The shorter Kashmir-to-Ladakh crossing, built around a deliberate acclimatisation day in Leh. Srinagar sits at 1,585 m and Chang La at 5,360 m — this itinerary notes the altitude at every stage so you always know what your body is being asked to do.
Eight days is the shortest sensible window for the Srinagar-to-Leh overland crossing, and this version protects the one thing that matters most: day four in Leh is a real acclimatisation day, not a filler.
This itinerary lists the altitude at every stage because the gain is substantial — from 1,585 m in Srinagar to 5,360 m at Chang La. Days two and three are both 8–9 hours of driving, which is the trade-off for arriving by road instead of by air.
Mughal Gardens at Nishat and Shalimar, Dal Lake and an evening Shikara ride
Sonamarg photo stop, Zoji La at 3,528 m, the Drass War Memorial
Namika La at 3,700 m and Fotu La at 4,108 m, Mulbekh, Lamayuru, Magnetic Hill and Sangam
Shanti Stupa, Namgyal Tsemo, Shey and Thiksey — plus inner line permit processing
Khardung La at 5,359 m, Diskit Monastery, Hunder Sand Dunes
4,225 m on the shore, the Shyok/Agham road in and Chang La on the way out
Airport to hotel, roughly 15 km and 30 minutes.
Local sightseeing: the Mughal Gardens at Nishat and Shalimar, then Dal Lake and an evening Shikara ride.
Driving: 30–40 km total, 2–3 hours locally.
Srinagar to Sonamarg for a photo stop, then the climb to Zoji La Pass at 3,528 m.
Stop at the Drass War Memorial before descending to Kargil at roughly 2,676 m.
Two high points today: Namika La at 3,700 m and Fotu La at 4,108 m, the highest pass on the Srinagar–Leh highway.
Sightseeing en route: the Mulbekh Maitreya Buddha, Lamayuru Monastery, Magnetic Hill and the Indus–Zanskar Sangam.
Arrive in Leh at roughly 3,500 m.
Shanti Stupa at about 3,609 m and Namgyal Tsemo at about 3,700 m.
Shey Palace at about 3,400 m and Thiksey Monastery at about 3,600 m.
Inner Line Permit processing and a visit to Leh Market.
Cross Khardung La at 5,359 m, descending to Nubra at roughly 3,048 m around Hunder and Diskit.
Sightseeing: Diskit Monastery and the Hunder Sand Dunes.
Route via the Shyok and Agham road to Pangong Lake at roughly 4,225 m.
Evening at the lake. It is a cold night at this altitude — minimal movement is recommended.
Cross Chang La at 5,360 m on the drive back.
En route near Leh, visit Hemis Monastery at about 3,650 m, then time in Leh Market for shopping.
Hotel to airport, roughly 10 km and 20 minutes.
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Srinagar – Pahalgam – Kargil – Leh – Nubra – Turtuk – Pangong – Leh
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