Kashmir – The Luminous Beauty of Nature

Get up early and check out of hotel after a hearty breakfast for trip to Kargil 202 kms away. The trip via Sonmarg and Dras has some of the most breath-taking locations of meadows, high snow-capped peaks and valley. Stop by locations to view the 5000 meters plus peaks like Sirbal Peak, Amarnath Peak, Kolhoi Peak, and Machoi Peak. The highlight of the trip is the travel through Zozila Pass. En-route stop at Dras War Memorial, and pay homage to dead soldier. After reaching Kargil check into hotel and head straight to Kargil War Memorial. Pay respect to the fallen soldiers. Later in the evening roam around the town’s main market. Comeback to hotel and relax with your wife, and call it a day after dinner. 

Get up early and check out of hotel after a hearty breakfast for trip to Leh nearly 217 kms away. Start your journey towards Leh with visit to Mulbek Monastery famous for its twin gompas namely Gelupa and Drukpa. While leaving Mulbek stop to view the Maitrey Buddha statue. Stop for lunch after crossing Fotu la Pass and watch the stunning surroundings. Continue towards Leh, en-route stop at Lamayuru Monastery and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. Arrive and check into hotel in Leh hotel and relax with your new wife. In the evening visit Victory Tower followed by Old Leh. Late at night roam in the local market and do some window shopping. Comeback to hotel and call it a day after dinner.

Rise up early and after a hearty Ladakhi breakfast kickstart your trip to Nubra valley nearly 161 kms away. En-route to Nubra Valley stop at the highest point of Khardung La Pass, one of the worlds highest motorable road. Before visiting Nubra Valley it is important to get Inner Line Permit (ILP). Nubra valley is the only place to see twin humped Bacterian camels in wild in India. Start your Nubra Valley trip by visiting Diskit town and Monastery. After lunch visit the massive Maitreya Buddha statue. Late afternoon visit the Panamikh village and Samstaling Monastery. In the evening visit the holy Yarab Tso lake. At night check into Sand Dunes Leisure Camp for the night after dinner.

Rise up early and after a hearty Ladakhi breakfast continue with your trip of Nubra valley by visiting Hunder village. En-route visit the Hunder sand dunes, after reaching Hunder visit the picturesque surrounding including Hunder Monastery and Langchen Khar Palace ruins. Later visit twin Buddhist temples, Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Marpo. After lunch visit Ensa Gompa near Panamik village, and spend sometime touring the gompa. From there head out to Panamik hot springs. Later in the afternoon enjoy a camel safari on twin hump camels on Hunder sand dunes. At night check into Sand Dunes Leisure Camp for the night after dinner.

Rise up early and after a hearty Ladakhi breakfast bid adieu to Nubra valley and return to Leh and relax. After lunch visit Zorawar Fort and spend sometime there. In the evening visit Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, later visit the local market to do some souvenir hunting like Ladakhi painting and Tibetan woollens. Return to hotel and call it a day after dinner.

Rise up early and after breakfast checkout of hotel and kickstart your trip to Pangong Tso Lake nearly 225 kms away. Make sure to get ILP to visit the lake. Start you trip with visit to Shanti Stupa in Leh. Spend sometime these and proceed to Shey Palace and Monastery Don’t miss the giant Buddha statue here. Spend sometime and view the beautiful surroundings. Then proceed to Pangong Tso lake. If visiting in summer; watch thousands of migratory birds as the lake is an important breeding ground. The barren mountains around the lake that freezes in winter, presents a stunning backdrop. Watch the sunset and retire at Pangong Lake View Camp near the lake at night, and call it a day after dinner.

Rise up early and kickstart your day after a hearty Ladakhi breakfast say good bye to Pangong Tso and head out towards Sarchu, 409 kms away through the massive Lachulung la pass. En-route take brief stoppages to watch the breath-taking scenery while moving Sarchu, the camp site. After reaching Sarchu on the Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir boundary; check into guest houses or other camp sites and relax for sometime. Be ready to bear the chilly wind conditions. In the evening head out to the nearby barren mountains to watch the stunning the sunset. Comeback to the camp/guest house and retire for the day after dinner.

Rise up dawn and bid adieu to Sarchu, for onward journey to Manali, Himachal Pradesh 230 kms away through Baralacha la pass and Rohtang pass. The highlight of the journey is travel through the beautiful Rohtang pass that opens only in summer. While passing through, watch the mesmerizing view of snow-capped mountains and the piles of snow on both sides of the road. After reaching Manali, check into hotel and relax after lunch. In the evening visit Old Manali and at night stroll through Mall road with your wife.  Comeback to hotel and retire for the day after a scrumptious dinner.

Get up early, freshen up and after a quick breakfast, bid adieu to Manali for a trip back home. Check out of the hotel based on your timing of flight from Chandigarh or Delhi, and head home with memories of this honeymoon trip clicked in a smartphone or camera.