Day
01
Flight to Delhi
Board the flight to Delhi.
[X] Breakfast [X] Indian Lunch [Y] In flight Dinner
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Day
02
Delhi - Akshardham
On arrival at Delhi International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our local representative who will transfer you to the hotel (check in after 3 pm). Later today you visit Akshardham Swami Narayan Temple.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
03
Flight Delhi - Leh
Transfer to the domestic terminal for the spectacular flight over the Himalayas to Leh. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (3,500m). Overnight at the hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
04
Leh (Ladakh region)
After breakfast we proceed to see the famous monasteries Shey, & Thiksey. Shey was the old capital of the upper Ladakh region. When the Dogras of Jammu invaded Ladakh in 1842, the Namgyals abandoned the palace and fled to Stok (they made it their permanent residence) on the opposite side of the Indus River. Thikse Gompa or Thikse Monastery (also transliterated from Ladakhi as Tikse, Tiksey or Thiksey) (thiksok Nambar tak pe ling) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect, located on top of a hill. Afternoon visit Shankar monastery. Overnight at the hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
05
Leh - Likir - Alchi
Drive to monastery at Likir, a beautiful building, reminiscent of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. From here we drive to Yangtang village from where there is the option to walk to Ridzong monastery, set hidden in a valley. This solitary gompa is renowned for its strict monastic teachings. Just below in a grove of apricots is a small nunnery, which is inhabited by young nuns from the Nubra Valley who have come here to study Buddhism. After Ridzong we re-join the Indus again, which we follow to Saspol. Just after the village we cross this mighty river and drive to Alchi, a pretty village set in a grove of apricot trees. Barley fields surround the village and at harvest time the village is a buzz of activity. Overnight in a traditional guest house.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
06
Alchi
After breakfast we make an excursion to Lamayuru. The drive takes us through some of the most spectacular scenery in Ladakh. This part of Ladakh is where 50 million years ago the continents crashed together and the Himalayas were formed. We visit the village and famous monastery. The main attraction in Alchi is the monastery, which is the most important cultural site in Ladakh. Built in the 11th century, it is a treasure trove of early Buddhist art in the Kashmiri tradition, a style quite different from the Tibetan art found in Ladakh’s other monasteries. It was founded by Rinchen Zangpo who was said to have built 108 temples in Ladakh and is responsible for reviving interest in Buddhism at that time. Overnight in a traditional guest house.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
07
Alchi - Leh
After breakfast we drive back to Leh visiting Basgo Fort en route. The rest of the afternoon is free for individual exploration. The old town and the local bazaar are well worth a visit. Overnight at the hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
08
Leh
Day at Leisure. There are options to visit some of the monasteries in the Leh valley, or to take a jeep trip to the Khardung La Pass, the highest motor-able road in the world at 5,602m. These activities can be arranged and paid for locally and your leader will have details. Overnight at the hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
09
Drive to Tsokar Lake (6 hours’ drive)
An early start as we leave Leh and begin our journey along the legendary road from Leh to Manali across the Great Himalayan Range. This journey rates as one of the classic road journeys of the world. From Leh we follow the Indus River for a short while before turning away to climb to the Taglang La. At 5,328m., this pass is the second highest road pass in the world. The road winds its way up through a spectacular landscape to the prayer flags at the top. Descending from the pass we leave the main road for a while to visit Tsokar Lake. We camp about a mile from the lake (due to ecological reasons camping is not allowed on the lake shore). Overnight at a fixed camp.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
10
Tsokar - Jispa (8-9 hours’ drive)
A long drive today as we climb through a stunning wind eroded landscape of earth and rock pillars to the Nakli La and further on to the Lachalung La. We then descend the Gata Loops, an amazing series of 22 hairpin bends. The highest point today is Baralacha Pass (4,845m, continue driving to Jispa for the night. Overnight at a guest house.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
11
Drive to Manali
Crossing our last pass, the Rhotang La (3,985m). This takes us over the Himalayas and from here the scenery changes dramatically - we leave the barren mountains behind and descend into the green and fertile Kulu Valley to Manali. Overnight at a hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
12
Manali
We have a full day to explore Manali. Manali is surrounded by beautiful fir and pine forests and there are lovely walks in and around the town. The ancient wooden Hadimba Devi Temple is the most important temple in Manali. Overnight at a hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
13
Manali - Mandi (6 hours’ drive)
Drive to Mandi. En-route we will visit Rewalsar where a charming hilltop lake is revered by Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists, who have each built their temples on its banks. Overnight at a Hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
14
McLeod Ganj
Today we drive to the hill station of Dharamsala. This was a quiet unassuming town until 1959. This all changed when H.H Dalai Lama settled here after fleeing from Tibet at the time of the Chinese invasion. McLeod Ganj is the upper part of the town and is the area with the greatest Tibetan influence and is where we are based for two nights.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
15
McLeod Ganj
Day to explore the town and the way of life of Tibetans. Overnight at a hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
16
McLeod Ganj - Amritsar
We drive to Amritsar, the Sikh’s holiest city and in the afternoon, we visit the Golden Temple, their main shrine and time permitting we can also visit the nearby Jalianwala Gardens, site of the notorious massacre under General Dyer in 1919, which led to 319 Sikhs being shot by British troops. Overnight at a hotel.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [Y] Indian Dinner
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Day
17
Amritsar - UK
After breakfast, depending on your time of your return flight, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.
[Y] Breakfast [x] Indian Lunch [x] In flight Dinner
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