Srinagar Ladakh Road Trip for 13 Days
On the journey of a lifetime with our comprehensive 13-day Srinagar to Ladakh road trip. This iconic route, often called the “Highway to Heaven,” is the most scenic and acclimatization-friendly way to reach Leh. Starting from the lush Mughal Gardens of Srinagar, you will traverse the legendary Zojila Pass, witness the stark beauty of Kargil, and stand atop Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.
Whether you are a photography enthusiast looking for the perfect shot of Pangong Lake at sunrise or a culture seeker exploring the ancient monasteries of Alchi and Hemis, this itinerary is designed for deep immersion. Unlike shorter trips, our 13-day plan ensures you have ample time to adjust to the altitude, making it the perfect Ladakh tour package for families and adventure seekers alike.
Why Choose the Srinagar Route? Traveling from Srinagar to Leh by road allows your body to gradually adapt to the thinning air as you move from the Kashmir Valley into the high-altitude desert of Ladakh. You’ll experience a dramatic shift in landscape—from the emerald greens of Gulmarg and Sonamarg to the lunar-like terrain of Lamayuru and the turquoise brilliance of Nubra Valley.
Tour Highlights:
- Stay in a Traditional Houseboat: Experience the serenity of Dal Lake in a clean, hand-picked houseboat.
- Cross Iconic Mountain Passes: Conquer Zojila, Namika La, Fotu La, and Chang La.
- Nubra Valley Sand Dunes: Ride double-humped camels in the high-altitude desert of Hunder.
- Starlit Nights at Pangong Tso: Overnight stay near the world’s highest saltwater lake.
- Cultural Immersion: Guided tours of Thiksey, Hemis, and the historic Leh Palace.
Trip Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Srinagar Airport, you will be transferred 15 km to your hotel or a traditional wooden houseboat on Dal Lake, where you can settle in before spending a peaceful evening enjoying a Shikara ride across the water.
You will spend the day touring the "Jewels of Kashmir," covering about 40 km of local driving to visit the Shankaracharya Temple (located at 1,100 ft above the city) and the lush Mughal Gardens—Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh.
After an early breakfast, you will take a scenic 112 km round-trip drive to Gulmarg, where you can ride the Gondola cable car to reach Apharwat Peak at a staggering elevation of 4,200m before returning to Srinagar.
Your road adventure begins as you drive through Sonamarg and navigate the thrilling Zojila Pass (3,528m), eventually reaching the town of Drass—the second coldest inhabited place on Earth—before staying overnight in Kargil.
As you head toward Leh, you will cross Namika La (3,700m) and Fatu La (4,108m), the highest point on the Srinagar-Leh highway, stopping at the 11th-century Lamayuru "Moonland" Monastery along the way.
This day is dedicated to exploring the spiritual heritage around Leh, visiting the massive Hemis Monastery and the iconic Thiksey Monastery, keeping your elevation steady at approximately 3,500m to help with acclimatization.
You will depart early for Pangong Lake, crossing the massive Chang La Pass (5,360m), and arrive at the world’s highest saltwater lake (located at 4,225m) to witness its famous color-changing waters.
After a morning of photography by the lake, you will drive back across the Chang La Pass to return to Leh, descending back to 3,500m for a comfortable night’s sleep.
After an early breakfast we depart for Nubra valley crossing the Khardung-La pass, the highest motorable road in the world at 5359m/ 17582ft, around 39kms from Leh. Reach Hundar village in Nubra valley and check in the guest house. After lunch and relaxing for some time, we move out to take a tour of Nubra valley visiting Diskit gompa, double humped camel ride and Hundar village. O/n in the guest house.
In the morning, you will visit the Samstanling Monastery in the Sumur region before driving back over the Khardung La Pass (5,359m) to spend a relaxing evening at your hotel in Leh.
This day trip takes you along the Indus River to see the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill and the "Sangam" confluence, staying at a relatively consistent altitude of 3,500m throughout the journey.
You will wrap up your sightseeing by visiting the white-domed Shanti Stupa, the nine-story Leh Palace, and the Hall of Fame museum, all located within the immediate vicinity of Leh town.
Tour Inclusions
- 12 Nights Accommodation: Twin-sharing in clean, hand-picked Hotels, Houseboats (Srinagar), and Deluxe Camps (Nubra/Pangong).
- Daily Meals: Freshly prepared Breakfast and Dinner at all locations.
- Private Transport: All transfers and sightseeing in a dedicated vehicle (Innova/Xylo/Tempo Traveler) including fuel and tolls.
- Airport Transfers: Pick-up at Srinagar Airport and drop-off at Leh Airport.
- All Permits: Inner Line Permits (ILP) for restricted areas like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.
- Expert Support: Professional local guide and oxygen cylinders in the vehicle for high-altitude safety.
- Connectivity: Local SIM card provided for use in the Leh region.
Tour Exclusions
- Airfare: Flights to Srinagar and out of Leh.
- Daily Lunches: All midday meals and snacks.
- Personal Drinks: Bottled water, soft drinks, or alcohol.
- Entry Fees: All tickets for Mughal Gardens, Monasteries (Hemis, Thiksey, etc.), and Monuments.
- Activity Costs: Shikara rides, Gulmarg Gondola tickets, or Camel rides in Nubra.
- Personal Tips: Gratuities for drivers, guides, or hotel staff.
- Laundry & Misc: Personal expenses, phone calls, and shopping.
- Contingencies: Extra costs due to flight delays, landslides, weather or medical emergencies.
NEED HELP?
Our expedition experts are available to answer your questions and help you prepare.
Message on WhatsApp
Similar Tours
