3-Day Kashmir Itinerary for a Long Weekend
A tested 3-day Kashmir plan with a houseboat night, a Gulmarg or Sonamarg day trip and the Mughal Gardens, plus a winter version.
The road from Srinagar to Leh is one of the great journeys of the Himalaya. In a few days it carries you from the green, lake-filled valley of Kashmir over the Zojila Pass into the stark, high-altitude desert of Ladakh, past war memorials, Buddhist monasteries and moon-like landscapes, to the turquoise waters of Pangong Tso. Combining Kashmir and Ladakh in one trip lets you see two completely different worlds, and travelling by road from west to east helps your body adjust gradually to the altitude.
This guide sets out a 10-day Kashmir and Ladakh road trip, with day-by-day plans, altitude advice, permits, the best season, what to pack and how to adjust the route.
Why travel Srinagar to Leh by road?
- Gradual acclimatisation: Srinagar is at about 1,600 metres and Leh at about 3,500. Driving over several days is gentler on the body than flying straight into Leh.
- Changing landscapes: forests and meadows give way to bare mountains, gorges and desert plateaus.
- Culture: you pass from Kashmiri villages through the Shia Muslim heartland of Kargil to the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh.
- History: the Drass War Memorial and the ancient monasteries of Lamayuru and Alchi lie along the way.
When to go
The Srinagar–Leh highway crosses Zojila Pass, which is usually open from around May to November, depending on snow. Khardung La and Chang La, used for Nubra and Pangong, are open for much of the year but can close temporarily after snowfall. The most reliable months for this trip are June to September. Early June can have snow walls on the passes; September brings clear skies and autumn colours in Ladakh.
The route at a glance
| Day | Route | Overnight | Approx. altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Srinagar | Srinagar (houseboat) | 1,600 m |
| 2 | Srinagar sightseeing | Srinagar | 1,600 m |
| 3 | Srinagar to Sonamarg | Sonamarg | 2,800 m |
| 4 | Sonamarg to Kargil via Zojila and Drass | Kargil | 2,700 m |
| 5 | Kargil to Leh via Lamayuru | Leh | 3,500 m |
| 6 | Rest and acclimatise in Leh | Leh | 3,500 m |
| 7 | Leh to Nubra via Khardung La | Nubra | 3,100 m |
| 8 | Nubra to Pangong Tso | Pangong | 4,300 m |
| 9 | Pangong to Leh via Chang La | Leh | 3,500 m |
| 10 | Fly out from Leh | – | – |
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar
Settle into a houseboat on Dal or Nigeen Lake and take a sunset shikara ride. Keep the day easy.
Day 2: Srinagar
Visit the Mughal Gardens, Shankaracharya Temple and the old city. Buy any warm layers you still need; Srinagar’s markets are well stocked.
Day 3: Srinagar to Sonamarg
Drive about three hours along the Sindh River. In the afternoon, walk or ride a pony to Thajiwas Glacier. A night here helps your body adjust before the higher passes.
Day 4: Sonamarg to Kargil
Cross Zojila Pass, a narrow, dramatic road at about 3,500 metres, into Ladakh. Stop at the Kargil War Memorial at Drass, one of the coldest inhabited places in India, then continue along the Suru River to Kargil. Expect five to six hours of driving with stops.
Day 5: Kargil to Leh
The longest day, about seven hours. Pass the rock-cut Maitreya Buddha at Mulbekh, cross Namika La and Fotu La, and stop at Lamayuru, a monastery perched above eroded “moonland” formations. Continue past the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers (or visit Alchi monastery) to Leh.
Day 6: Acclimatise in Leh
This rest day is essential. Take it easy in the morning, drink plenty of water, and in the evening visit Shanti Stupa for sunset and walk through Leh’s old town below the palace. Your operator will arrange the Inner Line Permits needed for Nubra and Pangong.
Day 7: Leh to Nubra Valley
Cross Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the region, and descend into Nubra. Visit Diskit monastery with its giant Maitreya statue and the sand dunes of Hunder, where double-humped Bactrian camels can be seen.
Day 8: Nubra to Pangong Tso
Take the Shyok river route to Pangong Tso, a long high-altitude lake whose colour shifts from turquoise to deep blue. Spend the night in a lakeside camp. Nights are very cold, even in summer.
Day 9: Pangong to Leh
Watch sunrise over the lake, then return to Leh over Chang La. Visit Thiksey monastery, and Hemis if time allows.
Day 10: Departure
Fly out from Leh. Morning flights are common because of afternoon winds; check timings when booking.
Altitude: staying healthy
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness. On this route:
- Never skip the rest day in Leh.
- Drink three to four litres of water a day and avoid alcohol for the first days at altitude.
- Walk slowly, especially on stairs and at the passes. Don’t linger at high passes longer than needed.
- Watch for symptoms: persistent headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness at rest or confusion. Tell your driver or guide immediately; descending is the most effective treatment.
- Speak to your doctor before the trip about medication and any heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
Permits and documents
- Carry original government photo ID and several photocopies. There are checkpoints along the highway.
- Inner Line Permits and environmental fees are required for Nubra and Pangong. Your operator can arrange them in Leh or online.
