DELHI - SRINAGAR - LEH - KARGIL - GULMARG - PAHALGAM (including 4 day trek to Kolohoi Glacier) - AGRA - JAIPUR - DELHI

This itinerary for the North of India allows you to take an extensive and relaxing look at Kashmir. In Srinagar the accommodation is in luxury houseboats on the tranquil Nagin lake - with time to explore the city's mosques, temples, bustling bazaars and handicraft centres (with their beautiful hand woven carpets, wood carvings and papier mache goods.) Staying on one of these luxury houseboats is one of life’s most unforgettable experiences, with water-powered peddlers selling everything from saffron to papier-mache to the houseboat door. The houseboats are rich with hand-carved furniture and Kashmiri carpets, and three meals are served daily from a menu of western, Kashmiri and Indian cuisine. Its luxury living with the world's tallest mountains rising up at the back door. The included excursions take in Gulmarg, with the highest golf course in the world; and Pahalgam, a delightful mountain resort. Whilst in Pahalgam there is an optional 4 day trek to Kashmir's famous Kolahoi Glacier. This trek is included in the package price and is suitable for all ages.

For those who do not wish to take up this option, the four days  are spent in Srinagar on the houseboat, exploring the lake and discovering Kashmiri culture.  An excursion takes us to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Here you will take time to explore this fascinating city and acquaint yourself with the Tibetan way of life, visiting the outlying monasteries of Hemis and Thiksey to see the saffron-robed monks and their treasures. We return to Srinagar by road - a spectacular mountain route along one of the world's highest roads. Back in Srinagar there is time to relax before flying back to Delhi to start the lowlands section of the tour.
In Delhi the city sightseeing tours will take in the beauty of Old and New Delhi with time to shop in the colourful bazaars. Following the route of  the 'Golden Triangle', you will see the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra and the wonderful Pink City of Jaipur. The experience will leave you with memories for a life time.

ITINERARY  

DAY 01  DELHI  On arrival in Delhi, you are met by our guide and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 02  DELHI  After breakfast at the hotel, we head out by car for a comprehensive tour of Delhi.  We visit the beautiful Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  From here we go to the imposing Moghul Red Fort and Ghandi Samadi (the hallowed cremation ground of Ghandi), before taking a walk through the labyrinth of frenetic streets that make up Chandni Chowk, the vivid, colourful bazaar abuzz with the life and soul of Old Delhi.

After Old Delhi, the tree-lined boulevards of New Delhi seem startlingly spacious.  We stop for lunch in Connaught Place, which houses many famous restaurants with a good choice of different cuisine. After lunch we start our tour of New Delhi at the enchanting Laxmi Narayan Temple, and take a drive past The Presidents House to India Gate. We spend time enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Humayan's Tomb, and marvelling at the Bhai Temple (a perfect lotus-shaped temple) and Qutab Minar.

In the evening there is time for shopping before viewing a spectacular light and sound show at the Red Fort.  We return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

DAY 03  DELHI - SRINAGAR  We transfer to the airport for the short morning flight to Srinagar.  On arrival, we transfer to your luxury houseboat accommodation on the stunning Nagin lake.

DAY 04 - DAY 05  SRINAGAR  Sightseeing in and around Srinagar takes in the beautiful Hazratbal mosque, where the famous relic of the repository of a single hair of the prophet Mohammed is found, and exhibited on certain days of the year.  We explore the old city and visit the beautiful Mughal gardens, a legacy of the Mughals' great love for Kashmir. 

DAY 06  SRINAGAR - LEH  We board our short flight to Leh, and settle into your hotel on arrival.

DAY 07 and DAY 08  LEH  Two days are spent sightseeing in and around Leh, the capital of Ladakh, which is nestled in a valley just north of the Indus. We visit some of the Buddhist gompas here, including the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, built in 1430, which contains a fabulous three-storey-high image of the Buddha, as well as many ancient manuscripts and frescoes.  Above lies the ruined fort, from which spectacular views of Leh, blooming amidst a fluttering of brightly coloured prayer flags, can be enjoyed.  Several nearby villages with fascinating Buddhist history lie within easy walking distance, whilst within Leh a vibrant culture of colourful bazaar shops and stalls thrives. 

DAY 09  LEH - KARGIL  We transfer by road to Kargil, the second largest settlement in Ladakh and the mid-way point of our journey back to Srinagar.  Nestling in the Suru valley, Kargil is set amidst green, richly cultivated hill sides. The two tributaries of the River Suru, the Drass and the Wakha, meet here in this beautiful spot.  

