Day 1 – To Amritsar: Overnight flight from
London to Amritsar, via Delhi, with Jet Airways.
(N)
Day 2 – Amritsar: Arrive and transfer to
the Ista Amritsar (or similar) for 2 nights.
Afternoon at leisure. (N)
Day 3 – Amritsar: Morning tour of the
markets, Jallianwala Bagh and the Golden
Temple. Afternoon tour to Wagah on the
India-Pakistan border to see the Sunset
Retreat ceremony. (B)
Day 4 – To Mcleodganj: Morning drive to
Mcleodganj in Dharamsala, seat of the Dalai
Lama. Stay 2 nights at the Surya Resort
(or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 5 – Mcleodganj: Morning tour of the
monastery and the Tibetan market. (B, L, D)
Day 6 – To Manali: Drive to Manali in the Kullu
valley. Stay 2 nights at Snow Crest Manor /
Ambassador Resort. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Manali: Morning tour of Hidimba
Temple and the Tibetan Centre. (B, L, D)
Day 8 – To Keylong: Drive through the
Rohtang Pass (4,220 metres / 13,845ft) to
Keylong and stay overnight at Dekyid Hotel.
(B, L, D)
Day 9 – To Sarchu: Drive to the mountains of
the Ladakh valley. Overnight under canvas at
Sarchu fixed tented camp. (B, L, D)
Day 10 – To Leh: Full-day drive to Leh. Stay 3
nights at the Hotel Omasila (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 11 – Leh: Morning at leisure. Afternoon
visit to Phyang. Continue to Spituk Gompa,
seat of the Head Lama of Ladakh. (B, L, D)
Day 12 – Monasteries: Full-day 4x4 excursion,
visiting Shey, the 15th-century summer
palace and monastery of Leh’s royal family,
and the gompas (fortress) at Thiksey and
Hemis. (B, L, D)
Day 13 – To Alchi: Drive to Alchi. Afternoon
visit to Alchi Gompa, noted for its frescoes.
Stay overnight at Alchi Resort. (B, L, D)
Day 14 – To Leh: Morning walk to Saspol caves. This afternoon, return to Leh. Stay overnight at
the Hotel Omasila (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 15 – To Delhi: Fly to Delhi and stay 2
nights at the Claridges (or similar). (B)
Day 16 – Delhi: At leisure or optional full-day
excursion to Agra (payable locally). (B)
Day 17 – To London: Fly from Delhi to
London with Jet Airways. (B)
Tsechus (festivals): Ladakh’s monastic tsechus
are colourful events accompanied by Buddhist
chants and masked dances. They attract
villagers from all over Ladakh and bazaars
often form outside the monasteries. Special
departures coincide with the Hemis Tsechu
(29-30 June) and Phyang Tsedup (16-17
July). Sightseeing in Leh may be adapted to
accommodate festival timings.
Discovery Tour: Ladakh is at high altitude
and anyone with a relevant medical condition
should obtain clearance from his or her
GP. Accommodation in Keylong is basic.
Sarchu is a simple tented camp; each tent
features twin beds and a lavatory. Hot water
supplies are erratic and limited. Flights between
Delhi and Leh are dependent on weather
conditions.
Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted
Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be
taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject
to availability.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
