Overland Kashmir & Ladakh

The Drive from Kashmir to Ladakh is a dream come true for many, this tour is made specially for families and covers all major Lakes and Passes of Ladakh and the scenic journey from Jammu to Kashmir & Ladakh. This is the first tour to take on 12 extremely high Himalayan passes – you’ll be hitting altitudes of over 5,000 meters five times and tackling the three highest passes in the world! The route covers all of the highlights of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh, as well as the Four most beautiful Himalayan lakes in the border region to Tibet – all at altitudes of more than 4,500 meters.

Highlight Location and place we cover

• 5 lakes
• 12 passes
• World’s highest Motorable pass – Umling La – 5798 meters
• During your stay you will stay in guesthouses, tents, and hotels.
• Care of a guide and good company

PLACES COVERED

CHANDIGARH – JAMMU – SRINAGAR – SONMARG – KARGIL – LAMAYURU – LEH – PANGONG – HANLE – UMLING LA PASS – TSO MORIRI – TSO KAR – SARCHU – JISPA – MANALI – CHANDIGARH

PASSES

·         3.528 m   Zoji La – Pass
·         3.700 m   Namika La – Pass
·         4.108 m   Foto La  – Pass
·         5.300 m   Wari La – Pass
·         5.406 m Kaksang La – Pass
·         5.328 m Tasaga La – Pass
·         5.798 m Umling La – Pass
·         5.000 m   Polokangla – Pass
·         5,019 m   Lachungla – pass
·         4,740 m   Nakila – pass
·         4,908 m   Kanglajal la – pass
·         4,890 m   Baralacha la – Pass

Lakes
·         Pangong Tso lake  (4,350 m)
·         Kiagar lake            (4,522m)
·         Tso Moriri lake    (4,595 m)
·         Tso Kar lake           (4,620 m)
·         Tso Kiagar               ( 4,705 m )

Itinerary

Day 2 | Drive from Jammu to Srinagar (249 km / 8 hours)
We start our journey from Jammu to Srinagar. The route takes us through a lot of tunnels en-route to Kashmir valley the longest of them being Qazigund Tunnel at 8.45 Kms. The route from Jammu to Kashmir valley passes through mountainous terrain and flattens out once you reach the valley after Qazigund Tunnel. The drive is very scenic and enjoyable.
Overnight at Srinagar.
 
Day 3 |  Srinagar to Sonmarg ( 79 Kms / 2.5 Hrs )
Post breakfast we check out and drive to Sonmarg in the mountains. Sonmarg is surrounded by high altitude meadows and oversees Thawajas Glacier. We will have half a day to explore Sonmarg and acclimatise for our onwards journey.
Overnight at Sonmarg.

Day 4 | Sonmarg to Kargil ( 123 Kms / 4 Hrs )
The drive from Sonmarg to Kargil takes us over the Zoji La Pass which was the scene for major battles between India and pakistan in 1947. We will also cross Drass village at 3300 meters  which has the distention being the coldest inhabited place in India and temperature usually goes down to -33 and below. Continue with the drive and we visit the Kargil War Memorial on our way to Kargil Town.
Overnight at Kargil.

Day 5 | Kargil to Leh ( 216 Kms / 5 Hrs )
After breakfast drive to Leh, enroute we cross Namika La & Foto La Pass. Time permitting we can also visit the ancient village of Alchi. Also cross Sangam / Gurudwara Pathar Sahib en-route to Leh.
Overnight at Leh.

Day 6 | In Leh Rest Day
Complete day for rest and leh local sightseeing
Overnight in Leh.

Day 7 | Leh to Pangong ( 276 Kms / 8 Hrs )
After breakfast start the drive for Pangong, we have the more scenic route from Mahe Bridge and over Kaksang La pass which is the 8th highest pass in the world at 5406 meters to reach Chushul and then Pangong Lake.

Day 8 | Pangong to Hanle ( 163 Kms / 6 Hrs )
After breakfast we drive to Hanle. The route takes us through the Rezingla War memorial, Tsaga La pass to reach Hanle. The route is very offbeat and more suitable for good SUV. Reach Hanle after mid day, Hanle and its surrounding area is Indian first dark sky reserve. Hanle also has an Observatory.
Overnight at Hanle.

Day 9 | Hanle – Umling La – Hanle
There are two routes to reach Umling La from Hanle – the tougher one is from Photi La pass which is an dirt trail and gravel road. The other option is to go through Ukdungle which is an easier route. The area around Umling La is an high altitude area so the road up to the pass is an gentle trail and their are no deep gorges / valleys or narrow mountain roads to be taken. Post visit return back to Hanle.
Overnight at Hanle.

