A 10-Day Kashmir and Ladakh Itinerary: Combining Both in One Trip

Kashmir and Ladakh are usually planned as separate trips, but they don't have to be - the Srinagar-Leh highway physically connects them, and both are workable in the same May-to-September window. Combining them means one flight in, one flight out, and a genuinely varied trip: alpine valley, then high-altitude desert. Ten days is a realistic minimum, not a rushed one.

Why Kashmir first, then Ladakh

Every flight lands in Srinagar, so starting there is automatic. From Srinagar, you then drive the Srinagar-Leh highway into Ladakh rather than backtracking - and fly out of Leh at the end instead of returning the way you came. This avoids doing the long highway drive twice.

Days 1-2: Srinagar

Arrive, settle into a houseboat or hotel, and use day 2 for Dal Lake, the Mughal Gardens, and Shankaracharya Temple. This also serves as a gentle acclimatisation buffer before the altitude gain later in the trip.

Day 3: Gulmarg

A day trip to Gulmarg for the Gondola. See our Gondola ticket guide for current phase pricing.

Days 4-5: Pahalgam

Move to Pahalgam for two nights - Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, and the Lidder riverside. A more relaxed pace than Srinagar or Gulmarg.

Days 6-7: The Srinagar-Leh highway to Leh

The highway is about 420km, usually driven over two days with an overnight in Kargil, crossing Zoji La en route. This is a genuinely long, spectacular, tiring drive - not a day to schedule anything else. Day 7 ends in Leh; plan to rest, not sightsee, once you arrive given the altitude gain to roughly 3,500m.

Day 8: Leh acclimatisation and local sights

A full day in Leh town itself - Leh Palace, the main market, Shanti Stupa - at a gentle pace while your body adjusts to the altitude before any further travel.

Day 9: Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso

Pick one, not both - each is usually an overnight trip from Leh over a different high pass (Khardung La for Nubra, Chang La for Pangong), and both require an Inner Line Permit, which we arrange as part of planning your trip. See our Leh Ladakh planning guide for the full permit and pricing picture.

Day 10: Return to Leh and departure

Fly out of Leh (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport) rather than driving back to Srinagar - this is what makes the 10-day version workable instead of adding another 2 driving days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you combine Kashmir and Ladakh in one trip?

Yes - they share the Srinagar-Leh highway and the same May-to-September season, which makes combining them genuinely practical rather than just possible. 10 days is a realistic minimum.

Should I visit Kashmir or Ladakh first?

Kashmir first, since every flight lands in Srinagar. Drive the Srinagar-Leh highway into Ladakh afterward, then fly out of Leh at the end, rather than backtracking the highway to return to Srinagar.

Do I need a permit for a combined Kashmir-Ladakh trip?

Not for Kashmir or Leh town itself. Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso specifically require an Inner Line Permit, which we arrange as part of planning the trip.

Kashmir Pulse Editorial

Travel Writer, Via Kashmir

Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.