Overland Journey to Ladakh Tour

You will be met at Amritsar airport by your Authentic India Tours representative and transferred to the Hyatt Regency where you will stay for two nights. In the evening, visit the Golden Temple to see the Palki Ceremony also known as the ‘putting to bed ceremony’. To the sound of hymns and drums, a gold and silver gilded palanquin (a carriage carried by bearers) decorated in silk carries the Guru Granth Sahib holy book from the main shrine to the gate of the inner sanctum, Akal Takht (‘throne of the immortal’). It is a humble and surreal experience not to be missed.

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency, Amritsar

This morning visit the Golden Temple surrounded by the manmade Amrit Sarovar lake from which Amritsar gets its name. Believed to have healing powers, you can see pilgrims who have often travelled many miles bathing in the lake. You will also visit the temple’s enormous kitchen complex that feeds up to 100,000 devotees every day. Then visit Jalianwala Bagh, the site of the infamous massacre in 1919. Afterwards, visit the Durgiana Temple and take a stroll through Katra market, where you will find everything from fabric and beaded dresses to shoes and street food.

Late afternoon, it’s a short drive to the border with Pakistan at Wagah to witness the colourful ‘retreat’ ceremony conducted by the border forces of the two countries. This spectacular ceremony signifies cooperation and brotherhood between the two countries and is attended by hundreds of locals and tourists every day.

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency, Amritsar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, a 4 – 5 hour drive takes you through the scenic mountainous territory to Dharamshala, the current home of the Dalai Lama. Check in to Chonor House or Norbu House for two nights. Dharamshala is set along a spur of the Dhauladhar range, overlooking the Kangra Valley and the Shivalik mountains.

Accommodation: Chonor House or Norbu House

Meals Included: Breakfast

Participate in a Kora Walk (walking clockwise around sacred sites) early in the morning to see the pilgrims and worshippers engrossed in their morning prayers. After breakfast visit the headquarters of Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj and the Norbulingka Institute, the centre for Buddhist teaching, housing over a thousand painted images. In the afternoon, visit the Namgyal Monastery, the Kalachakra Temple and the Bhagsunath Temple. You will also visit the Museum of Kangra Arts where paintings by Roerich, a Russian painter based in India, can be seen.

Accommodation: Chonor House or Norbu House

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will undertake a long but scenic drive to the popular hill station Manali, the gateway to Trans-Himalayan Safari. Check into the Banon’s Resort or Manu Allaya for 2 nights.

Accommodation: Banon’s Resort or ManuAllaya

Meals Included: Breakfast

Situated at the Northern end of the Kullu Valley, Manali is a popular honeymoon destination and the starting point for numerous treks. Fondly known as the “Switzerland of India”, Manali is also the centre of the flourishing orchard industry. Surrounded by towering peaks at arm’s length, Manali’s major asset is its proximity to the snowline. Enjoy a relaxing day exploring this charming hill station. Visit the ancient Hadimba temple, the Tibetan monastery and the Sulphur springs.

Accommodation: Banon’s Resort or ManuAllaya

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start your Himalayan safari today with a drive to Keylong/Jispa. During this 7-8 hours’ drive, there will be several photo opportunities as you cross the Rohtang pass at 4,000m before descending sharply into the Lahaul Valley. The landscape changes dramatically from lush green to stark and barren, typical of an arid high altitude desert. Stay overnight at Dekyid Hotel/Padma Lodge.

Accommodation: Dekyid Hotel / Padma Lodge

Meals Included: Full Board

Today you cross the Baralacha La Pass at 4,900m. Baralacha La literally means a summit with cross roads. It is here that roads from Lahaul, Spiti, Zanskar and Leh meet. Later drive on to Sarchu located at 4200 m where you will spend the night in a tented camp.

Accommodation: Sarchu Tented Camp

Meals Included: Full Board

Drive along Rupshu plains, the highest inhabited region in the world. You have a chance to see rare wildlife like the wild horse (Skyang), ibex or if you are lucky, the magnificent snow leopard. Cross the second highest motorable pass in the world Taglang La (5327 m) before the long flat drive to Leh. Stay at the Grand Dragon/Zen Resort for 3 nights.

Accommodation: Grand Dragon/Zen Resort

Meals Included: Full Board

Today visit Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist white domed monument on a hilltop in Changspa. It was built in 1991 by Japanese monks to promote world peace. Later visit the 17^th century Leh Palace, which offers amazing views from the rooftop. Also visit the Stok Palace and its rich collection of thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings on fabric). End the day with an evening walk around the local market.

Accommodation: Grand Dragon/Zen Resort

Meals Included: Full Board

This morning, drive to the statuesque Hemis Monastery, the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, decorated on all four sides by colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and send prayers to Lord Buddha. Then head to Thiksey Monastery, which offers incredible views of the Indus Valley from its lofty hillside location. Thiksey is known for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya Buddha and its impressive Dukhang (assembly hall) housing hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. Later you drive past a series of chortens (Buddhist monuments often containing relics) to visit Shey Palace, the former summer residence of the King of Ladakh.

