Days View All Details

• 1
  Kathmandu-Delhi-Manali

  Fly from Kathmandu to Delhi - 1h30.

  Fly from Delhi to Manali-Kullu Airport - 80 minutes. Drive from Manali-Kullu Airport to Manali (1950m) - 45 km.

  Night in Manali.

• 2
  Hadimba Temple-Manali

  This morning you are taken to Hadimba Temple, an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hadimba Devi, a character in the Indian epic Mahabharata, a famous book in the Hinduist religion.

  Later, you discover Manu Temple which is said to have given its name to Manali.

  After lunch, your leave for Vashist where take place the Vashist Hot Water Springs. Travelers from all over the world come here for medicinal benefit.

  Night in Manali.

• 3
  Keylong

  Today, you drive all day to reach Keylong (3340m) - 115 km.

  During the journey, you will stop at Rothang-la Pass (3980m) from where one can see great greenery and snow-capped mountains.

  Night in Keylong.

• 4
  Sarchu(Night camp)

  After breakfast, you drive to Sarchu (4290m) - 110 km.

  This day is going to be a wonderful Himalayan safari with stunning views on the way as you cross the 8 km long Baralacha-la Pass (4900m) which literally the pass "where many roads meet".

  Here, routes from Zanskar, Ladakh, and Lahaul meet which have for centuries been used by ancient travelers and crossed in all directions.

  Night camp in Sarchu.

• 5
  Leh

  Today is your last driving step to Leh (3500m) that you will reach tonight - 257 km.

  You cross the flat high desert of More Plains and the Tanglang-La Pass (5325m) which is the second highest motorable pass in India.

  Night in Leh.

• 6
  Likir-Lamayuru-Leh

  After breakfast, you drive to Likir and visit the Likir Gompa situated a the top of a windy cliff overlooking the village - 62 km.

  It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th Century as the original one was destroyed by fire.

  Then you cross the Indus River and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery.

  Unlike other monasteries which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level.

  Finally, you reach Lamayuru.

  Night in Lamayuru.

• 7
  Lamayuru Monastery

  This morning, you visit Lamayuru Monastery which belongs to the Red-Hat sect of Buddhism and houses approximately 150 Buddhist monks.

  The gompa is made up of a number of shrines and also has a very rich collection of thankas and magnificent wall paintings.

  On the way back to Leh, you stop at Basgo. It is known for its castle ruin dating from the 15th Century. and the adjoining royal temples spectacularly located on the rocks.

  Night in Leh.

• 8
  Shey-Stok Palace

  After breakfast, you proceed to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh - 15 km.

  The monastery here has a huge image of the seated Buddha and is considered to be the biggest metal statue in Ladakh region. Copper sheets, gilded with the gold make up this amazing statue.

  Then you visit Thiksey Gompa, one of the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakh, it belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. It serves as the residence of approximately eighty monks.

  Later, you drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis very high.

  This event is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world.

  Finally, we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence of the King of Stok, and the museum that has a rich collection of ancient Ladakhi artifacts such as Thangkas, precious stones, arms and armory among others.

  Night in Leh.

• 9
  Nubra Valley-Nubra
• 10
  Samstangling Gompa -Leh

  Today, you head back to Leh. On the way, you stop at Samstangling Gompa in Sumur, a rather large and well-maintained monastery with great wall paintings.

  During your afternoon, you will be taken to Phyang Monastery - 40 km. In 1515, a monastic community was introduced there and with this started the first establishment of the Digung teachings in Ladakh.

  You are then transferred to Spitok Gompa. The name "Spituk", meaning exemplary, has been derived from a statement of a translator, Rinchen Zangpo, about the monastery: he said that an exemplary religious community would develop there.

  Night in Leh.

• 11
  Kathmandu-Delhi-Manali

  Early morning you proceed for a full day excursion to Pangong Lake. At 4250 meters high, the Great Blue Lake is famous for colorful stones and wildflowers.

  Pangong Lake is 134 km long and the two-thirds of the lake lies in China.

  Night in Leh.

• 12
  Leh Palace-ankar Gompa

  This morning, you discover Leh Palace, a nine stories high building which houses the Royal family from 17th to mid-19th Century and the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, a monastery that stands behind the Palace.

  Later, you discover the Shanti Stupa, also called Japanese Peace Pagoda, which is one of the finest monuments in Leh.

  Finally, you reach Sankar Gompa where there is a grand image of Avalokiteshvara (the Buddhist deity of compassion) who is depicted with 1000 heads and 1000 arms.

  During the afternoon, you can walk around and visit the markets where you can buy Ladakhi craft items from the friendly local people.

  Night in Leh.

• 13
  Leh to Delhi

  Fly from Leh to Delhi - 80 minutes.

  Night in Delhi.

• 14
  Final departure

  Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu - 1h30.