Manali to Srinagar - The Ultimate Road Trip
Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Route: Manali - Jispa - Tso Moriri Lake - Indus Valley – Nubra Valley - Lamayuru - Kargil - Srinagar
Not for the faint hearted, our 'Ultimate Road Trip' guarantees to be the adventure of a lifetime as we take you through some of worlds the most dangerous and thrilling roads! This tour can be done with our car or by motorbike (with the accompaniment of our professional bike mechanic and luggage vehicle) and it is sure to be an amazing experience that you will never forget! Cruise through a cold desert, cross major river junctions, look at waterfalls and snow-capped peaks of Ladakh - all from the great open road!
Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Route: Manali - Jispa - Tso Moriri Lake - Indus Valley – Nubra Valley - Lamayuru - Kargil - Srinagar
Not for the faint hearted, our 'Ultimate Road Trip' guarantees to be the adventure of a lifetime as we take you through some of worlds the most dangerous and thrilling roads! This tour can be done with our car or by motorbike (with the accompaniment of our professional bike mechanic and luggage vehicle) and it is sure to be an amazing experience that you will never forget! Cruise through a cold desert, cross major river junctions, look at waterfalls and snow-capped peaks of Ladakh - all from the great open road!
DAY ONE: Manali
Following your arrival to Manali, you will meet our tour representative who will take you for a half day of local sight-seeing. Enjoy the lush green hill station fauna and then return to our pre-arranged accommodation in the evening with free time to roam through the colourful Manali mall before the road trip begins tomorrow! Overnight stay in Manali.
DAY TWO: Manali - Jispa (145 kms)
Your day begins with a 'jump right in' six hour drive to 'Jispa' with your first real taste of the high altitude effects and views as you climb over Rohtang La pass (3980 m). You will feel like you’ve entered whole new world where Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are carved into the mountains you’ll notice the change from the lush green hill station into a dry barren landscape. In the afternoon, you will reach Jispa, a beautiful village on the banks of the Bhaga River where you can rest, relax and take in the mountain views of heavenly snow- peaks. Overnight stay in Jispa hotel.
DAY THREE: Jispa - Sarchu (75 kms)
After breakfast you will ride over the Bara Lacha La pass (4892m) which is commonly referred to as the ‘Switzerland of India’ because of it’s spectacular snow capped mountain views. Riding through the mountains, you will now be well acquainted with the road, and you will be able to relax and enjoy the ride as you marvel at the infinite Sarchu plains before checking in to your luxury camp at Sarchu.
DAY FOUR: Sarchu – Pang – Tso Kar - Tso Moriri Lake (140 kms)
Today you will enter Ladakh and enjoy one of the highlights of your trip – the once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tso Mo ri ri. You will take the hairpin curves out of Pang which will bring you to ‘More Plains’, 44 km of wide valley where you might be lucky enough to have a chance encounter with the Changpa nomads and their resident yaks. Your view will be massive glacial peaks either side, razorback ridges of every imaginable colour rock, and tiny villages set amidst green and gold fields of barley and mustard flowers. You will take a short break at Tso Kar lake to stretch the legs before arriving at Tso mo riri Lake for your overnight stay in our prearranged luxury camp.
DAY FIVE: Lake Tso moriri – Tso Kar – Thiksey - Leh
The early birds can welcome the day by watching the sunrise and observe the morning colours of the lake which changes its appearance and shades at different times of the day. Having said goodbye to the beautiful Tso moriri, you will come by Tso Kar Lake – similar in appearance but much smaller than Tso moriri. Ride over the infamous ‘Tag lang la’ pass (known for being the world’s second highest motor-able road) and enjoy the spectacular scenery and safari driving into to Leh via Thiksey monastery. Commonly referred to as ‘Little Lhasa’, Thiksey monastery has become a popular tourist destination because of its architectural resemblance to the ‘Little Potala Palace’ in Lhasa, Tibet. Many photos of Ladakh showcase this gompa because of its architectural beauty - right from the front gate. Arrive in Leh in the evening in time for a well-deserved rest and overnight stay.
DAY SIX: Leh rest day | Today is kept free for you to ‘choose your own adventure’. Suggested activities include:
DAY SEVEN: Leh - Khardong La - Sumoor
Depart Leh after breakfast and head towards ‘Nubra Valley’ which is popularly known as the ‘valley of flowers’ because of the variety of wildflowers and medicinal plants grown all over the local area. Situated in the northern part of Ladakh (between the Karakoram and Ladakh Himalayan ranges), the journey between Leh and Nubra takes you over ‘Khardong-la-pass’ which is the world’s highest motor-able road (located 18390 feet above sea level)! The journey to Nubra is a half-day drive of breathtaking landscapes and spectacular scenery and the experience is sure to be once-in-a-lifetime and truly unforgettable. On arrival in the Valley, you will visit the Disket monastery where you can see the 100-foot tall Buddha statue. Those who wish to enjoy an optional camel safari on Nubras resident double humped camels can climb aboard a double-humped camel in Hunder for a ride around the cold desert sand dunes before arriving to your Nubra Valley accommodation.