- Foreign nationals need Protected Area Permits for some areas.
Vehicles and drivers
Travel in an SUV with an experienced driver who knows mountain roads. Note that Ladakh has its own taxi union rules: vehicles registered outside Ladakh may face restrictions on local sightseeing, so operators often switch to a Ladakh-registered vehicle in Leh. This is normal and should be included in your package.
What to pack
- Warm layers: thermals, fleece and a down jacket for Pangong and the passes.
- Sunglasses, a sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm; UV is intense.
- Moisturiser and a reusable water bottle.
- Personal medicines and a basic first-aid kit.
- Cash: ATMs are limited outside Leh and Kargil.
- A postpaid SIM; prepaid connections from outside J&K and Ladakh may not work. Expect no signal in many stretches.
Variations
- Kashmir first, then Ladakh (12 nights): add Gulmarg and Pahalgam before heading to Sonamarg, as in our Complete Kashmir & Ladakh package.
- Shorter (8 nights): skip Nubra and go Leh–Pangong–Leh.
- Return by road: drive back to Srinagar instead of flying, or continue south on the Leh–Manali highway in summer.
Budget guide
A 9-night Kashmir and Ladakh road trip with 3 star hotels, lakeside camps, an SUV and breakfast and dinner typically starts around ₹40,000 per person on twin sharing. Permits and environment fees, the flight from Leh, and lunches are usually extra.
Where you’ll stay along the way
- Srinagar: a houseboat on Dal or Nigeen Lake, or a lake-view hotel.
- Sonamarg: a hotel or riverside camp with views of the peaks.
- Kargil: simple, comfortable hotels by the Suru River. Kargil is a working town, not a resort, but it’s a convenient overnight stop.
- Leh: the widest choice of stays in Ladakh, from family-run guesthouses to boutique hotels with mountain views.
- Nubra: guesthouses and camps in Hunder or Diskit, often among apricot orchards.
- Pangong: lakeside camps and simple cottages. Expect basic facilities and very cold nights.
Food on the road
Kashmir and Ladakh have very different kitchens, and tasting both is part of the fun. In Kashmir, enjoy Wazwan dishes, rajma and kahwa. In Kargil, try local breads and simple meat dishes. In Ladakh, look for thukpa (noodle soup), momos, skyu (a pasta-like stew) and butter tea. Along the highway, small dhabas serve rice, dal and hot tea. Carry snacks and water for the long stretches between towns.
Photography highlights
- The Zojila road, with snow walls in early summer and sheer drops into the valley.
- The rock-cut Maitreya Buddha at Mulbekh.
- Lamayuru’s “moonland” in afternoon light.
- The Indus and Zanskar confluence near Leh.
- Prayer flags at Khardung La.
- Sand dunes and Bactrian camels at Hunder.
- Pangong Tso at sunrise, when the colours change minute by minute.
Responsible travel in Ladakh
Ladakh is a fragile high-altitude desert with very limited water. Help protect it by refilling water bottles instead of buying plastic, carrying your rubbish back to Leh, using water carefully in camps and guesthouses, and respecting monastery rules (walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, and ask before taking photos inside). Avoid driving off-road near Pangong and other lakes.
Kashmir and Ladakh: two worlds in one trip
| Kashmir | Ladakh | |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | Green valleys, lakes, forests, meadows | High desert, bare mountains, turquoise lakes |
| Altitude | About 1,600 to 2,800 m in main towns | About 3,000 to 4,300 m |
| Culture | Kashmiri, with Sufi shrines and Mughal gardens | Buddhist monasteries and Shia Muslim towns like Kargil |
| Food | Wazwan, kahwa, bakery breads | Thukpa, momos, butter tea |
| Best season | All year | June to September for road trips |
Seeing both in one trip is one of the great joys of travelling in north India.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Srinagar–Leh road safe?
It is a well-travelled highway in summer, maintained by the Border Roads Organisation. Zojila is narrow and unpaved in parts, so travel with an experienced driver and avoid driving at night.
Can I do this trip with children?
Children over about seven usually manage well with proper acclimatisation. Consult your paediatrician first, and avoid overnight stays at Pangong with very young children.
Is it better to fly to Leh or drive from Srinagar?
Driving from Srinagar is better for acclimatisation and scenery. Flying is faster but requires two full rest days in Leh.
Can I drive back to Srinagar from Leh?
Yes, but it adds two days. Most travellers fly out of Leh.
Can I do this trip in a normal car?
An SUV is strongly recommended for comfort and ground clearance on rough stretches like Zojila and the roads to Nubra and Pangong.
Is oxygen available?
Many operators carry portable oxygen cylinders for emergencies, and hotels in Leh can arrange it. Acclimatising properly is the best protection.
Can I do the trip in May or October?
Sometimes, but passes may be closed by snow. June to September is far more reliable.
Plan your Kashmir and Ladakh road trip
Our Kashmir to Ladakh Road Trip (9 nights) and Complete Kashmir & Ladakh (12 nights) packages follow this route with experienced mountain drivers, a rest day in Leh and permits arranged. Tell us your dates and we will confirm pass conditions for your season.