Arriving at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport you are greeted by our staff who will transfer you to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax.

Overnight at hotel in Delhi

We depart early this morning from New Delhi Railway Station on the very fast Shatabdi Express for Amritsar, arriving shortly after 1.00 pm, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon’s city tour includes the Jalianwala Bagh National Memorial and Durgiani Temple as well as a visit to the Wagah border post to witness the Flag-Lowering Ceremony by Border Security Forces, famous for its extravagant displays of pomp and circumstance.  Tonight we visit the world-famous Swarna Mandit, the Golden Temple and witness the evening “Palki Sahib Ceremony” where the Sikhs’ holy book is closed for the day.

Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast, we head out for Dharamshala. (approx. 200 km/5 hrs). Overlooking the Dhauladhar Range, and surrounded by dense pine and Deodar trees, Dharamsala was a popular hill station among British during the Raj era.  Its colourful temples together with its monasteries and schools of Tibetan Buddhism reflect India’s perfect harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism.  On arrival at Dharamshala, check into hotel with the balance of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Today enjoy a full-day tour of Dharamshala and nearby McLeodganj, the Dalai Lamas headquarters, visiting temples and the Dalai Lama temple (Tsuglag Khang), the Namgyal Monastery, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and the Norbulingka Institute.

Spend the day travelling to Manali (235 km /7 hrs) going past the town of Palampur, seeing tea gardens along the way and making a brief stop at an old Shiva temple at Baijnath.

Arrive in Manali, a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh and the starting point of famous Manali-Leh road. After check-in at your hotel, the rest of the evening is free to relax.

Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Following breakfast, we tour Manali, visiting the famous Hadimba Devi Temple, built in a Pagoda style and where you can see animal sacrifices. Afterwards visit Vashisht, a tiny village famous for its hot springs and temples.  The afternoon and evening is free or you may take an optional tour of Naggar, once home to the famous Russian painter Nicholas Roerich whose former residence has been converted into an art gallery full of his finest paintings.

Today we drive to Keylong (120 km/4 hrs) via Rohtang Pass (3,980 m) passing Marhi, Koksar, Sissu & Tandi en route with photo stops at several places. Upon arrival at Keylong, check-in to the hotel with the balance of the day free to relax.

Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Enjoy a full day at leisure.  For those looking for more activity, you may visit the Kardang and Shahshur monasteries that are in the area.

Set off this morning on the main Manali-Leh route, following a dramatic road with its many zig-zag turns and over some high passes on the way to Sarchu (116km/3-4 hrs). Our first stop is the town of Darchha, before crossing the Baralacha-la Pass (4,883 m). There will also be a photo-stop at Surajtal.   Tonight we camp at Sarchu at an altitude of 4,290 m.

Overnight in tents.

After early breakfast, we leave for Leh (255 km/6-7 hrs), driving over the Lachung-la Pass (5,065 m), and reaching Pang in time for lunch. Continuing on, we will stop at world’s second highest drivable pass, the Tanglang-la (5,350 m) before arriving in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The evening is at leisure allowing you to acclimatize to the altitude.

Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 3 nights

After a leisurely morning allowing you to acclimatize completely, the afternoon is devoted to a short tour of the town visiting the Sankar Gompa, Spituk Gompla, Shanti Stupa and the Leh Palace.

Today we have a full day excursion to the Thiksey Monastery, setting off early to see the sunrise and a prayer ceremony, and taking a picnic breakfast with us. Afterwards we’ll visit the Hemis Monastery, one of the biggest in this region. While returning to Leh, we stop at the Shey Palace as well as enjoy a picnic lunch. In the evening return back to the hotel.

After breakfast leave for Saspol (62 km/2-3 hrs) and  en route visit Likhir Gompa.  Lunch will be at our campsite by the river, and tonight we visit Alchi Gompa and the local village.

Accommodation – Camping  – 2 nights

This morning depart for Lamayuru (66 kms / 2 hrs) taking a packed lunch. After visiting its monastery, we drive back to our camp site.

Today we visit Ridzong Monastery before drive back to Leh. Upon arrival check into the hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure to explore the Leh market on your own.

Overnight at the hotel

Early this morning check out the hotel prior to being transferred to the airport for flight to Delhi

On arrival at Delhi, transfer to the hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.  Tonight there is an

optional visit of Kingdom of Dreams where you can see a live performance by some of the Bollywood artists, dancing  to thematic stories and “desi item songs”.

Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

After breakfast, we set off on a full day, guided tour of the city.  In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid then drive past the Red Fort before taking a short rickshaw ride through the bustling market of Chandni Chowk. You also visit Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.  Following lunch we explore the British Raj architecture of Lutyen’s New Delhi, driving past the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House) and the Parliament buildings with a photo stop at the India Gate. The tour finishes with a visit to the ancient minaret Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

Today we will transfer you to the airport for a flight home

Disclaimer: This trip is recommended for people with good health with no record of high altitude sickness. Average altitude of Lahoul and Spiti and of Ladakh region is approx 3,000 m and some passes are as high as 5,602 m.