Day 01: Manali – Keylong – Jespa - Serchu
Depart Manali by 0600 hr, cross Rohtang Pass (about 50 km drive / 13000 ft altitude). Descend & drive to Keylong (about 35 km drive / 11000 ft altitude).
En route stop at Tandi, where the rivers Chandra & Bagha meet. Tandi has got last petrol pump on this route, till you reach Leh, which is at a distance of about 380 km.Keylong is the administrative center of Lahaul – Spitii & is the last township in this route, till you reach Leh. Jispa is about 20 km ahead, at the same altitude, but more beautiful due to wide valley with the river rushing past.
Climb Baralachala (about 55 km drive / 16000 ft altitude), while descend of about 35km brings you Serchu. . Night stay at Serchu
Day 02:Sarchu –Pang – TSO KAR - TSO Moriri
Once you cross Sarchu, first habitation is about 80 km away at Pang. This journey would take about 4 hr. immediately after Sarchu is a check post, which marks the Himachal Pradesh state border. En route to Pang you cross, two high altitude Passes, i.e, Naki La ( 16250 ft ) & Lachung La ( 16600 ft ). Descend from Lachung La to Pang is very beautiful, road passes through series of dramatic gorges.
After quick bite at Pang, climb about 5 km, unexpectedly find yourself on a flat grassy land. This region is known as More (Moray) plains.
35km mile stone out of Pang, turn right to Tso Kar Village. About 35 kms drive you will come across beautiful Tso Kar, white salt water Lake. The village Thukse lies at the head of the lake. About one hour drive, you come across Sumdo village ( Puga valley ). From here Tso Moriri is abut 45 kms ( 2 hrs ) drive, relatively smoother road.
Overall, from Mure plains to Tso Moriri is about 6 hrs drive.
Tso Moriri ( Mountain Lake ) is located at an altitude of 15,500 ft & is at one end of the long Rupshu valley. The lake is 28 km long & 8 km wide at its widest point. Lake is surrounded by snow clad mountains. One can spot Khampa camping with their herds of cattle and yaks. Enjoy the sunset
Day 03: TSO Moriri
Wander around the lake. Go for nature walk, visit Gompa or relax observing changing colours of the lake.
Day 04: TSO Moriri – LEH
Drive to Leh ( about 220 kms / 7 hours ). Entoute stop at Upshi ( Gompa Land )
Now you are just 50 km short of Leh. Night stay at Leh.
Day 05: LEH – Khardungla–Nubra Valley
This region comprises the valley of the Nubra & Shyok Rivers. The two rivers meander lazily in the broad and fertile valley, often shifting channels in their sandy bed. In this valley altitude varies from 10000 ft at Hunder to 10600 ft at Panamik. Summer temperature varies from 15 to 28 C.
Great challenge on this route is to cross Khardgung La ( about 35 km from Leh ), which is at 18380 ft, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The view from Khardung La is amazing as you can see all the way over the Indus valley, while seemingly endless peaks of the Zanskar range spreads out in front.
Nubra means Green. This lovely valley was originally part of the trade route between Tibet & Turkistan. With the best climate in Ladakh, fruits such as apples, apricots, walnuts are grown here and there is also ample grain & mustard cultivation. This picturesque region dotted with small hamlets is only 130 km (about 4 hrs drive) from Leh easy, but definitely a memorable one.
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Day 06: Nubra Valley – LEH
Drive back to Leh. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay
Day 07: LEH – Pangong
Visit to Pangong Lake would be either a day trip or for 2 days. Visit with an overnight stay would be extremely relaxing.
Lake is situated at a distance of about 115 km from Leh, at an altitude of 14500 ft. Lake is flanked by gigantic peaks over 19500 ft. Make an early start by about 0500 hrs, Clouds tend to build up by the afternoons. Pangong Tso is 140 km long but barely 4 km at its widest point. Only 40 km of the lake is in India, rest angles into Tibet. This is a restricted military area, hence permit is necessary, but easily obtainable from Leh.
DAY 08: Pangong – LEH
Drive back to Leh. Overnight stay
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DAY 09: LEH – Alchi / ULE
The drive on this section is relatively easier than & not as spectacular as Manali- Leh route. Alchi is about 65 km drive from Leh. Uletokpo is on the outskirts of Alchi, known for beautiful camps.
DAY 10 : Alchi - Lamayuru- Kargil
Journey from Alchi to Kargil is about 165 km, with some flat stretches, on a good tarmac road, journey can be completed in 6 hrs.
Kargil is literally midway between Leh & Srinagar, located ideally along the ancient trade route. Kargil was an important trade & transit centre in olden days. Currently it is a crowded and bustling town. This area is rich in minerals & famous for its apricots & neatly terraced fields.
DAY 11: Kargil – Srinagar
Zozi La is the pass which is en route to Srinagar. This pass is very narrow & has one way traffic. Army regulates the departure of convoy from each side. Cross check at Kargil about the traffic timings and plan the day accordingly.
Just out of Kargil is the confluence of Sure & Drass River, which then wind their way to POK. It is a scenic drive along rushing Drass river.
Drass is the first major town along this drive. Few km short of the town, stop at - War memorial. Place lies in front of the Tololing Hill, occupied by Pakistan in 1999. Considering the place is just 3 km from the main road, you will wonder how they managed to sneak up so close to us, virtually undetected. A contributory part could be the cold. Drass is second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia with bone chilling temperature below -40C. The other famous feature, Tiger Hill is also visible in the distance.
Ascend to the Zoji La pass, marks the division between Ladakh & Kashmir, is relatively gentle. Be part of a convoy with light vehicles leading from the front and followed by heavy vehicles.
Srinagar is just 85km away. Drive through Sonmarg. From here to Srinagar road is flat with good surface runs through the paddy fields with rushing river by your side for most part of the journey.
Stay in the houseboat.
DAY 12 : Srinagar – Gulmarg - Srinagar
Drive to Gulmarg ( about 2 hrs drive ). Enjoy the splendour of nature and the snowy mountains. One can have Gondola ride (cable car) from Gulmarg to Khalinmarg on extra cost. Evening back to Srinagar.
DAY 13 : Fly Back
Morning at leisure for shopping. Drop to Srinagar airport for connecting flight.
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