DESCRIPTION:

Ladakh, meaning ‘land of the passes’ is known for its striking and rugged beauty. In this vast and still high altitude Himalayan desert, villages and their dominating monasteries appear like true oases of life. Zanskar, very similar to Ladakh in its landscapes and Tibetan Buddhist culture is even more remote and difficult of access. With heavy snowfall blocking to the way to Zanskar eight months in the year, the valley lives in total isolation from the outside world and has in this way preserved and cherished its local traditions, keeping them intact like they would have been centuries ago.

Kashmir, is almost an antithesis to Ladakh and Zanskar: lush green valleys with Alpine-like forests and an abundance of water. Separated by the stunning Zoji La Pass, these two worlds nonetheless share ancient relations dating back as far as the glorious days of the Silk Route.

For those of you who would like to dive in and experience the diversity of these two worlds in both landscape and culture, we have designed this itinerary. First taking you to the heart of Ladakh through the Leh and Sham valleys, with its lush villages with numerous apricot orchards and stunning monasteries and the Nubra valley, the high altitude desert which used to connect Ladakh with all the major centres of the silk route and where the rare Bactrian camel can be found; we will then head south to the large Zanskar valley with its picturesque villages and cliff-hanging monasteries. Finally we will leave the Buddhist setting to enter the lush valleys of Kashmir where we will be greeted with the magic of Muslim hospitality. 

With highlights like driving up the Khardong La pass, the highest motorable road in the world on the way to Nubra, marvelling at the ancient frescos of the Alchi temple complex, contemplating the golden light of sunset touch the entire Zanskar valley from the cliff-hanging Tongde monastery and spending the night in an entirely carved out and sculpted house-boat atop the Dal lake of Srinagar, we guarantee your journey will be an unforgettable experience.