The Indian Himalaya, Discovering Ladakh
Ladakh, also known as Little Tibet, is one of the most beautiful regions in the world, with its grand, breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. Ladakh is also a land of remote villages and ancient monasteries clinging to the mountainsides, offering a journey back in time. In summer, take part in the monastic festivals that gather the Ladakhis for feasts, dances and folk songs. The Indian Himalaya is a wonderful blend of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Ladakh is a journey woven from encounters, culture, hiking and wide-open spaces. The welcome of the Ladakhis is simplicity in everything — every gesture, every relationship. A soul in harmony with life and nature. Welcome to Ladakh!
Ladakh India Tour
DAY 1: Departure point / Delhi
International flights.
DAY 2: Delhi / Leh – alt. 3,500 m
Arrival in Delhi. Welcome by our guide. Flight to Leh, capital of Ladakh at 3,500 m. During the flight we enjoy a spectacular view of peaks rising above 7,000 m. Free day to acclimatize. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3: Leh / Thiksey / Leh – 20 km by road
Departure for Thiksey to visit its 15th-century monastery, dedicated to the Buddha of the Future and belonging to the Gelugpa Order. It resembles the Potala of the Forbidden City of Lhasa in Tibet. The monastery is remarkable for its imposing architecture and is considered the largest and most beautiful in Ladakh. The scenery is majestic. Dinner. Meeting with an Amchi, a doctor who practices traditional herbal medicine rooted in Tibetan philosophy. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4: Leh / Shey / Hemis / Leh – alt. 3,500 m
Departure for Shey, which was the capital of the kingdom in the 13th century. We continue to Hemis, the most spiritually important monastery in Ladakh. More than 500 monks fall under its authority. Built in 1605, its geographical location protected it from looting. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5: Leh / Basgo / Alchi – alt. 3,500 m
We take the road along the Indus valley, a magnificent spectacle of successive desert plateaus and deep gorges. At Nimu, the crystal-clear waters of the Zanskar river merge with the swirling currents of the Indus. Arriving in Alchi in the afternoon, we climb up to the village of Saspol to visit the 12th-century caves — a lovely, easy walk through the fields and the village. Return to Alchi. Overnight in a guesthouse.
DAY 6: Alchi / Lamayuru – alt. 3,500 m (100 km / approx. 4h)
Visit the superb 1,000-year-old monastery of Alchi, whose wall frescoes are among the most beautiful in the Himalayan world and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Lamayuru along a magnificent winding road to visit the Lamayuru monastery. Optional hiking around the village. Overnight in a guesthouse.
DAY 7: Lamayuru / Skindeyang – alt. 4,250 m – 30 km by road
Walk up to the Lamayuru monastery to attend a puja, a prayer ceremony of the Buddhist monks. This inspiring site, perched on the mountainside, sits above a lake that has been dry for hundreds of years. With luck we may hear the young novice monks chanting in the early morning! Departure for Skindeyang. Arrival in Skindeyang, a small, authentic Ladakhi village nestled among the mountains. Meeting with a most welcoming Ladakhi family. Dinner.
Departure to visit the temple of Padmasambhava and its meditation cave set between two hills. We may be accompanied by a monk who recites the mantra of Padmasambhava and offers a guided meditation. Free time in the village to share in the daily life of the Ladakhis. For dinner, we'll have the pleasure of preparing the local Ladakhi dish, momos. Overnight with a host family in a traditional Ladakhi house.
