Manali – Leh – Srinagar

Jeep Tours > Manali – Leh – Srinagar

Arrive Naggar, check in Up North site. Local sightseeing of Naggar in the afternoon. Visit Naggar Castle, Roerich art gallery and the ancient temples of Naggar. Overnight stay at Up North.

The road from Manali onwards is maintained by the Army and remains through barely four to five months because of heavy snow. Though the road up to Leh is on a rugged terrain, yet the 51km long patch up to Rohtang Pass is through the lush green mountains. After crossing the Pass on the Pirpanjal range, the road descends upto Khoksar and crosses the Chandra river. From here onwards the road is constantly on the bank of the river upto Tandi, the confluence of rivers Chandra and Bhaga. the river gets a new name-Chandrabhaga from Tandi and flows via Kishtwar in Jammu further to Pakistan. The drive is spectacular one gets the pleasure of driving on a trans-Himalayan landscape. After Tandi the road crosses river Bhaga and starts winding upto Keylong (3350 Mts.) It is the administrative headquarter of Lahaul and Spiti district. Overnight in a hotel at Keylong/ Jispa.

Since today’s drive is the longest and over four high altitude passes it has to start early in the morning. The drive upto Suraj tal, source of river Bhaga is almost along river Bhaga, Occasionally gaining height and again coming back on the river bed. The route passes through Darcha and Patseo, and gains height upto Baralacha Pass (4891 Mts.) through Zing-zing bar. Baralacha Pass is on Greater Himalayan range. After descending the Pass barren landscape becomes positively lunar, dusty plains covered with scattered boulders stretch into the distance but the long patch of greenery of Sarchu reminds the existence of greenery in the world.

After a drive on long leveled and straight road, we cross a rivulet and enter into Ladakh. There after a climb on 21 hair pin bends brings us on Nakeela Pass (4915 Mts.), the Lachungla Pass (5066 Mts.) After about 90 kms. Drive including 50 kms on more plains, we cross Tanglangla Pass (5445 Mts.)The drive has wonderful and awesome barren and unparallel beauty. Later we meet the meandering river Indus at Upshi (3380 Mts.). From here onwards this river gives constant company upto Leh (3505 Mts.). The Indus is historically and geographically one of the great rivers, from which Name of our country India is derived. Overnight in a hotel at Leh.

Leh is the headquarter of Ladakh. Ladakh is a land like no other bounded by two gigantic Mountains ranges—-the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram. It is famous for its colorful festivals held in Buddhist monasteries. The main attractions of   these festivals are dance-drama enacted by Lamas donning colorful robes.  Leh has number of historic monuments starting with the 9 storey Leh palace built in 17th century. Shey Palace – about 15 kms. from town was built about 550 years ago as the old summer palace of kings of Ladakh. It has a temple housing 3 story high Budha statue. This 12 meter high statue is the largest golden statue in Ladakh. It is made of gold and gilded copper sheets. Thikse Monastery – 17 kms. from town. About 500 yrs old monastery is built on hill above the Indus and has the largest contingent of monks. On the way vist Sindhu darshan and Stok Palace. Enjoy the evening at Shanti Stupa overlooking the beautiful Leh town. Overnight in a hotel at Leh.

Today’s drive takes us across beautiful villages of Shey and Thikse.The Ladakh range of mountains is crossed at Changla Pass (5475 Mts.) Pangong lake at 4267 Mts is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. A narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly 6 – 7 Kms. at its widest point and over 130 kms. long is bisected by International border between India and China. Back to Leh in the evening. Overnight in a hotel at Leh.

Note : You can opt to stay overnight in a camp at Pangong Lake adding an additional day to your itinerary ( additional charges ) before finalizing your tour programme .

The drive from Leh is over the world’s highest road Khardungla Pass (5578 Mts.)The view from the Pass is amazing. One can see all the way south over the Indus valley, peaks and ridges of Zanskar range and north to the giants of Saser massifs. Nubra is along the foot hills of the great Karakoram range. The main village of Nubra valley is Deskit (3048 Mts).From Deskit one can visit Hundar an area of rolling sand dunes, their contours apparently solid yet liable to shift with every gale. A safari can be undertaken on Bactrian double humped camels (at an extra cost), available at Hunder. Overnight in a hotel at Deskit/ Hundar.

Drive back to Leh. Overnight in a hotel at Leh.

The 434 Kms. Leh Srinagar road was the only approach for Leh but after opening up of Manali Leh road in 1989, Leh got its second approach. The road from Leh is almost on the bank of Indus upto Nimmu. The Zansker River is the biggest Ladakh tributary of Indus joins it here. One can admire this spectacular sight as both the rivers have different colour. After Nimmu the road passes through Saspol, Khalaste and Lamayuru. The climb to Fatula Pass (4147 Mts.) is of about 1200 Mts. The road has serpentine length of bends, loops and whorls. Some people call them hairpin bends and others jalebi bends. From the top of Pass the view opens out into a panorama of ridge, peak and valley. From here onwards the road is through Zansker range of mountains. While descending the road is on the ridge of Kanji river and a zigzag ascent takes us to yet another pass known as Namikla (3700 Mts.). Before reaching Kargil, Mulbek is the last predominantly Budhist area. Kargil (2750 Mts.) has less snowfall than other parts of Ladakh. Resulting in the lush growth of the crops. Overnight in a hotel at Kargil.

From Kargil the we drive upto Drass the coldest inhabited place- temperature during winter touches upto minus 45. The valley opens up and then we descend on the last pass of our journey, Zozila Pass (3450 Mts.) upto Baltal in Kashmir valley. from here is a short trek of  about 14 Kms . to Holy Amaranth cave . After crossing the Sind River, a tributary of Kashmirs main river Jhehlum, we touch Sonmarg – the last tourist resort of Kashmir on Srinagar – Leh road.  It is about 2 hrs. (80 Kms.), drive from here to Srinagar. Overnight at hotel in Srinagar.

Check out after breakfast. Drop at Srinnagar airport.

Note: Programme schedule can be changed due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstances.