of 5000 years old city, a truly memorable experience. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Light and Sound Show: A spectacular show at the Red Fort. Which makes the 5,000 years old history of the city come alive. Amidst the harmony of the splendidly panoramic and historic environs of the Red Fort, select episodes from the annals of Delhi's historic and majestic past are vibrantly brought to life. Special effects combine with the exceptional character to make this show an impressively memorable experience.

02 Day: Delhi – Srinagar (By Air)

After breakfast check out the hotel and transfer to the domestic airport to board the schedule flight for Srinagar, assistance at the Srinagar airport and transferred to the House boat; where our representative will brief about the tour plan. Kashmir the city is summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lays in the Kashmir Valley, on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits. In the evening enjoy 30 mins Shikara ride on the lake. Dinner and overnight stay at the House Boat in Srinagar.

Srinagar is the summer capital of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. Etymologically Srinagar is composed of two Sanskrit words, śrī (Lakshmi) and nagar, which means "city". One theory of the origin of the name is that a Pandava King Ashok (not to be confused with the Mauryan Emperor Ashok) built the city of Srinagari (Srinagar). Another theory is that Mauryan Emperor Ashoka founded the original city of Srinagar, then situated on the site of the present village of Pandrethan, 5 km to the north of the existing capital.

03 Day: Srinagar – Kargil (Kargil Drive 6 -7 hrs via Zogila Pass)

Today morning after breakfast check out the houseboat and the drive to Kargil, en route visit Sonamarg - the Meadow of Gold Depart from Srinagar as per road opening timings. The drive to Sonamarg is another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir in Sindh Valley. The Sindhu Valley is the largest tributary of the valley of Kashmir. Afterwards drive to Kargil the road passes through the panoramic village reach Sonamarg (2740 Mtrs). After Sonmarg most rough road and wet Zojila pass 3527 Mtrs (Gateway of Ladakh). Enroute visit Drass (The second coldest inhibited place in the world). Another two and half hours’ drive will take us to Kargil (2710 Mtrs) which has got its importance after opening the Ladakh for tourists in 1974. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel in Kargil.

The name Kargil is said to be derived from the words Khar and rKil. Khar means castle and rKil means centre thus a place between castles as the place lay between many kingdoms. The competing theory is that Kargil has been derived from the words "Gar" and "Khil". Gar in local language mean ‘Anywhere’ and Khil means a central place where people could stay. Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistani-Administered Gilgit–Baltistan to the west, and the mostly Indian-Administered Kashmir valley to the south. Zanskar is part of Kargil district along with Suru, Wakha and Dras valleys.

04 Day: Kargil – Rangdum (110 kms: 5- 6 hrs)

Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Zanskar with a partially paved road for a distance of 60 km. The road is open from the middle of July to early November. It is a 5000 sq. km large mountainous terrain sandwiched between the Zanskar and Great Himalayan Range, supporting a 14,000 strong Buddhist population. Precede to campsite at Rangdum, with views of the Nun and Kun massifs, glaciers and meadows over 7000 m. Dinner and overnight stay in Rangdum.

Rangdum is in a valley situated 3,657 m (11,998 ft) above the sea level, in an isolated region of the Suru valley in the Ladakh region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Northern India. On one side are the colorful hills while on the other side are rocky mountains and glaciers, notably Drang-drung. Rangdum, with its gompa and the attendant village of Juliodok, is the last inhabited region in the Suru valley; it is also the destination of the nomadic herdspeople called Bakarwals, who trek up every year from the Himalayan foothills near Jammu, bringing their flocks of sheep and goats to grow fat on the rich summer growth of grass. From Rangdum the valley rises to 4400 metres and the Pensi-la, the gateway into Zanskar.

05 Day: Rangdum – Padum (130 kms 5- 6 hrs)

After breakfast drive on over Penzi La (4450 M) there you will be able to see the magnificent View of Drang Drung Glacier, to reach Padum- the administrative capital of Zanskar & also the road head. Dinner and overnight stay in Padum.

Padum is named after Padmasambhava. It is the only town and administrative centre in Zanskar. The sub-divisional capital Padum is a town of the Zanskar sub-division or tehsil in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir state, India. The Zanskar River flows through the valley from its source at the Drang Drung glacier of the Pensi La.The Zanskar River joins the Lungnak River near Pibiting village.

06 Day: Padum

After breakfast, full day excursion to Karsha & Stonghey and Zangla Nunnery monasteries and the fort at Zangla. Dinner and overnight stay in Padum.

07 Day: Padum – Rangdum (130 kms 5-6 hrs)

Today after breakfast, drive back towards Rangdum on the way you will stop at the Nomadic camp where you will enjoy the fresh Yogurt, Cheese and milk, during the summer time the Zanskar Domestic animals are taken to the higher land for the pasture, dinner and overnight stay at Rangdum.

08 Day: Rangdum – Kargil (110 kms: 5 – 6 hrs)

Today after breakfast you will go to visit the century old Rangdum Monastery and after blessing we will drive back toward Kargil. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kargil.

