Leh Ladakh has always been special and for me it's like a dream coming true. I have always imagined me going on a road trip to Ladakh and singing song "Ude khawabon k parindey". All our dreams come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. So, start packing your bags because you're going to read the most adventurous journey.
Delhi ---->> Srinagar (by Flight)
We planned our journey from Delhi. We decided to stay for 2 days in Kashmir and then via road trip to Leh. We started our journey in late April and booked everything in advance.
We took a flight from Delhi - Srinagar. We reached in morning around 10 AM. We rested for 1 hour and then took taxi to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir. We saw all the beautiful gardens of Kashmir - Shalimar Bagh, Chasma Shahi, Botanical Garden, char chinar, Nishat bagh. We also saw tulip gardens and it was the best season to enjoy different colors. We took Shikara ride and had kahwa on the Shikara. After, visiting all the places we came back to our hotel.
Overall taxi cost for 3 days : Rs. 5000 approx for swift dzire
Hotel costs around : hotel valley view for two nights approx Rs. 3000 for two nights.
Srinagar ---->> Gulmarg(by Road)
We started next day from our hotel to Gulmarg to view the mesmerizing beauty of mini Switzerland of India.
We stopped in the way to rent out water proof jackets and boots. It costs around Rs 500 per person. We parked our taxis and took Gondola ride. People will say to take guide. But, it's not required one can see the way to Gondola ride in google maps. We took tickets from the ticket counter. It has two stops one for lesser distance which is Kungdoor and another one for peak top which is Apharwat peak. We took ride for Apharwat peak. It costs us more around Rs 1200 per person.
We can see snow everywhere and it was a beautiful view. We did skiing on snow and after staying for an hour or so we came back. On the way to hotel we visited local markets and purchased dry fruits like apricots, almonds and pashmina wool shawls for family and friends.
Day ended with more excitement for what will come next in upcoming days.
Srinagar ----->> Sonmarg ----->> Kargil (by Road)
We started from Srinagar early morning around 6AM. As we have to cover a total of 200 kms passing from Zojila pass. We were so exited to see Zojila pass because of it's narrow and adventurous roads covered from snow by both sides. We reached Sonmarg around 12 PM.
We stopped to see various shooting locations on the place and had a cup of tea. We left early because we have to cover another milestone on the way. This year snowfall has been heavy so was the risk of traveling by roads. We left Sonmarg and soon reached picturesque beauty of Zojila pass(Gateway of Ladakh). We stepped out of car to see the breathtaking view. Our next stop was Kargil. We reached Kargil around 5PM in evening. For rest of the day we stayed at our hotel.
Hotel costs : RS 1500(Hotel Greenland)
Kargil ----->> Leh
We are going to see the most awaiting spot of our journey today. We have taken Diamox medicine so that we can settle at the high altitudes on the way. We have to cross highest pass on Srinagar - Leh route i.e, Fotu La (13749 ft.). We left the hotel early morning. On the way we saw various apricot tress with pink flowers making a different color on hill tops. We stopped to see Kargil memorial.
Next stops were Lamayuru (also known as moonland), it's oldest monastery, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib & Magnetic Hill where the hill attracts magnetic things towards it. We also saw Lakeer road as the road was so straight. We reached Leh, our most awaiting destination in evening around 4PM where we stayed at our guest house for rest of the day to settle our body for high altitude almost at 11,500 ft high.
We were already feeling less oxygen and it was freezing cold even in May. Yes, you heard it right. It was damn cold there. Today we were going to see all local places of Leh.
Our first stop was Hall of Fame. We enjoyed the museum having weapons, ladakhi dresses and most importantly warriors who fought for our nation. After an hour, we moved to Shanti stupa. A beautiful white stupa situated on hill top. After that, we had lunch at Leh market and enjoyed eating Momo's with some Chinese food. Our next spot was Stok palace. It was built in 1820, a snug abode for the Namgyal dynasty. Of all the sightseeing places and monasteries, I was excited for Hemis monastery also known as Hemis Gompa. It was around 45 kms from Leh. It has its existence since 11th century and was rebuilt in 16th century. We started for the place and while exploring the monastery, snowfall started. I stopped for a moment. We left the place early because soon roads will be covered with snow and it will be difficult for our taxi to travel in such a condition. On the way back we saw 3 idiots school, Thikshey monastery and Sindhu Ghat. We came back around 7PM and rested for whole day.
Hotel : Zal Guest House (approx Rs. 1000 per night)
Taxi cost : 50k approx Ertiga for the overall Leh journey for 5 days
Leh ------->> Nubra Valley (via Khardung La)
Today we were going to see highest motorable pass of the world until last year with a height of around 17,982 ft. People say we can't stay at Khardung La for more than half an hour. But, we stayed there for more than an hour because of heavy snowfall at the place. Cars got stuck due to heavy snow at the place. I felt numb for some time because of chilling cold. It was a moment of achievement. 🏔️
We left the place and reached Nubra Valley covering a distance of around 160 kms with rough roads and heavy snow on the way. We rested for half an hour and enjoyed evening with double humped camel ride. Yes, there were camels having double humps. We also enjoyed the cold desert of Nubra Valley. Rest of the evening we spent in a tent by the river side. Entire night we heard winds blowing around making it more scary. 😄
Nubra Valley ------->> Pangong Lake
We left our tents early morning as today it's going to be a long journey. Pangong Lake was around 275 kms from Nubra Valley. Pangong lake is arounds 5 kms long with 40% land in India and rest in China. We crossed mountains and dusty roads and finally reached the blue ocean amidst mountains. ❤️
Water was still with chill winds around. We stayed for an hour and had an awesome photoshoot with 3 Idiots props. On the way, we also saw animals like marmots, wild ass and pashmina sheeps. If one is lucky and weather is perfect one can see more. We stayed in a guest house nearby and rested for the day.
Pangong ------->> Leh (via Chang La pass)
We started our journey back to Leh early as it will be around 260 kms covering snowy mountains and difficult roads. We have to cross Chang La on the way which is 17,688 ft high making it second highest motorable pass of the world. It was a moment of sadness as I don't want to go back leaving that nature's beauty.
On the way back we also took ride on a military tank which was so full of dust😄 . We stopped for some time at Chang La and reached Leh around 4 PM in evening. This evening is going to last long as it was the last evening in Leh. I already started missing all the beautiful moments over the journey. We had tea at our guest house and visited local market in the evening.
Leh --------->> Delhi (by Flight)
We left our guest house around 9 AM in the morning with the goodbyes and landed around 1 PM in Delhi. It was an awestruck moment and my heart was filled with awesome memories and enthusiastic views over the entire trip.
With heavy heart and little tears of joy we came back leaving infinite memories until the next time. 😊
Note : Total trip costs per person was around 25k.
Stay tuned for more trip experiences. For more information you can contact me at shruti.08gupta@gmail.com
