Ladakh

The Roof Of The World

Ladakh is a mountainous region near to Tibet, known as the Trans-Himalaya, or the lands beyond the Himalaya. The Indus valley is the Ladakh heartland. It is a land of amazing natural beauty, a barren beauty such as the ‘moonscapes’ around Lama Yuru on the Leh-Kargil highway. There are also a number of stunning salt water lakes such as Tso Moriri that harbour a wealth of birdlife. Khardung La (17 582 ft), is one of the highest motorable passes in the world, providing excellent views of the far Karakoram ranges.

Ladakh was an independent kingdom for nine centuries, but it was very strongly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture and neighbouring Muslim states. It is home to some of the most beautiful Tibetan monasteries in the world.

Recommended For: Anyone who wishes to go to an amazing and beautiful location deep in the Himalayas.

• Please Note: It is only possible to travel within Ladakh between May and September of each year.

• Please Note: Leh is above 3500 m (over 11,000 feet) and other parts of Ladakh are higher yet. There is a risk of altitude sickness and of dehydration due to altitude. Please seek medical advice before travel if you are unsure about your physical fitness.

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

Day 02

Delhi

The Manor

Relax On Arrival At Delhi
Relax on arrival at your hotel inside a leafy and exclusive area of Delhi.

If you wish to sample the history of India’s capital city you may take an optional Private Delhi Tour that takes in a Cycle Rickshaw Ride through the famous Chandni Chowk, The Red Fort and the huge Jama Masjid mosque (1656). You can then drive around the tree lined avenues of New Delhi, visit Rajghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and visit the sights of South Delhi such as Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar.

Day 03

Leh

The Grand Dragon

INTERNAL FLIGHT FROM DELHI – LEH

1 HR 25 MIN

Leh – The Capital Of Ladakh - 11,562 ft Leh is the capital of Ladakh. Dominating the skyline is the ruined Leh Palace. On a clear day it is a beautiful sight to view, against the backdrop of the eternal snows of Khardung La. There is a steep set of steps to reach the Shanti Stupa from which there are great views of the Leh Valley.

Day 04

Ule

Ule Ethnic Resort

This is an easy drive along Indus River towards Kargil and one can also see the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers on the way.

Likir Monastery
Likir is a small town famous for the nearby Klu-kkhyil (meaning "water spirits") Gompa. The Likir Monastery was first built in the 11th century and was rebuilt in the 18th century, and currently has a 25-foot-tall (7.6 m) gold-covered Buddha statue. It is occupied by monks of the Gelukpa order.

The Mesmerizing Moon Landscapes At Lama Yuru
Lama Yuru is set amidst stark and dramatic mountains. This is often referred to as Ladakh’s moon landscape and include remains of a glacial epoch lake and brilliantly coloured stone formations. It is a barren, stark landscape of sheer grandeur and unparalleled beauty.

Lama Yuru Monastery
Lama Yuru is one of the largest and oldest gompas in Ladakh, with a population of around 150 resident monks. The oldest surviving building at Lama Yuru is a temple called Seng-ge-sgang, at the southern end of the Lama Yuru rock, which is attributed to the famous builder-monk Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 CE).

Day 05

Leh

The Grand Dragon

Alchi Monastery
Alchi is a village and monastery situated on the banks of the Indus River. The village is famous for the Alchi Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, mainly known for its magnificent, and well-preserved 11th and 12th century wall paintings.

Basgo Palace And Fort
Basgo Monastery, or Bazgo Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery situated on top of a hill towering over the ruins of an ancient town. It is noted for its Buddha statue and murals. In the 15th century, a palace was also built in Basgo.

Day 06

Tso Moriri

Nomadic Life Camp

Chumathang Hot Springs
After breakfast drive to Chumathang a place known for its hot springs.

Tso Moriri - 15,075 ft
Tso Moriri is a spectacularly beautiful natural salt water lake surrounded by high snow clad mountains that provides the water for the lake. This region in the Changthang Plateau is also known as the land of the nomads. An experience to last a lifetime would be to see the nomads’ traditional lifestyle and share a cup of butter tea in one of their black yak-hair tents along the incredible oval- shaped bank of Tso Moriri. The lake changes its turquoise blue color with the light and is surrounded by a picturesque landscape.

Tso Moriri harbours 14 species of water birds including vulnerable and endangered species such as Black-necked Cranes and huge flocks of Bar-headed Geese.

The area is also an important wildlife sanctuary. It is the only breeding ground in India of the Tibetan Ass (Kiang) which is endemic to the Tibetan Plateau. The rocky outcrops harbour Snow Leopards that prey on Tibetan Gazelle and Chiru Antelope.

Day 07

Leh

The Grand Dragon

Return To Leh
Travel back to Leh along the valley of the Indus River.

Day 08

Leh

The Grand Dragon

Khardung La Mountain Pass
Khardung La (Khardung Pass, la means pass in Tibetan) at an elevation 5359 m or 17 582 ft is a high mountain pass to the north of Leh which is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Chinese Central Asia.

From Leh a paved road leads to a roadway that is primarily loose rock, dirt, and occasional rivulets of snow melt. It is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The pass experiences up to 10 feet of snow in winter, with temperatures dropping to 40 degrees Celsius below zero. Even though temperatures in summers average 20 degrees Celsius, the weather can turn for the worse suddenly.

The views from this pass are breathtaking – with the Ladakh range to the south and Karakoram Mountains to the north, and snow capped peaks at almost touching distance all around.

Day 09

Delhi Near Airport

Svelte Hotel

NTERNAL FLIGHT FROM LEH - DELHI

1 HR 25 MIN

Return to Delhi with a wonderful flight over the Himalayan mountain ranges.

Day 10

Depart Delhi

 

Depart India – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.

* We will send you a detailed quote with flight options, descriptions of hotels used and daily schedules.