09 Day: Kargil – Batalick Sector – Dha Village (160 kms: 5 – 6 hrs)

Leave after an early breakfast and drive over Hamboting La to reach the pristine & pristine Batalik sector. You can go along the Indus to reach the Drokpa villages of Dha-Hanu around 1100 hrs. Spend some time checking out the unique & flamboyant lifestyle and traditions of this Indo- Aryan race who claim to be descendants of Alexander. Dinner and overnight stay in Dha-Hanu.

Dha and Hanu are two villages situated in the Dhahanu valley, about 163 km southwest of Leh in Ladakh. The valley in the main settlement of the Dards in Ladakh called Drokpa or sometimes pronounced Brokpa. The Dards of Dah Hanu are nominally Buddhist but also worship their own Pantheon of gods. They have an Indo-European appearance in contrast to the predominant Tibeto-Mongol inhabitants of Ladakh. They are believed to the descendent of pure Aryan race, migrated to this area via Gilgit around 1000 year ago from Central Asia. They live in very primitive conditions even when judged by the standards of Ladakh.

10 Day: Dha Hanu village – Hike around the Village

Today after breakfast, enjoy the Hike and explore the Aryan village were you will go to meet the local people and see and explore their life style. Later return to Dha for dinner and overnight stay.

11 Day: Dha – Lamayuru (100 kms: 4-5 hrs)

Today after breakfast, follow the Indus river uphill through the narrow valley up till Khaltse Check point where you will meet the NH1 which connect to Kargil and then drive further to Lamayuru. Dinner and overnight stay.

12 Day: Lamayuru

Today after breakfast, explore the Yurdung Monastery which is also known as the Lamayuru, built in 11 century, Hike around the monastery and village. Later return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

13 Day: Lamayuru – Alchi (60 kms: 3-4 hrs)

Today after breakfast, drive through the Sham Valley which is known as then most fertile land of Ladakh, where you will go to see the Monastery at the Temisgang Monastery and drive to Alchi choskhor Monastery which is very much famous for the 11 Century Wall panting. Dinner and overnight stay at the guest house.

14 Day: Alchi – Likhir Monastery – Basgo Fort – Leh (55 kms: 3-4 hrs)

Today after breakfast, drive to Likir monastery where you will see the statue of the Matriya Buddha and visit the Likhir monastery and drive toward Leh on the way will stop for the picture at confluence of Indus and Zanskar river. Later proceed to Leh, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Leh is the Headquarter of Leh District and the largest Town in Ladakh region. It is located to the north of Indus River at an altitude of 11,500 ft. After relaxation you can visit Sankar, Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace, these are a couple of kms away from Leh. Sankar Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa School of Tibetan Buddhism and is a branch of Spituk Monastery. Shanti Stupa at the Hilltop was built by the Japanese for World peace, which was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1985. Leh Palace nine-story palace, was built by King Singey Namgyal in the beginning of 17 century AD. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Leh (3505 m) is the capital of Ladakh. For centuries, it was an important stopover for the caravan merchants going to Central Asia. Today, the town is a bustling centre for tourists and the local populace. Towering above the town is the 17th century palace of King Senge Namgyal, Ladakh's most important ruler. His kingdom extended beyond the modern boundaries of Ladakh, and additionally, he was the descendant of the 7th century warrior king of Tibet-Songtsen Gambo. Atop the Namgyal Hill, lie the ruins of an earlier palace, the Namgyal Tsemo, built by the 16th century king Tashi Namgyal. On the other side of the town, up a winding road, lies the Ladakh Shanti Stupa.This is a modern structure, built in 1985 by a Japanese Buddhist order. Leh is surrounded by picturesque locales, easily accessible and adding to the whole experience of a holiday in Ladakh.

15 Day: Leh

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45km west of Leh; Hemis Gompa was founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyal. Hemis is one of the largest and richest Gompa of Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven back taking the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus valley. It was founded by Old Led in the 11th century AD. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum idle. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its (Dukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. Continue to drive through series of chortens to visit Shey Palace, the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh and Sindhu Darshan. Thereafter sightseeing and photo shoot for ‘Leh Palace’ afterwards visit the Shanti stupa to catch the entire view of Leh city with the Indus River, spend some time to catch the sunset and further on to Leh. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Leh.

16 Day: Leh – Delhi (By Air)

After breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to the airport to board schedule flight for Delhi, assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel, after refreshment day is free for leausire or take sightseeing to Old Delhi: (Shahajahanabad) the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, Jama Masjid, the largest and most splendid mosque in India, Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated. The sightseeing continues to explore New Delhi including President House, India gate; built to honour and pay a tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed themselves during the Afghan war, Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple), Humayun’s Tomb, lotus shaped Bhai’s Temple, Qutub Minar; built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty. Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, generally known as the ISKCON Delhi temple. In the evening you can opt for a cycle rickshaw ride through the lively and colourful market of Chandani Chowk. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

17 Day: Delhi – Hometown (By Air)

After breakfast, check out the hotel and transfer to the international airport to board the scheduled, on departure the tour concludes with the happy memories.