Main tour: Sep 02 – Sep 20, 2023 (19 days) | With Add on: Sep 02 – Sep 29, 2023 (28 days)
This trip took us on an amazing odyssey across “the roof the world.” The Himalayan region of India is so extraordinary as to almost defy description. Days of travel along narrow, mountainous tracks took us into remote territory of vast breadth and scope. The contrast between the verdant sub-tropical environs of Dharamshala, and the high alpine tundra of the Changthang Plateau, where it froze at night, dispelled any preconceived notions about India.
In the shadow of snow covered mountain peaks, and barren, inhospitable landscapes, live incredibly welcoming and generous people. We were invited into homes for meals and to see how the local people live. Our visits to Buddhist monasteries built centuries ago in the most impossible places, gave us respect and appreciation for this gentle and peaceful way of being, which imbues the area culture.
You’ll see landscapes that look like fantastical imaginings, of jagged peaks and rock layers contorted by immense geological processes. Cascades of melt water from this region’s glaciers give rise to South Asia’s great rivers. From steep hillsides people carve terraces into the hillsides to grow crops and plant apple orchards. Our skilled drivers took us over seemingly impassable roads, deftly finding their way around every obstacle including rock falls, and washouts!
The trip ended in teeming Delhi with visits to the Taj Mahal by rail and the ornately decorated Akshardam Temple.
Our masterful guide Sarju smoothed every wrinkle: making our journey a magic carpet ride of never-to-be forgotten experiences. Turn the pages and enjoy the trip!
– Words by Robert McCubbin
30 days! 30 full days! That awakened me intellectually, spiritually, physically, culturally, and emotionally. Travelling through this incredible and spacious landscape. I felt I had been transformed to another world! When the area is viewed on a map, it looks so small in comparison to the rest of India. However, as we travelled across and through the massive and dramatic Himalayas, it felt so large and expansive. For long stretches on the gravel roads several thousand meters above sea level, it seemed like there was little life living here and then we’d round a corner, cross a bridge, or crest a hill and meet a herder moving his animals, see workers repairing/building the road, trucks moving produce or fellow travellers. Sometimes, we’d round a corner and arrive in a little village – nestled in the midst of a steep ravine or a rolling valley – and there perched high above the village was a stately and prominent white monastery like a kind, compassionate and loving parent.
During our stay in an area, we often explored the area on foot, walking through the village, along paths from one little village to another and of course, the long and arduous inclines to the sacred monastery. As I walked along the ancient paths, an incredible sense of joy and contentment washed over me. I enjoyed the challenge each hiking/walking path presented to me.
Another striking aspect of this trip – whether it be in the bustling, noisy and crowded cities or out in the isolated little villages or along the desolated and seemingly devoid of life roadways, there was endless joy! People are happy and full of life. Everyone is working but everyone has time to talk and time to smile. Even the traffic is happy – horn honking has its own communication. No one lines up – everyone just moves patiently and slowly and one by one we get through – joyfully and peacefully.
So, thank you to Sarju for aptly and carefully weaving together these past 30 days for me to experience in this way. Your incredible knowledge of the area, your numerous contacts of individuals who are compassionate, kind, caring and ethical and your priority to provide an authentic and local cultural experience made this trip second to none. I especially appreciated that each of our accommodations were not only the best each area had to offer, but also cared for their employees and treated them well. You are intuitive and check in regularly to ensure that each of us were doing well. Our safety was number one for you. A simple thank you seems insufficient for all that you did to ensure that we were not only safe but also had the experience of a lifetime! Thank you!
My trip to Spiti and Ladakh with Journey to Himalayas was everything I was expecting, and so much more. Sarju Sooch put together a marvelous itinerary and was the perfect guide. When he knew all the participants in the trip, Sarju tailored the experience to our interests, and his own in-depth knowledge of the route made the whole trip come alive. It wasn’t just that he knew all the places we visited well, but he also knew when events were happening, so that, for example, we got to hear teachings by the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, and got to experience the colourful festivities of the abbot’s birthday celebrations at the monastery of Kungri in the isolated Pin Valley in Spiti. Sarju not only knew the best places to stay, but as often as not, he knew our hosts, and our drivers, and this created opportunities for personal connections in many places that went beyond experiences of place: we got to know the people, as well. Sarju managed to tailor our experience to meet everyone’s interests and expectations: hiking to waterfalls and mountain lakes, visiting Buddhist monasteries, experiencing the life of the villages and cities we went through. The spectacular scenery, the rich culture and the warm people of northern India came together in an unforgettable trip.
When I reflect on our India trip (“expedition” as Jim and I came to call it!) a couple of things stand out to me.
First and foremost: our guide Sarju, and his love for this incredible country, his attention to detail when planning such a complex adventure, his steadfastness and commitment to providing the best, most authentic experience for his participants, and his humour :)! Then there are all the other people we were blessed to meet along the way: the hotel owners, warm, attentive and generous, our wonderful bus and taxi drivers navigating with equal ease the city traffic and the steep mountain terrain, cooks, train conductors, cheerful monks and nuns, shy village children who followed us on the streets and elders who welcomed us into their homes for a meal. Last but not least was the breathtaking landscape which kept changing dramatically as we travelled along to the most remote areas of Ladakh and Zanskar. The majestic mountains left us speechless and full of awe, wonder and humility. This was truly an experience that will never be forgotten.
