12-Day Kashmir, Ladakh & Manali Travel Plan

Arrive at Srinagar Airport, where our representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to the hotel or deluxe houseboat. After check-in, take some time to relax and enjoy the cool mountain air of Kashmir.

In the afternoon, begin your sightseeing with a peaceful Shikara ride on Dal Lake. The slow movement of the boat, floating gardens, and views of the surrounding hills make this a gentle introduction to the valley.

Later, visit the famous Mughal Gardens, including Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, known for their terraced lawns, fountains, and views of Dal Lake. Return to your hotel or houseboat for an overnight stay in Srinagar.

After breakfast, start your scenic drive towards Kargil. The route takes you through Sonamarg, a beautiful meadow surrounded by glaciers and high peaks.

Continue across the dramatic Zoji La Pass, one of the most adventurous sections of the Srinagar-Leh highway. The landscapes begin to change from green Kashmir valleys to the rugged mountain terrain of Ladakh.

On the way, stop at Drass, known as one of the coldest inhabited places in the world, and visit the Kargil War Memorial if time permits. Arrive in Kargil by evening, check in to your hotel, and rest after the long drive. Overnight stay in Kargil.

After breakfast, leave Kargil and drive towards Leh. This is one of the most scenic road journeys in Ladakh, passing through dry mountains, deep valleys, and traditional villages.

En route, visit the ancient Lamayuru Monastery, often called the Moonland of Ladakh because of its unique landscape. Continue towards Leh with stops at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, and the Hall of Fame Museum.

By late evening, arrive in Leh and check in to your hotel. Since Leh is at a high altitude, keep the evening light, drink plenty of water, and allow your body to acclimatize. Overnight stay in Leh.

Today is planned at a comfortable pace to help you adjust to the altitude. After breakfast, visit nearby monasteries, viewpoints, and cultural sites around Leh.

You may explore Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, and the local market area, depending on time and your comfort level. The views from Shanti Stupa are especially beautiful in the evening when the town and mountains are lit by soft golden light.

Later, walk through Leh Market, where you can shop for prayer flags, pashmina products, apricot items, Tibetan handicrafts, and local souvenirs. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Leh.

After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La, one of the most famous high-altitude mountain passes in Ladakh. The drive offers wide views of the Zanskar and Karakoram ranges.

On reaching Nubra, the landscape opens into a cold desert with villages, poplar trees, monasteries, and sand dunes. Visit Diskit if time permits and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the valley.

In the afternoon or evening, visit the Hunder sand dunes and enjoy an optional double-humped Bactrian camel ride. Overnight stay at a camp or hotel in Nubra Valley.

After breakfast, set out for a full-day excursion to Turtuk, one of the northernmost villages accessible to travellers in India. The route follows the Shyok River and passes through striking mountain scenery, army areas, and small Ladakhi settlements.

Turtuk has a distinct Balti culture, with stone houses, narrow lanes, apricot trees, and warm local hospitality. The village was once part of the Baltistan region and became part of India after the 1971 war, giving it a unique history and cultural identity.

Spend time walking through the village, meeting locals, and enjoying the views of the surrounding mountains. Later, return to Nubra Valley by evening for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Diskit Monastery for a panoramic view of the valley and the large Maitreya Buddha statue. Later, begin your drive towards Pangong Lake via the Shyok route.

The road journey is adventurous and scenic, with changing landscapes, river crossings, bare mountains, and wide open valleys. Pangong Lake is famous for its changing shades of blue and its dramatic location close to the Indo-China border region.

Arrive at Pangong by afternoon or evening and check in to your lakeside camp or cottage. Spend the evening by the lake, enjoying the silence and high-altitude beauty. Overnight stay near Pangong Lake.

Wake up early to see the sunrise over Pangong Lake. The morning light changes the colour of the water beautifully, making it one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

After breakfast, drive back to Leh via Chang La Pass. On the way, you can stop near small villages and enjoy views of the high-altitude terrain.

If time permits, visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace before reaching Leh. In the evening, explore Leh Market for last-minute shopping. Overnight stay in Leh.

After an early breakfast, start the long but beautiful drive from Leh towards Jispa. The journey passes through some of the most dramatic landscapes on the Leh-Manali highway.

Drive across high mountain sections, wide plains, and remote settlements, with stops around Sarchu, Nakee La, Lachung La, and other scenic points depending on road and weather conditions.

By evening, reach Jispa, a peaceful village in Lahaul surrounded by mountains and the Bhaga River. Check in to your hotel or camp and relax after the long drive. Dinner and overnight stay in Jispa.

After breakfast, leave Jispa and drive towards Manali. The route takes you through the beautiful Lahaul Valley, with mountain villages, river views, and changing landscapes along the way.

Depending on current road conditions, the journey may pass through the Atal Tunnel route, making the drive smoother and more comfortable than the older Rohtang Pass route. You can stop for photos at scenic viewpoints en route.

Arrive in Manali by afternoon or evening and check in to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure or take a relaxed walk near Mall Road. Overnight stay in Manali.

After breakfast, enjoy a local sightseeing tour of Manali. Visit the famous Hadimba Devi Temple, surrounded by tall deodar trees and known for its unique wooden architecture.

Continue to Manu Temple, Vashisht village, hot water springs, Tibetan Monastery, and the Club House area. These places give a nice mix of culture, local life, and mountain-town charm.

In the evening, explore Mall Road for cafés, woollens, souvenirs, and local food. Return to your hotel for your final overnight stay in Manali.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Your Srinagar to Manali overland journey concludes today with wonderful memories of Kashmir, Ladakh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Himachal.

Depending on your onward travel plan, you will be transferred to the bus stand, airport, or your next destination. The tour ends with assistance from our local team.