Amarnath Yatra with Ladakh Tour

Arrive at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar, where you are received and transferred to Sonmarg, the base for the Amarnath Yatra. On the way or in the afternoon, visit Shankaracharya Temple, the hilltop Shiva temple above Srinagar with wide views over the Kashmir valley, and the Mughal Gardens of Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, laid out in terraces along the Dal Lake shore with chinar trees and water channels. Check in at Sonmarg. In the evening a Yatra briefing covers the route, helicopter procedures, health guidelines, packing for the trek and permit verification.

After an early breakfast, drive to Baltal, the road head closest to the Amarnath Cave, and continue to Neelgarh Helipad for the helicopter flight to Panchtarni, subject to weather clearance and slot availability. From Panchtarni, at 3,650 metres, continue to the cave at 3,888 metres on foot, by pony or by palki. The cave holds the naturally formed ice Shivling, considered a Swayambhu Lingam of Lord Shiva that grows and diminishes with the lunar cycle, together with the smaller ice forms of the Parvati Pindi and Ganesha Pindi. After darshan, return to the Panchtarni helipad, fly back to Baltal and drive to Sonmarg for the night. Pony and palki charges are paid directly on site.

After breakfast, check out and drive back to Srinagar, then check in and rest. In the afternoon there is the option of a shikara ride on Dal Lake, at your own expense, past floating gardens, houseboats and Char Chinar island. In the evening, explore the local markets of Lal Chowk and the old city for Kashmiri shawls, dry fruits, saffron, walnut wood crafts and embroidered fabrics.

After breakfast, check out and set off for Leh. The road crosses the Zoji La at 3,528 metres and passes Drass, Kargil, Mulbekh monastery and Lamayuru before descending into the Indus valley. The journey can also be made by flight, as per your booking. On arrival in Leh, at 3,524 metres, check in and rest at once, as acclimatisation on the arrival day is critical. Avoid exertion, long walks and unnecessary stairs, and drink 3 to 4 litres of water. A mild headache or breathlessness is normal on arrival.

After a relaxed breakfast, set out on a half or full day tour of Leh at an easy pace to continue acclimatising. Visit Shanti Stupa, the white Buddhist stupa built on a hilltop above Leh in 1991, with views over the Leh valley and the Indus. Continue to Leh Palace, the 17th century nine storey royal palace modelled on the Potala Palace of Lhasa, and to Magnetic Hill, the stretch of road where vehicles appear to roll uphill. Sankar Monastery, about 2 km from the town, is an active gompa with prayer halls hung with thangkas. The evening is free in the main bazaar.

After breakfast, drive to Pangong Lake over the Chang La at 5,360 metres, one of the highest motorable passes in the world, and down through open valleys into the Pangong basin. Pangong Tso is a high altitude brackish lake stretching 134 km between India and Tibet, with about 40% of it in India, and its water changes through shades of blue and green during the day. Walk along the shore and watch for migratory birds. The night is spent in a lakeside camp or guesthouse at 4,350 metres.

After breakfast at the lake, set off for the Nubra Valley. The route returns over the Chang La, passes through Leh and climbs the Khardung La at 5,359 metres before descending into the green Nubra valley at 2,900 metres. In the afternoon visit the Hunder Sand Dunes, a cold desert of pale sand between the mountains and home to the double humped Bactrian camel. A camel safari across the dunes is available at your own expense. Overnight in Nubra.

After breakfast, check out and drive back to Leh over the Khardung La, arriving around midday. Check in and rest. The evening is free to explore Leh at your own pace, including the main bazaar, the Tibetan refugee market and the monasteries within the town.

After breakfast, take a full day excursion along the Srinagar to Leh highway to the monasteries west of Leh. Alchi Monastery dates to the 10th and 11th centuries and its painted interiors are among the finest surviving examples of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist art. Lamayuru is one of the oldest and largest gompas in Ladakh, set on a cliff above an eroded valley, while Likir is a working monastery with a large golden Buddha statue overlooking the valley. The drive runs through the Indus valley with views of the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges, returning to Leh in the evening.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport, Leh, for your return flight, bringing the tour to a close.