Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
You'll arrive at Delhi airport where your guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel. After your flight, you'll have time to settle in and rest up before things get going.
- Start point
- Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ), Ajnala Road, Rajasansi, Airport Colony, Ajnala, Punjab 143101, India (Outside the exit gate)
- Day 2
Delhi to Amritsar
Your luggage heads ahead by van while you board the Shatabdi Express at 7:20 AM from New Delhi Railway Station, arriving in Amritsar by 1:30 PM. After checking in, you'll visit the Golden Temple and watch the community kitchen operations, then drive to Wagah for the flag-lowering ceremony at the Indo-Pak border as the sun sets.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ranjit Sivasa), Hotel (Best Western Amritsar)
Included Activities
- Visit Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)
- Visit community kitchen (langar) at Golden Temple
- Witness flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Indo-Pak border
Landmarks Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Wagah Border 
- Day 3
Amritsar
Following breakfast, your guide takes you through Amritsar's main sights including the Golden Temple and its langar. You'll walk to Jallianwala Bagh and go through the Partition Museum in the Town Hall. By evening, you're back at the Golden Temple to see it lit up and catch the Palki Sahib ceremony.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ranjit Sivasa), Hotel (Best Western Amritsar)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib)
- Visit langar (community kitchen) at Golden Temple
- Visit Jallianwala Bagh memorial
- Visit Partition Museum
Optional Activities
- Evening visit to Golden Temple illuminated and Palki Sahib ceremony
Landmarks Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Jallianwala Bagh Partition Museum - Day 4
Amritsar to Dharamsala
The drive takes you into the Himalayas, climbing to around 2,000 meters. You'll stop at the Masroor Rock-Cut Temples, 8th-century carved structures, before reaching Dharamsala to check in and refresh. Later, visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the official residence of the 14th Dalai Lama, with its temples, monasteries, and museum.
- Accommodation
- Resort (Dastak Retreat), Hotel (Best Western Plus)
Included Activities
- Visit Masroor Rock-Cut Temples
- Visit Tsuglagkhang Complex (Dalai Lama Monastery)
Landmarks Masroor Rock-Cut Temples Tsuglagkhang Complex - Day 5
Dharamsala
You'll start at Bhagsunag Temple, an old Shiva temple important to locals and pilgrims. Next comes the Tibetan Children's Village where nearly 1,500 orphaned children live and study. Then you'll see St. John in the Wilderness Church, a quiet 1852 Anglican spot surrounded by deodar trees. Finally, head to Norbulingka Institute to watch Tibetan artists doing thangka painting and wood carving.
- Accommodation
- Resort (Dastak Retreat), Hotel (Best Western Plus)
Included Activities
- Visit Bhagsunag Temple
- Visit Tibetan Children's Village (TCV)
- Visit St. John in the Wilderness Church
- Visit Norbulingka Institute
Landmarks Bhagsunag Temple Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) St. John in the Wilderness Church Norbulingka Institute - Day 6
Dharamsala to Shimla
A 200 km drive on winding roads gets you to Shimla, the last hill station before heading into western Himalayan valleys. You'll check in at your hotel and get oriented. The town developed after 1816 and served as Britain's summer capital until 1947, with Victorian and later architecture throughout.
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Rose Cottage), Hotel (Hotel Silverine)
Landmarks Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study) - Day 7
Shimla
Shimla rewards walkers, so your guide shows you the Heritage Lanes discovering elegant churches, the Viceregal Lodge (now an advanced study institute), the Army Heritage Museum, scenic Annandale Ground, the historic Gaiety Theatre, and the busy Mall Road pedestrian promenade.
