Groowynd Holidays

(Manali – Sarchu - Leh - Pangong Lake – Hemis – Khardung La - Nubra Valley – Deskit village – Alchi - Lamayuru – Kargil – Srinagar)
Tour highlights:

• Grand traverse of the trans-Himalayan region on a chauffeur driven MUV
• Explore the rugged vastness of the Ladakh landscape
• Valley of flowers – the Nubra Valley, popularly called the orchard of Ladakh
• Khardong La: is a high mountain pass (elevation 5359m or 18,380ft) located in Ladakh region
• Pangong Lake: a blue expansive lake, stretching more than 100km and spread across two countries
• See the Bactarian Camels (shaggy double hump camel) around sand dunes

Itinerary
Day 01: Manali to Sarchu (222 kms)
Early morning drive from Manali to Sarchu (the border of the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir) driving across Rohtang Pass (13050 ft) and passing through Keylong, Jispa and Dracha. Cross the Baralacha Pass (16020 ft) to arrive at Sarchu at late afternoon.
Overnight stay at a fixed camp in Sarchu

Day 02: Sarchu to Leh (255 kms)
After early breakfast leave for Leh. Through 21 Gata loops, then Nakeela and Lachangla Passes (16,617 ft), we reach at tent city Pang where we break for lunch. Drive to Leh continues passing through Skyangchu Thang (the biggest and highest Plateau on Earth on Stretch of 42 Kms) and then crossing Taglang-La (17,585ft). Reach Leh by evening.
Overnight stay at hotel in Leh

Day 03: Local sightseeing at Leh
Morning is at leisure or rest after the long journey. After lunch visit Shanti Stupa, Sankar Gompa, Leh palace and the market.
Overnight stay at hotel in Leh

Day 04: Leh to Pangong Lake (160 kms)
After early Breakfast leave for Pangong Lake (14,500 ft), passing through Changla Pass 17,350 ft., it is the third highest motorable road in the world. On the way up visit Thiksey monastery.  After full day of sightseeing around the lake, check-in at a fixed camp near the lake.

Day 05: Pangong Lake to Hemis to Leh (165 kms)
After breakfast, leave Pangong and retrace the Leh route. En-route at Karu, visit the famous Hemis Monastery, the biggest monastery of Ladakh. Later drive on to Leh. Overnight stay at hotel

Day 06: Leh to Khardung La to Nubra Valley (120 kms)
After breakfast drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La (one among the Highest Motorable road in the World, 18,380 ft). Descending from the pass, drive for sightseeing of Sumoor area and Samstaling monastery. Later check into a camp or drive to Deskit/Hunder for overnight stay at camp or hotel.

Day 07: Nubra Valley to Khardung La to Leh (125 kms)
In the morning explore Deskit and Hundar Villages and the sand dunes. Take a camel safari using the double humped Bactarian camel in the Sand Dunes between Deskit and Hundar Village. Later drive back to Leh reaching at late afternoon. Overnight stay at Leh

Day 08: Leh to Alchi / Uleytokpo (70 kms)
After leisurely breakfast drive down the Indus valley on the first leg of journey to Kargil & Srinagar. On the way, visit Sangam (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers), Magnetic Point, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Kali Mata (Temple of Guardians in Spituk monastery) & Hall of Fame. And then visit 11th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic heritage of Ladakh - a UNESCO listed heritage site. Overnight stay in fixed camp / hotel in Uleytokpo

Day 09: Alchi/Uleytokpo to Lamayuru to Kargil (135 kms)
After breakfast leave for Kargil, enroute visiting the dramatically located Lamayuru monastery and the adjoining "Moonland" hills. On the way to Kargil you can view the 9-Mtrs. tall rock sculpture of the Maitreya Buddha at Mulbek (7th –8th century AD). Overnight at hotel in Kargil

Day 10: Kargil to Sonamarg to Srinagar (205 kms)
Early departure for Srinagar driving through Drass (famous as the second coldest inhabited place in the world) and crossing the Zoji-la Pass(11,500-ft. / 3,505 m) to reach Sonamarg from where it's smooth driving through the beautiful Kashmir countryside to reach Srinagar.