DAY 8: Skindeyang / Tia / Tingmosgang – alt. 3,350 m – 4–5 hour hike
After breakfast, a meditative hike over a small pass, continuing towards the Chamla pass at 4,250 m, the highest pass of the journey. Continue to the village of Tia and share in the daily life of the Ladakhis. Arrival in Tingmosgang, visiting the Tserkarmo meditation center and the nuns of Tingmosgang. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 9: Tingmosgang / Hemis Sukpanchan / Yangtang / Leh – alt. 4,000 m – 4–5 hour hike
After breakfast, departure to the village of Hemis Sukpanchan, then a meditative hike over a small pass, continuing towards the Yangtang pass. Lunch and departure for Leh. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10: Leh / Choglamsar / Stok / Leh – alt. 3,500 m
After breakfast, departure for the Mahabodhi International Meditation Center. Visit the school and the center for the elderly. Visit the Royal Palace museum with its superb collection of thangkas, traditional garments and jewelry. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11: Leh / Khardung Pass / Nubra Valley / Hunder / Diskit
We set off towards the Nubra desert via the highest motorable road in the world and the Khardung La pass (5,680 m). The panorama of the Himalayan mountain ranges is striking. Stop at the village of Khardung, a heavenly oasis surrounded by impressive cliffs. An easy walk amid breathtaking landscapes. We then continue towards the Nubra valley, once an important stage on the ancient trade routes between Tibet and Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel in Hunder.
DAY 12: Hunder / Nubra Desert / Diskit / Sumur / Hunder / Diskit
A day devoted to discovering the Nubra desert. Early rise to visit the Samstemling monastery, a complex of 7 temples founded more than 150 years ago. Then departure for the Diskit monastery, the oldest in the Nubra valley. Weather permitting, a 2-hour walk towards Hunder. In the evening, an optional camel ride to explore the surrounding dunes. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 13: Hunder / Khardung Pass / Leh / Thaktok – 175 km by road
Descent to the Takthok monastery, dating from the 16th century and located in the village of Sakti. It is the only monastery of the ancient Nyingma school in Ladakh. Overnight in a guesthouse.
DAY 14: Thaktok / Korzok (Lake Tso Moriri) – 220 km by road – alt. 4,450 m
Departure for Korzok, the highest inhabited village in the world. The view over Lake Tso Moriri (4,600 m) and its imposing mountains is simply breathtaking. This place is a refuge for very rich wildlife. Dinner along the way. On our route we may have the chance to meet Changpa nomads, herders of goats and yaks, heading to the high valleys to reach the pastures. It could be a good opportunity to share a cup of salted butter tea with them. The village is being rebuilt, no doubt thanks to income from selling the wool of the Pashmina goats used to weave the soft, warm fabric of Kashmir. Free time to enjoy the village and the view of the lake and mountains, and to soak up the serenity of the place. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
DAY 15: Korzok (Lake Tso Moriri) / Lake Tso Kar – 95 km by road – alt. 4,500 m
We cross two passes to descend into narrow gorges and reach the salt lake of Tso Kar. This lake is not as touristy as Tso Moriri, and that is what makes it precious — small, pure and intimate. A pure beauty of nature. The thin rays of the setting sun struggling through the clouds, and the nearness of the mountains whose peaks rise proudly above the clouds, make this place magical. There are a few yak sheds, a monastery and a handful of nomad families in the area. Visit a school for the Tibetan nomads. Meet the teachers and pupils to learn a little more about how the nomads are taught. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
DAY 16: Lake Tso Kar / Leh – 165 km by road
We continue on our way, crossing villages and high valleys to reach Leh. Free time to wander through the market in Leh. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 17: Leh / Phyang / Leh – 40 km by road
Visit the Phyang monastery, perched atop a hill and belonging to the Drigungpa order. Dinner and overnight in Leh.
DAY 18: Leh / Delhi
Flight to Delhi. City tour. We pass by the India Gate, the President's Palace, Humayun's Tomb and Gandhi's house. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 19: Delhi / Transfer to the airport
Visit Old Delhi, the Chandni Chowk market, the spice market and the largest temple in the world, the Akshardham Temple.
Farewell dinner and transfer to the airport for the return flight.
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Trekking in Ladakh
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The highlights of this trip:
This package includes:This package does not include:
- Drinks.
- Camera or video fees.
- Tips for baggage porters, driver, guide, etc.
- International flight tickets.