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Overview -
Itinerary
Tour Overview
This tour takes you on a journey to the lush green valleys of Dharamshala, Kullu & Kinnaur, followed by the arid regions of Spiti, Zanskar & Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas.
First stop on this tour is Dharamshala, where you will get a chance to visit the temple and the monastery of Dalai Lama. After settling-in and familiarizing yourself with the Himalayan culture, you will proceed to Tirthan Valley in Kullu District, which is home to Great Himalayan National Park. Your journey will continue to Kinnaur, which is inhabited by people of Buddhist as well as Hindu descent, this region has a rich and unique culture.
Crossing over high mountain passes, you will reach the arid region of Spiti, which was briefly a part of the ancient kingdom of Guge in Western Tibet. Some very old Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, said to be favourites of Dalai Lama, are located here. The oldest being the one in Tabo which was established in 996 CE. The road along the itinerary traverses some of the highest mountain passes in the world and offers spectacular views.
28 Day Tour Only: In Zanskar & Ladakh, you will visit Phuktal, Karsha, Lamayuru, and Leh. Your trip will end with a visit to Taj Mahal and an opportunity to visit state emporiums in Delhi from all over India, that showcase some of the best handicrafts from each state.
LADAKH & ZANSKAR: AN OVERVIEW
This trip will take you to the regions of Ladakh and Zanskar in the north of Indian Himalayas. Situated next to Tibet/China, this area was briefly a part of the kingdom of Guge in Western Tibet. These regions are inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions of India and its culture and history are closely related to that of Tibet.
Sitting at an altitude of over 3500 meters, in the rain shadow region of the Himalayas, this area is surrounded by very high mountain passes on all sides. Ladakh and Zanskar have an average annual precipitation of 50-125 mm and 330 sunny days in a year. Ladakh (“land of high passes”) is a region that currently extends from the Kunlun mountain range to the main Great Himalayas to the south.
There are vast numbers of Buddhist monasteries and an extremely rich culture and heritage. His Holiness Dalai Lama often mentions this region as his favourite place on the planet.
Phugtal Gompa, 3930 m
Buddhist Monastery and temple located in Zanskar region of the Himalayas. Constructed around a natural cave up the mountain, it can only be reached on foot.
This region is believed to have been visited by numerous sages, scholars and monks around 2500 years ago. The present Phugtal Gompa, of Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, was established in the early 15th century by Jangsem Sherap Zangpo, a disciple of Je Tsongkhapa, who was the founder of Gelug, which is one of the newest schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
ROAD CONDITIONS in the HIMALAYAS
Please be advised that traveling by roads in the areas that we will be going to in the Himalayas is not for the faint of the heart. You can consider them to be combination of logging roads and extreme mountain roads in western Canada and USA. We go great lengths to make sure that the best drivers are hired for this fabulous journey. It is an adventure. The tentative itinerary cannot always be guaranteed as these roads can be temporarily closed due to landslides.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
- Experience extremely rich and unique culture of different regions in the Himalayas, which is influenced by Hinduism as well as Buddhism.
- Visit Buddhist Monasteries, many of which are 400 to 1000 year old.
- Hike to Chandra Tal, the “lake of the moon”.
- Travel on some of the highest roads in the world.
- Visiting Taj Mahal.
Features
- Small Group (10- 15 people) – ensures a container of safety and personalized care for your journey
- Experienced local guides – fluent in English and Hindi
- Exciting and Safe travel – taking the “hassle” out of being in India so you can relax and soak up the experience
- High Quality Amenities – top class accommodation, outstanding food, every effort made to accommodate dietary and personal needs
- The Ultimate Himalayan Adventure & Cultural Experience – Connections with local people open doors to remarkable experiences and encounters
ROUTE MAP
Delhi – Dharamshala – Kullu (Tirthan Valley) – Kinnnaur – Spiti – Zanskar – Ladakh – Delhi (28 Days)
The monsoon would have just ended in India, so it will be an excellent time to travel in the Himalayas.
PLEASE NOTE that this is a tentative itinerary. We do try to follow the original plan as close as possible. But the exact dates might differ depending on the road condition and other factors that can’t be controlled or predicted. The Pick-up and Drop-off date will not change. Please read TOS for details.
ROUTE MAP
DAY 1: NEW DELHI
Late Evening/Night Pick Up at International Airport New Delhi.
Check-in to a hotel.
Please make sure that you reach Delhi by the morning of Day 2. By 3 AM on Sep 03, 2023.
Day 2-4 DHARAMSHALA
Day 2: Dharamshala, 1457 m.
Morning flight from New Delhi to Dharamshala (1 h 30m). Here you will settle in and get familiar with the Himalayan culture of this region.
Day 3: Dharamshala, 1457 m.
Visit the Monastery and Temple of His Holiness Dalai Lama
Day 4: Dharamshala, 1457 m.