DAY EIGHT: Sumoor - Khardong La - Leh city sightseeing
and return to Leh with one last safari drive over Khardong La pass. Spend an hour or so walking around the town where you can shop for local handicrafts or purchase souvenirs and then continue your sightseeing with a half-day of Leh city sightseeing beginning at the ancient Tse Mo castle. After seeing the crumbling architecture and your first aerial view over the town, you can visit the ancient Leh palace and then proceed to the magnificent Japanese built Shanti Stupa, where you can watch the sun set and the lights emerge over Leh town. Return to your Leh based accommodation for overnight stay.
DAY NINE: Leh - Hall of Fame - Pathar Sahib - Sangham - Magnetic Hill - Basgo – Lamayuru
Wake at your leisure and travel west of Leh to the popular ‘Hall of Fame’ Ladakhi culture and war museum. Enjoy free time at the adjacent ‘adventure playground’ where your daughter can enjoy the ropes course, giant swing and even participate in shooting arrows at the archery display. Next, you will enjoy the safari drive to the Sikh temple known as ‘Pathar Sahib’ before stopping at the mysterious ‘Magnetic Hill’ where you will experience reverse gravity in action as your vehicle appears to move without power. Continue on your safari journey and arrive at the Sangham lookout where you will view the colourful intersection of the Zangskar and Indus rivers before driving through the ‘pretty-as-a-postcard’ Basgo village. Arrive at your overnight destination of Lamayuru and enjoy ‘Moonland territory’ - so called because the landscape closely resembles the craters found on the moon! If time permits, you can check in to the ancient Lamayuru monastery which looks like something from a fairy-tale before your overnight stay in Lamayuru.
DAY TEN: Lamayuru - Kargil
Early risers can make their way to the ancient Lamayuru gompa for the traditional puja ceremony of the residing monks. Alternatively, depart Lamayuru after breakfast for your overnight stopover at Kargil (via Mulbeck). At Mulbeck, you can enjoy a tea break nearby the giant Buddha sculpture at rock mountain… before arriving at Kargil where you can enjoy your the magnificent views at ‘Tiger Hill’ and ‘Tololing’ before afternoon of sightseeing at the Kargil war museum. Overnight stay in Kargil.
DAY ELEVEN: Kargil – Drass - Sonamarg - Srinagar
Depart Kargil after breakfast and stop in Drass village for a tea break at the world’s second coldest inhabited place. Make your way over the infamous Zoji La pass and arrive to Srinagar via ‘Sonamarg’ hill station. Our driver will drop you at your pre-booked overnight accommodation and if time permits you can enjoy an optional shikara boat ride at your leisure.
DAY TWELVE: Srinagar departure
According to your flight departure time our driver will transfer you to the airport.
Following your arrival to Manali, you will meet our tour representative who will take you for a half day of local sight-seeing. Enjoy the lush green hill station fauna and then return to our pre-arranged accommodation in the evening with free time to roam through the colourful Manali mall before the road trip begins tomorrow! Overnight stay in Manali.
DAY TWO: Manali - Jispa (145 kms)
Your day begins with a 'jump right in' six hour drive to 'Jispa' with your first real taste of the high altitude effects and views as you climb over Rohtang La pass (3980 m). You will feel like you’ve entered whole new world where Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are carved into the mountains you’ll notice the change from the lush green hill station into a dry barren landscape. In the afternoon, you will reach Jispa, a beautiful village on the banks of the Bhaga River where you can rest, relax and take in the mountain views of heavenly snow- peaks. Overnight stay in Jispa hotel.
DAY THREE: Jispa - Sarchu (75 kms)
After breakfast you will ride over the Bara Lacha La pass (4892m) which is commonly referred to as the ‘Switzerland of India’ because of it’s spectacular snow capped mountain views. Riding through the mountains, you will now be well acquainted with the road, and you will be able to relax and enjoy the ride as you marvel at the infinite Sarchu plains before checking in to your luxury camp at Sarchu.
DAY FOUR: Sarchu – Pang – Tso Kar - Tso Moriri Lake (140 kms)
Today you will enter Ladakh and enjoy one of the highlights of your trip – the once-in-a-lifetime journey to Tso Mo ri ri. You will take the hairpin curves out of Pang which will bring you to ‘More Plains’, 44 km of wide valley where you might be lucky enough to have a chance encounter with the Changpa nomads and their resident yaks. Your view will be massive glacial peaks either side, razorback ridges of every imaginable colour rock, and tiny villages set amidst green and gold fields of barley and mustard flowers. You will take a short break at Tso Kar lake to stretch the legs before arriving at Tso mo riri Lake for your overnight stay in our prearranged luxury camp.