Accommodation: Grand Dragon/Zen Resort

Meals Included: Full Board

Today’s drive to Nubra Valley will be a magical experience, as it will involve travelling on the highest motorable road in the world, the Khardung La Pass at a whopping 5,360 metres high. Following that exhilarating journey, you’ll arrive in Hunder by the afternoon. After lunch, you can travel across the sand dunes by camel safari to explore the Diskit and Hunder Villages.

Diskit may be a modest village, but it is known as the commercial centre of Nubra and features the Diskit Gompa Monastery on the surrounding hillside. The pretty Hunder Village is home to the small Chamba monastery and a medieval watchtower offering fantastic panoramic views. Stay for two nights at Stone Hedge or Mystique Meadows Earth Homes.

Accommodation: Stone Hedge or Mystique Meadows Earth Homes

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a full day’s exploration of Nubra Valley starting with a visit to Sumur to explore the 140 year old Samstanling Monastery and then to Ansa to see its hilltop monastery. You will then head to Panamik Village to see the hot water springs with steamy water gushing from under the ground. Travel on to Yarab Tso, a small holy lake between the Nubra Mountains, before returning to your hotel in Hunder.

Accommodation: Stone Hedge or Mystique Meadows Earth Homes

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s journey takes you to Pangong via Shayok and onto Tang Tse and Spangmik. Part of the road is uneven but it is a beautiful route. The road follows the Shayok River and climbs up a mountain before descending into Shayok Village.

It takes less than an hour to reach picturesque Shayok, a large village surrounded by barren mountains. In the afternoon you’ll head to the breathtaking Pangong Lake. This shimmering body of water is 4,300 metres above sea level, and you can while away the hours sitting by its beautiful banks or strolling around its shores.

Accommodation: Pangong Sarai – A tented camp overlooking the lake

Meals Included: Breakfast

If you can forfeit a lie-in, it’s worth getting up early this morning to witness the spectacular sunrise over the lake. Then, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you start on the lofty drive to Leh via the 5,486 metre high Chang La Pass, the third highest motorable road in the world.

Arrive in Leh by the afternoon and stay overnight at Grand Dragon/Zen Resort. Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring Leh Bazaar for souvenir shopping before leaving Ladakh.

Accommodation: Grand Dragon/Zen Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, transfer to Leh airport for a short flight back to Delhi. Transfer to Claridges Hotel/The Maidens for 2 nights. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation: The Claridges Hotel/The Maidens

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will explore the historical city of Delhi with a full day sightseeing tour. You begin in Old Delhi, once the Mughal city of Shahjahanabad, with its vibrant market lanes and colourful neighbourhoods. A cycle rickshaw ride will take you through the lanes or gallis of Chandni Chowk, where everything from spices, brassware, antiques, jewellery and perfumes are sold. You will then discover the highly decorative Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, with a courtyard which can accommodate 25,000 devotees before seeing the Red Fort, India Gate and a visit to Raj Ghat.

After lunch it’s time to explore New Delhi which showcases the story of modern India with its open spaces, government buildings, museums and wide tree-lined avenues. Your tour starts with a drive to see the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India before going to Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This lofty tower inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan has numerous inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari. Your tour concludes with a visit to Humayun’s tomb, the first garden tomb built by the Mughals in India.

Accommodation: The Claridges Hotel/The Maidens

Meals Included: Breakfast

Fly back to the UK.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Pricing and Inclusions

The price guide for this 18 day Overland Journey to Ladakh Tour is

• £3490 per person on twin-share (season price from May to September)

(This tour is not operable in low season as roads are closed.)

The prices do not include flights.

Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast; Keylong, Sarchu and Ladakh on full board

Best Season: May to September

Clothes: Light to heavy woollens

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.

This is a private tour and can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Prices will vary depending on the number of people, length of tour, accommodation & season. Reductions are normally available for groups of three or more. Some hotels operate an additional peak pricing rate during busy times which is normally from mid-December to mid-January.

Please get in touch with your dates and we will be pleased to provide you with your personal itinerary and accurate quote.

Included in price:

• Authentic India Tours Meet & Greet assistance at the airports
• All sightseeing and transfers using an air-conditioned car with a private chauffeur (non-AC from Manali to Ladakh and in Ladakh)
• Domestic flights in economy class
• Accommodation for 17 nights on twin-sharing basis.
• English-speaking private guide for all sightseeing
• Entrance fees at all monuments and museums
• Mineral water on all journeys and sightseeing

Price does not include:

• Travel Insurance and Visa
• Meals not included in meal plan
• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, room service, drinks etc
• Camera fees at the monuments

Prices mentioned above are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication may be subject to change, based on your date of travel and local market fluctuations. You will be informed of any price differences prior to booking.

For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call us on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this Ladakh tour is just an example to help inspire you.

For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.