Day to day itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Delhi, overnight stay
Meet on arrival at Delhi international airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing of Old Delhi (if time permits), depends on arrival time in Delhi.
Day 2. Flight Delhi - Leh. Relax and acclimatize
Early morning pick up at hotel and transfer to domestic airport for flight to Leh. On arrival pick up at airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day to relax and acclimatize.
Day 3. Visit Spituk and Phyang Monasteries
Today we begin our exploration into Ladakh’s fascinating Buddhist heritage. In the morning we visit Spituk and Phyang monastaries. The monastaries are all different and all fascinating. You will see the lamas (monks) both young and old as they go about their daily rituals and prayers. Spituk is perched up on a small hill afforded wonderful views of the Indus valley with it’s patchwork of fields below. Phyang is located in perhaps one of Ladakh’s prettiest villages and we take some time to explore the area before returning back to Leh.
Day 4. Test trek, Leh Palace, Sankar monastery and visit Ladakh home
In order to get fit for our trek we take a walking tour today. We hike up to visit the Leh Palace overlooking the city. From there we continue our walk through green terraced fields up to the village of Sankar where we can have a look at the monastery. We enjoy a picnic lunch before returning back to our hotel. On the way we also visit a traditional Ladakhi home where we will get a chance to sample the local barley beer called "chang", the staple food "tsampa" a roasted barley flour, and the famous butter tea made with butter, salt, and tea! We will also get a chance to see up close the traditional local architecture, dress, and jewelry.
Day 5. Trek begins, from Spituk to Zingchen
In the morning it’s a half hour drive by jeeps to Spituk bridge where we meet the ponies and load up for the trek. The beginning stage of the trek is dry and flat until you meet Zingchen river. A Packed lunch is provided from the hotel as on the first day the ponies get a later start then you as it takes them time to determine the proper loading etc. You follow the river as you make your way to Zingchen village (3600 m), where you camp for the first night.
Day 6. Trek Zingchen to Yurutse
You continue along the bank of the river making several small river crossings until you arrive below the village of Rumbak. From there it is a steady ascent up the valley leading south to the village of Yurutse (4150 m). Yurutse is really a large house and not an actual village – many a traveler has been waylaid here by the family’s hospitality and locally brewed barley beer! You, however, continue on to your camp. Here you have beautiful views back to the Stok Range, including Stok Kangri (6150 m). Overnight in camp.
Day 7. Trek Yurutse to Skiu
From the camp it is a 3 hour gradual ascent to the Ganda La (4850 m) pass. From Ganda La, weather permitting, you have a fantastic view over the Himalayan peaks. After crossing the pass you descend to the tiny village of Shango (4150 m) where you enjoy your lunch. After lunch you continue your descent for about three hours, through a stunning rocky ravine filled with wild rosebushes and trickling mountain streams. At the end of the descent you reach the Markha River. You keep walking along the left side of the river until you get to the village of Skiu (3700 m). Overnight in camp.
Day 8. Trek Skiu to Markha village
From Skiu we continue walking along the side of the Markha river. We will probably pass a few villagers as they go about their daily life, often spinning a small prayer wheel or chanting Buddhist mantras. As we get closer to Markha village we have to cross the Markha river and continue walking on the other side of the river bank to your camp in Markha village (3850 m).
Day 9. Trek Markha to Tahungtse
After about an hour of walking you again cross the Markha river and enjoy walking along green village fields. You pass by the Techa monastery which is perched fantastically on the edge of the cliff. After an hour of walking you pass Hanker village 4000 m, the highest village in the Markha valley. From here the trail ascends the valley to the Nimaling plains. Just after crossing the stream it is a steady climb to Tahugste (4350 m) where you camp for the night.
Day 10. Trek Tahungtse to Nimaling
You continue ascending over the edge of the high grazing pastures until you reach the plateau of Nimaling. From here you can see a clear view of Kangyazi peak (6200 m). After 2 hours gradual walking you are at your camp (4650 m).
Rest of the day will be at leisure. Those who are interested can trek to up to the base camp of Kangyazi peak (5300 m) or to the beginning of the glacier. Others are free to rest at the camp and observe the lifestyle of the nomadic shepherds with their hundreds of goats, yaks and sheep. Overnight camp at Nimaling.
Day 11. Trek Nimaling to Shang Sumdo
After crossing the river over the bridge, you begin to ascend again towards your second major pass- Kongmurla (5150 m) which is the highest pass on this trek. Once you reach the Kongmurla and enjoy the spectacular views you make your way down through steep rocky terrain. You descend about 1300 m through a beautiful rocky gorge, crossing small streams most of the way down until you reach your camp at Shang Sumdo (3850 m).
Day 12. Trek Sumdo to Hemis, drive to Leh via Thiksey and Shey
From our camp it is an easy walk along a jeep road until you get to Martselang where you end with a gradual ascent to your final camp at Hemis (3400 m). You visit the Hemis Monastery (3505 m) where you take your lunch, before continuing by jeep back to Leh, visiting Shey and Thiksey Gompa enroute (if you are interested). In Leh, return to hotel, Singhee Palace.
Day 13. Flight Leh - Delhi, drive to Agra
Fly to Delhi. Today you return to Delhi by early morning flight. You are met at the airport by our deluxe coach/car and continue by road to the Mughal splendor of Agra (aprox. 5 hours). Agra is, of course, home to the unforgettable Taj Mahal as well as the majestic Red Fort. We relax poolside in Agra. Overnight at hotel Jaypee Palace (or similar).
Day 14. Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, drive to Delhi
In the morning you are visiting The Taj Mahal - one of the true wonders of the world. It was built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan. It took 22 years and 20,000 skilled artisans to complete. The Agra Fort lies across the river Jamuna. It was here that Aurangzeb, the third son of Shah Jahan, kept his father under house arrest. One can get a fantastic view of the Taj from the little octagonal tower in the Fort. In the afternoon drive back to Delhi.