Kashmir Ladakh Tour: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Kargil, Leh, Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake

Our Kashmir Ladakh tour is a 10-day Himalayan road journey from the green Kashmir valley to the high desert of Ladakh. Stay on a Dal Lake houseboat in Srinagar, ride the Gulmarg Gondola, then drive over Zoji La through Drass and Kargil to Leh. See the monasteries of Lamayuru, Thiksey and Hemis, ride a Bactrian camel in Nubra Valley and watch the colours change on Pangong Lake. Your hotels, camps, permits and road travel by private car are all planned for you.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private holidays across India for couples, families and groups, and our Kashmir and Ladakh tour packages are among our best North India tours.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of our Kashmir Ladakh tour.

Tour name: Kashmir Ladakh
Duration: 10 days and 9 nights
Stay: Srinagar (3 nights, 2 on a Dal Lake houseboat), Kargil (1 night), Leh (3 nights), Nubra Valley (1 night), Pangong Lake camp (1 night)
Starts: Srinagar airport
Ends: Leh airport
Tour type: private car with an experienced mountain driver for the whole route
Highlights: Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens, the Gulmarg Gondola, Zoji La, the Kargil War Memorial, Lamayuru, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey, Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Chang La and Hemis
Best for: adventure lovers, photographers, families with older children and groups
Best time: June to September

Why Choose This Tour

Two worlds in one trip: the Kashmir Ladakh tour joins lakes, gardens and pine forests with mountain deserts and Buddhist monasteries.
Gentle climb to altitude: by road through Kargil, with a rest day in Leh, so your body adjusts slowly.
The great Himalayan passes: Zoji La, Fotu La, Khardung La and Chang La.
Permits arranged: we handle the permits and fees for Nubra and Pangong.
Private and flexible: add Sonamarg, Tso Moriri, Turtuk or more days in Kashmir.

Kashmir Ladakh Tour Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar and Check In to Your Dal Lake Houseboat

Your Kashmir Ladakh tour begins when we meet you at Srinagar airport and take you to your houseboat on Dal Lake. Rest after your journey, and take an optional Shikara ride at sunset. Read our Kashmir travel guide.

Overnight: houseboat, Dal Lake

Day 2: Mughal Gardens and a Shikara Ride

See the Mughal Heritage of Srinagar at Nishat Bagh, with its terraces stepping down to the lake, and Shalimar Bagh, laid out by Emperor Jahangir: fine examples of Mughal Architecture in garden form. In the afternoon, take a Shikara ride on Dal Lake past floating gardens and lotus beds.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: houseboat, Dal Lake

Day 3: Gulmarg Day Trip

Day 3 of the Kashmir Ladakh tour is a day trip to Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers, about two hours away. Ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Kongdoori, and on to Apharwat if the weather allows, then walk the summer meadows. Return to Srinagar in the evening.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Srinagar

Day 4: Srinagar to Kargil over Zoji La

Day 4 of the Kashmir Ladakh tour is the start of the great road journey. Drive along the Sindh river through Sonamarg, then climb over the Zoji La pass into Ladakh. Stop at Drass and the Kargil War Memorial, then continue to Kargil on the Suru river.

Shamrock travel tip: drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days and walk slowly once you reach Ladakh. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Kargil

Day 5: Kargil to Leh via Lamayuru

Day 5 of the Kashmir Ladakh tour crosses the Namika La and Fotu La passes to Lamayuru, an old monastery above a moon-like landscape. Follow the Indus river to Leh, stopping at Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and the meeting of the Indus and Zanskar rivers if time allows.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Leh

Day 6: Rest and Sightseeing in Leh

On Day 6 of the Kashmir Ladakh tour, rest in the morning to get used to the altitude. In the afternoon, see Leh Palace, Thiksey Monastery and Shanti Stupa at sunset, then walk through Leh market.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Leh

Day 7: Leh to Nubra Valley over Khardung La

Drive over Khardung La, one of the high road passes of Ladakh, down into Nubra Valley. Visit Diskit Monastery and its large Maitreya Buddha, then ride a double-humped Bactrian camel on the sand dunes at Hunder.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: camp or hotel, Nubra Valley

Day 8: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake

Day 8 of the Kashmir Ladakh tour follows the Shyok river through remote mountain country to Pangong Lake, whose waters change from blue to green with the light. Spend the evening by the lake and watch the stars.

Meals: breakfast and dinner. Overnight: camp, Pangong Lake

Day 9: Pangong Lake to Leh via Chang La and Hemis

See the sunrise over Pangong Lake, then drive back to Leh over Chang La, stopping at Hemis Monastery, the home of the Hemis festival. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Leh.

Meals: breakfast and dinner. Overnight: hotel, Leh

Day 10: Departure from Leh

After breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for your flight home. Your Kashmir Ladakh tour ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Kashmir Ladakh tour includes:

Two nights on a Dal Lake houseboat, one night in Srinagar, one in Kargil, three in Leh, one in Nubra Valley and one in a Pangong Lake camp, with breakfast
Dinner at Pangong Lake and a farewell dinner in Leh
A private car with driver for the whole route, from Srinagar airport to Leh airport
A Shikara ride on Dal Lake
Permits and environment fees for Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake
Tolls, parking, driver costs and taxes

What Is Not Included

Your Kashmir Ladakh tour does not include:

Flights to Srinagar and from Leh
The Gulmarg Gondola, the camel ride, monastery entry tickets and other activities
Lunches and other dinners
Personal expenses, tips, oxygen and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

June to September is the best time for our Kashmir Ladakh tour. The Srinagar to Leh road usually opens in May once the snow on Zoji La is cleared, and closes again in October or November. July and August are the busiest months. Kashmir is green and pleasant during the same season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we manage the high altitude?

Driving to Leh by road and resting on Day 6 helps your body adjust. Drink water, walk slowly and tell your driver if you feel unwell. Ask your doctor before travel if you have heart or lung problems.

Are flights included?

No. You fly into Srinagar and out of Leh. We can book both flights from Delhi, Mumbai or your city and add them to your quotation.

Do we need permits for Ladakh?

Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake need a permit and environment fee. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. We arrange them for you.

Will my mobile phone work?

Only postpaid connections work in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and the signal is weak or missing in Nubra and at Pangong.

Can children and older travellers do this tour?

Yes, if they are in good health. We can add an extra rest day in Leh and choose comfortable hotels and camps.

How much does the Kashmir Ladakh tour cost?

The price depends on your hotels and camps, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your dates and we will send a clear quotation for your Kashmir and Ladakh tour package.

More Kashmir Tours

Looking for a different trip than our Kashmir Ladakh tour?

Kashmir 8-day tour package: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam.
Kashmir 7-day tour package: Srinagar, Gulmarg and two nights in Pahalgam.
Kashmir Taj Mahal tour: Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal with Kashmir.
Kashmir Katra tour package: Vaishno Devi with the Kashmir valley.

See all our Kashmir tour packages, our honeymoon packages, our cultural tours of India, all our India tour packages and the best North India tours. Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

Recognised and trusted: Recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Member of PATA, TAAI, IATO and ADTOI.

Tell us your travel dates and we will send you a personal itinerary. Request your free quote