Ladakh:Four mountain ranges of the Himalayas cross Ladakh. The Greater Himalayas Zanskar, Ladakh and the Karakoram and so does the mighty Indus River. It is a magical and remote moonscape and its mountains spectacular, the people delightful gentle and ungrasping. It’s a religion ancient and its monasteries unaltered over the period of time. This land of wilderness and overwhelming natural beauty beckons the more intense and adventurous traveler. This high and arid region has captured the imagination of adventure travelers. Geographically, Ladakh is a western extension of the Tibetan Plateau, and even as recently as the beginning of the nineteenth century this mountainous country was a part of Tibet. Buddhism came to Ladakh from its birthplace in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, and this colorful religion is still practiced throughout Ladakh and neighboring Zanskar. Large numbers of monasteries, mainly of them occupying impressive hilltop sites, are still active in the region to this day. The Muslim religion is also important in Ladakh, thanks in part to the influence of Kashmir to the west. A mixture of cultures and religions is an important element in the attraction of Ladakh as a destination.

Transfer to your downtown hotel. Welcome ceremony by girls dressed in traditional Indian dresses. Check into rooms. Rest and relax till 0900 hrs. (Most flights arrive into Delhi around or past midnight and rooms will be held from the previous day as extra night). Full day city sightseeing tour to include Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Bahai temple and Qutab Minar.

Overnight

Day 02 Delhi / Leh

We go to domestic terminal of Delhi airport for the early morning internal flight to Leh. The hour-long flight provides close views of the 7000-meter – high massifs of Nun and Kun. After arrival at Leh’s 3500-meter high airfield, we drive by jeep to the Ladakhi. The rest of the day is free to either rest in the shade of the hotel, or  we can take a lazy walk into Leh’s colorful bazaar, with its roadside stalls selling Tibetan artifacts. Flying straight into the high altitude of Leh can take your breath away and it is best to concentrate on acclimatizing for the first few days.

Overnight

Day 03 Leh

Full day sightseeing tour of the monasteries – Hemis, Shey and Thikse. The Hemis Gompa is the most powerful of the monasteries in the vicinity of Leh and belongs to the Kaguyupa Buddhist sect. The monastery controls large areas of the surrounding farmland. Shey and Thikse occupied hill topsides and offer remarkable views across the Indus Valley.  

Overnight

Overnight.

Day 05 : Leh / Alchi

Leave leh after breakfast for Alchi monastery known, as Alchi Choskor is the only monastery in the Ladhakh on flat ground. On the way visit Baazgo Castle, which lies, on the right bank of river Indus. By the lunchtime we reach Alchi. Afternoon visits Alchi monastery later explore the natural beauty of Alchi village.

Overnight.

Day 06 Alchi / Lamayuru / Leh : 168 Km

Depart Alchi after breakfast, and continue drive to Lamayuru via Khaltsi (passport check). From here another 22 kms drive will take us to Lamayuru. The oldest and spectacularly set Lamayuru monastery founded in the 10th century. Visit the monastery. In the late afternoon drive back to Leh.

Overnight

Day 07 Leh/Sarchu 3500 m (250 Kms/ 10 hrs)

Long but panoramic drive crossing two passes, first lachung La pass 5060 m rugged into the middle of the mountain and Tanglang la Pass 5350 m which is the second highest motorable road in the world.

Overnight Sarchu Camp

Day 08 Sarchu / Jispa 4200 m (115 Kms-6 hrs)

After breakfast drive towards Baralacha Pass 4883 m. Here we see blue lake water on the top of the mountain Known as Surajtal, which is the main source of River Bhaga. Later cross Darcha the starting point of various trekking tours.

Overnight

Day 09 Jispa/Manali (140 Kms. / 7-8 Hrs.)

Leave from Jispa and continue descending drive to Lahaul valley and  Rohtang Pass 3900 m. Arrive Manali and check into your hotel.

Overnight.

Day 10 Manali

Sightseeing of this small and beautiful town of Manali to include Hadimba Temple, Vashist Kund, Mountaineering Institute etc. Evening free to explore the town.

Overnight

Day 11 Manali / Dharmsala ( 5 hrs )

Drive to Dharmsala and check into the clouds end villa with excellent views over the valley or cottages on the scenic forest ½ kms from from Mcleodganj. Founded in 1855 , Dharmsala has one  of the most beautiful  spectacular settings for a hill station. It is built along a spur of the Dhauladhar range surrounded by forests and peaks rising over 4800 meters on three sides. The Dalai Lama settled here after his flight across the Himalayas from China.

Evening free for walks to view the Namgya monastery  at Mcleodgang also known as little Lhasa opposite the Dalai Lama’s residence. Also visit the Church of St. John in the wilderness with attractive stained glass.

Overnight

Day 12 Dharamsala/ Amritsar

After early breakfast drive to Amritsar. A few miles within India’s northwestern border is Amritsar, known for its Golden Temple, the most sacred shrine of the Sikhs and the tank called “the pool of immortality”. Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, founded the city while excavating the holy tank. Guru Arjun Dev built the Temple and Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler, enriched the shrine and covered its dome with copper, overlaid with golden foil. The interior of the temple contains fine fillgree and gold-inlay work. The exterior walls are inlaid with precious stones. Nearby is the Jalianwala Bagh, where, during the British rule in India, General Dyer opened fire on innocent people causing a massacre. The place is now a national monument; its walls bear the bullet marks of this tragedy.

Evening visit Wagha Border which is the International Border between India and Pakistan. Here you witness the spectacular Fag ceremony and closing of Gates. The activity is emotionally surcharged with both sides public there to witness the ceremony. An unforgettable experience. Later at night visit Golden Temple for the religious ceremony.

Overnight

Day 13 Amritsar/Delhi

Early morning transfer to Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express Dep 0515 Hrs Arr 1105 Hrs. Met and assist at Railway Station and Transfer to your Hotel.