Mountains, monasteries & culture of Ladakh

Small group trip to the Indian Himalayas with Dorjee. We invite you to travel to a dream place, to the best kept secret of the subcontinent. The mythical Kashmir and Ladakh will transport you in a few days from northern India to Central Asia and the Tibetan world. If you already know India, it will seem like a completely new country to you, if you have not yet visited it, you will start in one of its most fascinating regions.

Overview
Itinerary
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Overview

From the capital of India, this trip will take us to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the sacred city of Sikhism. We will enter the ancient kingdom of Kashmir, a set of valleys and forests surrounded by high mountains. Srinagar, its capital, is located on the banks of Lake Dal and has a particular wooden architecture and the mythical Mughal gardens that made Emperor Jahangir: “If there is paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” We will see the Hindu remains in this state with a Muslim majority and we will travel through the grasslands where the nomadic shepherds spend the summer.

Our trip will continue through the highest mountain passes in the world towards Little Tibet. Ladakh is a desert mountain area with Buddhist culture. You will see violet, yellow and red peaks with hardly a blade of grass. The Tibetan gompas hang from rocks in the middle of arid landscapes, while the Indus River meanders through the valley with its turquoise waters. Get ready to find Buddhist monasteries in impossible locations in these inhospitable lands.

We will end the trip by returning to Delhi, from where those who wish can take an extension to visit the mythical Taj Mahal and the sacred cities of the Ganges.

Highlights of the trip to India

Small group trip.
Local guide throughout the route.
Itinerary characterized by the great variety of landscapes, culture and religion.
A very direct approach to the culture of Kashmir and Ladakh.
Attend and participate, if we feel like it, in ancestral rituals such as the community puja in a Buddhist monastery.
Visit local markets in Leh and Srinagar.
Traditional boat ride on Lake Dal.
Interesting contrast between visits to cities and small rural areas.
Suggestions for activities outside the usual circuits from our specialist guide, Dorjee.
Possibility of extension to Agra and Varanasi

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Upon arrival at New Delhi International airport, meet & greet by out staff. Later transfer to hotel near city centre. Overnight at Delhi
Day 2
Delhi - Amritsar (Train)
After breakfast explore New Delhi, the city built by the British as the imperial capital. The city centre has the India Gate, the Presidential Palace and the Gandhi Memorial, but it also includes sites such as Humayun's Tomb, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will walk through the gardens of this funerary complex that served as inspiration for the Taj Mahal.

After lunch we will go to New Delhi railway station to take the fast train to Amritsar. The journey will last almost 6 hours, enlivened by life on board the carriages, a true portrait of the country and its people. We will arrive in Amritsar, the religious capital of the Sikh community. Transfer and overnight in Amritsar.
Day 3
Amritsar
We will have the whole day to visit Amritsar, a symbolic city on the border with Pakistan. The city is home to the famous Golden Temple, the most sacred place for the Sikh community. We will visit its interior, where we will be surprised by both its majestic architecture of Muslim influence, and the peace and devotion of its visitors. Every day one hundred thousand people visit the place and thousands receive a meal in the langar or soup kitchen. The temple has undergone several reconstructions and since 1803 it has displayed its characteristic gold and marble roof. Nearby, the Jallianwalla Bagh gardens are a reminder of the struggle for independence. In the evening we can return to the Golden Temple, which remains open 24 hours, to see the ceremony of removing the sacred book. Overnight in Amritsar.

Those who wish can contribute for part of the day to the activities of the Golden Temple's kitchen. The temple kitchens serve thousands of people free of charge every day and accept volunteer work for a few hours, an excellent way to get to know the Sikh community first-hand.
Day 4
Amritsar - Sringar (Flight) - Pahalgam
Breakfast at in the hotel. Early in the morning, we will take a flight to Srinagar. From the airport, we will head towards one of the most bucolic valleys in Kashmir. We will pass by ancient temples that remind us that this was and is a sacred territory for Hinduism, until we reach Pahalgam. This small town is the gateway to an important Hindu pilgrimage and the Aru Valley. It is not unusual to come across large flocks of sheep and nomadic shepherds who live in the mountains during these summer months on the road. Overnight in Pahalgam.
Day 5
Pahalgam - Walk through Aru Valley - Srinagar
We will start the day with a pleasant walk to the first and second meadows of the Aru Valley. Nomadic shepherds frequent this valley and establish their flocks in stone houses on the mountain slopes.

As we walk we will have breathtaking views of the mountains of this part of Kashmir dominated by the Kolahoi glacier. After the descent, we will head towards the capital of Kashmir.

