India
High in the Himalayas
If you have a penchant for adventure, dramatic vistas, moonscapes, picturesque turquoise lakes, and stunning monasteries, then this enchanting journey is for you. One of the most beautiful places in the country, it lies far from the madding crowds and is best visited during the summer when the weather is just perfect, and the monasteries burst into life with masked dance festivals. The trip may be a little more demanding than most (it requires guests to acclimatize before setting out to explore). However, once you’re there, you will never want to leave.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
Meals: B
Meals: B
Day 2 & 3: Uleytokpo
You will take a flight to Leh and then drive to Uleytokpo, an enchanting little village (approximately 1.5 hours, excluding stops). Note: The remainder of the day will be at leisure for you to acclimatize to the rarefied oxygen levels of this high – altitudek (3,400 meters) region.
On the first evening, you may like to take a stroll through the neighboring village to interact with the local community and gain an insight into their pastoral lifestyle.
The following day, you will visit Alchi Choskhor which was built in the 11th century by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo (a popular sage and scholar) and houses some exquisite Buddhist art and frescoes.
Thereafter, you will be served a traditional meal at a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will explore Saspol Caves, home to some of the finest Buddhist wall paintings in the history of the region.
You will then return to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: B, L, D
On the first evening, you may like to take a stroll through the neighboring village to interact with the local community and gain an insight into their pastoral lifestyle.
The following day, you will visit Alchi Choskhor which was built in the 11th century by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo (a popular sage and scholar) and houses some exquisite Buddhist art and frescoes.
Thereafter, you will be served a traditional meal at a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will explore Saspol Caves, home to some of the finest Buddhist wall paintings in the history of the region.
You will then return to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Chuchot
After a quick cup of tea/coffee early this morning, you will take a hike to the isolated village of Tar. You will hike across the Indus River and spot wild roses, Russian sage, Juniper trees and small fields of barley, along the way. Note: This hike usually lasts for about 2 hours.
On arrival at the village, a picnic breakfast will be laid out for you near a stream. After breakfast, you will drive along the Indus River towards Shey and your River Camp and on arrival, you will check-in to your River Camp.
In the evening, you will go bird watching in the wild forest nearby. You will then return to your hotel. After dinner, you may like to participate in an exclusive astronomy and stargazing session with the in-house expert.
During your stay, you will also visit a monastery nearby to witness the prayer ceremony conducted by the resident monks.
Meals: B, L, D
On arrival at the village, a picnic breakfast will be laid out for you near a stream. After breakfast, you will drive along the Indus River towards Shey and your River Camp and on arrival, you will check-in to your River Camp.
In the evening, you will go bird watching in the wild forest nearby. You will then return to your hotel. After dinner, you may like to participate in an exclusive astronomy and stargazing session with the in-house expert.
During your stay, you will also visit a monastery nearby to witness the prayer ceremony conducted by the resident monks.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 & 6: Nubra
You will drive to Nubra (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops).
In the evening, if you like, you can take a walk around the retreat, and take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding areas.
After dinner, you may like to participate in a stargazing session in the terrace of your hotel. The clear skies provide the perfect opportunity to spot constellations through the in-house telescope.
The following day, you will drive to Murgi Village (approximately 1 hour, excluding stops). Here, you will visit Murgi Tokpo, the largest petroglyph site (rock art site) in Ladakh.
Next, you will visit the ruins of the Charasa Palace which was initially founded as a monastery by Sherab Zangpo, personal tutor to the first Dalai Lama. This will be followed by a visit to Ensa Gompa, a 600-year-old monastery that offers stunning views of the snowclad peaks of the Nubra Valley and is home to a lone elderly monk.
You will also take a short hike to Yarab Tso, a sacred lake in the Nubra Valley. Also known as “the hidden lake”, it holds crystal clear freshwater and offers picturesque views of the area.
Meals: B, L, D
In the evening, if you like, you can take a walk around the retreat, and take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding areas.
After dinner, you may like to participate in a stargazing session in the terrace of your hotel. The clear skies provide the perfect opportunity to spot constellations through the in-house telescope.
The following day, you will drive to Murgi Village (approximately 1 hour, excluding stops). Here, you will visit Murgi Tokpo, the largest petroglyph site (rock art site) in Ladakh.
Next, you will visit the ruins of the Charasa Palace which was initially founded as a monastery by Sherab Zangpo, personal tutor to the first Dalai Lama. This will be followed by a visit to Ensa Gompa, a 600-year-old monastery that offers stunning views of the snowclad peaks of the Nubra Valley and is home to a lone elderly monk.
You will also take a short hike to Yarab Tso, a sacred lake in the Nubra Valley. Also known as “the hidden lake”, it holds crystal clear freshwater and offers picturesque views of the area.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Pangong
You will drive to Pangong (approximately 5 hours, excluding stops), the world’s highest saltwater lake.
In the evening and early next morning, you will go birdwatching along the lake to spot the avian species of the region.
After dinner, you may like to participate in an exclusive astronomy session with a young child from the adjoining village.
Meals: B, L, D
In the evening and early next morning, you will go birdwatching along the lake to spot the avian species of the region.
After dinner, you may like to participate in an exclusive astronomy session with a young child from the adjoining village.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8 - 10: Leh
You will drive to Leh (approximately 5.5 hours, excluding stops). En route, you will visit Chemrey Gompa, renowned for its tall Padmasambhava statue, collection of Buddhist scriptures and murals of Shakyamuni Buddha, Akshobhya and the Kalchakra.
During your stay, you will visit a local village where you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with a Buddhist oracle who will be happy to answer any queries you may have about your physical and mental wellbeing and accord you a special blessing.
You may also like to meet and interact with a Sowa Rigpa practitioner. A centuries-old traditional medical system, Sowa Rigpa incorporates techniques such as pulse analysis, urinalysis, dietary modification, medicines composed of natural materials and physical therapies to treat an illness.
Also on the tour, you will take a heritage trail through Leh. During this tour, you will explore the ruins of revered palaces and forts, ancient museums, the old quarter of the city and local cafes that are rooted in romanticism.
You might also like to explore the colorful bazaars of Leh which is like a huge open-air department store that sells everything under the sun - daily rations, locally spun woolen clothing, rugs, yak fur, yak tail, ritualistic items, etc.
Meals: B, L, D
During your stay, you will visit a local village where you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with a Buddhist oracle who will be happy to answer any queries you may have about your physical and mental wellbeing and accord you a special blessing.
You may also like to meet and interact with a Sowa Rigpa practitioner. A centuries-old traditional medical system, Sowa Rigpa incorporates techniques such as pulse analysis, urinalysis, dietary modification, medicines composed of natural materials and physical therapies to treat an illness.
Also on the tour, you will take a heritage trail through Leh. During this tour, you will explore the ruins of revered palaces and forts, ancient museums, the old quarter of the city and local cafes that are rooted in romanticism.
You might also like to explore the colorful bazaars of Leh which is like a huge open-air department store that sells everything under the sun - daily rations, locally spun woolen clothing, rugs, yak fur, yak tail, ritualistic items, etc.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Delhi – Leh & Depart
Today, you will take a flight to Delhi.
As you exit the terminal building, you will be met by our colleague who will help you to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).
Meals: B
As you exit the terminal building, you will be met by our colleague who will help you to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).
Meals: B
Snapshots from the itinerary
