Arrive at Srinagar

Your Ladakh Road Trip with Altitude Adventure Holidays begins from Srinagar (1585 m). So on day 1 of the trip, you should reach Srinagar and check in to a hotel. If you are coming by train, then the nearest station is Jammu Tawi which is 248 km away from Srinagar. From there take a cab and reach Srinagar in 6 hours. If you are coming by flight then there is the Srinagar Airport which is connected to flights from all cities in India. if you reach Srinagar by afternoon, do not forget to watch the sunset from the Daal Lake and take a Shikara ride. Night stay at Srinagar in a comfortable hotel.

Srinagar to Kargil

On the 2nd day of our road trip, we will drive from Srinagar (1585 m) to Kargil (2676 m) via Zozila Pass, Dras, and Baltal. The distance travelled is 204 km which usually takes 5 hours but since there will be several stops it will take some time. We start early today after breakfast and from Srinagar, our first stop will be the enchanting meadows of Sonmarg. After Sonmarg, we will cross Baltal Valley. Baltal Valley is located just 15 km north of Sonmarg by the Sind River at the base of the Zozila Pass. After the Baltal Valley we hit the NH1 and drive towards the most awaited Zozila Pass. Zozila Pass is the gateway to the territory of Ladakh. The Zozila Pass is known to be one of the most dangerous mountain passes that lies at an altitude of 3528 m and is 25.8 km long. This zigzag road is extremely narrow at certain points where only one vehicle can at a time and remains completely closed during winter months. Please make sure that you need to cross the pass before 5 pm as after that the road closes. Make sure to stop by the Zozila Pass to have a look over the beautiful valley beneath that goes to Amarnath Yatra. After the Zozila Pass, there in another renowned stop – the Zero Point. After Zero Point, we will start driving towards Drass. Drass is a small Himalayan village in the Kargil region of Ladakh that is the coldest place in India and the second-coldest inhabited place on earth which has extreme weather conditions and brutal winters. After stopping at Drass for some time we will drive again towards the Kargil War Memorial which is a must-visit place in this region. This place will surely make you melancholic. From here we will check into a hotel in Kargil by afternoon. Take some rest and explore the beautiful town of Kargil. Do not forget to walk by the river and watch the sunset from there and take a stroll at the Kargil marketplace. Night stay at Kargil in a comfortable hotel.

Drive to Aryan Valley

On the 3rd day of our road trip, we will drive from Kargil (2676 m) to Aryan Valley (3000 m). The Aryan Valley is almost 71 km in distance from Kargil which will take around 2 hours to reach. The Aryan Valley is known as the retired gem of the Ladakh region full of breathtaking rugged geography. The Aryan Valley is a must-visit place for those travellers who are interested in off-roading. From Kargil, we will begin our journey after breakfast and after crossing the Suru Valley, we will take the road towards Batalik crossing the Hambuting La Pass. The Aryan Valley consists of four villages – Dah, Hanu, Garkone, and Batalik. The Dah Hanu villages are more than 2000 years old from the time of Alexander the Great. It is believed that the inhabitants of these villages are the descendants of Alexander the Great’s army who chose to live in this region after Alexander retreated from the Ladakh region. The people living here consider themselves as the true Aryans who has a rich cultural heritage that is maintained today itself. In terms of the landscape, the Aryan Valley will give you a lifetime of experience that is considered to be a heaven for nature lovers. The valley is surrounded by the rugged mountains of Ladakh and the snow-capped peaks, pristine glaciers, alpine lakes, and shimmering streams which is indeed a sight to behold. We will explore the Dah Hanu villages for the entire day. You can also visit the Garkone and Batalik village. This valley also has a variety of wildlife and if lucky you can spot the snow leopards, ibex, and Tibetan wolves. If you are fond of flora, this is the only place that has multitudinous raspberry species. The Drokpa community lives in these villages and now they follow Buddhism. You can also visit the Chiktan Fort located in this valley. Night stay at a homestay in Dah or Hanu.

Move to Leh via Lamayuru

On the 4th day of the road trip, we will drive from Aryan Valley (3000 m) to Leh (3500 m) via Lamayaru, Sindhu Sangam, and Magnetic Hill. The distance travelled from Dah Hanu villages to Leh is 187 km which will take roughly around 5 hours to reach. Driving through the magnetic hill is another experience of a lifetime and one of the prime reasons for coming for the Leh Ladakh road trip. We will start after breakfast and at first connect with the Leh Srinagar highway to drive towards Leh. Do not miss the breathtaking landscape throughout the drive today. Every point will surprise you with its unique beauty. Lamayuru is tiny little beautiful hamlet in the Leh district which is also known as the ‘Moon Land’ due to its resemblance to the moon’s surface. The main attraction of this village is the Lamayuru Monastery which is located at an altitude of 3510 m. This monastery was originally a Bon Monastery in Ladakh that also means ‘Swatika’ and is considered to be very sacred and holy place. You can also visit the oldest temple Seng-ge-sgang that is located at the south of the Lamayuru rock. This monastery is one of the largest gompas in the Ladakh region. From Lamayuru we will continue to drive to our next stop – the Sindhu Sangam. The Sindhu Sangam is the confluence of the Zanskar River and the Indus River that is located at Nimmu at the Leh-Srinagar Highway. Spend some time here and engulf the beauty of nature as much as possible. Our next stop will be Leh through the Magnetic Hill which is another unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else on earth. Overnight stay at Leh.

