Cultural Tour in Ladakh – in “little Tibet”

Trekking Map
This trip is full of highlights and shows you the local culture, tradition, and Buddhism in its various forms up close. You will visit some excellent attractions such as the Shey, Thiksay, Lamayuru, and Alchi monasteries. In addition, you can admire the beautiful oasis-like deserts in the Nubra valley and cross the world’s highest highway on Khardungla at 5,260m. Finally, visit the Taj Mahal and return home with unforgettable impressions.
The tour begins with a wonderful flight from Delhi over the Indian Himalayas into the land of contrasts, with snow-clad high Himalayan peaks, arid deserts, and architecturally-technical incomparable beautiful monasteries. Before long, you will see how unique every corner is in Ladakh, which is also known as “little Tibet”. Finish the tour with a visit to the Alchi monastery which is world famous for its murals and is one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World”.
This tour will appeal to travelling enthusiasts who are interested in culture, landscape, Tibetan architecture, and Buddhism. Due to the height of Ladakh (3,000m) and because of the warm climate, good health is a requirement.
Trip Details
Duration: 14 days
Holiday Type: Hotel Accommodation
Best trekking Period: Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep
Trek Grade: Easy
Group Size: Min 2 persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of only two persons)
Tour Guide: English speaking, trained Indian city guide
Costs: € 1.690 per Person
€ 350 for single room supplement
Difficulty Level:

Fitness Level:

