Little Tibet: Ladakh

Arrival Delhi at Indira Gandhi International airport and then on assisted transfer to The Imperial located at the heart of New Delhi. Overnight at hotel.

(Optional afternoon sightseeing)
In the vibrant New Delhi, the memoirs of Mahatma Gandhi are preserved in Gandhi Smriti Museum through photographs, sculptures, paintings, frescos, inscriptions on rocks and relics pertaining to the years he spent here. The impressive monuments Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and the iconic India Gate are not to be missed. Overnight at hotel.

Enjoy warm Ladakhi hospitality and spend a leisurely day in the house.

You can opt to take a curated tour of the house, an in-house cooking atelier or an interesting guided walk in a nearby village.

Enjoy an organic breakfast in the garden, and perhaps a yoga or meditation class to get you into a peaceful frame of mind to start the day.

In today’s excursion, along the valley plain and surrounded by mountains on all sides; the outlandish yet intriguing lunar landscape on the approach to Lamayuru is a naturally occurring geological phenomenon and a visit to this stunningly located, 11th century Monastery is absolute delight.

You will continue to the twin villages of Dha Hanu, the only two Brokpa villages in Ladakh which foreigners are permitted to visit. The Brokpa are culturally and ethnically distinct from other Ladakhi communities: they are Indo-European, rather than Tibeto-Mongol in appearance; and their religion is a combination of Buddhism and animism.

A memorable day in Leh! You will visit SOS Village (Choglamsar, an important centre for the study of Tibetan culture and history. It houses the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, a Tibetan library, a medical centre, shops selling handicrafts and books, and plenty of restaurants. You can also visit the nearby golf course, horticulture nurseries and a polo ground.

Later in the afternoon you will tour the Old Town in Leh, walk along the Tibetan markets – little shops selling curios and jewellery with variety of semi-precious stones, pearls, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli; carved yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, and china or metal bowls. Walk across the labyrinthine alleys and piled-up houses of the old town, clustering around the foot of the Palace Hill.

Finish your day at the Shanti Stupa, which has some of the most impressive views across Leh.

It awaits for you today! The unique opportunity to ride on a Bactrian camel (double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert overlooking the snow-capped mountains on the horizon; and a breathtaking drive upstream along the Siachen River to Panamik – the end of the road for this trip !

You can also choose from a variety of activities, including rafting on the Shyok River, visiting the holy lake at Yarab Tso, or meeting members of the Women’s Alliance of Nubra, who produce traditional handicrafts and document their oral history through lively performances. You might take a drive through the farmlands to the village of Sumur and visit a local family in their home or visit Samstanling Gompa founded by Lama Tsultims Nima.

Overlooking the camp Thiksey Monastery has exceptional views along the Leh Valley. For a soul- stirring experience, rise early morning to participate in the monks’ prayer ceremony.

A sumptuous lunch will be served at camp, giving you ample sustenance for the afternoon ahead, when you will visit the Drukpa monastery at Hemis, the largest monastic centre in Ladakh and a centre of Buddhist learning, with a large number of young monks studying in the monastery’s beautifully adorned halls.

Departure for your home country.