The Roof of the World Expedition

Day 01:  Pick up from Srinagar airport and drive to Hotel, Half-day local sightseeing

Route: Srinagar Airport to Srinagar Hotel & Half-Day Sightseeing
Places Covered: Srinagar Airport – Dal Lake (12 km) – Mughal Gardens (6 km) – Shankaracharya Temple (5 km) – Lal Chowk (3 km)
Night Stay: Srinagar, Hotel/Houseboat
Altitude: 1,585 m (Srinagar)
Distance/Time Taken: 25 km (4-5 hours including sightseeing)
Road Condition: Excellent

Arrive at Srinagar Airport, where you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel or houseboat. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is renowned for its pristine lakes, lush gardens, and rich cultural heritage.

After check-in and some relaxation, begin your half-day sightseeing tour. Start with a serene Shikara ride on Dal Lake, one of the most iconic experiences in Srinagar. Marvel at the floating gardens and houseboats as you glide through the calm waters.

Continue to the Mughal Gardens, including Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi, which were built by Mughal emperors and showcase stunning Persian-style landscaping, cascading fountains, and vibrant flower beds.

Next, visit the Shankaracharya Temple, perched atop a hill overlooking the city. This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva offers panoramic views of Srinagar and Dal Lake. The short climb to the temple is well worth it for the breathtaking scenery.

Before returning to your hotel, take a stroll through Lal Chowk, the bustling market area of Srinagar. Here, you can explore local handicrafts, purchase authentic Kashmiri Pashmina shawls, and savor traditional Kashmiri delicacies like Rogan Josh and Kahwa.

Spend the evening unwinding at your hotel or houseboat, enjoying the tranquil ambiance of Srinagar. Overnight stay in Srinagar, preparing for the next leg of your journey.

Day 02: Route: Srinagar- Kargil via Zojila pass (5,200 i.e 1,585)

Route/ Place covered : Srinagar – 80Kms- Sonamarg –26Kms-  Zorji La Pass-38 Kms  – Drass – 60Kms - Kargil war memorial- Kargil

Night Stay: Kargil, Hotel

Distance/Time Taken:  250 km (6-7 hrs  Approx)

Road condition: Zojilla Pass can sometime time consuming due to traffic (Otherwise smooth roads all the way to Kargil

After breakfast at Hotel/Houseboat. Our driver will pick up from your hotel to take you to Kargil the journey pass through the magnificent village Sonamarg (known as meadow of gold), take a break for a sip of tea and photograph and further continue to Kargil by crossing Zojila pass which is at the altitude of 11,575 ft. the road from Sonamargh to Drass is wet and rough. Drass “the second coldest inhibited places in the world) where you can explore Kargil war Memorial and spot the famous Tiger hill. Take a break for another cup of tea or Maggi. further drive along the Drass river till reach Kargil. check -in and over night stay at Kargil

Day 03: Route: Kargil - Leh (11,562 i.e. 3,524 mts)

Route: Kargil –45 Kms - Mulbekh – 11 Kms -  Namik La – 45 Kms – Fotu La – 15Kms - Lamayuru 24 Kms – Khalsi  – 40 Kms-  Sangam – 5 Kms - Magnetic hill -3 Kms– Gurduwara- 30 Kms – Leh

Night Stay:  Leh, Hotel

Distance/Time Taken: 240 km (7-8 hrs one way Approx)

Road Condition: Excellent smooth ride all the way to Leh

Restaurent/ Dhabas: available at Lamayuru – Khalsi – Nimmu

Today it’s advisable to leave Kargil for Leh as there is lots to see today, if you start early you will get good enough half to explore those interesting places, though you will be riding on smooth and beautiful road. After a short drive to Kargil you’ll pass an eight-century ancient rock cut Statue of Mulkekh Matriya Buddha statue. Take a break for tea/snacks.  now its time to cross Leh – Srinagar highest pass Namkila and Futola As you are decending from Futola you will witness the beautiful landscape view of Lamayuru, one of the oldest monastery in Ladakh. Take a half for lunch or tea/snake. soon after leaving Lamayuru, you’ll reach the Indus valley . From here drive along the Indus River (Sindhu -Hindu- Hindustan from where India got its name) and proceed to  Leh enroute visit  Indus & Zanskar river  confluence (Sangam), Gurdwara Pathar Sahiband Magnetic Hill further on to Leh Hall of Fame (which has a museum of the Kargil War memorabilia) Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 04: Route: Shey , Thiksey , Hemis Place Covered: Leh – 10 Km- Sindhu Ghat – 4 Km – Shey –1 Km- 3 Idiot School – 5Km - Thiksey – 25 Km- Hemis (11562 i.e.3524mts)