Leh local sightseeing

Today we will stay at Leh and will cover the local sightseeing of Leh. Leh is the largest city in the Ladakh region and is connected to several spots in the Ladakh region. Do not miss the magical sunrise at Leh and after breakfast, we will start our Leh sightseeing. Visit the Leh market, Leh Royal Palace and the Shanti Stupa. We will visit Shey Palace which is 15 km away from Leh and is famous for the huge Shakyamuni Buddha statue. This place is also known as the summer capital of Ladakh and was built in the year 1645 by King Deldan Namgyal. Our next stop is the Thiksey Monastery which is 19 km from Leh and located at the top of a hill in Thiksey. The marvellous 12-storey hierarchal architecture of this age-old monastery will take your breath away and you will remain awestruck with the beauty of this Buddhist Gompa at such a remote location. Another important spot of today is the 3 Idiot Rancho’s School that became famous after the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. Will return back to Leh and overnight stay at Leh.

Proceed to Hundar via Khardungla

On the 6th day of our trip, we will drive from Leh (3500 m) to Hundar in the Nubra Valley (3160 m) via Khardung La Pass (5359 m). The distance travelled today is 125 km that will take around 3.5 hours to reach. However, with the beauty of the landscape today, you will simply forget about the time and is bound to make multiple stops today to engulf its beauty as much as possible. The roads to the Nubra Valley will look surreal and you will drive through one of the highest motorable mountain passes – Khardung La. Though you may stop here to capture memories but please do not spend much time here because of the high altitude. From here we will drive towards Khalsar to reach Diskit Monastery and the Sand Dunes. The landscape of the Diskit Monastery with the Shyok River flowing and the beginning of the cold sand dunes is a sight that you surely have never seen before. Here you will see the Red Sand Mountains and the White Desert and the lake around will have the perfect reflection. At Diskit, you will also see the large Maitreyi Buddha statue. Night stay at Hundar, Nubra Valley.

Drive back to Kathgodam.

On our last day, we will trek back to Lohajung from Khorurai which is 3 km in distance and will take around 3 hours to reach Lohajung. From Lohajung, we will drive back to Kathgodam. We should reach Kathgodam by 7 pm and you can plan your return accordingly.

Visit Turtuk village, back to Hundar

On the 7th day of our trip, we will drive from Hundar (3160 m) to Turtuk Village (3001 m) and will come back to Hunder. The distance is 85 km one way. Turtuk Village is a very important destination and is sandwiched between the Karakorum Range and the Himalayas. This is the only region in India that is inhabited by the Balti people and was previously managed by Pakistan after which India gained control. Turtuk is also the gateway to the Siachen Glacier. This village has extremely beautiful landscape and you can see Pakistan's side from here. After spending some time here and having lunch we will return back to Hundar. Night stay at Hundar.

Drive to Pangong Tso

On our 8th day, we will drive from Hundar (3160 m) to Pangong Tso (4225 m) via Shyok village. On our way we will drive through Durbuk and Tangtsee village in the Changthang region. The distance covered today is 240 km that will take around 6.5 hours to reach Pangong Tso. We will start our journey after breakfast and drive till Khalsar. From Khalsar, there is a bifurcation away from Khardung La and go to Shyok village. The Shyok River will accompany us all the way to the Shyok village. The river freezes in the winter hence the river is also known as river of death. Shyok is a picturesquely beautiful village by the Shyok River. From Shyok, our next stop will be Durbuk village and then Tangtsee village. Both of these villages falls in between Chang La Pass and the Pangong Tso lake. Finally from Tangtsee we will drive another popular destination of this road trip – the Pangong Tso Lake. The beauty of Pangong Tso is unparallel that cannot be described in words but needs to be felt with heart and eyes. The Pangong Tso is the world’s highest saltwater lake that appears complete blue in colour with stark contrast with the golden brown mountains at the backdrop. Night stay at tents in Pangong Tso. Do not forget to capture the Milky Way from Pangong Tso.

Move to Hanle

On our 9th day of the road trip, we will drive from Pangong Tso (4225 m) to Hanle (4300 m) via Chuskul or Karu village. Hanle is one of the most high altitude villages in the Ladakh region at a staggering height of 4300 m. Hanle is a large historical village in the heart of Ladakh that has the world’s highest observatory. The Indian Astronomical Observatory is very sensitive as it close to the Chinese border. Many notable events and telescopes have been launched from here. It is located in the Changthang platue and has beautiful landscape all around. Night stay at Hanle village in a homestay.

Drive to Leh

Slowly our journey is about to end and today we will drive back to Leh. The distance travelled is 240 km which will need 6.5 hours to reach Leh. Relax at Leh and explore the town and the market in the evening.

Check out