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Rose Cottage), Hotel (Hotel Silverine)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Heritage Lanes
- Visit Army Heritage Museum
- Walk Mall Road
Optional Activities
- Visit churches in Heritage Lanes
- Explore Annandale Ground
- Visit Gaiety Theatre
Landmarks Viceregal Lodge Army Heritage Museum Annandale Ground Gaiety Theatre Mall Road - Day 8
Shimla to Sarahan
Driving 175 km through apple orchards and mountain landscapes, you pass through Narkanda at 9,000 feet before reaching Sarahan. This village sits in apple orchards below Shrikhand Mahadev Peak, which looks like a sacred Shivling. You'll visit Bhimakali Temple, blending Buddhist and Hindu styles with a 200-year-old goddess idol.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sarahan Inn)
Included Activities
- Visit Bhimakali Temple
Landmarks Shrikhand Mahadev Peak Bhimakali Temple 
- Day 9
Sarahan to Kalpa
After early breakfast, you head 45 km toward Kalpa. On the way, you'll stop at villages Batseri and Kamru to see Kamrunag Fort. The drive takes about 3 hours, and you'll stop at Recongpeo to get permits for the inner line area before reaching Kalpa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Shangrila)
Included Activities
- Visit Kamru village and Kamrunag Fort
Landmarks Kamrunag Fort - Day 10
Kalpa
Breakfast in your hotel garden comes before walking to Rhogi village, about 3 km away on the old Hindustan Tibet road. The temple there has noteworthy woodwork. After returning by vehicle, you'll explore the ancient villages of Chini, Kothi, Pangi, and Telangi where dramatic landscapes and traditional buildings keep photographers coming back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Shangrila)
Included Activities
- Walk to Rhogi village
- Visit Rhogi temple
- Visit villages Chini, Kothi, Pangi, and Telangi
Landmarks Rhogi Temple - Day 11
Kalpa to Tabo
The 170 km journey into Spiti Valley climbs gradually to Tabo at 3,050 meters, home to the Chos Khor Monastery founded in 996 AD. This largest monastery in Spiti has wall frescoes like those at Ajanta Caves, housing over 100 lamas and an exceptional collection of scriptures, thangkas, and sculptures. You'll arrive for lunch with the afternoon and evening free to explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Matraiye)
Included Activities
- Visit Chos Khor Monastery in Tabo
Landmarks Chos Khor Monastery 
- Day 12
Tabo to Kaza
Rise early if interested in joining monks for morning prayers at Tabo Monastery, a quick 5-minute walk away. After breakfast, drive 45 km to Kaza, stopping at Dhankar perched at 3,800 meters. The 12th-century Dhankar Gompa holds over 160 Buddhist scriptures and a striking four-faced Buddha. A detour into Pin Valley shows dramatic rock formations and lunar-like terrain perfect for photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mahamaya Regency)
Included Activities
- Visit Dhankar Gompa
- Optional detour to Pin Valley
Optional Activities
- Join monks in morning prayers at Tabo Monastery
Landmarks Dhankar Gompa Pin Valley - Day 13
Kaza
You'll check out Kye Monastery, Spiti's largest and most well-known, then drive to picturesque Kibber and Gete villages for valley views. Afternoon stops include Langza, Komic, and Hikkim, with Hikkim being the highest inhabited village in the world at 4,587 meters, connected by road, electricity, water, and phone.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mahamaya Regency)
Included Activities
- Visit Kye Monastery
- Visit villages Kibber and Gete
- Visit villages Langza, Komic, and Hikkim
Landmarks Kye Monastery Hikkim - Day 14
Kaza to Leh
A 185 km drive crosses Kunzum La at 4,000 meters, your first major pass, then descends into Lahaul Valley along the Chandra River. The road shifts between rough untarred sections and smooth patches. You'll stop at Sissu for Raja Ghepan Temple, Lahaul's protector deity, then reach Tandi where the Chandra and Bhaga rivers merge into the Chenab.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ibex)
Included Activities
- Visit temple of Raja Ghepan in Sissu
Landmarks Kunzum La Pass Raja Ghepan Temple Tandi - Day 15
Leh to Tso Moriri
One of the trip's most striking drives covers 220 km from green Jispa into stark high-altitude Ladakh. You'll follow the turquoise Bhaga River before climbing Baralacha La at 4,890 meters, often snow-covered. After descending to Sarchu plateau, navigate the Gata Loops' 21 sharp hairpin bends and cross Nakee La and Lachulung La. The Morey Plains high-altitude desert leads to Tso Moriri lake at 4,522 meters. Check in at lakeside accommodation in Korzok and walk the shore at sunset.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed or at a roadside stop, depending on timing)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lake View)
Landmarks Baralacha La Pass Gata Loops Nakee La Pass Lachulung La Pass Morey Plains Tso Moriri Lake - Day 16
Tso Moriri
This day is yours to relax or wander the lake shores, taking in views of this high-altitude lake ringed by Himalayan ranges. Time moves differently here, and that's the point.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lake View)
Optional Activities
- Roam around Tso Moriri Lake
- Explore lake shores
Landmarks Tso Moriri Lake - Day 17
Tso Moriri to Leh
The longest drive of 250 km brings you through Morey Plain, a 45-kilometer plateau that was once a lake. The highlight is Tanglang La Pass, the world's second highest motorable pass. You'll stop for photos in this remarkable area before continuing on to Leh.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spic N Span)
Landmarks Tanglang La Pass 
- Day 18
Monasteries of the Indus Valley
Today focuses on spiritual and cultural sites around Leh. Start at Shey Palace, once the summer capital, with its massive copper-gilded Shakyamuni Buddha. Then visit Thiksey Monastery on a hilltop with its 15-meter-high Maitreya Buddha statue and impressive art collection. End at Hemis Monastery, the largest and wealthiest in the Indian Western Himalayas.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spic N Span)
Included Activities
- Visit Shey Palace
- Visit Thiksey Monastery
- Visit Hemis Monastery
Landmarks Shey Palace Thiksey Monastery Hemis Monastery - Day 19
Choice of Monastery Excursions
Choose your monastery route for the full day. Option 1 includes Shey Palace, the twelve-story Thiksey complex, Hemis Monastery, and Stok Palace Museum with royal family treasures and historic weapons. Option 2 drives to Likir Monastery set against rugged mountains with its gilded Maitreya statue, then to Alchi Monastery, one of Ladakh's oldest, featuring intricate wood and Kashmiri-influenced artwork.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spic N Span)
Included Activities
- Choice of full-day monastery excursion
Optional Activities
- Visit Shey Palace
- Visit Thiksey Monastery
- Visit Hemis Monastery
- Visit Stok Palace Museum
- Visit Likir Monastery
- Visit Alchi Monastery
Landmarks Shey Palace Thiksey Monastery Hemis Monastery Stok Palace Museum Likir Monastery Alchi Monastery - Day 20
Leh to Nubra Valley
The 150 km drive to Nubra Valley crosses Khardong La at 5,600 meters, the world's highest motorable pass. Afternoon brings you to Hunder for a camel safari on double-humped Mongolian camels, a unique way to experience this beautiful valley.
- Accommodation
- Cottage (Lahrimo)
Included Activities
- Camel safari on double-humped Mongolian camel at Hunder
Landmarks Khardong La Pass Hunder Sand Dunes - Day 21
Nubra Valley
A full day in Nubra Valley, sometimes called Ladakh's Valley of Flowers, begins at Diskit Monastery, the valley's oldest and largest, with a colossal Maitreya Buddha overlooking the Shyok River. You'll head to famous Hunder Sand Dunes for Bactrian camels, a Silk Route legacy, with optional short rides. After lunch, explore villages with traditional mud-brick houses and poplar-lined lanes. Depending on the season, you might see apricot trees or harvest activity. Evening is free to relax or walk riverbanks as the valley takes on golden light.
- Accommodation
- Cottage (Lahrimo)
Included Activities
- Visit Diskit Monastery
- Visit Hunder Sand Dunes
Optional Activities
- Camel ride at Hunder
- Explore Nubra villages
- Walk along riverbanks
Landmarks Diskit Monastery Hunder Sand Dunes - Day 22
Nubra Valley to Leh
The drive back to Leh retraces your route through changing mountain scenery. Once there, the evening is free to wander Leh Bazaar for handicrafts or just sit and feel the lively town atmosphere.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Spic N Span)
Optional Activities
- Wander through Leh Bazaar
- Browse for handicrafts
- Explore town atmosphere
Landmarks Leh Bazaar - Day 23
Departure from Leh
You'll transfer to Leh airport in the morning for your flight to Delhi. After arriving, you'll head to your hotel to wash and change, then transfer back to the airport for your onward flight. Tour ends.
- End point
- Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Ladakh, Leh, Ladakh 194101, India (At the departure lounge)
