The shape of this journey
The full overland crossing in a single booking — Srinagar and the valleys, then Zoji La, Drass and Kargil, and on into Ladakh for Nubra and Pangong, with acclimatisation built in at every step up.
What makes it worth it
- The complete Srinagar–Leh highway in one continuous journey
- Zoji La, Drass and the Kargil War Memorial at Tololing
- Kashmir valleys first, so you climb gradually
- Nubra dunes and Pangong Tso in the same trip
- One operator, one driver network, one invoice
- Proper acclimatisation days at Kargil and Leh
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive Srinagar · Dal Lake
Airport pickup, houseboat check-in and an evening shikara on the lake.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Dinner · Travel: Airport transfer · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 2 · Mughal gardens and the old city
Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi, then the craft lanes and Jama Masjid.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 3 · Gulmarg · gondola to Apharwat
Early start to beat the buses, gondola Phase 1 and 2, and a meadow walk.
Stay: Hotel, Gulmarg · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: 2 hrs · Altitude: 2,730 m
Day 4 · Pahalgam · Betaab and Baisaran
Down the Lidder valley for Betaab, Aru and the pony track to Baisaran.
Stay: Riverside hotel, Pahalgam · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: 3.5 hrs · Altitude: 2,130 m
Day 5 · Sonamarg · Thajiwas glacier
Across to Sonamarg for the glacier walk, with Zoji La visible ahead.
Stay: Hotel, Sonamarg · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: 3 hrs · Altitude: 2,740 m
Day 6 · Sonamarg → Kargil over Zoji La
Over Zoji La into Drass, the second-coldest inhabited place on earth, with a stop at the Kargil War Memorial at Tololing before Kargil town.
Stay: Hotel, Kargil · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: 4 hrs · Altitude: 2,676 m · Drass 3,300 m
Day 7 · Kargil → Leh through the Suru and Indus valleys
The long, spectacular run to Leh past Mulbekh’s rock-cut Maitreya and the Namika La and Fotu La passes.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: 6 hrs · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 8 · Leh · full rest day
Nothing planned. Acclimatisation at 3,500 m is not optional and this day is why the rest of the trip works.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: None · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 9 · Leh local · Shanti Stupa and the old town
Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa at sunset and the bazaar lanes.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 10 · Leh → Nubra over Khardung La
Over Khardung La at 5,359 m to Hunder, with Diskit Monastery and the dunes in the afternoon.
Stay: Camp, Nubra · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: 5 hrs · Altitude: 3,050 m
Day 11 · Nubra → Pangong Tso via Shyok
East along the Shyok to Pangong Tso for the evening colour shift at Spangmik.
Stay: Camp, Spangmik · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: 6 hrs · Altitude: 4,350 m
Day 12 · Pangong → Leh over Chang La
Sunrise on the lake, then back to Leh over Chang La with a stop at Thiksey.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: 5 hrs · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 13 · Hemis, Thiksey and the confluence
A last monastery morning and the Zanskar–Indus meeting at Nimmu.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 14 · Departure from Leh
Early airport transfer for the morning flight bank.
Meals: Breakfast · Travel: Airport transfer · Altitude: 3,500 m
What is included
- 13 nights across houseboat, hotels and camps
- Daily breakfast and dinner, packed lunches on long drive days
- Private vehicle with driver for the entire overland route
- Inner Line Permits for Nubra and Pangong
- Oxygen cylinder and oximeter on high-altitude days
- All tolls, parking, driver allowance and fuel
- 24×7 on-ground support in Srinagar and Leh
- Not included: Airfare into Srinagar and out of Leh
- Not included: Travel insurance (mandatory for Ladakh)
- Not included: Camel safari, rafting, ATV and other activities
- Not included: Lunches and beverages except packed lunches
- Not included: Monument entry fees and personal expenses
No hidden charges on the road: driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel are inside your quotation.
We do not publish rates.
Hotel and transport costs move with the season, the week and availability. Send your dates and we come back with an itemised written quote within a few working hours.