DAY 10  KARGIL - SRINAGAR   We continue on our way to Srinagar, along the spectacular Leh - Srinagar mountain road.  Many times we stop to marvel at the breath-taking landscape, feeling the remote mountain air and the closeness to the heavens enveloping us completely.  On arrival in Srinagar in the afternoon, we transfer to the houseboat and relax.

DAY 11  GULMARG  We take a day trip to Gulmarg, one of the most stunning hill resorts in the country. The journey itself is fantastic - a rich collage of shadowy poplar avenues giving way to rice fields dotted with tiny villages, that in turn give way to fir-covered hillsides with the mountains soaring overhead.  In summer, Gulmarg is a paradise for golfing (the highest green course in the world is found here at an altitude of 2650m), fishing, walking and horse-riding.  In the winter, it becomes a fantastic playground for winter sports, especially skiing.

DAY 12  PAHALGAM / PAHALGAM - ARU  Day trip to Pahalgam by car.  Situated 2130m up at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, deliciously cool even in the height of summer, and a wonderful day is spent exploring the natural pine forests and enjoying nature's splendour.  The optional trek to Kolahoi Glacier begins here (otherwise you return to Srinagar to spend the following days relaxing on the houseboat).  We trek steadily along the river to the pretty log-hut village of Aru, 11 kms from Pahalgam.  At Aru, the camp is already set up for you beside the Lidder River.  We eat a delicious dinner round the fire and rest.

DAY 13  ARU - LIDDER WATT  We trek 11 kms through the lush Lidder Valley to Lidder Watt, where our reward is overnight at the beautiful Lidder Watt campsite, situated by a stream that runs straight from the glacier into the Tarsar Lake.

DAY 14  LIDDER WATT - KOLAHOI  A short trek takes us to the base of the Kolahoi Glacier at the head of the Lidder Valley.  The glacier, climbing from 3400m up to 4000m, descends from twin peaks at 5433m that tower majestically overhead, and is a truly magnificent sight.  We head back to Lidder Watt for campfire meal and rest.

DAY 15  LIDDER WATT - PAHALGAM - SRINAGAR   We trek our return into the green valley and reach Pahalgam by the early afternoon.  After lunch we return to Srinagar by car, transfer to your houseboat and rest.

DAY 16  SRINAGAR  The day is at leisure in Srinagar, to rest after the trek or to explore the city and shop for famous Kashmiri handicrafts.  A marvellously lazy day can be spent lounging on a Shikara boat, exploring the narrow waterways of the lake.

DAY 17  SRINAGAR - DELHI  We transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi.  On arrival you settle into your hotel and are at leisure for the remainder of the day.

DAY 18  AGRA  We drive the 200 kms to Agra, home of India's most famous monument, the magnificent Taj Mahal.  We spend several hours exploring this sacred sight and learning its history, and check into your hotel for the night.

DAY 19  AGRA - JAIPUR  We drive to Jaipur, approximately 235 kms from Agra.  On the way, we stop to visit the deserted city of Fatephur Sikri. Fatepur Sikri was abandoned when the town’s water supply dried up, and taking a wander through its deserted streets is a surreal yet valuable experience.  On arrival at the Pink City of Jaipur, we check into your hotel and the rest of the day is free to enjoy this bustling, colourful city. The bazaars provide a vibrant shopping buzz and the sights and sounds of everyday life here are thrilling.    

DAY 20  JAIPUR  Today we take a short drive outside the city walls to Amber Fort, a magnificent achievement of typically Rajasthani Rajput architecture.  Ride up to the fort in style on the broad back of an elephant, and once again taste life lived consistently for centuries. Afterwards we return to Jaipur and visit the City Palace, or the Palace of Winds.  Nearby, the Royal Observatory was built by the Maharajah Jai Singh, who had a passion for astronomy.

DAY 21  JAIPUR - DELHI  We leave Rajasthan, driving the 265 kms back to Delhi.  On arrival in Delhi you check into your hotel and rest.

DAY 22  DELHI  We transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey.  Tour ends. 

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Accommodation on a room-only basis except whilst in Srinagar and whilst on trek.

Full board on houseboat in Srinagar and all meals whilst trekking are included.

All transfers by car including pick-ups and drop-offs at airport or station.

All economy class flights as specified:  Delhi - Srinagar; Srinagar - Leh; Srinagar - Delhi.

All sightseeing and trekking tours as specified.  

All camping equipment, including modern tents and down sleeping bags, is provided.  You carry only your daypack.

Tour Cost
Per Person on Twin Sharing :  -  USD $ 1551