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Awe-inspiring Ladakh is a striking moonscape
of 20,000-foot peaks sheltering stone-built
villages and an ancient cultural heritage.
In this Buddhist land hidden in the Western
Himalayas, we take day hikes to traditional
villages under a cobalt-blue sky, discover the
grand hilltop monasteries of the Indus Valley,
including 11th century Alchi, with
its rare frescoes, and witness a
vibrant festival. Tibetan heritage
is beautifully expressed here in
the traditional dress of the
people, the thousand-year-old
monasteries clinging to cliffs,
and the serpentine walls of
exquisitely carved mani stones
(Buddhist prayer stones). One
special highlight is our exploration of the
breathtaking Nubra Valley, where we cross
the world’s highest motorable road, visit
oasis-like villages in the high mountain
desert, and watch a golden sunset from atop
a massive statue of the Maitreya Buddha.
(Lamayuru Festival itinerary)
Days 1-4 Delhi / Leh / Hemis / Thikse
From Delhi, we fly across the Himalaya to Leh
(11,500'), Ladakh’s atmospheric capital, which
sprawls down from a ruined Tibetan-style palace,
with taupe-colored desert on one side and a
swath of lush farmland on the other. We roam
the Leh bazaar, which still has a Silk Road
ambiance, and visit medieval Hemis and Thikse,
two living centers of worship perched on rocky
hilltops. Atop these monasteries, we’ll have
commanding views of the whole heartland of
the Indus Valley.
Days 5-7 Indus Valley / Alchi / Lamayuru
Festival After seeing the extraoardinary
Buddhist frescoes at the Alchi Monastery,
we make our way to the quiet village
of Tingmosgang, an oasis of green barley
fields and an ideal place to watch life in a
traditional Ladakhi village. At ancient Lamayuru
Monastery, one of Ladakh’s great cliff-perched
landmarks, we witness the vibrant Lamayuru
Festival, with its sacred dances and rituals
performed by costumed monks representing
guardian deities.
Days 8-12 Nubra Valley A fantastic road
journey brings us over the Khardung La
(18,300'), the world’s highest motorable
road, and down into the hidden Nubra Valley
(10,000'), with the mighty Karakoram Mountains
on one side and craggy Ladakh Range on the
other. We visit tranquil Nubra villages, hike
across the valley floor, have the option for a
Bactrian camel ride, and watch an ethereal
golden sunset from a viewing platform atop the
massive Maitreya Buddha statue at 14th century
Diskit Monastery. Return to Leh and depart on
Day 12 via Delhi.
DISCOVER THE HIDDEN WORLD OF “LITTLE TIBET”
“Such an excellent
trip—a fabulous
location and an
experience you
will get nowhere
else on earth.”
Barbara B.
Redmond WA
In Ladakh, one of the most spectacular realms
in the entire Himalaya, we bring you to
ancient villages, hilltop monasteries, and a
Buddhist festival. PHOTO: TERADAT SANTIVIVUT
YAN LIAO
HASHMAT SINGH
HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience Ladakh’s breathtaking
landscapes and unique Tibetan Buddhist
culture
• Discover the once-forbidden Nubra
Valley, with its ancient villages set amid
dunescapes
• Witness the Lamayuru Festival (June) or
Leh Festival (September)
• Stroll the atmospheric Leh bazaar, which
still retains a Silk Road atmosphere
• Explore medieval monasteries of the
Indus Valley, including spectacular Hemis
and Thikse
DETAILS
• 12-day trip begins and ends in Delhi
• 6 nights hotels, 5 nights guesthouses
• All meals included
DATES
Jun 7-18, 2018 Lamayuru Festival
Sep 17-28 Leh Festival
TRIP COST
$5295 (11-16 members)
$5695 (4-10 members)
Single supplement: $960
Internal airfare: $590 (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