In the Lap of the Himalayas

From the Golden Sikh Temple in Amritsar, journey north to the home of the Dalai Lama, crossing the majestic snow-clad Himalayas to discover the medieval temples & stupas of the Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh.

Our Program

Day 1: Delhi

Once you have arrived in Delhi, you’ll be met & transferred to & afternoon flight to Amritsar & hotel check-in. Overnight – Amritsar

Day 2: Amritsar

Amritsar. This morning enjoy a tour of Amritsar, taking in the beautiful Golden Temple, thought about the holiest shrine to Sikhs the world over, yet open to all. Surrounded by a complex of sparkling white marble and a lake for purification the lavishly gilded temple with bulbous golden domes houses the Adi Granth, the book of teachings for the Sikh faith. This evening they drive to the Wagah Border crossing (a land crossing between India/Pakistan) to watch the highly animated ‘Flag Lowering’ ceremony – a must for any visitor to the north of India. Overnight – Amritsar

Days 3 - 4: Dharamsala

Amritsar – Dharamsala. Driving north to Dharamsala offers some dramatic scenery, where rolling foothills rise high toward snow-capped peaks. Dharamsala, the British hill station turned Tibetan settlement, home to the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan refugees offers a sense of peace and tranquillity to all those who arrive. Day four offers guided sightseeing of the area surrounding the Dalai Lama’s residence, Dharamsala’s main Buddhist Temple – Tsug Lakhang and the Norbulingka Institute – centre for Buddhist learning and handicrafts. Overnight – Dharamsala

Days 5 - 6: Manali

Dharamsala – Palampur – Manali. En route to Manali a cease is made at Palampur – a hill station enclosed by aged British tea plantations. Touring a colonial plantation, set on the mounting slopes of Kangra Valley, crisscrossed by babbling brooks offers a chance to enjoy a fine cuppa. Arriving at Manali, the adventurous can opt to go white water rafting, mountain biking or skiing. Or basically, spend the afternoon relaxing. Day 6 allows for a sightseeing tour of the city & an afternoon of leisure. Overnight – Manali

Day 7: Keylong

Manali – Rohtang Pass – Keylong. Continuing north and rising to 3980 metres above sea level along the Rhotang Pass they arrive at the village of Keylong – 120 km from the Tibetan border. Overnight – Keylong

Day 8: Sarchu

Keylong – Sarchu. En route to Sarchu, there is time to cease and explore Sahsur Gompa, a beautiful Buddhist Temple built in the 17th-century housing priceless five metre ‘Tankha’, (wall painting) depicting all 84 Siddhas of Buddhism. Overnight – Sarchu (permanent tented camp) (B, L, D)

Days 9 - 11: Leh & Ladakh

Keylong – Tanglang La Pass – Leh. Rudyard Kipling said of the region “Surely the Gods live here this is no place for men.” Travelling over the Tanglang La Pass at a dizzying height of 5350 metres confirms our arrival to the remote & sparsely populated region of Ladakh. Cradled by the Karakoram & the Great Himalayan ranges, the massive & often snow-covered desert is often described as the last ‘Shangri-La’, (land of high mountain passes) & is of the last enclaves of Mahayana Buddhism, Ladakh’s principal religion for a thousand years, now much suppressed in its native homeland of Tibet. The following three days are spent exploring this pleasant region. Day ten – Leh city tour with visits to the Sankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa. Day 11 – guided touring of Hemis Monastery, Shey Monastery – a former royal palace & Tikse Gompa – a 12 story high complex resembling Potala Palace in Lhasa, housing Buddhist art, statues, art & swords. Overnight – Leh & Ladakh

Days 12 - 13: Alchi

Leh – Alchi. Alchi is set amongst the desolate gorges of the Indus River and spectacular mountains. Here they will visit the Alchi Gompa, a must see Buddhist Temple dating back to 1000 AD. On day 13 they return to Leh. Overnight – Alchi, Leh

Days 14 - 15: Delhi

Leh – Delhi – breakfast. Morning flight to Delhi and hotel check in on arrival. The remainder of today and tomorrow offer free time to independently explore. Think about visits to the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Raj Ghat. Overnight – Delhi

Day 16: Delhi

Sadly today arrangements conclude after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport.

Important notes

What’s Included

  • breakfasts, lunch and dinners
  • One night permanent tented camp
  • Services of local English speaking specialist guides
  • Two Economy class flights – Delhi – Amritsar, Leh – Delhi
  • Touring, excursions and drives as per itinerary 
  • 14 nights superior hotels (standard & deluxe hotels available on request)
  • Airport arrival & departure transfers on day one & day 16
  • Chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicle (mountain vehicles are not air-conditioned)
  • Entrance fees to all sites included in the itinerary 

What’s Included

  • International flights and visas
  • Tipping – an entirely personal gesture 
  • Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature 

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Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Amritsar and the stunning Golden Temple
  • Palampur tea estate, Manali and adventure sports
  • Sarchu and Sasur Gompas and its priceless five-metre painting of all 84 Buddhist Siddhas
  • Leh – “Little Tibet”, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, Hemis Monastery, Shey Monastery and Tikse Gompa
  • Delhi – the capital of India. 
  • Dharamsala & its laid-back Buddhist atmosphere
  • Keylong, the Rhotang Pass & the Tanglang Pass
  • Alchi Monastery – classic Himalayan Gompa
  • High Himalayas – exhilarating mountain vistas & home to Mount Everest.

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Amritsar and the stunning Golden Temple
  • Palampur tea estate, Manali and adventure sports
  • Sarchu and Sasur Gompas and its priceless five-metre painting of all 84 Buddhist Siddhas
  • Leh – “Little Tibet”, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, Hemis Monastery, Shey Monastery and Tikse Gompa
  • Delhi – the capital of India. 
  • Dharamsala & its laid-back Buddhist atmosphere
  • Keylong, the Rhotang Pass & the Tanglang Pass
  • Alchi Monastery – classic Himalayan Gompa
  • High Himalayas – exhilarating mountain vistas & home to Mount Everest.