12-Day Travel Itinerary: Manali, Leh, Ladakh, Srinagar, Sonmarg, Amritsar, Vaishno Devi, Amritsar

Day 1: Arrival in Manali & Local Exploration

Morning: Arrive in Manali and settle into your hotel. Take a short walk around the Old Manali Market.

Afternoon: Visit Hadimba Temple and enjoy the serene surroundings of Van Vihar.

Evening: Relax at Manali Mall Road, try local cuisine and shop for souvenirs.

Day 2: Manali to Leh (Flight/Drive)

Morning: Take an early flight or start the drive towards Leh. Enjoy scenic views en route.

Afternoon: Check-in at the hotel in Leh and rest to acclimatize to the altitude.

Evening: Explore Leh Market and visit Shanti Stupa for sunset views.

Day 3: Leh Local Sightseeing

Morning: Visit Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa.

Afternoon: Explore Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace.

Evening: Leisure time at Leh Market or relax at the hotel.

Day 4: Leh to Nubra Valley

Morning: Drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

Afternoon: Visit the Diskit Monastery and see the giant Buddha statue.

Evening: Enjoy a camel ride on the Hunder Sand Dunes and stay overnight in a camp or guesthouse.

Day 5: Nubra Valley Return to Leh

Morning: Morning leisure in Nubra Valley, visit local villages.

Afternoon: Drive back to Leh via the Khardung La Pass.

Evening: Rest and dine in Leh.

Day 6: Leh to Srinagar via Kargil

Morning: Depart for Srinagar by road, passing through historic Kargil.

Afternoon: Arrive in Srinagar and check into a traditional houseboat on Dal Lake.

Evening: Enjoy a peaceful sunset boat ride and local Kashmiri cuisine onboard.

Day 7: Srinagar Sightseeing

Morning: Explore the famous Shankaracharya Temple and Shalimar Bagh.

Afternoon: Visit the bustling Old Srinagar Market and Hazratbal Shrine.

Evening: Relax by Dal Lake or take a stroll through Jama Masjid area.

Day 8: Srinagar to Sonmarg & Return

Morning: Day trip to Sonmarg, famous for its golden meadow and views of glaciers.

Afternoon: Try pony rides or a short trek to nearby spots like Thajiwas Glacier.

Evening: Return to Srinagar and unwind in your houseboat or hotel.

Day 9: Srinagar to Amritsar

Morning: Fly or take a train/drive to Amritsar.

Afternoon: Visit the Golden Temple, the holiest Gurudwara of Sikhism.

Evening: Witness the Wagah Border Ceremony on the India-Pakistan border.

Day 10: Amritsar to Vaishno Devi

Morning: Early departure from Amritsar to Vaishno Devi (Jammu).

Afternoon: Begin your trek from Katra to the Vaishno Devi Shrine.

Evening: Reach the shrine, attend aarti and stay overnight in the shrine vicinity.

Day 11: Vaishno Devi to Amritsar

Morning: Descend back to Katra and start your journey back to Amritsar.

Afternoon: Rest and freshen up at your Amritsar hotel.

Evening: Explore local markets or revisit the Golden Temple for night prayers.

Day 12: Departure from Amritsar

Morning: Final shopping or sightseeing at Jallianwala Bagh.

Afternoon: Prepare for departure, transfer to airport/railway station.

Evening: Journey back home with beautiful memories.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Hadimba Temple (Manali): 2 hours, ₹100 entry
• Flight Manali to Leh: 1.5 hours, approx ₹3500
• Leh Palace & Monasteries: 4 hours, ₹200 entry
• Khardung La Pass trip: Full day, ₹1500 (taxi)
• Houseboat on Dal Lake (Srinagar): 2 nights, ₹4000
• Sonmarg day trip: 6 hours, ₹1200 (taxi)
• Flight/Train Srinagar to Amritsar: 1.5 hours flight ₹3500 / train ₹800
• Golden Temple (Amritsar): 2 hours, free
• Wagah Border Ceremony: 2 hours, free
• Vaishno Devi Trek & Darshan: 8 hours, ₹1500 (travel and facilities)
• Local and intra-city travel (taxi/auto): Approx ₹4000 total

Total estimated cost: ₹23,300 (excluding accommodation and meals)

Tips

• To extend your trip, consider adding extra days in Leh or Nubra Valley to explore more remote monasteries and enjoy adventure activities like river rafting or mountain biking.
• To reduce the trip duration, skip the Nubra Valley and Sonmarg day trip, focusing on main towns and shrines for a condensed experience in 8–9 days.
• Plan the journey based on altitude acclimatization, especially in Leh and Nubra, to avoid altitude sickness.
• Book flights early to secure best prices and availability, especially during peak seasons.