Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll arrive in Delhi around 6pm and meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the group. This is your chance to get oriented, chat with everyone, and find out what's coming up over the next few days. After you've had a bit of time to settle in, head out together for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant where you can relax and get to know the other travelers.
Included Activities
- Group meeting with tour leader and fellow travelers
- Group dinner at a nearby restaurant
Optional Activities
- Pre-tour hotel nights in Delhi (available through sales representative)
- Day 2
Delhi to Leh
An early 2am departure gets you to the airport for a morning flight over the Himalaya to Leh. After landing early, you'll spend the day relaxing and letting your body adjust to the high altitude. Later in the afternoon, take a gentle walk around Leh town and check out its bazaars before heading back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Gentle orientation walk around Leh and bazaars
Landmarks Leh Bazaar 
- Day 3
Leh
Start with a sightseeing tour to Shey, a former royal palace with a 350-year-old copper and gold Buddha statue. After that, trek across fields to Tikse monastery (about 1 hour 30 minutes) to see its hilltop red and white buildings. You'll have lunch there before returning to Leh. The afternoon is free, and later there's a trek briefing and gear check with your crew.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Tikse)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour to Shey (former royal palace with temple)
- Trek to Tikse monastery
- Lunch at Tikse
- Trek briefing and gear check
Landmarks Shey Palace Tikse Monastery 
- Day 4
Leh
Take an acclimatization walk around the Leh Valley, visiting the ruins of the Old Royal Palace on Namgyal Hill, Tsemo Monastery for views of Leh, Sankar, and the Japanese Peace Pagoda with Stok mountain range views. An optional jeep safari to Khardung Pass (18,379 feet/5,602 meters) is available and takes four to five hours round trip, bookable locally. If you do the jeep safari in the morning, you can fit in an afternoon walk too.
Included Activities
- Acclimatization walk in Leh Valley
- Visit Old Royal Palace ruins on Namgyal Hill
- Visit Tsemo Monastery
- Visit Sankar
- Visit Japanese Peace Pagoda
Optional Activities
- Jeep safari to Khardung Pass (round trip approximately four to five hours, bookable and payable locally)
Landmarks Old Royal Palace Tsemo Monastery Sankar Monastery Japanese Peace Pagoda Khardung Pass - Day 5
Leh to Stok to Mankarmo Trek
Leave Leh and drive toward the trek start point, following the Indus River through Choglamsar to Stok. Begin trekking from Stok village on an easy trail through a spectacular valley, crossing the Stok River once or twice with multi-colored rocks towering above. The walking takes five to six hours to reach Mankarmo camp. Watch for blue sheep herds grazing on the hillsides.
Included Activities
- Drive from Leh to Stok
- Trek from Stok to Mankarmo
Landmarks Stok Village Stok River 
- Day 6
Mankarmo to Gangpoche Trek
Cross your first pass today, climbing gradually to Matho La at 16,275 feet (4,960 meters). The ascent is long but not steep, with increasingly spectacular views of multi-colored Ladakh mountain formations in purples, greens and browns. Descend easily to camp at Gangpoche near shepherd huts with views up to the Matho mountains.
Included Activities
- Trek to Matho La pass (16,275ft/4,960m)
- Trek down to Gangpoche camp
Landmarks Matho La Pass - Day 7
Gangpoche to Shang Phu Trek
This day brings a long climb to your second pass, Shang La at 16,240 feet (4,950 meters). Leave camp and climb to a low ridge, then contour around and descend into the next valley. From there, climb gently to the pass with fantastic views of the Matho range to the north before descending to camp at Shang Phu near shepherd houses.
Included Activities
- Trek to Shang La pass (16,240ft/4,950m)
- Trek down to Shang Phu camp
Landmarks Shang La Pass - Day 8
Shang Phu to Chuslurmo Trek
Another challenging day with multiple high passes. Turn into a side valley and climb through barren landscape to Gyuncho La (15,479 feet/4,718 meters), then cross a stream and climb to a second col at 15,397 feet (4,693 meters). Descend on rocky terrain into a large barren valley to Chokdo village in a spectacular purple-colored rock gorge, then head up toward Gongmaru La and camp at Chuslurmo.
Included Activities
- Trek to Gyuncho La (15,479ft/4,718m)
- Trek to second col (15,397ft/4,693m)
- Trek to Chokdo village
- Trek to Chuslurmo camp
Landmarks Chokdo Village Markha Valley - Day 9
Chuslurmo to Nimaling Trek
Today is your toughest yet as you cross the highest pass so far. Follow a stream and track the riverbed as multi-colored mountains surround you. The final ascent zig zags steeply to Gongmaru La (17,178 feet/5,236 meters), marked by prayer flags. Views extend to Nimaling, the Indian Himalaya, and the Ladakh range with prominent peak Kang Yangtse (20,997 feet/6,400 meters) visible on clear days. Descend easily to Nimaling camp where shepherds graze animals during summer. You may buy yogurt or cheese from nearby shelters, and watch for animals wandering through camp in the evening.
