Welcome to Delhi, a captivating city brimming with life and cultural intrigue. Enjoy free arrival transfers by providing your flight details in advance and requesting a transfer.

Depending on your arrival time, explore this electric city. A short taxi drive from the hotel takes you to Karol Bagh Market, where colorful stalls overflow with clothing and jewelry. Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a magnificent Sikh temple adorned with an onion-shaped gold dome. Alternatively, stretch your legs with a 10-minute walk to the nearby rock garden.

You start the day very early for the flight to Leh, leaving the hotel around 2 AM and driving to the airport for the early morning departure. The spectacular flight over the Himalayas makes the early start worthwhile. Arriving at the high altitude of Leh (11,485 feet/3,500 meters) can take your breath away, so the focus is on acclimating for the first few days.

In the morning, rest and catch up on sleep. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle orientation walk in Leh and explore its bazaars.

Today, embark on a sightseeing tour to two major gompas (Buddhist monasteries) in the area. First, drive to Shey, a former royal palace of the Ladakh kings, and explore the small temple containing a 350-year-old copper-and-gold Buddha statue.

From Shey, walk across the fields for approximately two hours on a good, level trail to Tikse. Visit the hilltop monastery, recognizable by its red-and-white buildings visible for miles. Explore the temples and courtyards, meet the red-robed monks, and see the 50-foot (15-meter) high statue of the Future Buddha. Return to Leh in the afternoon and enjoy free time to relax.
Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you embark on an acclimatization walk around the Leh Valley. Begin with a visit to the ruins of the Old Royal Palace on Namgyal Hill, then follow a winding path to Tsemo Monastery, where you enjoy magnificent views of Leh and its surrounding villages.

Descend around the back of the palace and walk via Sankar to the recently built Japanese Peace Pagoda. This huge stupa overlooks Leh, offering stunning views of the town and the Stok mountain range across the valley.

Optionally, take a 4×4 trip to Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 18,379 feet (5,602 meters). On a clear day, enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalaya, including the Ladakh and Karakoram ranges. The journey takes roughly four to five hours and can be booked and paid for locally. If you choose the 4×4 trip, do the walk in the afternoon.

Distance covered: 5mi (8km)
Activity hours: 3hrs to 4hrs

Well acclimatized, you leave Leh this morning, taking a road west towards Kashmir. Climb out of Leh and descend to the Indus River, enjoying great views of the Zanskar River meeting the mighty Indus. Descend to the village of Nimmu, then climb to Basgo village, where an old fort and temples seem to be built out of the mud cliffs. Climb out of Basgo and take a short stretch of straight road before turning off to Likir, where you visit the well-kept monastery and its active school for young monks.

Drive to Yangtang village (12,083ft/3,683m). Time allowing, explore the village and maybe visit the small school or watch the Ladakhis sowing barley and potatoes, the staple crops of these hardy mountain people. From Yangtang, enjoy wonderful southerly views over the village to the Zanskar mountains beyond.

Accommodation: Village homestay

Depart Yangtang and head north away from the main trail, surrounded by spectacular rock formations. Ladakh’s mountainous desert and its multi-colored hills appear magnificent in any light.

During the first couple of hours of your walk, you come across fascinating erosion features, including pinnacles with rock boulders precariously balanced upon them. Arrive at your accommodation around lunchtime. In the afternoon, take the opportunity to walk higher up the valley. This area is well known for ibex sightings, and snow leopards have also been spotted here.

Distance covered: 4mi (6km)
Activity hours: 3hr 30min to 4hrs

Head along an easy trail, climbing to the Spangpo La pass (13,392ft/4,082m) with wonderful views of the hills ahead and down to Hemis Shukpachen (12,018ft/3,663m). This tranquil village, featuring a small gompa, green pastures, and a clear stream, offers a lovely place to stay for the night. In the afternoon, visit the monastery and explore the charming village.

Distance covered: 5mi (8km)
Activity hours: 4hr 30min

From Hemis Shukpachen, cross the pastures in a northwesterly direction, skirting the sides of the fields. Stop at a chorten (a Buddhist shrine) and follow the trail past mature juniper trees, which give the village its name. The path climbs easily to the Mebtek La pass (12,454ft/3,796m), where you admire the pink and mauve mountains ahead.

Descend into the next valley and observe the trail zig-zagging up the distant mountainside. Wind your way up to the Lago La pass (12,572ft/3,832m) and enjoy magnificent views across to the south side of the Indus Valley. The trail descends steeply from the pass to the village of Ang, an area rich in fields of barley, potatoes, and orchards.

From Ang, take an easy walk along the 4×4 track to Temisgam (10,682ft/3,256m). Explore the largest and most prosperous village on the trek, with fertile fields, spreading apple and apricot orchards, large white-washed Ladakhi homes, and castle ruins and temples to visit.

Distance covered: 8mi (13km)
Activity hours: 5

Observe the size and wealth of Temisgam as you hike through the village to the foot of Bong Bong La pass (11,910ft/3,630m), your final pass. As you hike up, gain wide views of the Sham Valley, with streams and the Tia Monastery in the background. Descend to the nearest road to Khalsi.

Say goodbye to the trekking crew and employees before getting picked up and driven to Lamayuru. Shortly before evening falls, take a short walk to explore the village.

Distance covered: 9mi (14km)
Activity hours: 5hrs to 6hrs

In the morning, a visit to the 11th-century Lamayuru Monastery reveals its residence of over 150 monks and some of the world's largest thangas (traditional Buddhist paintings). The subsequent journey crosses Moon Land, one of Ladakh's most extraordinary landscapes, named for its erosive forms and unusual colors. Alchi is reached in the afternoon, followed by a leisurely evening stroll through the village, featuring numerous barley fields, apple orchards, and apricot trees.

You explore the Alchi Monastery this morning, a captivating complex believed to be constructed around the 11th century by the Tibetan translator Richen Zangpo. Unlike other gompas in Ladakh, Alchi stands on the plains, boasting exquisite architecture featuring a Kashmiri-style assembly hall and wall paintings portraying Ladakh kings in a fascinating blend of Buddhist and Kashmiri aesthetics. Following your visit, you embark on a drive to Leh, reaching your destination in the afternoon.

You take a flight from Leh to Delhi. The remainder of the day offers opportunities for individual sightseeing. You might explore the vibrant bazaars and the historic Red Fort nestled in the heart of Old Delhi, or venture to some of the Mughal monuments scattered throughout this ancient city.

Your journey in India concludes upon checking out from the hotel. Free departure transfers are accessible for any flight, granted you have provided your flight details beforehand. Alternatively, consult your sales representative regarding the option to join the five-day post-trip extension, encompassing the Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. This extension is also available before the tour.