Welcome to India! Upon arrival in Delhi a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

Rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your flight or for individual exploration of Delhi.

OPTIONAL
Morning free to recover from jet lag and around noon proceed for sightseeing of Delhi to visit India Gate, Raj Ghat, Jamia Masjid, Chandni Chowk, drive past Government buildings including President’s Palace. Start the tour with Raj Ghat followed by visit to Jamia Masjid, Chandni Chowk etc. If time permits also visit a Sikh Temple/Hindu temple. During the days sightseeing stop at some local restaurant for lunch (optional). The sightseeing shall be for about 3-4 hours. After Sightseeing is over, we drive back to Hotel for overnight stay.

The Jamia Masjid
This great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended 
up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The highly 
decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble.

The Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk , originally meaning moonlit square or market, is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, now in central 
north Delhi. Built in 17th century by the great Muslim Emperor of India,Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahan Ara, 
The market was once divided by canals to reflect moonlight, now closed, yet it still remains one of India’s largest whole sale markets.
 Chandni Chowk is the major street in the walled city of Old Delhi, which was originally called Shahjahanabad.

Accommodation: The Jaypee Siddhartha
Meal: Dinner

A very early start today for the flight to Leh. We usually leave the hotel at around 3 am and drive to the airport for the very early morning but a spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh. If the weather is good and the flight goes on time we should be in Leh for breakfast. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (3,500 m).

In the morning we rest and catch up on some sleep and in the afternoon there will be a gentle orientation walk of Leh and its bazaars.

Accommodation: Lharimo Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

(Note: Flight to Leh operates only in optimum weather condition.)

After breakfast we climb the Lehpalast with its ancient temple ruins. The Lion King “Singay Namgyal” made Leh a residence when he ruled Ladakh from here in 1616-42. This clay and timber structure with its impressive lion portal is now in ruins. From here you have unique views of the 6000 m high snow mountains, the green valley of Leh with the vegetable and orchards.

In the afternoon we visit the Shankar monastery. Numerous small gold statues and interesting paintings are stored here. There are also modern Tantric murals and a thousand-handed Avalokitesvara deity here. It is a relatively modern monastery. Then we head to Shanti Stupa, another impressive monument. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation: Lharimo Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

A day trip takes us upstream in the Indus Valley. On the way we come to the yellow-cap edict monastery Thiksey, which is perched on a ridge. Particularly impressive are the prayer halls from the 15th century and the huge figure of the sitting Maitreya (Buddha of the future). A beautiful view can be seen from the monastery roof on green pastures and fields as well as on the yellow-brown gravel and rocks of the high mountain desert. We continue to the “Crystal Castle” Shey, the former residence of the Ladakh kings of the Yarklun dynasty. After the transfer of the center of power around 1470, the palace remained a side residence, private temple and seat of the state oracle. Finally we reach the Hemis Monastery which is the largest, most famous and richest monastery in the whole of Ladakh.

Every year a very special mystery festival is held in the Hemis Monastery in memory of the victory of the famous teacher Padmasambhava over the evil powers takes place. Padamasambhava brought Tantric (Vajrayana) Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet. He is considered a central figure for the spread of Buddhist teaching throughout the Himalayas and is also revered as the second Buddha. To celebrate that festival pilgrims come here from all over Ladakh often walking for days to participate.

A highlight of the festival is the gathering of the llamas (=spiritual teachers in Tibetan Buddhism) around the central flagpole, where the mystical mask dances accompanied by singing, the so-called “Chams” , and the sacred play are performed. The Chams are an important part of the Tantric tradition. They are shown only in monasteries and follow the Tantric Vajrayana teachings. They are an integral part of the worship rituals of the monks.

Dressed in colorful, shiny robes made of brocade and silk fabrics with ornate masks made of cardboard maches up to 1 m high, the dancers recreate the victory of the tantric padmasambhavas over the previously ruling, animist primal religion Of Bön. The Tantriker wears a golden mask and subdues the fearsome demons. These are then transformed into protective deities, the so-called Dharmapalas. In the late afternoon we return to Leh.

Accommodation: Lharimo Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Monasteries and oases between Karakoram and Ladakh Range

Today we drive to the Nubra Valley via Khardong La Pass. Nubra invites you to a trip back in time to an almost forgotten “Shangri La” with breathtaking views and wonderful hospitable people. From Leh, the adventurous ride passes over the partly tarred slope behind the Lehburg. The route leads up the slopes of the Fuchu valley and finally in serpentines to the Khardung La (5,602 m), the highest pass on earth. We rest and can enjoy the magnificent view of the distant. From North Pullu we hike along a cheerfully bubbly glacier stream downhill to the high alpine pasture of Khardong. From here you can take vehicles to the Nubra Valley. Three nights at Deluxe Cottage & Farmhouse.