Included Activities
- Trek to Gongmaru La pass (17,178ft/5,236m)
- Trek down to Nimaling camp
Optional Activities
- Purchase yogurt or local cheese from shepherds
Landmarks Gongmaru La Pass Kang Yangtse - Day 10
Nimaling to Base Camp (via Vatseri Peak)
Climb Vatseri Peak (18,503 feet/5,640 meters), a warm-up peak that requires no technical skills but challenges you with altitude on an easily graded trail. Summit views let you see Dzo Jongo East and West and many other peaks on clear days. Descend on rocky terrain to base camp for your next three nights. Note: Vatseri is optional with several hike choices depending on weather and your ability; your leader discusses options on the day.
Included Activities
- Ascent of Vatseri Peak (18,503ft/5,640m) - optional hike choice
- Trek to base camp
Optional Activities
- Vatseri Peak ascent (18,503ft/5,640m) - optional, leader will present alternatives based on weather and ability
- Alternative valley hike and glacial lake walk instead of Vatseri
Landmarks Vatseri Peak - Day 11
Base Camp Acclimatization
Rest day at base camp for acclimatization. In the morning, take a short walk up the valley to see tomorrow's trail and enjoy the scenery, or walk to a glacial lake at the valley end. In the afternoon, get your climbing gear out, check everything thoroughly, and prepare your backpacks for tomorrow's summit attempt.
Included Activities
- Short morning walk up valley or to glacial lake
- Climbing gear check
- Backpack preparation
- Day 12
Summit Day
Summit day starts with a wake-up around 12:30am. After quick breakfast, you'll set off with headtorches, walk up the main valley then turn into a steep gully. Climb very steeply passing a glacier on your right to emerge onto an easy-angled slope leading to a fine ridge. Snow may be present and you may need ice axe and crampons depending on conditions. The summit ridge is long but technically easy with rocky terrain requiring good balance and scrambling experience. Prayer flags mark the summit with views of the Zanskar mountains and north to the Karakorum and Tibet. Descend to base camp to celebrate. This climb is optional; an alternative walk to a glacial lake is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Quick breakfast before summit attempt)
Included Activities
- Summit attempt (optional)
- Early morning departure with headtorches
Optional Activities
- Summit climb - entirely optional
- Alternative walk to small glacial lake for non-climbers
- Day 13
Base Camp to Riyal Sumdo Trek
Leave base camp heading toward the Manali to Leh highway through a remote valley where you're unlikely to meet other trekkers. The trail climbs to Lalung La (17,455 feet/5,320 meters) with wonderful views back to Dzo Jongo and Kang Yangste peaks. From the pass, contour around to Chaksang La (17,060 feet/5,200 meters), then descend gently down the valley before turning right into a side valley to reach camp at Riyal Sumdo.
Included Activities
- Trek to Lalung La (17,455ft/5,320m)
- Trek to Chaksang La (17,060ft/5,200m)
- Trek to Riyal Sumdo camp
Landmarks Lalung La Pass Chaksang La Pass - Day 14
Riyal Sumdo to Leh Trek Exit
The last two hours of your trek take you further down the beautiful valley with a few river crossings before emerging at green fields and Lato village at the main Manali to Leh road. Say goodbye to the ponymen and camp crew before driving back to Leh. Follow the Kyamur River until it meets the Indus at Upshi, then take the main road back to Leh. Enjoy a hot shower at your hotel and you should arrive for lunch with the rest of the day free for shopping or sightseeing in the bazaars.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Leh)
Included Activities
- Final trek to Lato village
- Drive from Lato to Leh via Upshi
Optional Activities
- Last-minute sightseeing in Leh
- Shopping in Leh bazaars
Landmarks Lato Village Upshi - Day 15
Leh to Delhi
Fly from Leh back to Delhi and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing, with your leader available to advise on activities and recommendations around the city.
Included Activities
- Flight from Leh to Delhi
Optional Activities
- Individual sightseeing (leader available for recommendations)
- Day 16
Delhi Departure
Your tour ends after breakfast. Begin your return journey home, or consider the five-day Golden Triangle extension visiting Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra to see the Taj Mahal, Red Fort of Akbar, and much more.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Five-day Golden Triangle extension (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra including Taj Mahal and Red Fort of Akbar)
