Kashmir Tour

Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days Places Covered: Delhi - Srinagar - Gulmarg - Pahalgam - Kargil - Leh - Delhi

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Enjoy 2 - 3 Hours Boat Ride on Dal Lake by a gondola Boat called "SHIKARA" witness the ride on lake, called Venice of India & experience the aquatic life of Srinagar. Also see the scenic extravaganza of the Kashmir and enjoy the profusion of colors in the Paradise on Earth. While returning visit to the local crafts market and see the fine carved hand-made articles from Paper Machie & wood of a walnut. Dinner & Overnight at the Deluxe Houseboat.

Day 02: Srinagar
After a breakfast you will visit Mogul Garden "Nishat" (The Garden of Pleasure) and "Shalimar" (Abode of All). Drive along the Lake side on Boulevard On return visit a local Handicrafts Emporium for hand-knotted specialty Silken carpets, shawls, jewellery ornaments. After lunch, In second half day proceed for the City tour visiting Hari Parbat Fort & Jamia Masjid, monument of medieval architecture etc. Return to the houseboat enroute drive & walk thru the Old town of City, where one can see the colorful life of people living around. Dinner and overnight at the Deluxe Houseboat.

Day 03 : Gulmarg 54 Kms - One Way 8700 ft. 2 Hrs One Way
Full Day return excursion to Gulmarg, called as "Meadow of Flowers" with picnic lunch. Gulmarg is 53 Kms from Srinagar at an altitude of 8700-ft. Gulmarg also referred as Meadow of Flowers is a famous Ski Resort & the world's highest 18 hole Golf Course. The place was prominent during the British time. Enjoy the scenic view of Kongdori on a Cable Car Ride - OPTIONAL (Gondola) Return to Srinagar for an overnight stay at Deluxe Houseboat.

Day 04 : Pahalgam 96 Kms - Way 7200 Feet
3 Hours One Way Transfers from Srinagar to Pahalgam called as "Valley of Shepherds. In Pahalgam, Enjoy the nature & walk around the banks of River Lidder. Pahalgam is famous for some trekking routes also & is the base camp for Amarnath Pilgrimage. Transfers from Pahalgam to Srinagar. Enroute visiting the Awantipura Ruins of 9th Century & Mattan Temple

Day 05 : Srinagar - Kargil
204 Kms After Early breakfast depart for Kargil (204 Kms) & drive thru Sonamarg. Situated at an altitude of 9000 Ft. Sonamarg - 84 Kms is also called as "The meadow of gold" has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds with trout and mahaseer. Stop at Sonamarg Glacier Restaurant for Hot Lunch + Immediately after lunch, drive towards Kargil and passing over Zojila Pass. Stop at Drass, the 2nd coldest inhabitant place in the World for Passport check & cup of tea. Then drive along the Drass River till one arrives at Kargil & Check in at Hotel D'Zojila \ Kargil. Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 06 : Kargil - Leh
After breakfast Proceed for Leh . Arrive Leh (165 Kms - & District Headquarters of Ladakh Region at an altitude of 3500 Mts.). & Check in at Hotel Kanglachan or similar for overnight Stay & Meals Dinner & overnight stay at your Hotel. Later visit Leh Temple & walk back to Leh Bazaar through the famous Leh Polo ground. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 : Leh
Full day visiting Shey, Thiksey & Stok Palace. After breakfast, proceed to Shey - it was the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Singge Namgyal built the more imposing palace at Leh, the kings continued to regard Shey, as their real home. The importance which was attached to Shey - the seat of Ladakh's heartland - is attested by the enormous number of Chorten about the village, particularly around the palace complex and barren plain to the north of the road. Thiksey - is one of the largest and most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two - storied statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder. Proceed to Hemis - which is dedicated to Padmasambhava, what a visitor can observes a series of scenes in which the lamas, robed in gowns of rich, brightly coloured brocade and sporting masks sometimes bizarrely hideous, parade in solemn dance and mime around the huge flag pole in the center of the courtyard to the plaintive melody of the Shawn. The moan of the eleven feet horns, the boom of drums and the clash of Cymbals. Hemis was found in the 1630's by Tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Singe Namgyal, Hemis is the largest and richest of the Ladakh Gompas. It nestles into the mountain side a little way up a glen in the mountains of Zanskar range Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 : Leh
AM Sightseeing of Spituk & Phyang Monastery. Spituk - 8 Kms from Leh, Spituk stands majestically atop a hillock overlooking the Indus valley for miles. Many icons and fine "Tangkhas" are to be found in this 15th century monastery. It also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms and is inspiring image of "Mahakala". The face of the Kali image is kept covered and revealed only at the annual function in January every two years. After Spituk, Visit to Phyang Monastery, this is 17 Kms from Leh, built by Tashi Namgyal in 16th century A.D. and belongs to the Red Cap Sect of Buddhists. Samkar is little up in the valley, 3 Kms. From Leh Town, which is open to visitors in the morning and evening only

Day 09 : Leh
Proceed to visit Traktok. Above the village of Sakti, is Traktok Gompa, the sole representative in Ladakh of the Nying-ma-pa, the most ancient religious order, but itself said to have been founded in the regain of Tshewang Namgyal in the 16th century. It is constructed round one of the innumerable caves in the Himalayan and trans-Himalaya where Padmasambhava is believed to have stopped and mediated during his journey to Tibet, and this forms the innermost shrine, while a little further down another cave serves as the kitchen. The small Du-khang has the usual paintings on the verandah, and on the inside walls recent murals, mostly of fierce divinities. His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrated a new temple in 1980. Chemre was founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty. During the 16th century & was established at the instance of King Singge Namgyal, while his widow founded Chemre as a posthumous act of merit for him. The Monastery belongs to the Red Hat (Kargyud-Pa) sect of Tibetan monasticism. Return to Leh for Overnight at hotel.