DAY FIVE: Lake Tso moriri – Tso Kar – Thiksey - Leh
The early birds can welcome the day by watching the sunrise and observe the morning colours of the lake which changes its appearance and shades at different times of the day. Having said goodbye to the beautiful Tso moriri, you will come by Tso Kar Lake – similar in appearance but much smaller than Tso moriri. Ride over the infamous ‘Tag lang la’ pass (known for being the world’s second highest motor-able road) and enjoy the spectacular scenery and safari driving into to Leh via Thiksey monastery. Commonly referred to as ‘Little Lhasa’, Thiksey monastery has become a popular tourist destination because of its architectural resemblance to the ‘Little Potala Palace’ in Lhasa, Tibet. Many photos of Ladakh showcase this gompa because of its architectural beauty - right from the front gate. Arrive in Leh in the evening in time for a well-deserved rest and overnight stay.
DAY SIX: Leh rest day | Today is kept free for you to ‘choose your own adventure’. Suggested activities include:
- A full day of white water rafting in the Indus River (absolutely suitable for beginners…)
- Hire of with a mountain bike and take a self-guided ride throughout the region
- Shopping in the Tibetan market or Leh main bazar (The best buys in Ladakh include: authentic pashmina shawls and stoles, handwoven rugs, carpets or decorative wall hangings, locally made woollen socks, gloves, beanies or jackets, trekking gear including backpacks, clothing, boots and climbing accessories, traditional 'chung' pots, teapots, and singing bowls, Tibetan handicraft items including prayer wheels, bowls, Buddhist masks and Thangka paintings and a variety of silver and traditional Ladakhi turquoise jewellery)
- Self-guided walking tour of the old market in Leh
- Relax in the hotel
DAY SEVEN: Leh - Khardong La - Sumoor
Depart Leh after breakfast and head towards ‘Nubra Valley’ which is popularly known as the ‘valley of flowers’ because of the variety of wildflowers and medicinal plants grown all over the local area. Situated in the northern part of Ladakh (between the Karakoram and Ladakh Himalayan ranges), the journey between Leh and Nubra takes you over ‘Khardong-la-pass’ which is the world’s highest motor-able road (located 18390 feet above sea level)! The journey to Nubra is a half-day drive of breathtaking landscapes and spectacular scenery and the experience is sure to be once-in-a-lifetime and truly unforgettable. On arrival in the Valley, you will visit the Disket monastery where you can see the 100-foot tall Buddha statue. Those who wish to enjoy an optional camel safari on Nubras resident double humped camels can climb aboard a double-humped camel in Hunder for a ride around the cold desert sand dunes before arriving to your Nubra Valley accommodation.
DAY EIGHT: Sumoor - Khardong La - Leh city sightseeing
and return to Leh with one last safari drive over Khardong La pass. Spend an hour or so walking around the town where you can shop for local handicrafts or purchase souvenirs and then continue your sightseeing with a half-day of Leh city sightseeing beginning at the ancient Tse Mo castle. After seeing the crumbling architecture and your first aerial view over the town, you can visit the ancient Leh palace and then proceed to the magnificent Japanese built Shanti Stupa, where you can watch the sun set and the lights emerge over Leh town. Return to your Leh based accommodation for overnight stay.
DAY NINE: Leh - Hall of Fame - Pathar Sahib - Sangham - Magnetic Hill - Basgo – Lamayuru
Wake at your leisure and travel west of Leh to the popular ‘Hall of Fame’ Ladakhi culture and war museum. Enjoy free time at the adjacent ‘adventure playground’ where your daughter can enjoy the ropes course, giant swing and even participate in shooting arrows at the archery display. Next, you will enjoy the safari drive to the Sikh temple known as ‘Pathar Sahib’ before stopping at the mysterious ‘Magnetic Hill’ where you will experience reverse gravity in action as your vehicle appears to move without power. Continue on your safari journey and arrive at the Sangham lookout where you will view the colourful intersection of the Zangskar and Indus rivers before driving through the ‘pretty-as-a-postcard’ Basgo village. Arrive at your overnight destination of Lamayuru and enjoy ‘Moonland territory’ - so called because the landscape closely resembles the craters found on the moon! If time permits, you can check in to the ancient Lamayuru monastery which looks like something from a fairy-tale before your overnight stay in Lamayuru.
DAY TEN: Lamayuru - Kargil
Early risers can make their way to the ancient Lamayuru gompa for the traditional puja ceremony of the residing monks. Alternatively, depart Lamayuru after breakfast for your overnight stopover at Kargil (via Mulbeck). At Mulbeck, you can enjoy a tea break nearby the giant Buddha sculpture at rock mountain… before arriving at Kargil where you can enjoy your the magnificent views at ‘Tiger Hill’ and ‘Tololing’ before afternoon of sightseeing at the Kargil war museum. Overnight stay in Kargil.
DAY ELEVEN: Kargil – Drass - Sonamarg - Srinagar
Depart Kargil after breakfast and stop in Drass village for a tea break at the world’s second coldest inhabited place. Make your way over the infamous Zoji La pass and arrive to Srinagar via ‘Sonamarg’ hill station. Our driver will drop you at your pre-booked overnight accommodation and if time permits you can enjoy an optional shikara boat ride at your leisure.
DAY TWELVE: Srinagar departure
According to your flight departure time our driver will transfer you to the airport.