We will help you unfold the mysteries of North India as we take you through the royal romance of Rajasthan, its deserts, its colours and music, its small reclusive hamlets and bewilderingly enormous palaces, and its mouthwatering cuisine – all together create an unforgettable and colourful tapestry.
Hemis Festival
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI
Welcome to India! Our Representative will meet you at Delhi International Airport and we’ve arranged a private transfer to take you directly to the hotel. Your adventure begins this evening. After Check In, head out into the chaotic streets of Delhi. Drive past Red fort, visit Jamia Masjid, enjoy a Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat. In New Delhi, visit India Gate, President House, Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
The restaurant for tonight’s welcome dinner is in an immaculately renovated manor-house tucked down one of the lanes of the old city – what a perfect splash of opulence before you embrace the grassroots lifestyle of the remote Indian Himalayas starting tomorrow!
Overnight stay at hotel .
DAY 02: DELHI – LEH
After early breakfast, head towards airport for a short scenic flight to Leh. You’ll be catching your breath in awe of Ladakh’s stark mountain-scape by lunchtime. This is a pinch-yourself moment. Yes! You are here – The Himalayas!!
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Rest day at leisure to get full acclimatized. Dinner & overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 03: IN – LEH
Full day visiting Shey & Thiksey. After breakfast, proceed to Shey – it was the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Singge Namgyal built the more imposing palace at Leh, the kings continued to regard Shey, as their real home. The importance which was attached to Shey – the seat of Ladakh’s heartland – is attested by the enormous number of Chorten about the village, particularly around the palace complex and barren plain to the north of the road. Thiksey – is one of the largest and most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two – storied statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder. The moan of the eleven feet horns, the boom of drums and the clash of Cymbals. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
DAY 04: LEH – NUBRA
Breakfast at the hotel. Early Morning Leave Leh for 3 Days Trip to NUBRA VALLEY passing thru Horzey & Gangles Village. The road then rises to reach Khardongla (5602 Mts.) the world’s highest Motorable road & enjoy the landscape & the beautiful birds eye view of the Leh town. Halt for a picnic lunch at Khardong village. Visit Deskit, the HQ town of Nubra Valley. Driving for 30 Kms takes to Khalsar Bridge. Deskit can be approached by driving parallel to Shyok River for 20 Kms. From the Historical & Tourist point of view, Deskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley.
Further drive from Deskit to Hunder, another 15 – 20 Kms drive. At Hunder, you may see a few Double Humped, Hairy and Bactrian Camels. Dinner and overnight at the Nubra.
DAY 05: IN – NUBRA
After breakfast drive to Turtuk (which is first time opened for the tourist in 2010) which is a place Annexed by India only after the 1971 war, the village of Turtuk is one of the only Balti villages in India and lies right next to the LOC. The village’s inhabitants still use traditional utensils which are crafted from stone. Explore the village of Turtuk the village offers views of beautiful valley, part of Shyok Valley. On clear days you can have glimpse of K2 mountain peak located across the border in Pakistan. Though a muslim village, there are few gompas located on the plateau above Shyok River and there is a old royal house to see in village. Return to your hotel by the evening.
Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06: NUBRA – PANGONG
Leave early morning after breakfast, leave for Pangong. Lake through Shayok. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the villages, the summer pastureland of the yaks. Arrive Durbuk and from there a short drive takes you to the western shore of the lake. Enjoy the landscape in the back drop of the Lake. This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 144 Kms long with half of it’s running the other side of the “INDO CHINA BORDER”. One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable.
Dinner & overnight at Camp / Hotel.
DAY 07: PANGONG – LEH
After breakfast, return to your familiar base of Leh. Your 6-hour journey from Pangong will cover 165 scenic kilometres that include the 5300-metre Chang La pass – the third-highest motor pass in the world!
On Arrival at Leh. Check In at Hotel. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
DAY 08: IN – LEH
After breakfast drive to Hemis, to witness the festival, which is dedicated to Padmasambhava, what a visitor can observes a series of scenes in which the lamas, robed in gowns of rich, brightly coloured brocade and sporting masks sometimes bizarrely hideous, parade in solemn dance and mime around the huge flag pole in the center of the courtyard to the plaintive melody of the Shawn. The moan of the eleven feet horns, the boom of drums and the clash of Cymbals. Hemis was found in the 1630’s by Tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Singe Namgyal, Hemis is the largest and richest of the Ladakh Gompas. It nestles into the mountainside a little way up a glen in the mountains of Zanskar range.
Dinner & overnight at hotel.
DAY 09: IN – LEH
The Hemis Festival continues today with a focus on the Cham dance. In addition to the celebrations, take the time to explore. There’s a famous drink to try, Chhaang (a traditional barley wine), food stalls and relics to see. But, we recommend getting out of your shell and talking to the locals! At every step of the way, you’ll have a local language speaker who is a licensed guide. Why not grab them and ask them to translate for you? The locals will love it, and it could end up being the most memorable moment of your trip!
Dinner & overnight at hotel.
DAY 10: LEH – DELHI
One last lingering breakfast in Leh before your transfer to Leh Airport for a domestic flight to Delhi, the final leg of your journey. Do remember that domestic flights have a smaller baggage allowance than internationals! In Delhi you’ve come full circle to again enjoy your starting point. You have the afternoon free to take care of final packing. Rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner & overnight at hotel.
DAY 11 : LEAVE DELHI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT