Day 1 : Arrive Delhi

You will be assisted on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, drive to visit Humayun’s Tomb built in the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra; India Gate - A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center. Overnight in a hotel.

Delhi / Leh (HT 3500 M) - By Flight

After an early breakfast you are transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Ladakh. This must be one of the most sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.

Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. You would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 11,000 feet! During the afternoon, you can walk through the old town, beneath the Leh Palace, to allow you to get oriented to this fascinating city. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3 : In Leh – (HT 3730 M)

The morning is at leisure to acclimatize to the rarefied air. You may choose to stroll along the main bazaar - observing the varied crowds. Looking into curio shops is an engaging experience. A particularly attractive sight is the line of women from nearby villages sitting along the edge of the footpath with baskets of fresh vegetables brought for sale. Behind the main bazaar, Chang Gali is less bustling but has interesting little shops selling curios and jewellery. Further on are the labyrinthine alleyways and piled-up houses of the old town, clustering around the foot of the Palace Hill. In the other direction, down the bazaar, are the Tibetan markets where one can bargain for pearls, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli and many other kinds of semi-precious stones and jewellery, as well as carved yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, china or metal bowls, or any of a whole array of curios. When tired of strolling, one can step into any of the several restaurants; some of them located in gardens or on the sidewalks and serve local Tibetan, Indian and Continental cuisine.

Also walk to the Leh Palace & SHANKAR GOMPA, which belongs to Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gompa is a branch of Spituk Gompa, founded by the first incarnation of Skyabje Bakula (head monk of Spituk monastery). Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4 : In Leh (HT 3230 M)

You begin the day by visiting THIKSE MONASTERY, which is one of the most vibrant and active monasteries in the region. It dates back to the 16th century and is part of the Gelug-pa Sect. It is headed by successive reincarnations of the Khanpo Rimpoche. The monastery is 12 storied and painted in deep shades of red, ochre and white. It has evolved around a central courtyard with buildings surrounding it from three sides. At one extreme lies the main dukhang, which houses numerous racks containing religious texts. Behind the main alter lies a small chamber that contains images of revered deities.

Continue your drive on a well metalled broad road traveling upstream along the Indus River to HEMIS GOMPA, crossing over the Indus at the village of Karu. The most famous of Ladakh’s monasteries, Hemis or Changchub Samstanling (The love palace of the compassionate person), dates back to the 17th century and was built over a period of 40 years (1602 – 1642 A.D.). Today Hemis is well known for its festival or Hemis Tsechu commemorating the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava. In the year of the Monkey (every 12 years) a giant thangka depicting Guru Padmasambhava is unfurled from the terrace draping the five-storey facade. Delicately wrought in pearls and appliqué, it is one of the most famous art treasures of Ladakh. The central courtyard forms the focus for the masked dances held every year in summer. In the dukhang, remnants of the original 17th century murals can be seen. The gompa boasts of an excellent library, well preserved frescoes and murals, silver gilt chortens and a Kashmiri lacquered wooden throne.

On the return journey to Leh, drive to STOK PALACE, which is the present residence of the former royal family of Ladakh. King Teswang Thondup Namgyal built the palace in 1825. The last king of Ladakh died here in 1974. The main palace is five storeys high. The palace museum displays the collections of the royal family. In the queen’s chamber can be seen royal ornaments such as the beautifully crafted turquoise studded perak (head dress), the queen’s crown as well as the necklace of the Balti Princess, Gyal Khatun. Within the king’s room are displayed exquisite thangkas, most significant of which is the set of 35 thangkas depicting the stories relating to the former lives of Buddha. Other artifacts include silver chortens, the king’s crown and a 7th century image of Avalokitesvara as well as jade cups, fine porcelain and ritual objects.