Srinagar is located between mountains of lush vegetation on the shores of Lake Dal. For centuries Kashmir was an independent principality in the centre of the Himalayas. The Maharaja did not allow the British to build residences on land, so they settled in houseboats on the lake. These moored boats are today one of the attractions of this Himalayan city. Commuting and traveling is done by small gondolas or sikaras that serve as transport and floating market. Overnight on a houseboat.
Day 6
Srinagar
After breakfast we will have the whole day to visit Srinagar. In the old city we will visit the great mosque or Jama Masjid and the Khankah dargah, the most important Sufi temple in the city, dedicated to the saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani.

Another attraction of the city are its gardens. The Mughal emperors, great lovers of this region, built more than 700 Persian gardens, of which we can admire three today in Srinagar. Their elaborate geometry and the views they offer of the city and the lake make them a must-see.

In the afternoon, we will go out by sikara to the famous Muslim temple that preserves a hair from Mohammed's beard. Hazratbal is on the shores of a smaller lake and will allow us to tour the quietest and most authentic areas of the city. The market and the atmosphere of Hazratbal at dusk will transport us back in time.

Night on a houseboat.
Day 7
Srinagar - Kargil

Breakfast. Today we begin our journey across the Zoji La Pass to reach Kargil, a town nestled in Gilgit-Baltistan, an area of great ethnic diversity in the heart of the Indian Himalayas. Along the way, we will pass through several small Kashmiri villages such as Sonamarg or Dras, but the real attraction is the mountains on this stretch of road and the extraordinary landscapes we will find in the transition between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Overnight in Kargil.
Day 8
Kargil - Lamayuru - Uley Topko
Breakfast at hotel. Early in the morning we will leave for Ladakh. We will begin the ascent towards the Fotu La Pass, which is one of the highest mountain passes with vehicle traffic. On the way we will be able to appreciate the changing tones of the mountain as we advance. At the end of our journey that passes through bare mountains we will arrive at the Lamayuru Monastery. Lamayuru is a gompa perched on top of a hill that imposingly watches over the access to the valleys of Ladakh. It is considered to be one of the oldest buildings remaining in the region and is believed to be based on a lake that miraculously dried up. Belonging to the Kagyu order, this monastery had a community of two hundred monks. Here we will be able to experience life in a small mountain enclave far from the capital where peace reigns. After the visit we will continue towards the banks of the Indus where we will stay in cabins. Night in Uleytokpo.
Day 9
Uley Topko - Alchi - Leh
After breakfast we will resume our journey towards Leh stopping at several villages and monasteries. We will start with Rizong, a gompa hidden among mountains whose access will test our vertigo. We will continue towards the Likir monastery, located at the top of the village of the same name. Likir is the seat of the Ngri Rimpoche, currently embodied in the younger brother of the Dalai Lama. Finally, we will reach the Alchi Monastery of the same branch of Buddhism as Likir. The lama Durwang Chosje founded this monastery in 1065 AD. Alchi is considered the most beautiful complex in Ladakh and comprises five temples characterized by their enormous statues of Buddha and splendid wood carvings and works of art; its murals date from the 11th to 12th centuries, predating the Tibetan style of painting that is present in all the other temples in Ladakh. In the afternoon, we will continue towards Leh, the capital of the state. Night in Leh.
Day 10
Leh
After breakfast at hotel we will have the whole day to explore Leh and its surroundings. The city is located in a unique setting. On one side, the Indus with its turquoise waters, on the other, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, which are most of the year. However, the landscape surrounding Leh is completely arid, a contrast that seems impossible.

The Royal Palace on top of the main hill of the city is almost an extension of the mountain. At its feet, a town with the soul of a village lives quietly with its market, its polo field and its small temples. Today will be a quiet day to walk around and explore the highest city in India. At sunset, we cannot miss climbing the Stupa of Peace, built on one of the highest points that dominates the valley and the city.

Night in Leh.
Day 11
Leh - Theksey - Hemis - Pangong Lake
Our route continues through the Indus Valley towards the richest Tibetan gompas in the region. We will start by visiting Thiksey, where if we are early risers we can witness the puja or collective prayer of the monks. The recitation of Tibetan mantras is done in community while the monks have breakfast and various daily activities of the monastery are carried out.

Next, we will go towards Hemis passing through Stanka. This gompa is one of the most picturesque in the Indus Valley despite being a fairly new construction. For its part, Hemis is a monastery of the Drukpa order, dominant in Bhutan. It was the monastery with the greatest authority over Ladakh and is reputed to be the richest today. Here we can see, among other things, the oldest thangka in Ladakh and a large image of Padmasanbhava.

