Kashmir with Amarnath Tours

After breakfast visit Red Fort – the 17th century imposing fortress, the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer and Raj Ghat -Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial.

In the afternoon, visit New Delhi. You will drive past President’s Palace and India Gate (42m high), built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Later visit Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutub Minar, the highest sands stone minaret in the world (73 meters).

Overnight at the Hotel

IMP: Red Fort is closed on Monday.

After breakfast transfer to Delhi's domestic airport for flight to Srinagar. On arrival, transfer to your houseboat. Dinner and overnight in house boat.

Srinagar is situated between the Pir Panjal and the Higher Himalayas, at an height of 1580 m. The Nagin and Dal lakes dominate Srinagar.

After breakfast sightseeing in Srinagar: Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) 1674 is notable for the wooden pillars supporting the roof,Dal Lake Srinagareach made from a single deodar tree. The Pattar Masjid - Stone Mosque 1623 built for the Empress Nur Jahan. You walk through the bazaar, observe the city and activities along with the banks of Jhelum river and cross one of the 7 wooden bridges. Before returning to houseboat visit a carpet factory. During the visit you see how the workers manufacture a fine carpet in silk and wool.

Afternoon visit the Mughal Gardens - Shalimar Bagh built by Jahangir for his wife, Nur Jahan. The gardens distinguished by a series of terraces linked by a water channel, surrounded by decorative pools. The uppermost pavilion has black marble pillars and niches in the walls for flowers during the day and candles at night. The water tumbles in a series of waterfalls. The Chashma Shahi (Royal Spring) a smaller garden built by Shah Jahan around a renowned spring. Originally the water bubbled into a marble lotus basin in a central pavilion. Experience the Mughal romance as you walk through these gardens .Before dinner you get enough time to pack your baggage for the 4 day wander tour.

Dinner and overnight at the boat.

After breakfast drive to Pahalgam (96 km) at an altitude of 2130 m. The journey along roads lined with poplar, is very attractive. Set Chandanwariamidst pine and fir woods, surrounded by snow capped mountains. The shepherds are a common sight herding their flocks from pasture to pasture, thus maintaining the tracks and bridges over this trekking country. Around the town are seen luxuriant meadows and groves of poplar, willow and mulberry, which is important for the sericulture. It is also the center for the famous Kashmir Saffron – which grows in profusion here. This is where you begin your wandering tour / trek.

You only need to carry your camera and water bottles, your baggage will be transported on the mules. From Pahalgam drive to Aru offering excellent views down the valley. The trail from here climbs through pine forests to a Gujar grazing meadow with flocks of goats and sheep. Follow the Lidder River to Chandanwari (2895m) 16km. Camp near a river

Dinner and overnight in tents.

Full day city tour. Puri - a place with many names over the centuries - Nilanchal, Nilgiri, Niladari, Jagannath Dham and Jagannath Puri. The main attractions are main attractions are the temples and the Mathas (monasteries); visit Jagannath Temple, Loknath temple, Indradsun temple puriyumna Tank, Garden House and beach.

After breakfast we climb up to the snow-bound Mahgunis-Pass (4580m), which is the highest point in this wander tour. You reach the snow zone cross a glacier through Poshpathar, then descend to Panchtarni (3800m) (13 km) in the Sindh Valley Our camping place is situated on the confluence of 2 rivers. In the green mountain valley can be seen sheep and horses. The scenery is breathtaking.

Dinner and overnight in tents.

Get up before the sunrise. Today begins your trek to Amarnath Cave (6 km), one of the most religious place of Hindus at anAmarnath cavealtitude of 3.962 m. You see the pilgrims taking holy bath in the ice cold water and performing rituals. The steep rock cut steps leads you to the cave. After the visit of the Amarnath Cave where the ice lingam stands, a century old symbolic statue of God Shiva, begins the ascent to Bal-Tal, a small village the last Kashmiri settlement at the foot of the Zoji La Pass, entering the Zanskar Valley. Every year this pass is closed due to snowfall.

On our arrival in Bal-Tal our camping tents are ready. Here ends your wander tour.

Dinner and overnight in Bal-Tal.