Day 10 | Hanle – Tso Kar (  228 Kms / 8 Hrs )
Drive towards Tso Kar which is an high altitude salt water lake and birding spot in the Himalayas. In route we cross Kyun Tso, Nidar, Nyoma, Mahe, Sumdo, Tso Kiagar to reach Tso Moriri, after visit we drive on to Tso Kar and cross Puga  and Polongla Pass to reach our destination for the day.
Overnight at Tso Kar.

Day 11 | Tso Kar to Jispa ( 225 Kms / 7 Hrs )
Morning free to explore Tso Kar, later drive to Jispa. enroute we cross More Plains, Pang, Lungcha La Pass, Nakeela Pass, Kangla Jal La, Sarchu, Baralacha la to reach Jispa.
Overnight at Jispa / Keylong.

Day 12 | Sarchu to Chandigarh ( 398 Kms / 9 Hrs )
After breakfast drive towards Manali, en-route cross Sissu ,  Atal Tunnel, Manali and Kullu to Reach Chandigarh. End of tour in Chandigarh.

End of tour.

Thing to do extra

Food and Meal

Breakfast – Our daily breakfast will be at the hotels where we stay.

Lunch – Daily lunch will be at small midway joints or it will be an picnic Lunch at some places where our team will cook food for you and serve it hot. Lunches in Leh are not included in package.

Dinner – Our daily dinner will be at the hotels / Camps / Guesthouse where we stay. Dinner in Manali & Leh is not included in the package as there are lots of good local restaurants in both cities where you can go out and enjoy a meal.

Food is a very essential part of these trips. We make sure that the meals we offer is method delicious, unless you ask for dull meals. You are also permitted the choice of veggie or non-vegetarian meals. We suggest that you consume only the bottled standard water that we will carry for you.

Type of stay

Jammu – Hotel / 3*
Srinagar – Hotel / 3*
Sonmarg – Hotel / Guesthouse
Kargil – Hotel / 3*
Leh – Hotel / 3*
Pangong – Camp / Cottages
Hanle – Guesthouse / Homestay
Tso Kar – Guesthouse
Jispa – Camp / HotelPremium Tour – Stay in best available properties

Jammu – Radisson Blu
Srinagar – Hotel
Sonmarg – Hotel
Kargil – Hotel
Leh – Hotel
Pangong – Camp / Cottages
Hanle – Guesthouse / Homestay
Tso Kar – Guesthouse
Jispa – Cottages / Hotel

Getting there

There are regular flights / Trains to Chandigarh from major Indian cities and for international passenger’s you can take a flight from Delhi airport.

Other Travel Options
Reach Srinagar city / Airport (SXR)

Skill level

Intermediate

– can drive for five to six hours
–  extensive driving experience
–  assistance on demand (if required)
–  comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Arrival

%upon arrival, you will receive Planet Way Round made route map with detailed
program.

Including the package cost

1. 11 Nights accommodation on Twin / Double sharing basis om good 3* Hotels / best homestays in sector.
2. All meals Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner for duration of trip, as per above mentioned itinerary. Except meals at Leh and Manali City (Lunch and Dinner not Covered) as there are many eating options in Leh & Manali
3. Guidance to best places for Meals at Pay N Eat ( if any).
4. Accompanying Professional & Experienced Guide throughout the tour.
5. Border entry fee with all Inner line permits to restricted/protected areas.
6. First Aid Oxygen and AMS kit for each vehicle as per needs
7. Things to carry list with Map.
8. Walkie-Talkie sets for communication between cars
9. Lead vehicle and backup vehicle with mechanical Support throughout the trip. ( Backup vehicle if group large than 8 vehicles.
10. P.W.R goody Bag & car stickers.

Not including the cost

1. Stay for extra days if any ( we can make bookings for you make bookings for you )
2. Flights to the destination.
3. Extra food Like Starters /Lunch /Dinner all over Pay & Eat ( if Any outside the venue) .
4. Any vehicle Damage /fine/ Insurance
5. Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals, starters (Alcoholic, Mineral, Soft Drinks, Aerated) etc.
6. Extra guide fee, Camera & Video fee ,Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone
7. Any activity apart from mentioned ones.
8. Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like damage accruing from land blocks, bad weather etc.
9. Any medical expenses incurred during the trip or travel insurance
10. Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
11. GST on billing.