LADAKH - The Land Of Endless Discovery. Viewed from high above it's surface Ladakh in Kashmir appears a vast monotony of three colours: the brown on earth, the white on the snow and the black shadows in the valleys. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are incomparable in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks.

Tour Dates:

June-September 2017

Tour Route:

Delhi – Leh, Markha Valley Trekking, Leh -Delhi, India

Tour Highlights:

The Ancient City Leh - Visit Ancient Buddhist Monasteries - Lunar Landscapes of Ladakh - Markha Valley Trekking - Wonders of New Delhi.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Delhi:

Welcome to India! Greeting and pick-up at the international airport by our representative. Overnight stay at Delhi.

Day 02: Flight to Leh:

Our flight to Leh is a spectacular journey over multiple Himalayan ranges. After you land, check into your hotel and rest. After lunch, we take a walking tour of Leh Bazaar, with trade routes loosely dated as far back as the third century. Leh is an ancient city set between mighty mountains and the Indus River. The rest of the day is for your leisure to acclimatize and rest. Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 03: Sightseeing in Leh:

After breakfast, you’ll start your tour of Leh and surrounding areas. Visit Gompa Soma (a monastery part of the Leh palace complex) and Moti Market, the old bazaar. Lunch together. After lunch, we’ll hop in a jeep and head to Saboo monastery, a bit outside of Leh. Spend the afternoon exploring the monastery, talking to resident monks, and local devotees. On way back to the town center, visit the Sankhar Gompa and the Shanti Stupa constructed by Japan as a symbol of international peace in 1991. Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 04: Sightseeing in Leh:

Leave early to visit the monasteries of Shey, Thikse and Hemis, an hour and a half drive from Leh. Visit the former summer capital of Leh, Shey with its ruined castle, palace, and gompa standing high on a hilltop. Next, head to the ancient Hemis Monastery, and finally, visit Thikse monastery, noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Return to Leh, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 05: Leh - Stok (30 Min drive) - Foot of Stokla (4900m) 3hrs trek:

Leave Leh early morning by Jeep to Stok (the start of your trek). After leaving Stok Village follow the left bank of the river for two hours and climb gently leaving a small pass and continue onto a small valley, this is the foot of Stokla Mountain. Overnight Camp.

Day 06: Foot of Stokla - Stokla - Yurutse 6-7hrs trek:

After breakfast prepare to leave this beautiful valley, and ascent up to Stokla (4900m) via a steep zigzag path which takes around 3 hours of continuous walking. After the pass descent into the summer pastures of Stok and follow the river, which comes from Stok - Kangri massif. Overnight Camp.

Day 07: Yurutse - Gandala - Skiu 6-7hrs trek:

This morning you will follow path along the mountainside, then cross a small valley and follow steep path crossing the Ganda Pass. Then long descent towards Shingo. After 2 hours of descent, arrive in the valley of Markha and then after few hundred meters further will reach Skiu. Overnight camp.

Day 08: Skiu - Markha 7hrs trek:

From Skiu, follow a good path on the right bank of Markha where one can find many grassy meadows. Cross the river and walk through a barren area and arrive at Chaluk. Walk along the side of the river and after crossing climb towards Markha village where you will camp just beyond the village (and near the river). Overnight Camp.

Day 09: Markha - Tchatchutse 6-7hrs trek:

We start trekking this morning towards the main valley. The path leads us to the Humlung Monastery for a short stop. Follow the river and arrive in Hankar – a small village. After the village the track crosses a broad valley after the valley becomes narrow and higher and cross bridges on to the left bank and then reaches Tchatchuste. Overnight Camp.

Day 10: Tchatchutse - Nimaling (4700 M) 3hrs trek:

Trek starts on a track towards a smallish lake, then cross pasture to Nimaling. This is one of most beautiful high valleys in Ladakh dominated by the Kang Yaze. Trek ascent towards other side and gradually reach Nimaling. See if you can spot one of the many Yaks grazing freely on the open plains. Overnight Camp.

Day 11: Nimaling - Knogmarula (5150 M) - Shang 8hrs trek:

Cross the Markha valley and follow long climb along the mountain side, which leads towards Kongmarula (5150m). Follow steep descent into gorges and then keep walking to Chukirmo for a short stop. Continue on to Shang, a beautiful camp. If time permitting we will make a late afternoon walk to the monastery an hour away from the village. Overnight Camp.

Day 12: Shang - Hemis (4hrs trek) - Leh (1½hr drive):

The final day of your trek starts from the riverbed, follow a good path and reach a series of Chortens. follow a gently rising trail towards Hemis. Visit Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630's . Hemis is one of the largest Gompas of Ladakh. Hemis is famous for its festival held in June or July and is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world. We arrive in Leh for last minute shopping. Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 13: Leh - Delhi:

Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight to Delhi. After checking into your hotel, we leave for sightseeing which includes India Gate, Luxmi Nariyan temple and one of the many bazaars that make up with thriving metropolis. Tonight we get together for our farewell dinner and contemplate our amazing journey to Little Tibet. Overnight stay at Delhi.

Day 14: Depart Delhi:

Transfer to the International Airport for your return flight home. 

INCLUDES

• Pickup and drop off Delhi airport
• 6 nights’ accommodation and breakfast.
• 7 nights trekking accommodation in tent, all food and guide and porters for 8 days.
• Internal transfers by private car/jeep
• Sightseeing in Delhi and Leh
• Entrance fees
• Local English speaking guide for sightseeing in Delhi, Leh and trekking

EXCLUDES

• Return airfares to India
• Internal flights from Delhi to Leh return (Cost for internal flights will be available at the time of booking).
• Visa on arrival costs
• Personal expenditure such as drinks, laundry service and souvenirs
• Lunch & Dinner when not on trek
• Tipping and personal expenses
• Compulsory insurance of any kind