| The Hidden Kingdom - 18 days |
|
|
An awesome flight across the Indian Himalayas takes us to the barren landscapes of Ladakh. The stark contrast of these windswept hills and the rest of India are immediately apparent.
In this remote area monasteries and ancient palaces have been built in striking locations, and lofty hilltops. The people appear different too - Ladakhis are Tibetan in their religion and culture, making Ladakh one of the world's most remote corners of Buddhism. |
|
| There is an optional rafting trip on the Indus followed by a 4 day trek through the Indus Valley . We then drive along the second-highest road in the world from Leh to Manali and round off our journey with a stay in the Dalai Lama’s headquarters at Dharamsala and a visit to sacred Amritsar before returning to Delhi. |
 |
- Spectacular 4 day trek
- Discover a remote and little-visited area
- Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama
- The Golden Temple in Amritsar
|
Day 1: DELHI
Arrive in Delhi , transfer to hotel.
Day 2: LEH
Fly to Leh (3,500m); free day to acclimatise. Evening optional tour of Sankar gompa (monastery).
Day 3: LEH
Full day tour of the Indus Valley gompas of Shey, Tikse & Hemis. Tikse is a good place to watch religious perched ceremonies which are preceded by the playing of large standing drums and long horns.
Day 4: LEH
Optional white-water rafting on the Indus. The rafting is easy but very scenic as you float down the Indus River.
Day 5: TREK
Drive to Likir where we begin our trek. The route is fairly easy; we walk approximately 4 hours per day and our route seldom goes over 4,000m. Enroute we visit several villages and get to see the lifestyle of the locals when we meet them in the fields or visit them in their houses. We camp near the village of Yangtang . (L,D)
Day 6: TREK
Hike to the impressive monastery of Ridzong, perched in a fantastic spot high up in a side valley. This monastery belongs to the strictest Buddhist order and the monks possess nothing but their books and robes. (B, L, D)
Day 7: TREK
Crossing a small pass we descend to the village of Hemis Shukpachen , a picturesque spot full of greenery and apricot orchards. (B, L, D)
Day 8: LAMAYURU
Trek via the village of Ang to Themisgaam. From here we drive to Lamayuru where we stay in the monastery guesthouse. Lamayuru is one of the most famous and spectacular gompas in Ladakh, perched on a steep cliff overlooked by massive mountains. (B, L, D)
Day 9: LEH Return to Leh with a stop en route to visit the unique Alchi monastery. Built in the 12th century, this monastery survived the restoration of the 16th century and still has the original paintings in Kashmiri style. (B)
Day 10: SARCHU
Drive along the legendary Leh to Manali highway with unsurpassed views along the way. We stop for the night in Sarchu where we stay in tented accommodation.
Day 11: MANALI
Continue by bus to the hill-station of Manali, one of the most scenic areas of Himachal Pradesh. The scenery is stunning; snow-capped peaks tower above green hills that are carpeted with pine forest and fruit orchards.
Day 12: MANALI
Full day at leisure. This area is ideal for easy hikes with stunning views or you can explore the town with its many Tibetan shops.
Day 13: DHARAMSALA
We travel to the hill-station of Dharamsala in a spectacular mountain setting.
Day 14: DHARAMSALA
Perched on the slopes of the Kangra Valley , Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Their settlement at Mcleod Ganj is a colourful example of Tibetan culture with many brightly coloured prayer flags and temples. We have a full day to explore the town.
Day 15: DHARAMSALA
Optional walk through the mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and deodar trees to Triund, an alpine meadow situated atop a flat ridge with fine views of peaks of Dhauladhars and the Kangra valley.
Day 16: AMRITSAR
Travel to Amritsar , the capital of Punjab .
Day 17: DELHI
Morning visit to the Golden Temple , one of the most impressive temples in India and the holiest site for Sikhs. Evening express train to Delhi .
Day 18: DELHI - Tour ends. |
| Tour code / Name |
Tour cost |
The Hidden Kingdom
|
US$ per person |
| Note: All tour costs based on twin share basis. Individual (single) travel is also possible. Please contact us for details and costs. |
| Departures: private tour |
|
|
Cost Includes |
- Twin share accommodation in hotels
- During trek we will use tented accomodation
- Meals as mentioned in itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Monument entrance fees as per itinerary
- Guided tours with the services of an English speaking guide
- Services of our sherpa trekking crew
- All camping equipent
- Porters for luggage and camping equipment as per trek itinerary
- All domestic transfers as per itinerary, using car, bus, train or domestic flights as per itinerary.
|
|
Cost Excludes |
- India Visa
- Airfare from your home country and back
- Airport taxes
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Insurance & emergency rescue charges
- Any other services not specified in the above costs includes list
|
|
|
|
