Lower Ladakh and Kashmir Tour

Transfer to the  hotel, breakfast and rest until noon, to acclimatize the best during this first day. Meal, then a short jeep ride takes us to Namgyal Tsemo, a small monastery overlooking the city. Downhill walk, the path passes next to the former Royal Palace. Visit the old town and its typical bazaar before returning to the hotel.

• Transfer: 0h30
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h

First day of discovery of the high places around Leh. On the program, the monastery of Spituk , one of the most important in the region. Located south of the city, it offers beautiful views of the valley. Its rooms decorated with paintings and imposing statues allow an interesting approach to Himalayan Buddhism . After 30 minutes drive, we arrive at the Stok Palace , residence of the ancient kings of Ladakh. Transformed into a museum , the collections presented evoke a recent past where the royal family ruled over this valley. We leave this place on foot, and following the small road, we descend for 45 minutes in the countryside. Picnic in front of mani walls,in the middle of the fields of barley. Continuation to Stakna , monastery located on a promontory in the middle of the plain of the Indus and offering a magnificent panorama. Belonging to the Drukpa-kagyu School (the official school in Bhutan), this religious building dates back to the 16th century. He owns a beautiful statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

• Transfer: 2h
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1h30

Continuation of the visit of the high valley of the Indus and its monasteries. It takes an hour driving up the course of the Indus, to arrive at the monastery of Hemis , beautiful architectural ensemble, order Drukpa-Kagyu. Nestled in the valley floor, this monastery was built around 1602 by a Bhutanese monk invited by the king of the time. Back and stop for lunch in the beautiful village of Thikse , dominated by an imposing gelugpa monastery . This Thikse monastery majestically overlooks the valley, a magnificent ensemble of about 80 monks; discovery of the beautiful inner courtyard that distributes access to different temples. The most amazing is certainly the temple of Maitreya with itsgigantic interior statue that covers all floors of the building. To join the next site, we will take the path of schoolchildren. Departure on foot from the monastery of Thikse following small roads that cross the fields. It is possible to find the vehicles after 45 minutes of walking … or to go to Shey , in this case to count 1:30 of easy walk. Shey, capital of Ladakh until the 15th century , is an interesting complex whose importance is still measured by the quality of the paintings and the astonishing quantity of chortens or other votive monuments that surround it. Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon.

• Transfer: 2.5 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1 to 2 hour

This morning we are definitely leaving Leh. One hour drive and we arrive in front of Phyang Monastery . The name of Phyang comes from Gang Ngonpo which translates as "blue mountain", in reference to the topography of the place on which the Tashi Chozong Monastery was built . This monastery is famous for its murals, and the thangkas of its old Mahakala temple , erected since the construction of the monastery. We continue then following the road, right bank of the Indus. A little before the village of Nyemo, stop to admire the confluence of the Zanskar Riverwith the Indus River. Further downstream, after the village of Saspol, a bridge allows the passage on the left bank of the Indus and a small road leads to the village of Alchi. Installation in a hotel. In the afternoon, visit the monastic complex of Alchi, one of the most interesting sites of Ladakh (11th and 12th): finely chiselled paintings typical of Indo-Kashmiri art (provide a headlamp to enjoy the frescoes in the dim light), monumental statues, chortens, prayer wheels and Loungta. Walk in the neighborhood and peaceful evening in the village of Alchi, lined with fields of barley, apricot orchards.

• Transfer: 2.5 hours
• Accommodation: Guesthouse
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 1 to 2 hours

This morning, in 45 minutes by the road we reach Likir (3750 m). Visit this 11th century monastery belonging to the order Gelugpa and containing beautiful statues and a beautiful collection of thangkas . Small return in vehicle (10 minutes), then it’s the beginning of our trek. First climb to Phobela (3580 m) before an easy descent on the hamlet of Sumdo. After a break in the shade, we climb for about 1 hour in a gorge to reach Charatse La, at 3630 meters. From the pass, the panorama of this mineral world is beautiful. We arrive at Yangtang , a welcoming village nestled in the middle of barley fields, in the afternoon. Installation of the camp.or Guest House

• Transfer: 1h
• Accommodation: Camp or Guest House
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 4h30
• Altitude difference: +450 m
• Altitude difference: -500 m

Through a narrow gorge, we descend to the monastery of Rizong , very beautiful set of Gelugpa order, hanging on the mountainside. With its narrow streets and walkways, this monastery looks like a big village . After his visit, our day continues with the rise of a particularly arid valley that leads to Kunghi La (3850 m) . We finally begin our descent to the beautiful and peaceful oasis of Hemis-Shukpachen.installation camp or Guest House.

• Accommodation: Camp or Guest House
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 5h30
• Altitude difference: +520 m
• Altitude difference: -570 m

Our route takes a false flat to a first small pass marked by a chorten. After a slight descent, we climb again towards a pass, the Meptik La , then descend to the beautiful and rich oasis of Tingmosgang , consisting of imposing mansions, very old. Afternoon Visit the monastery built on top of a rocky outcrop.installation camp or Guest House.

• Transfer: 1h30
• Accommodation:camp or  Guesthouse
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 3hr
• Altitude difference: +260 m
• Altitude difference: -580 m

In an hour drive we reach Wanla , from where we leave on foot through a valley rising regularly dotted with gorges and colorful cliffs to Prinkti La at 3730 m . At the pass, an arid geography with amazing shapes unfolds. We soon discover the monastic complex of Lamayuru,just in front of us …visit Lamayuru .road to Kargil (3h). Installation in a hotel located along the Suru River.

• Transfer: 40 mnt
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meal: BLD
• Walking hours: 4h
• Altitude difference: +580 m
• Altitude difference: -340 m

Last long day of road, very varied, with very different landscapes from the past days! The road runs along the river Suru then sinks into gorges. Stop at Drass (possibility to visit the Tiger Hill memorial) and continue in the heart of sumptuous landscapes to Zoji La at 3530 meters. Meal in Sonamarg in a setting reminiscent of Switzerland! Continue towards Armanath where the vegetation changes to become subtropical. Arriving on the shores of Lake Dal, we reach Lake Nagin, neighbor and more quiet. Quiet navigation by taxis to join our sumptuous houseboat. Installation on pretty comfortable boats, decorated in colonial style, with double rooms and mosquito nets, private bathrooms, dining room, lounge, terrace … real havens of peace!

• Transfer: 6 hr
• Accommodation: House boat
• Meal: BLD

Cultural day! Breakfast and short transfer to visit the gardens of Pari Mahal (the 7 terraces) and those of Chasme Shahi . Lunch in the old town in a restaurant where traditional Kashmiri dishes are served . Back to our house boats. In the afternoon, ride on Lake Dal in Sikhara , these traditional boats which are the ideal means of transport to admire life in the canals.

• Transfer: 1h30
• Accommodation: House boat
• Meal: BLD

Departure from our houseboat s around 8am. Short transfer to the old city. Visit of the Great Mosque of Friday (Jama Masjid) built in 1394, and that of Shâh Hamdan, located at five minutes (built between 1373 and 1398). Splendid, it is surmounted by a pyramidal roof, mixture of Buddhist and Hindu influences; its exterior walls are decorated with geometric patterns in painted papier mâché. Lunch in town and transfer to the airport. Flight between Srinagar and Delhi . At the arrival of this flight (usually late afternoon), we reach a hotel near the airport where we booked 1 room for 4 people so that everyone can shower. Last dinner in common then transfer to the airport at the end of the evening.

• Accommodation: Day Hotel
• Meal: BLD