Late afternoon visit :  visit Shanti Stupap and Leh palave

Night stay: Leh,Hotel

Distance/Time Taken: 45 km one way(6 to 7 hrs including Sightseeing)

After a leisurely  breakfast start your day to make the most of your time. Head to Sindhu Ghat, located around 10 km from Leh, to witness the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. You can also take a dip in the river if you like. Next, head to Shey Palace, which is about 15 km from Sindhu Ghat. This former summer palace of the Ladakh kings is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. From Shey Palace, drive to the famous "3 Idiots" school, which is located in the village of Phunsukh Wangdu, also known as Rancho's School. This school was featured in the Bollywood movie "3 Idiots," which was filmed in Ladakh. After visiting the school, take a break for lunch at a local restaurant in the nearby area. Next, drive to Hemis Monastery, which is around 45 km from Rancho's School. This is one of the most famous and largest monasteries in Ladakh and is home to many ancient Buddhist artifacts and relics. After exploring the monastery, drive back to Leh and spend some time at hotel late afternoon visit

Shanti Stupa: Japanese Buddhist Organisation built the Stupa to promote world peace and commemorate the 2500 years of Buddhism on the hilltop of Leh

Leh Palace: Leh Palace, also known as Lachen Palkar Palace, is a former royal palace overlooking the town of Leh. King Singgee Namgyal built the castle during the 17th Century. The nine storeys building is now in ruins. The caste was the royal family's home before being exiled to Stok palace in the 1830s. Overnight stay in Leh

Day : 05: Route: Leh to Nubra via Khardong la top

Place covered : Leh – Khardung La Pass (40 KMs) – Khardung Village (34 KMs) – Khalsar (23 KMs) – Diskit (19 KMs)- Hunder ( 7 KMs) = 123 KMs

Night Stay: Nubra, Hotel/Camp (10,000 i.e. 3250mts)

Distance/Time Taken: 125Km.(4-5hrs one way Approx)

After breakfast, start driving towards Nubra Valley situated in the north of Leh, at about 10,000 feet above sea level. The road, which climbs up and over the Khardung La, at approximately 18,380 feet, is believed to be the highest motorable road in the world. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif.  After crossing the Pass, you will see Khardung village, stop for lunch at Khardong or  Khalser and cross Deskit (the main villages of Nubra valley). Get engrossed in this colourful valley of flowers. Spend the night in hotel Eveing , you may see a Double Humped, Hairy and Bactrian Camels. Overnight stay  Nubra Valley( Hunder)

Day:06: Route: Hunder - Turtuk – Hunder  Full day Local Sightseeing  (9846 i.e.3000mts)

Place Covered: Hunder -Thoise ( airbase) 15 KMs - Changmar  33KMs –Bogdang 15 KMs - Turtuk 25KMs

Distance/Time Taken: 90 km one way (7-8 hrs including Sightseeing)

Today, you’ll travel to Turtuk. Located on the India-Pakistan border, it is a small village on the banks of the Shyok River with unparalleled natural beauty. The place is culturally, linguistically and historically different from what you’ve seen till now in your Ladakh holiday as it falls under the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Even the landscape is different with dramatic narrow valleys and steep mountains, unlike Central Ladakh and Nubra. Comparatively, situated at a lower altitude than Leh, you’ll see green pastures here that yield fresh produce like apricots and apples  technically falls in Baltistan- the Balti region of Pakistan & was annexed by India during the 1971’ war. Spend the rest of the day walking around and interacting with the locals- the whole feel is like being in Pakistan but rest assured the locals are very friendly & patriotic towards India. Explore village and back to  Nubra valley ( Hunder)  overnight in Hunder

 Day 07: Route / Place Covered : Hunder – Diskit Village  ( 7KMs) – Khalsar Village(26 Kms)  – Agham (31 KMs)  – Shyok Village (48KMs)  – Durbuk(18 KMs) – Tangtse (9KMs) – Pangong Tso(34KMs)

Night Stay: Pangong, camp /Hotel (14270 i.e 4350 mts)

Distance/Time Taken: 150 km (5-6 hrs one way Approx)

