Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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BILL ABBOTT
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.
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 94
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