Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Journey to Ladakh INTO THE SPECTACULAR HIDDEN WORLD OF “LITTLE TIBET”

Awe-inspiring Ladakh is an absolutely striking moonscape of 20,000-foot peaks sheltering stone-built villages and brilliant green fields of barley. An ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture thrives here, beautifully expressed in the traditional dress of the people, in thousand- year-old cliff-side monasteries, and in long walls of exquisitely carved mani stones (Buddhist prayer stones). In this former Buddhist kingdom hidden in the Western Himalayas, we’ll walk among serene villages under a cobalt-blue sky, discover the grand hilltop monasteries of the Indus Valley, and experience a Tibetan Buddhist festival. One special highlight is the breathtaking Nubra Valley, where the ancient Nubra kings once reigned. Here we visit oasis-like villages, ride a Bactrian camel across dunescapes, and watch a golden sunset from a 7th century monastery. Days 1-4 Delhi / Leh / Hemis / Thikse (Lamayuru Festival Departure) From Delhi, we fly across the Himalaya to Leh (11,500'), Ladakh’s striking capital, which sprawls down from the foot of a ruined Tibetan-style palace, with taupe- colored desert on one side and a swath of lush

farmland on the other. We roam the bazaar, which still has a Silk Road ambiance, and visit massive medieval monasteries, including Hemis and Thikse, living centers of worship perched on rocky hilltops. Days 5-7 Indus River Valley / Alchi / Lamayuru Festival After seeing rare Buddhist frescoes at Alchi, we head to Tingmosgang for a fascinating glimpse into traditional Ladakhi village life. At ancient Lamayuru Monastery, one of Ladakh’s great cliff-perched landmarks, we witness the vibrant Lamayuru Yuru Kab-gya Festival, with its sacred dances and rituals performed by costumed monks representing guardian deities. Days 8-12 Nubra Valley Motoring across the Khardung La (18,300'), we descend into the luminous, deep-cut Nubra Valley, where sand dunes carpet the valley floor. Here we have the chance to ride a Bactrian camel and visit tranquil villages, including Diskit, with its 700-year-old gompa and huge statue of Maitreya Buddha that gazes serenely over this vast, ethereal valley. Depart on Day 12 via Delhi. ON OUR WEBSITE THE TSO MORIRI TREK Nomads, rare wildlife, and mystical lakes of the Changthang Plateau with Hashmat Singh. Jul 30-Aug 18. From $6395.

BILL ABBOTT

HIGHLIGHTS • Experience Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes and unique Tibetan Buddhist culture • Stroll the atmospheric Leh bazaar, which still retains a Silk Road atmosphere • Explore medieval monasteries of the Indus Valley including spectacular Hemis and Thikse • Discover the once-forbidden Nubra Valley, with its ancient villages amid dunescapes • Witness the Lamayuru Festival (June) or Leh Festival (September) DETAILS • 12-day trip begins and ends in Delhi • 6 nights hotels, 5 nights guesthouses • All meals included DATES Jun 16-27, 2017 Lamayuru Festival Sep 17-28 Leh Festival TRIP COST $5195 (12-16 members) $5595 (7-11 members) Single supplement: $880 Internal airfare: $825 (subject to change) Dharamsala and Amritsar extension: from $1895 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6 7 Rugged road travel with light hikes, altitudes of 10,000-18,379 feet

Our journey in Ladakh reveals a world of ancient traditions, fascinating festivals, and captivating scenery.

HASHMAT SINGH

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR ASIA TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/ASIA 94