After breakfast drive to Kargil via Zoji-La (2800m). The road descends to Minamarg meadows, rich in rare alpine flora, leading to Dras the first village 50 kms from Bal-Tal. The vegetation begins to change, you find yourself in the middle of mountains covered with snow and deep valleys with green oasis.

Arrive in Kargil at an altitude of 2740 m on the bank of the river Suru. It was an important trading post between Kargil and Leh, and the lower Indus Valley. A medieval city with narrow cobbled streets with many mosques mostly inhabited by the Shia Muslims.

Check-in in the hotel.

Dinner and overnight.

Early morning drive to Leh. (231 km). The road goes to Shergol, the cultural boundary between Muslim and Buddhist areas. The fertile valley introducing a welcome splash of green. Enroute visit Mulbekh, the remains of an old castle and a 7m high rock sculpture of the Buddha Maitreya.

Before reaching Leh you cross the highest point, the Fatu-La at an altitude of 4010 m.

Dinner and overnight in hotel in Leh.

After breakfast, morning at leisure. Mysterious dust-covered Leh, is the capital of Ladakh and lies at an altitude of 3500 m in a fertile valley of the Indus river, about 10 km. The city, once the trading centre on the silk route from Sikiyan, Khasgar and Lhasa to India. Afternoon roam around the local market to feel the pulse of Leh.

Dinner and overnight in Leh.

Although Buddhism was the main religion in India till 7th century AD, it lost its value later mainly due to Muslim invasions during 11.-13.century AD. Nevertheless, it blossomed in the heart of Himalayas. Today we are off on an excursion to the Buddhist monasteries of Hemis is 45 km south of Leh on the west banThiksey Monasteryk of the Indus river. The Drukpa monastery is built on a green hillside surrounded by spectacular mountains. It was founded in the 17the century, and is the biggest and wealthiest monastery. The gate leads into a courtyard where mass sacred dances were performed. Colourful prayer flags can be seen fluttering from the four posts. There are two assembly halls, the larger one in plain and used for ceremonies and the smaller contains some silver gift chortens and a Kashmiri lacquered wood throne.

Thikse 25 km south of Leh on a crag overlooking the flood plain on the east bank of the Indus. One of the most imposing monasteries belonging to the 15th century. The gompa a 12 storey monastery is painted deep red, ochre and white with typical tapering walls has 10 temples, a nunnery and 60 Lamas in residence. The complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, swords, and a large pillar with the Buddha's teachings. There is a 15 m high Buddha figure at the entrance of the new temple. The Shey monastery is 15 km south of Leh on the east bank of the Indus river. Up to the 16th century it was the royal palace. Kings of Leh were supposed to be born in the monastery. It is also regarded as an auspicious place for cremation. It is now in ruined state, though the wall paintings have been restored. There is a 17.5 m high blue haired Maitreya Buddha of copper and brass, gilded and studded with precious gem stones. The large victory stupa is topped with gold. The new temple houses another old giant Buddha statue. There are several rock carvings.

Today visit the ruins of the Leh Gompa an old temple above the Leh Palace houses a large golden Buddha, many painted scrolls, murals and old manuscripts. The Shankar Monastrey is a couple of km north of the town centre. The gompa has evening lighting. There is a library and great views from the roof. There is an impressive representation of Avalokitesvara complete with 1000 arms and 1000 heads.

Afternoon excursion to Phyang and Spituk monasteries. The Phyang Monastery built in the 16th century by the founder of the Namgyal Dynasty. It houses hundreds of statues including some Kashmiri bronzes, Thangkas and manuscript copies of old temples. The temple walls have colourful paintings of the 8th fold path of Buddha's teachings. The Spituk Monastery is 8 km from Leh. It was founded in the 11th century with 3 chapels in a series of tiers with courtyards and steps which date from the 15th century. This is the seat of the head Lama. The 16-17 century Du-Khang is the largest building and has two rows of seats the length of the wall to the throne. It has sculptures and miniature chortens are displayed on the altar.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast transfer to airport and flight to Delhi. After arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free.

Dinner and overnight Hotel.

Early morning transfer to the international airport for flight to Home.