Accommodation: Lharimo North Cottage
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

The day starts early in the morning. In a 3-4 hour hike we reach the mythical hermitage Entsa, which is almost unreal surrounded by willow trees and poplars, over the Nubra River. Afterwards, a short hike leads us to the legendary lake of Tirisha, on whose shores many already had forward-looking visions. With a visit to the monastery of Samstanling and Anisa we return.

Accommodation: Lharimo North Cottage
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

During a day trip we visit the villages of Deskit and Hundar (3,200 m) in the Shyok Valley. The village of Deskit is the administrative center of the region. From the steep mountainside above the village rises the rock gompaempor inhabited by 80 monks. At the age of 600, it is the oldest monastery in Nubra and is under the patronage of the main monastery of Thiksey. Remarkable are the engravings in the mani walls and the particularly beautiful choirs on the ascent path to the monastery, from which there is a magnificent view into the valley. Hundar is considered to be the largest and most beautiful settlement in the Nubra region, further down the valley. The village has 200 houses and about 1000 inhabitants.

The Hundar River, which rushes down from the mountains to the village, has been branched into many small irrigation canals, making the apricot and apple orchards well to be supplied. The River Gompa, which is over 550 years old and is under the control of the main monastery of Thiksey, has bright whitewashed choirs, while beautiful manistes are piled up on the bridge. At the monastery rises the house of the former royal family of Nubra, although somewhat dilapidated, but decorated with beautiful wood carvings. The two temple rooms contain interesting objects from Tibet. After visiting the prayer rooms, we walk along a small stream, past sand dunes and Bactrian camel (= trample). They are living witnesses of Nubra’s lively history with its caravans that traded between Yarkand and Leh. Brave people can also take a ride on the two-höckder camel through the sand. In the afternoon we return to Tirith to stay overnight.

Accommodation: Lharimo North Cottage
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

For the return journey from the Nubra valley up to Khardung La and down to Leh to the hotel we have to expect about 5-6 hours drive again. The rest of the day we can use to rest and let the experiences in the Nubra Valley recreate. An overnight stay in the heart of Leh.

Accommodation: Lharimo Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

Very early in the morning we drive east over the 5,486 m high Chang-La Pass into the nomadic region changthang. Most of the journey will be rough and dramatic mountain road. The road crosses the villages of Shey and Gya and traverses the Changla pass, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. The scenery is simply unforgettable due to its proximity to nature and the environment. En-route we have chances to spot wildlife such as Tibetan Wolf, Wild Ass, Blue Sheep, Marnmot, Tibetan Gazelle and many more exotic birds. The spectacular lakeside is open during the tourist season, from May to September. The turquoise blue shimmering Pangong Lake is only one third in Ladakh, two thirds are already on Tibetan soil. The impressive blue Pangong Lake is 5-6 km wide and over 133 km long.

In the afternoon we hike along this impressive lake and have the opportunity to bird watching. An overnight stay in a luxurious tent camp with fixed beds. Opportunities for showering are available.

Accommodation: Camping Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we will explore the flora, fauna and geography of Pangong Lake.

The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the kiang and the Marmot.

Formerly, Pangong Tso had an outlet to Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, but it was closed off due to natural damming. Two streams feed the lake from the Indian side, forming marshes and wetlands at the edges.Strand lines above current lake level reveal a 5 m (16 ft) thick layer of mud and laminated sand, suggesting the lake has shrunken recently in geological scale.

Accommodation: Camping Tent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Pangong and drive to Uletokpo -a distance of about 287 km for which we will need about 6-7 hours. Upon arrival in Uletokpo we check into the beautiful Ule Ethnic Resort. The rest of the day is free for us to recover from the long adventurous journey.

The Ule Ethnic Resort, located on the Indus River, is a great place to relax. The balance between man and nature is very important concept to the resort. Resort is self-sustainable; electricity is produced by a unique mini-hydro power plant and food comes from the resort’s own vegetable garden and farm. The resort organises a variety of sporting activities such as abseiling, rafting or climbing. For relaxation, you can enjoy Ayurvedic massages. The cabins are idyllically situated under apple and apricot trees. The rooms are comfortably furnished, spacious and cosy. They have a bathroom with solar shower and running hot and cold water, cable TV, telephone. There is seating under the trees and also hammocks with fantastic views of the Indus.

Accommodation: Ule Ethnic Resort
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we have time to explore Uletokpo on our own. There is the possibility to hike to Mangyu Monastery/Village, which are located on the other side of the Indus River. The hike takes about 2 hours. If you prefer to take it a little easier, you can indulge in a soothing massage in the spa area of the resort.

Accommodation: Ule Ethnic Resort
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

On the last day of our Ladakh tour we leave Uletokpo and drive to the airport in Leh. From there we head back to Delhi. After checking into the hotel, there is a little sightseeing in the afternoon through New and Old Delhi. We visit Hindu temples, the Lodhi Gardens and take a walk through the bazaars of Old Delhi.

In the evening, a delicious farewell dinner awaits us in a very good restaurant and together we can reminisce about the past 2 weeks we had in Ladakh.

Accommodation: The Suryaa
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

After a delicious breakfast transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast