Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Your adventure to Asia begins as you depart for India.
- Day 2
Delhi
After landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, you'll transfer to your hotel where your tour guide welcomes you at 10 am. The day starts in Old Delhi, walking through Jama Masjid and its narrow bazaars, then stopping at the Sikh temple Bangla Sahib. From there, you'll check out the government district and India Gate before heading to the southern outskirts to see the Qutub Minar complex with its 73-metre minaret. You'll use the metro to navigate back to the hotel, and if jet lag isn't too bad, an optional evening trip to Connaught Place is available.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Delhi including Jama Masjid
- Visit to Bangla Sahib Sikh temple
- Stop at India Gate and government district
- Visit to Qutub Minar complex
- Metro transfer through Delhi
Optional Activities
- Evening excursion to Connaught Place
Landmarks Jama Masjid Bangla Sahib India Gate Qutub Minar Connaught Place - Day 3
Delhi to Leh
You'll fly from Delhi to Leh over the western Himalayas, with chances to spot K2 in Pakistan, Kamet, and the peaks of Nun and Kun on clear days. As you approach the Indus Valley, Stok Kangri comes into view. At 3,500 metres altitude, take it easy after arriving at your hotel. Later in the afternoon, a leisurely walk to the local market helps you get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Leisurely walk to the market
Landmarks Stok Kangri - Day 4
Leh
Today focuses on acclimatization. After breakfast, you'll head to Thiksey Monastery, perched high on the northern bank of the Indus. The complex features a large assembly hall with statues of Shakyamuni and Maitreya Buddhas and its architecture is similar to the Potala in Lhasa. Your guide then leads a short 1-hour hike from Thiksey to Shey, passing fields irrigated by the Indus waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Thiksey Monastery
- Guided hike from Thiksey Monastery to Shey (approximately 1 hour)
Landmarks Thiksey Monastery Shey - Day 5
Leh
You'll join the monks for early morning prayers at Matho Monastery on the south side of the Indus River. Matho and the neighbouring Stakna Monastery see few travelers, which adds to their inspiring atmosphere. After that, you'll continue to Hemis Monastery, home to the Dukpa monks at just under 4,000 metres altitude. You'll walk around the religious complex and surrounding landscape while adjusting to the higher altitude. By evening, you'll return to Leh for a traditional Ladakhi cooking class.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Ladakhi cuisine during a cooking class)
Included Activities
- Morning ceremony at Matho Monastery
- Visit to Stakna Monastery
- Visit to Hemis Monastery
- Exploration on foot around Hemis religious complex
- Ladakhi cooking class in the evening
Landmarks Matho Monastery Stakna Monastery Hemis Monastery - Day 6
Leh to Nubra Valley
You'll climb to Khardung La pass at 5,359 metres, the highest point of your journey, then feel the thin air during a short stop at the top. Half an hour later, you'll descend about 1,000 metres and begin an easy 2-hour hike along a small river into the beautiful Nubra Valley. The landscape features white snow-capped mountains, golden sand dunes, and green poplar groves. You can walk across the sand hills or ride Bactrian camels, then visit the Diskit Monastery complex with fantastic views to Saser Kangri and other Karakoram peaks. Overnight in Sumur village at 3,170 metres.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Khardung La pass (5,359m)
- Short easy hike along small river (approximately 2 hours)
- Walk across sand hills or optional Bactrian camel ride
- Visit to Diskit Monastery complex
Optional Activities
- Bactrian camel ride through sand dunes
Landmarks Khardung La Nubra Valley Hunder Diskit Monastery Saser Kangri - Day 7
Nubra Valley to Leh
After breakfast, you'll enjoy a charming 1.5-hour village walk through Sumur. Then you'll leave the Nubra Valley and drive back to Leh. The rest of the day is yours to rest and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Charming village walk in Sumur (approximately 1.5 hours)
Landmarks Sumur - Day 8
Leh to Tso Moriri
You'll follow the Indus upstream to Mahe, then turn south toward Tso Moriri on an 8-hour drive through magnificent landscape with numerous stops to stretch your legs. The vast Changthang region is home to white and reddish-brown wild donkeys usually found in small herds, and if you're lucky, larger wild yaks. You'll arrive in the afternoon at the crystal-clear, deep blue Tso Moriri salt lake at 4,521 metres altitude. An easy 1.5-hour hike along the lake is recommended.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Tso Moriri with multiple stops
- Optional easy hike along Tso Moriri lake (approximately 1.5 hours)
Optional Activities
- Easy hike along Tso Moriri lake (approximately 1.5 hours)
Landmarks Tso Moriri Changthang - Day 9
Tso Moriri to Leh
Start with quiet morning hours by the lake, breathing in clean air. You can visit the small Korzok Gompa if interested and watch monks perform their daily rituals. Then begin your return journey to Leh via Tso Kar, another smaller salt lake where you can spot various bird species including the black-necked crane. After crossing Taglang La pass at 5,328 metres, you'll return to the familiar Indus valley and overnight in a hotel in Leh.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Korzok Gompa (optional)
- Stop at Tso Kar salt lake
- Crossing Taglang La pass (5,328m)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Korzok Gompa
Landmarks Korzok Gompa Tso Kar Taglang La - Day 10
Leh to Likir
You'll experience optional water activities in the cool Indus waters, then continue to where the Zanskar River flows into the Indus. Pass the small village of Basgo with its unique monastery ruins (optional visit), then drive up a side valley to Likir at 3,651 metres. Check into your accommodation and enjoy free time to relax, walk, or visit the monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to confluence of Zanskar and Indus Rivers
Optional Activities
- Rafting on the Indus River (water activities)
- Visit to Basgo monastery ruins
Landmarks Zanskar River confluence Basgo Likir Monastery - Day 11
Likir to Lamayuru
After breakfast and checkout, you'll walk through a small village and Ladakh's high mountain desert to reach a lovely valley where your vehicle awaits by the river, taking about 2 hours. You'll travel to Alchi, an idyllic village lined with apricot trees where inhabitants work in fertile fields with sheep and cows wandering small alleyways. A short hike leads up to the small, tranquil gompa. The Alchi monastery complex, around a thousand years old, holds unique cultural and historical significance. Continue on a spectacular drive westward along the Indus through narrow gorges into the lunar landscape of Lamayuru. Check into a simple guesthouse with time to walk around the village and monastery grounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking through village and high mountain desert (approximately 2 hours)
- Visit to Alchi Monastery complex
- Scenic drive through Indus gorges
- Walking around Lamayuru village and monastery
Landmarks Alchi Monastery Lamayuru - Day 12
Lamayuru to Kargil
You'll hike over the Prinkti La pass at 3,800 metres to the beautifully situated village of Wanla, following routes used by trekkers exploring the Zanskar and Markha valleys. The landscape features almost surreal formations and narrow, dry gorges, taking about 4.5 hours. Continue by vehicle to Kargil at 2,676 metres where you can see Nun at 7,135 metres, the highest mountain in the Himalayan range in Jammu-Kashmir state, and its smaller brother Kun at 7,077 metres nearby. Stroll along the bazaar street and stop for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike over Prinkti La (3,800m) to Wanla (approximately 4.5 hours)
- Stop at Kargil bazaar
Landmarks Prinkti La Wanla Nun Kun - Day 13
Kargil to Sonamarg
Head immediately after breakfast toward Sonamarg on a route with indescribable beauty and variety, comparable to the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan. Up to Zoji La pass at 3,529 metres, the landscape is barren. You'll stop at the war memorial in Dras and pass small villages with beautiful mosques. After the pass, vegetation changes abruptly with dense coniferous forests, lush green meadows, and clear mountain streams. Reach Sonamarg by midday and use the rest of the day to complete your travel diary or explore the surrounding area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at war memorial in Dras
- Crossing Zoji La pass (3,529m)
Optional Activities
- Explore Sonamarg area
Landmarks Dras Zoji La Sonamarg - Day 14
Sonamarg to Srinagar
Thajwas towers above Sonamarg as the local mountain offering a great hike. You'll walk across green meadows lined with conifers to its glacier, which you can complete on foot or on a pony. After returning, you'll head to Srinagar about three hours away by vehicle. Your boatman waits on the promenade of the famous Dal Lake. Load your luggage onto a shikara and lean back as you're sailed leisurely to your houseboat for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Thajwas glacier with green meadows and conifers
- Shikara boat transfer to houseboat on Dal Lake
Optional Activities
- Pony ride to Thajwas glacier
Landmarks Thajwas Dal Lake - Day 15
Srinagar
Start your day early on the lake. Before breakfast, drift in the shikara to the vegetable market, then return to the houseboat where breakfast is laid out. Afterward, take a walking tour of Srinagar's old town to experience Kashmiri culture with its handicrafts, walnut wood carvings, copperware, carpets, and pashmina wool shawls. Try Kashmiri cuisine known for its variety of spices, then drink Kawa tea or bite into a delicious Kashmiri apple. Cross back to your floating hotel on the shikara and end the day at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning vegetable market visit by shikara
- Walking tour of Srinagar's old town
- Experience Kashmiri culture and cuisine
Landmarks Dal Lake Market - Day 16
Srinagar to Delhi
Depending on your flight times from Srinagar and Delhi, there may be some free time in India's capital. Your tour guide will be happy to provide you with local tips and recommendations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 17
Return Home
You return home with many unforgettable impressions in your luggage.