After having scrumptious breakfast, we check-out from Camp or hotel and drive towards Diskit along the sand dune where you can ride on a bactrian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. On the return stop at Diskit which is the headquarter town of Nubra Valley. Stroll around the bazaar observing the shops and local people going about their daily chores. Diskit is famous for old Buddhist Monastery, situated magnificently on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley. Later we drive towards Pangong Tso via Agham & Shyok Valley. Some of the road patches in areas are extremely tough (towards nubra side) in terms of road conditions but no doubt the journey is very scenic! Later we drive further towards Durbuk & Tangtse for Pangong you pass through few small villages of Changthang and finally you can enjoy this amazing view of the Pangong Lake situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 133 Kms long with half of it’s running the other side of the "Indo China Border". Upon arrival we check-in at Camp near Pangong Lake. Its magical to see the changing hues of Pangong Lake with the variation in the Sun intensity … Listen to the waves lapping the shores, watch the migratory birds and see the sun fade away at the horizon .. Whether it is a moon lit night or star studded night … The night sky is brilliant in Pangong .. One can spend hours looking at the sky …  ( Loose Fuel Available in the market ) .  Pangong Lake, a highest salt water lake in the world, shared by two countries India (25%) and China (75%), enjoy the beauty of Lake on banks of the Lake while appreciating the changing colours of fascinating high altitude Lake.    Over Night stay in Pangong

 Day 08: Route: Pangong to Hanle

Place covered: Spangmik (Pangong Tso) – Man (9 KMs) – Merak (12 KMs)– Kakstet (4 KMs) – Chusul (24 KMs) – Tsaga La (33 KMs) – Tsaga Village (20 KMs) – Loma (23 KMs) – Hanle(51 KMs) = 176 KMs

Night: Hanle Hotel. Altitude 4300 Meters or 14,800 ft

After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Hanle, by crossing Chushul Village, Tsaga La (15,200 Ft) enjoy the drive upto Hanle, is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory. The location of the village and the observatory are highly sensitive due to the close proximity of the Tibetan / Chinese border, India set up the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, a 2m gamma ray telescope. Once complete the Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment Telescope gamma ray telescope under construction they will be the world's largest telescope at the highest altitude and the second largest gamma ray telescope in the world. As per history, it is believed that King Singge Namgyal died here at Hanle while on his return from an expedition Mongols. Enjoy the stay with locals at local guest house. Overnight stay at Hanle.

 Day 09: Route:  Hanle - Tsomoriri

Place covered: Hanle – Loma (51 KMs) – Nyoma (22 KMs) – Mahe (25 KMs) – Sumdo (10 KMs) – Tso Moriri / Korzok (53 KMs) = 161 KMs

Travel time/ Travel Distance :-: - Approx. 07 To 08 hours /Approx. 161 KM

Night stay in Hanle/Guesthouse/Homestay- Altitute 14,763 ft.

In the morning after breakfast drive to Tsomoriri Lake via Nurpa Pass (16,100 Ft) continue drive to Tsomoriri Lake, en route cross Loma bend and Mahe Bridge. Arrive Korzok village by late noon. Evening is at disposal to walk around the Lake and enjoy the scenic beauty. O/N Korzok

Day 10: Route: Tso Moriri Lake - Tsokar Lake- Sarchu- Jispa

Place covered: Karzok -52 Kms- Sumdo -58 Kms (via Tsokar) –Debring -45 KMs- Pang – 75Kms- Sarchu- 85km – Jispa

Night stay: Jispa /Hotel . Altitute : 3200 meters or 10,500 ft

Distance/Time Taken: 320 km one way (9-20 hrs. including Sightseeing)

After Breakfast we flag off our epic ride from Tsomoriri to Jispa, a distance of about 320 kms. Being the longest ride of the voyage, time plays a crucial element today, en- route, visit Geo-thermal hot springs near Puga, thukjey village, see nomads along Polokongka pass and salt water Tsokar Lake. One of the famous protected wetlands of Ladakh, Tsokar Lake is home to various migratory birds from Central Asia.. En route, cross Leh-Manali highway. Enjoy the village tour of Jispa and converse with the local people. Stay overnight in the in Jispa

Day 11: Route:  Jispa to Manali (115 Kms)

Place covered: Jispa-22kms – Keylong – 9Kms – Tandi- 38kms- Kokhsar Sissu -19 Kms – Rotang pass- 52 Kms – Manali

Nightstay: Manali/Hotel   2,050 or 6,398 feet

This is the final leg of our ritual road trip. Following a leisurely breakfast we will drive to Manali. Today we climb the mighty Rohtang Pass and enter the beautiful valley of Manali or Go by Atul Tunnel. As the sun descends down, the evening welcomes to a grandeur celebration of a successful roadtrip . Overnight in a hotel.

Day 12: Route:  transfer to Bus-stand