Experience the transcendent beauty of Kashmir, paradise on earth, and explore the colorful Buddhist history of Ladakh. In Srinagar you stay on a houseboat on the serene and peaceful Nagin Lake - one of life’s most unforgettable experiences. Water-powered peddlers sell everything from saffron to paper-Mache to the houseboat door. Ride a Shikara - a Kashmiri gondola - to the watery vegetable markets and see the mountains mirrored in the lakes.
Discover the Kashmir Himalaya and get close to nature in one of the most beautiful regions on earth. An easy-graded, seven-day trek takes us far from civilization and off into a landscape of glaciers, towering peaks and enchanting mountain lakes.
Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is a dream comes true for many travelers. Its ancient Buddhist history, displayed with gompas and monasteries set off in a fluttering of prayer flags at every turn is set off in a most dramatic way against a backdrop of one of the world's tallest peaks. Villages untouched by the trappings of modern life are surrounded by the valley.
A tour designed to take you to India's most enchanting northern spots, the places you visit are sure to capture both heart and imagination for some time to come. A spectacular road journey brings us back to Srinagar and Houseboats. An ideal trip for families and lone travelers alike, this tour fits easily into a longer itinerary of travel in India, or can be treated as a short holiday.
01 DELHI
The peace and colorful country welcomes you at the Delhi airport and our representatives will help you accommodate in the hotel.
02 DELHI - SRINAGAR
You will fly to Srinagar, Kashmir, from Delhi airport, which takes just over an hour. On reaching, a wonderful experience is waiting for you in Srinagar. A serene and beautiful ride on the houseboat in Lake Nagin surrounded by tall icy mountains.
03 SRINAGAR
Sightseeing in and around Srinagar, visit to a beautiful Hazratbal mosque, where the famous relic of the repository of a single hair of the prophet Mohammed is found, and exhibited on certain days of the year. We explore the old city and visit the beautiful Mughal gardens, a legacy of the Mughals' great love for Kashmir.
04 SRINAGAR - PAHALGAM - ARU
We drive out of Srinagar to start off for an adventurous trekking. Situated 2130m up at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, numbing chillness even in the peak of summer, and a wonderful day is spent exploring the natural pine forests and enjoying nature's splendor. We trek steadily along the river to the pretty log-hut village of Aru, 11 kms from Pahalgam. At Aru, the camp is already set up for you beside the Lidder River. The dinner is provided around the camp fire, full of fun and exciting.
05 ARU - LIDDER WATT
We trek 11 kms through the lush Lidder Valley to Lidder Watt, where we wander overnight at the beautiful Lidder Watt campsite, situated by a stream that runs straight from the glacier into the Tarsar Lake.
06 LIDDER WATT - KOLAHOI
A short trek takes us to the base of the Kolahoi Glacier at the head of the Lidder Valley, where our surroundings become noticeably more alpine and dry. The glacier, climbing from 3400m up to 4000m, descends from twin peaks at 5433m that tower majestically overhead, and is a truly magnificent sight. We head back to Lidder Watt for campfire.
07 LIDDER WATT - TARSAR LAKE
A memorable stay as we follow the pure, glacial trail to the shores of Tarsar Lake, a stunning, clear pool hidden deep in between the awesome surrounding peaks. We camp overnight at the lake.
08 TARSAR LAKE - SINDH VALLEY
Today is another momentous day, as we set off over the Simmus Pass at 2500m, offering superb views of the mountain landscape on all sides of us. We then descend steadily on an easy path into the Sindh Valley, watching as the scenery becomes increasingly green and lush once more. We settle into our camp set up in the near side of the Sindh Valley.
09 SINDH VALLEY - SUMBAL
A pleasant day's walking as we descend further into the beautiful Sindh Valley, enjoying the shady forests groves and gushing brooks that feed this lush landscape of flowers and trees. We arrive at Sumbal, a small village in this stunning land, with the mountain peaks still visible on the horizon. Here we rest and enjoy our last night of the trek.
10 SUMBAL - SRINAGAR
We transfer by road to Srinagar, and settle into your houseboat accommodation on arrival to rest and reflect on our expedition.
11-12: SRINAGAR - LEH
We transfer to the airport for our flight to Leh, and check in to the hotel. The day is spent at leisure to explore this ancient Buddhist centre at your own pace. Several nearby villages with fascinating Buddhist history lie within easy walking distance, whilst within Leh a vibrant culture of colorful bazaar shops and stalls thrives.
13: LEH
Sightseeing in and around Leh, the capital of Ladakh, this is nestled in a valley just north of the Indus. We visit some of the Buddhist monasteries and gompas here such as hemis gompa (which is biggest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh built in 1630 AD), Thiksey (which is built in 1430 AD), Stok (which is built in 14th century), Spituk (which is built in 11th century), and Phyang (which is built in 1515AD), as well as many ancient manuscripts. Above lies the ruined fort, from which spectacular views of Leh, blooming amidst a fluttering of brightly colored prayer flags, can be enjoyed. We visit the former abode of the sixteenth century ruler of Ladakh, Leh Palace.
14: LEH - KARGIL
We start exciting drive by road to Kargil, the second largest settlement in Ladakh and the mid-way point of our journey back to Srinagar. Nestling in the Suru valley, Kargil has richly cultivated hill sides. The two tributaries of the River Suru, the Drass and the Wakha, meet here in this beautiful spot. On the way we will visit Lamayuru monastery i.e., one of the oldest monastery built in 11th century and cross the highest passes between Leh & Srinagar which is 2704 m above the sea level. In Kargil, we check into your hotel for the night.
15: KARGIL - SRINAGAR
We continue on our way to Srinagar, along the spectacular Leh - Srinagar mountain road. Many times we stop to marvel at the breath-taking landscape, feeling the remote mountain air and the closeness to the heavens enveloping us completely. On arrival in Srinagar in the afternoon, we transfer to the houseboat and relax.
16: SRINAGAR
The day is at leisure in Srinagar, to rest or to explore the city and shop for famous Kashmiri handicrafts. A marvelously lazy day can be spent lounging on a Shikara boat, exploring the narrow waterways of the lake.
17: SRINAGAR - DELHI
We transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi. On arrival you settle into your hotel and are at leisure for the rest of the day.
18: DELHI
We transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey. Tour ends.
Cost Include
Accommodation on a room-with Breakfast. Full board on houseboat in Srinagar and Ladakh is included in the tour price.
All trekking expeditions as specified with guide, all camping equipment (modern tents, down sleeping bags) and porters. You carry only your daypack.
All transfers and Sight seen tours by car, Jeep and Coach including pick-ups and drop-offs at airport or station.
All sightseeing tours as specified.
All economy class internal flights as specified: DELHI - SRINAGAR; SRINAGAR - LEH; SRINAGAR - DELHI.
International Airfare on request or Contact your travel agent
Group Size: [Min 4 pax-Max 15 pax]
Cost Does Not Include -
Monument Fee, Lunch & Dinner, Personal Nature Items, Camera Fee at Monuments, Hot & Soft Drinks, Traveling Insurance.