The end of our tour today will take us to the shores of Lake Pangong, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Ladakh. Night at Lake Pangong.
Day 12
Pangong Lake - Leh
Breakfast. In the morning, we will walk along the shores of Pangong Lake with its crystal-clear waters that reflect the sky and the mountains. After our walk we will resume our way back to Leh. We will arrive in the mid-afternoon and we will have a few last hours to explore the capital of Ladakh. Night in Leh.
Day 13
Leh – Nubra Valley
After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley via Khardungla (the second highest passable road in the world at 18,380 feet). Arrive Hunder in the afternoon. Then, continue to explore the villages of Diskit, Hunder or go for a camel safari in the sand dunes between Diskit and Hunder villages. Overnight in Nubra.
Day 14
Nubra Valley
Full day excursion of Turtuk valley. If time is allowed visit Diskit Monastery, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Nubra Valley. Overnight Nubra
Day 15
Nubra Valley - Leh
After breakfast drive back to Leh via Khardunga la pass, on arrival check in hotel. Rest of the time free for individual activities (shopping etc). Overnight at Leh.
Day 16
Leh - Delhi (Flight)
Early in the morning we will head to Leh airport to take a flight to New Delhi. The capital of India awaits us with a busy life that we have been away from during the trip. Today we have a visit to the Qutb Minar, the great archaeological site where the Delhi Sultanate was born. The complex is dominated by an 800-year-old minaret included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On leaving, we can explore the southern neighbourhoods of the city and reconnect with urban life. Night in Delhi.
Day 17
Delhi city tour & Dep. transfer
After breakfast, it is time to tour Old Delhi, the last Muslim foundation on the banks of the Yamuna. This historic neighbourhood is today one of the most congested in the city. The shops still distributed along thematic alleys remind us of the Muslim souks. We will visit the great Chandni Chowk Avenue with its temples of all Indian religions and the great Jama Masjid Mosque. We will visit the spice market, the largest in Asia and take a rickshaw ride through the lively alleys.

At the time schedule one of our staff lead you Delhi International airport, board onward flight. End our services.

EXTENSION TO AGRA AND VARANASI

Day 17: Delhi - Agra

Today we will leave Delhi to head towards one of the most emblematic places in the country: Agra. The city that houses the Taj Mahal is a destination that will surprise us with its unparalleled heritage. On the way we can stop at the tomb of Emperor Akbar in Sikandra. This impressive mausoleum is one of the inspirations for the Taj and was built to house the remains of the great emperor of the Mughal dynasty.

After settling in Agra, if we still have the energy, we can walk to the other side of the Yamuna. This is where the gardens where the Mughal aristocracy would go to enjoy their free time were located. The two best preserved are the Itimad ud Daula and the Mehtab Bagh, or moonlight garden, from where you get the best view of the Taj Mahal at sunset. Night in Agra.
Day 18
Agra - Varanasi (Train)
Now is the time to visit the Taj Mahal, the crowning work of Mughal architecture, built between 1631 and 1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife. The perfect symmetry and beauty of the gardens and architecture have earned it the title of one of the 7 Wonders of the World, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit it at dawn when the changing light reflects on the marble revealing all its shades. Afterwards we will return to the hotel for breakfast and a little rest.

In the afternoon, we must visit the Agra Fort, seat of imperial Mughal power for more than a century and one of the best-preserved palaces of the Muslim dynasties. From there we will have a last view of the Taj, the same one that Shah Jahan enjoyed, imprisoned by his son in his last years of life. In the late afternoon, we will take the train to Varanasi. Night on the train.
Day 19
Varanasi
Arrival in Varanasi. Once settled in at the hotel, we will make our first outing to tour the ghats of Benares. We will visit some of the most famous temples and the campus of the Banaras Hindu University. Then we will walk along the river from Assi Ghat, up the steps that go into the river. We will be able to observe the palatial architecture of the riverbank and the daily life of the locals in the less crowded ghats. At the end of our tour we will arrive at Dasaswamedh Ghat, the main one in the city and where at dusk the famous aarti or fire ceremony is performed in honour of the goddess Ganga. Night in Varanasi.
Day 20
Varanasi - Delhi (Flight) & International Dep.
Today we will get up early to attend one of the greatest spectacles of Humanity. The sunrise in Varanasi will take us back in time. The banks of the river show an unusual vitality at this time of the morning and the sun begins to illuminate the incredible architecture of this city. There is no better way to enjoy this moment than from a boat, moving slowly through the waters. We will see the cremations that have not stopped all night, the faithful taking purification baths, but also the locals carrying out daily activities such as washing clothes or personal hygiene in the middle of the crowd. We will return to the hotel for breakfast and recover from this overwhelming experience.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Delhi airport, where we will connect with our international flight back to you original city.