Monasteries and Mountains of Ladakh

Overnight flight to Delhi

Upon arrival into Delhi you will be met by our local representative who will escort you to Tikli Bottom, a delightful guest house located just 35 minutes from the airport, and surrounded by peaceful contryside and local farms. (Lunch and Dinner).

A very early transfer to Delhi airport to check in for your flight to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Leh is situated at over 3500 meters and so on arrival it is cruicial y to relax and acclimatise. Stay 3 nights at the Hotel Omasila. (Breakfast).   

This morning enjoy a half day guided tour of Leh, visiting the crumbling Palace which resembles the Potala Palace of Lhasa with its Tibetan influences. Continue on to visit the Tsemo Gompa with its 2 storey high Maitreya, and the Shanti Stupa built by Japanese Buddhists. Afternoon free to explore Leh town and Old Village, with its maze of narrow lanes. (Breakfast).

Today visit the gompas at Hemis, Shey (which was also the summer palace of the Ladakhi royalty) and Thiksey. It is worth getting up extra early in order to visit Thiksey in time for the morning puja which starts at 7am, when the monks blow their enormous Tibetan horns. All the gompas have beautifully painted murals and art works. Hemis is one of the most famous and most visited in Ladakh, thanks mainly to the colourful three day festival held in June each year with the ceremonial mask dances.  In the evening we will arrange a dinner at a traditional Ladakhi home. (Breakfast and Dinner).

This morning drive towards Likir, which is around 65kms from Leh. Here visit the impressive Likir gompa which is about an hour's walk from the village. Continue by foot on your 1 night/2 day trek - the trek is a relatively easy trek, with no major ascents or descents. Today's walk will take you over a couple of passes, Pobe La (3550m) and Charatse La (3650m), passing through some pretty villages and ending the day at Yangtang, which has stunning views overlooking the Zanskar Range. Overnight in a local guesthouse. (Half Board)

After breakfast continue by foot towards Rizong - the path follows a stream and orchards of apple and apricot trees. Passing a small nunnery and then continuing through a narrow gorge, you'll reach the magnificent gompa at Rizong, which is home to 30 or so monks, who are part of the Gelupka order, known to be the most austere of all the orders. After lunch you'll be met by your driver and drive to Alchi. Stay 1 night in the village where there are as many chortens (stone structures containing relics) as houses. Stay 1 night at Alchi Resort. (Full Board).

Have the morning to explore the religious enclave in  this village, which dates back to the 11th Century, and comprises of fine examples of early Buddhist art in the Kashmiri tradition, which is quite different to the typical Tibetan style of most gompas in Ladakh. Continue after lunch back to Leh - you can stop off en route at Phyang gompa, which belongs to the Kagyupa (red hat) order. Overnight in Leh ay the Hotel Omasila. (Breakfast).  

Depart for the Nubra Valley today, passing over Khardung La Pass, often claimed to be the highest navigable road in the world at 5600m. The Nubra Valley is an outstanding area to visit, and an area which few visitors venture to. Staying 2 nights in the village of Hunder, one of those rare places on earth where you can see in one place the splendid beauty of a desert with two humped camels, sand dunes, rolling mountains and snow peaks. This evening take a camel ride over the sand dunes. Stay 2 nights at Chamba Camp. (Full Board).

A full day's walk today from Hunder towards Diskit, a walk that takes you towards the beautiful gompa in the village, which is framed by dramatic mountains - the round trip is a 14 km walk. (Full Board).

Today return by road to Leh where you'll spend your final night in Ladakh at your guesthouse. Stay 1 nights at Hotel Omasila. (Breakfast).

Early transfer to Leh Airport where you will board your flight back to Delhi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Tikli Bottom for your final night. (Lunch and Dinner).

Transfer back to Delhi airport this morning in time to check in for your return flight home. (Breakfast).