Trekking Map
Day 01: Depart Home / Arrive Delhi, Overnight in Hotel
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative in Arrivals at the Airport and then transferred to the Hotel for a short night. Overnight at Hotel Ashok Country Resort .
Day 02: Flight to Leh. Most of the day relax in Hotel, evening walk in Bazar. Dinner & overnight in Hotel
This is an early start day, since most flights from Delhi to Leh fly between 5am to 8am and we need to be at the Airport around 2 hours before the flight departure times. After an impressive 1-hour flight over the high Himalayan peaks, we arrive in Leh 3.500m. We will be transferred to Leh hotel and rest of the morning we will spend by taking rest, allowing our body to acclimatise and notice any changes in our health. If all is going well, we will meet in the afternoon and take a short stroll in the Leh bazaar. This will be a casual walk and should aide us to get accustomed to local atmosphere. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View (B,L,D).
Day 03: Sightseeing of Shey & Theksay Monasteries in the first half of the day – In the afternoon relax in hotel or visit bazaar
We return to Leh in the afternoon and the rest of the day is free to allow our body to get accustomed to the local environment. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View (B,D).
Day 04: Acclimatisation walks in Leh and nearby areas, visiting Shankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa, evening walk to Tsemo Gompa set above the Leh Palace
After spending couple of days in a car and resting, we now grab our walking shoes to have a walking tour of the Leh and surrounding areas. This will provide us with more detailed information that Leh is not just regular a stop for tourists but has plenty of sights to offer. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View (B,D).
Day 05: Morning drive to Nubra Valley by crossing the Khardungla Pass (5.602 m) to reach Hunder – 128 km / 5-6 hrs. drive Today we head to a lower altitude and much greener areas of Ladakh but not before a 33kms drive to Kahardungla, which is the main pass connecting Nubra Valley and eastern Ladakh with Leh and rest of India. It is quite evident that most of the path remains closed for over six months in winters due to snow. We arrive at Hunder which is nearly 150kms from Leh. Here the Shyok River meets the stream formed by Siachin glacier. This river separates the Karakoram from the Ladakh range and the area is also famous for double-humped ‘Bactrian Camel’ and sand dunes. Overnight at Hotel Karma Inn (B,L,D).
Day 06: Visit Diskit Monastery and drive to Sumur – 50 km / 2 hrs. drive
Today we will visit the Diskit monastery, located in the nearby town of Diskit and which is also the headquarters of the Nubra Valley. It is the most popular area of this region. The 32m high statue of Future Buddha is the iconic landmark for the town which comes under the Diskit monastery. The monastery is a 15^th century building, belonging to the ‘Yellow Hat’ sect of Buddhism. It is famous for its festival Dosmochey and also houses a statue crowned Budhha and some beautiful frescos. We later proceed to Sumur. Overnight at Hotel (B,L,D).
Day 07: Morning drive to Panamic (Hot Sulphur Springs), return to Hotel for Lunch
Sumur is located along the Shyok River, in the morning we will visit the hot Sulphur springs at Panamic and the secluded Ensa Gompa. Later in the day we will visit the Samstaling monastery . Overnight at Hotel / Home stay (B,L,D).
Day 08: Drive to Sakti crossing Wari La (5.200m). In the afternoon walk around the village and visit the Thag Thog monastery – 130 km / 5 to 6 hrs drive
Today we head back towards Leh crossing another 5.200m pass called Wari La, to reach the serene village of Sakti. We will be visiting the Thag Thog monastery which is also famous for a masked-dance festival with its name. It is a 16^th century structure, belonging to Nyingmapa and is home to around 50 monks. Overnight in Hotel / Home stay (B,L,D).
Day 09: Drive to Alchi – 110 km / 3 to 4 hrs drive
We get back on the main Manali-Leh highway and we will follow it northwards to Leh – Srinagar highway. We will make a stop at the Basgo fort ruins and later visit the Alchi monastery – an around a thousand year old monastery, famous for its wall paintings and influence wooden Kashmiri architecture. The rest of evening will be free for individual activities. Overnight at Hotel (B,L,D).
Day 10: Drive to Lamayuru – 60 km / 2 hrs drive, in the evening short village walk
After breakfast we head on the Leh-Srinagar highway and drive towards Lamayuru at 3.500m. En-route we will make a stop at Nimmu (confluence of rivers Zanskar and Indus) and then visit the Likir monastery before re-joining the road to Lamayuru. We will drive across, over the bridge of the river Indus to reach Lamayuru. This is also the starting point of most treks into the Zanskar ranges. The scenery will change dramatically change and you will see a beautiful green village, surrounded by magnificent dry mountains and the “Moon-Land”. We will go for a walk through the village and visit the Lamayuru monastery. It houses some of the biggest Tangkas which are opened during the famous mask dance festival and was built almost a thousand years ago. It houses more than 150 permanent monks. Overnight at a Simple Hotel (B,L,D).
Day 11: Drive to Tingmosgang – 35 km / 1.5 hrs drive, short village walk and pass through dried apricot terraces
We head early towards Tingmosgang village (3.200m). It used to be the headquarters of lower Ladakh and the fort atop the hill would guard the kingdom. What now remains are the ruins from the past, a small monastery which does appear prominent due to its location and bright red and yellow colour. We will do some walks in the village and visit the monastery. This is one of the most prosperous villages in the Ladakh region and plenty of cultivation with apple orchards, apricots being grown. Overnight in Hotel / Fixed Camp (B,L,D).
Day 12: Drive to Leh – 84 km / 3 hrs drive
By now we will be templed-out, so we head back to Leh for a final night. We should arrive in Leh before noon. The rest of the day is free for any last minute souvenir shopping or just soaking in the atmosphere of this land of peculiar colours. Overnight at Hotel Glacier View (B,D).
Day 13: Flight to Delhi – Afternoon sightseeing
Time to leave the ‘Little Tibet’, we have an early morning start as we fly to Delhi. Upon arrival we will have a short sightseeing tour around Central Delhi, visiting some of the buildings of the colonial era, before we head back to the Hotel. Overnight at Hotel Jay Pee Siddharth (B,D).
Day 14: free for individual activities OR Day trip to Agra by train – Evening transfer to Airport for flight to Home
An optional day trip to Agra, we will make a short trip to visit the famous Taj Mahal 17^th Century Mausoleum of Mumtaz constructed by her husband and then Mughal king Shah Jehan. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Upon return to Delhi, you will be transferred to the airport after dinner in time for your flight (B,D).
We reserve the right to make program changes due to special events, force majeure, or weather conditions.

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September 18th, 2021		Request booking

This trekking tour can also be booked for your individual group at an additional cost at dates other than shown here.