Local Sightseeing
Day 5-7 TIRTHAN VALLEY, & SARAHAN
Day 5: Tirthan, 1600 m.
Drive from Dharamshala to Tirthan (192 km, 7-8 hr). Homestay at Tirthan Valley.
Day 6: Tirthan
Walk to a village and waterfall in Tirthan Valley. Tirthan Valley is located next to Great Himalayan National Park, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Cultural activity in the evening.
Day 7: Sarahan, 2313 m.
Drive from Tirthan to Sarahan (145 km, 6-7 h). Visit Bhimakali Temple, which is dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali.
Day 8-9: KINNAUR
Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa
Day 8: Kalpa, 2960 m.
Sarahan to Kalpa: 85 km, 3-4 h. On the cusp of predominantly Hindu and Buddhist regions of Himalayas, Kalpa has a very rich culture. Kinnauris (Inhabitants of Kinnaur) believe in Hinduism as well as Buddhism. It is interesting to see the Gods and Goddesses from both of these faiths in several temples of Kalpa. This area is also famous for its apple orchards.
Fun Fact: Kalpa in Sanskrit means aeon.
Day 9: Kalpa
Walks in Kalpa and Recong Peo. Recong Peo is the district headquarter of Kinnaur.
We will also get our inner-line permit to continue our journey towards Spiti from here.
Day 10-18: Spiti
TABO, DHANKAR, KAZA, KI, PIN
Day 10: Tabo, 3280 m.
Drive from Kalpa to Tabo: 170 km, 6-8 h. Time permitting, visit Nako village and lake en route. Tabo was founded in 996 CE, and has the oldest monastery in Spiti.
Day 11: Kaza, 3650 m.
Tabo to Kaza: 48 km, 2-3 h.
Visit Tabo Monastery in the morning and drive to Kaza in the second half of the day.
Day 12: Excursion to Dhankar Monastery (3894 m.)
Visit Dhankar Gompa (monastery). Local hikes that gives a bird’s eye view of the area.
Day 13: Excursion to Ki Gompa and Kibber (4270 m.)
Situated on the hilltop, Ki Gompa (Monastery), is set in very picturesque settings. For the adventurous ones, there will be an option of a 2-3 hour hike.
Day 14: Excursion to Pin Valley National Park.
Pin Valley in Spiti is the greenest part of the Spiti Valley. Overnight Stay in Kaza.
Day 15: Langza, 4400 m.
Kaza to Langza: 15 km, ~1 h. Very Scenic village with excellent homestays. Walk in the village.
Day 16: Langza
Visit Tangyud Monastery at Komic (alt 4520 m), and World’s Highest Post Office at Hikim. You can post letters and post cards over here.
Day 17: Chandra Tal, 4300 m.
Langza to Chandra Tal camp: 109 km, 4-6 h. En route, we will cross Kunzum Pass (4500 m). Hike to Chandra Tal (Lake): 7 km, 2-3 hours.
Chandra Tal means Lake of the moon. Overnight stay at Chandra Tal camp.
Day 18: Jispa, 3200 m.
Chandra Tal camp to Jispa: 140 km, ~7 h. This day involves crossing some of the most challenging stretches of this trip.
For people on a 19 day tour package, their trip with JTH will end on Day 19, and they will be driven to Manali, from where they can fly back to Delhi. JTH will cover the cost of the trip until Manali.
Day 19-21: Zanskar
Phuktal, Karsha
Day 19: Purne, Zanskar, 3810 m.
Jispa to Purne: 90 km, 4-5 h. Today you will enter the region of Zanskar.
Day 20: Purne
A day hike to Phuktal Gompa, a Buddhist Monastery and temple that is constructed around a natural cave up the mountain that can only be reached by foot. It is about 14 km return trip from Purne, which will take around four hours of walking.
Day 21: Karsha, 3660 m.
Purne to Karsha: 60 km, 2-3 h.
DAY 22-25: Ladakh
Lamayuru, Leh, Spituk, Thiksey
Day 22: Lamayuru, 3510 m.
Karsha to Lamayuru: 130 km, 5-6 h. This Drikung Kagyu monastery, located in a terrain that looks like moonscape, is related to the Buddhist sage Naropa. Breathtaking settings.
Day 23: Leh, 3500 m.
Lamayuru to Leh: 120 km, 3-4 h. Along the way to Leh, we will visit Alchi, one of the oldest monastery in Ladakh, dating back to the 10th century.
Day 24: Leh
Rest day. For those interested, there will be an option to visit Hemis monastery.
Day 25: Leh
Local Excursions, visit to Leh market, Thiksey & Spituk.
Day 25-28: Delhi & Agra
Taj Mahal, New Delhi
Day 26: Delhi/Agra (Taj Mahal)
Leh to Delhi flight (1h 30m), followed by drive to Agra (200 km, 3.5 h) to view Taj Mahal. Check-in to a premium hotel. Settle-in.
Day 27: Delhi
Drive back to Delhi (3.5 h).
Day 28: Delhi
The tour package covers your stay till 11 AM of Day 28.
Au Revoir!!