A Gompa is situated behind the museum and contains some ritual dance marks and frescoes. An annual archery contest is held here in July. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5 : Leh / Alchi (HT 3250 M) / Uleytokpo (HT 3040 M)

Today you will drive to ALCHI. The complex of temples located within the village is the most celebrated of Ladakh’s monasteries and dates back to the 11th century. The complex consists of a group of five temples as well as a number of chortens scattered around the complex. The Dukhang and the three-tiered Sumstek are the most significant. It is the seat of the Ngri Rimpoche, an incarnation at present embodied in the younger brother of the Dalai Lama. Alchi Gompa is the only monastery, built on flat ground. It is very famous for its paintings and architecture, which has an Indian and Kashmiri influence in them. After lunch you will proceed to Ulleytokpo camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6 : Uleytokpo / Lamayuru (HT 3460 M) / Leh

After breakfast you will drive to the 11th century LAMAYURU MONASTERY, which is spectacularly located along the valley plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides. According to legend, the arhat Madhyantika, a disciple of Buddha offered “torma’ (sacred food) and water to the spirits inhabiting the site to satisfy them. A handful of rain spilled on the soil which caused barley plants to sprout in the shape of Yung-drung (swastika), hence its name Yung-Drung. The great yogi Naropa meditated in a cave, which today forms part of the monastery. The monastery has gradually expanded over the years and newer structures have been built around a large courtyard. The antiquity of this site is evident from the large number of chortens, similar to those at Alchi.

After the visit you will be driving back to your hotel in Leh for an overnight stay.

Day 7 : Leh / Nubra Valley (via Wari La by surface)

Today you will embark on a unique entry into NUBRA VALLEY- VIA THE WARI LA (PASS). You will drive out from Leh traveling upstream along the River Indus till Karu from where a left turn takes you uphill to Shakti.

Shortly after crossing Karu the Gompa of Chemde raises majestically on a hill to the left, with the residences of the Lamas spilling across its contours. At Shakti, there is a bifurcation and the left road which takes you to Wari La. You will travel by vehicle up to the road head, which is across the pass. On alighting from your vehicle you take a downhill mountain walk for approx 4 hours till you reach the village of Tangyar for an overnight halt in a camp. Today you will embark on a unique entry into NUBRA VALLEY- VIA THE WARI LA (PASS). You will drive out from Leh traveling upstream along the River Indus till Karu from where a left turn takes you uphill to Shakti. Shortly after crossing Karu the Gompa of Chemde raises majestically on a hill to the left, with the residences of the Lamas spilling across its contours. At Shakti, there is a bifurcation and the left road which takes you to Wari La. You will travel by vehicle up to the road head, which is across the pass. On alighting from your vehicle you take a downhill mountain walk for approx 4 hours till you reach the village of Tangyar for an overnight halt in a camp.

Day 8 : Tangyar / Agyam (Trek) / Hunder – by surface

In the morning you continue your downhill mountain walk for another 2 hours till you reach the village of Agyam. From here you will be picked up and driven to your camp in the Nubra Valley.

Before proceeding to you camp stop to visit DISKIT MONASTERY perched on the rock overhanging the steam, which is the source of the energy used by the mills. The monastery is rich, full of tangkas (skill paintings) and above all of magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences. DISKIT is the main village or headquarter of Nubra Valley, which has small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. DESKIT GOMPA was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thiksey Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar. After the visit drive to your camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9 : In Nubra (Hike in Dikskit village - 4350 M)

After an early breakfast we will hike up in the mountain to visit the Gompa. The view form the top overlooks the entire Nubra Valley. It is approximately a 2 hours walk uphill and 1 hour downhill. The average altitude is maximum 500 m ascent from the Camp. Return to the camp.

Later walk through the village of Diskit, dotted with apricot plantations is one of the larger villages of the Nubra valley. The hike winds through a gorgeous stretch of sand dunes. A quiet and pleasant evening can be spent amidst nature with snowcapped peaks in the background

Day 10 : In Nubra – (3200 M)

After breakfast dive to Panamik on the other side of the river to visit the Hot Spring and return to Sumoor to Visit SAMSTANLING GOMPA founded by Lama Tsultims Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gonpa. About 50 monks are residing at this 132 years old Monastery. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations like not allowing women in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise, no smoking etc. From here walk to Tirit through villages which take approximately 3 hours. Drive back to Hunder for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 11 : Nubra / Leh - by surface

After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at your hotel in Leh.

Day 12 : Leh / Delhi - by flight

In time transfer to the airport for an early flight to Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon proceed for a city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Later drive to visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Drive back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13 : Leave Delhi

In time transfer to the International airport to board your flight for home / onward journey.