Duration: 14 days
Costs: € 1.690 per person
Group size: min. 2 Persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of two persons)
€ 350 for single room supplement

What’s included:

Airport transfers in India / Ladakh
All relevant surface transfer
Internal flights Delhi – Leh – Delhi with Go Air or Air India (inclusive Airport Taxes and 22kg free luggage, 15kg luggage+7 kg hand luggage)
All hotel accommodation with breakfast and dinner
Sightseeing with entrance fees, guide and vehicle
Transfer – Delhi – Agra – Delhi and entrance fees Taj Mahal
Quality service
Oxygen set for emergency cases
Oxymeter

Not Included:

International flights
Additional tours and meals that are not mentioned
Beverages
Personal bills
Visa India approx. 62€
Excess baggage charge (beyond 22 Kg each)
Insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
Tips

Ladakh is one of the highest regions in the world. When you land in the capital of the region, Leh, you will already be at an altitude of 3,500 m. We spend the first few days of our Ladakh trips sightseeing in order to ensure that you adapt to the change in altitude. You will see Leh’s old town as well as the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries and villages in the Indus valley. Here, there are numerous opportunities for meditation in the monasteries and meditation schools. Please contact us if you are interested.
All our tours are conducted by local trained and licensed guides. At the end of our tours, we offer the opportunity for you to travel to Agra in order to admire the world-famous Taj Mahal. We also offer the option of extending your trip to Kashmir/Srinanagar on request. The houseboats on Dal Lake are the perfect way to relax after the tour.
Visa
A visa is always required for entry to India. Since November 2014, under certain conditions, you can apply for an electronic tourist visa (e-Tourist Visa – e-Tv). You can find a list of the requirements for an electronic visa at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html. You can also apply for a visa under the link. Please note that the tourist visa must be applied for in good time (at least 28 days before the start of your visit) so that no travel complications occur. If you have any questions, we will be happy to help you.
Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required for travelling to Ladakh (India). However, vaccinations against hepatitis, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and typhoid are recommended. We advise you to speak your family doctor approx. 3 months before your trip and in the case of physical weaknesses, a health check should be carried out beforehand.
Insurance
Travel health insurance (with recovery costs) is essential for your own safety and a precondition for participation in our trips. In the event of an accident in the mountains which requires a helicopter rescue, the helicopter will not take off before the responsibility for the cost is clarified. The conclusion of travel cancellation insurance is highly recommended. In the case of bargain price flights in particular, changes or cancellations generally can’t be made free of charge. In Nepal complications with the weather or with your health could make it necessary to break off your journey. We have requested ERGO (Reiseversicherung) to create various service packages for you. You can book travel health insurance at https://www.reiseversicherung.de/vrv/partner/ep-Assistent.html?/data/agent/hagtnr=027256&/data/agent/nagtnr=000000.
Please note: ERGO insurance can be booked by residents of Germany and Austria. Those living in other countries are requested to book their travel insurance through an insurance provider in their own country. It should be noted that geoDiscovery Tours advises its customers to book their travel insurance via ERGO as a recommendation only, and accepts no responsibility for the contractual content between the customer and the travel insurance provider. Customers can book their travel insurance via ERGO or another provider at their own discretion.
Money
You should bring with you a debit card with a PIN (international), a credit card and cash in either Euros or dollars. In cities like Delhi and Leh you can withdraw money at ATMs or change money using your debit card or credit card. The local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). One EUR is equivalent to approx. 75 INR.
The hotels booked by us are
In Delhi and Ladakh hotels we book are good and correspond to medium-level Western standards. Sanitary facilities are clean and functional; the hotel cuisine is adapted to Western eating habits and the food is safe to enjoy. There may sometimes be power cuts, or no hot water may be available for a while. The hotel staff is generally very friendly and looks after the welfare of guests. The hotels booked by us are as follows:
Delhi: Hotel Ashok Country Resort (3*) and Hotel Jay Pee Siddharth (4*)
Leh: Hotel Glacier View (3*)
Hunder: Karma Inn (2*)
Flying in India (Ladakh)
The domestic flights booked by us are with Go Air or Air India
General information regarding our trips
The tour program for all of our recommended tours is carefully planned. However, it can be that roads must be closed or become impassable without prior warning due to climatic events in the destination country. Delays of several hours are also possible due to traffic congestion or fuel shortages. This means that access to attractions may also be hindered. Nevertheless, our guides are used to such situations and will endeavour to fulfil all items on the programme to the satisfaction of all our participants. Therefore, the inconvenience can normally be kept to a minimum. Nevertheless, it should be noted at this point that the above-mentioned reasons can result in changes being made to the programme at any time. These changes fall outside of the responsibility of the organiser. The resulting costs are borne by the traveller. We apologise for any inconvenience.