Journey to Himalayas

Trip Highlights

• You will fly from Delhi to Leh, which is the capital of Ladakh. Here you will acclimatize and immerse yourself in the rich ancient culture of Ladakh.
• Hike from Lamayru to Padum and Phugtal (10 days, weather/conditions permitting)
  Sengge la – Lingshet – Padum – Phugtal – Padum
  5 Full days of hiking, 4 Half days of hiking + 1 Rest day
• You will attend a two day cultural festival at Karsha Monastery.
• Visit several Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, many of which are 400 to 900 years old.

Features

• Small Group (max 15 people).
• For the hike, there will be ponies to carry your luggage. All you will need to do is walk with a light backpack and enjoy the views.
• Cooked Meals. We will prepare the meals for everyone.
• Experienced Local Guides.
• Safe Exciting Travel.
• High Quality Amenities.
• Meet local residents in villages and monasteries.
• The Ultimate Himalayan Adventure & Cultural Experience.

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.

ADD ON

Tso Moriri, Ladakh. 4595 m
Located in the Changthang area of the Ladakh region, Tso Moriri is the largest lake in the Trans-Himalayas located within India. There are few settlements along the lake, with Kurzok being the most prominent one. Tso Moriri is a brackish water lake with maximum length of about 19 kilometres and a maximum width of about 3 kilometres. It’s surface area is approx 120 km2

Diskit, Nubra Valley, Ladakh. 3144 m
Nubra valley, due to its lower altitude has a milder climate and is often referred as “the Orchard of Ladakh”. Nubra is known for Bactrian camels and 32 meter tall statue of Maitreya Buddha on the hill below the Diskit monastery, which is the oldest in the Nubra Valley and was founded in the 14th century.

ROUTE MAP

Delhi – Leh – Thiksey – Lamayuru – Lingshed – Padum – Phugtal – Delhi (22 Days)
ADD ON: Tso Moriri & Nubra Valley (+7 days)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a tentative itinerary. We do try to follow the original plan as close as possible. The exact dates might differ depending on the weather and road condition and other factors that can’t be controlled or predicted. The Pick-up and Drop-off date will not change. Please read the TOS for more details.

This trip will include:

• Karsha Festival.
• Phugtal
• Hike from Lamayru to Padum and Phugtal (10 days, weather/conditions permitting)
  Sengge la – Lingshet – Padum – Phugtal – Padum
  5 Full days of hiking, 4 Half days of hiking & 1 Rest day
• Visit several Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, many of which are 400 to 900 years old.
• … and above all, Yoga with Janie Pelletier

ROUTE MAP

ITINERARY (day-by-day)

DAY 1: New Delhi

Late Evening/Night Pick Up at International Airport New Delhi.
Please make sure that you reach Delhi by the night of Day 1.
Check-in to a hotel.

DAY 2-4: Acclimatization around Leh

Day 2: Leh, 3520 m.
Delhi to Leh: Flight, 1h 30m.
Morning flight over the Himalayas from Delhi to Leh.
Leh is the capital of the Ladakh region in the Himalayas, which is situated in the west of Tibet.
Settle in, rest and acclimatise. Evening stroll to Leh City/Market.

DAY 3: Leh
Acclimatization and excursions around Leh Town.

DAY 4: Leh
Local sight seeing.
Spituk, Thiksey, Stok Palace.

Day 5-6: Short Hikes for acclimatization

Day 5:Lamayuru, 3510 m.
Drive from Leh to Lamayuru: 75 km, 4-5 h.
Lunch and day excursion at Alchi Monastery

DAY 6: Day Hike (3-4 hours)
Moderate Intensity Hike.

Day 7-16: The Hike*

(Sengge La –Stayangs – Lingshed – Hanumil – Padum – Phugtal – Padum)
5 Full days of hiking, 4 Half days of hiking + 1 Rest Day.

Day 7:Stayangs, 4450 m
Sengge La to Stayangs. Drive: 2-3 hours. Hike: 3-5 h.

Day 8:Lingshet, 3900 m
Stayang to Lingshed: 6-8 h.

Day 9:Snertes, 3360 m.
Lingshet to Snertse: 8-9 h

Day 10:Hanumil, 3380 m.
Snertse to Hanumil: 6 – 7h.

Day 11:Pishu, 3420 m.
Hanumil to Pishu: 5-6 h.

Day 12:Karsha, 3660 m.
Pishu to Karsha: 5-6 h.

Day 13:Emmu
Karsha to Emmu: (via Padum)
Karsha to Emmu: (via Padum) Hike: 2-3 h. Road Travel by Car(s): 4-5 h.

Day 14:Phugtal, 3930 m.
Emmu to Phugtal Gompa (via Cha): 2-3 h.
Phugtal Gompa is one of the highlight of our trip.

Day 15:Padum, 3570 m.
Hike from Padum to Emmu: 2-3 h. Emmu to Padum by car: 4 h.

KARSHA FESTIVAL

Day 16:Karsha
Day of rest and local explorations. We will attend ceremonies and culture show at Karsha Tsechu (Festival).

DAY 17-19: Padum to Leh by Road

Day 17:Rangdum, 3657 m.
Padum to Rangdum: 7-8h drive.

Day 18:Lamayuru, 3510 m.
Rangdum to Lamayuru: 7-8h drive.

Day 19:Leh, 3520 m.
Lamayuru to Leh: 4h drive.

DAY 20-22: Leh and Delhi

Day 20:Leh
Rest day. Local Explorations.
Social Evening.

Day 21:New Delhi *
Morning or early afternoon flight from Leh to Delhi.
*Dinner for this day is not included in the cost of tour package.

Day 22:New Delhi *
Delhi Explorations. Opportunity to shop at State Emporiums.
The price of your tour package covers your stay till the morning of Day 23 (Jul 13,2020).
*Dinner for this day is not included in the cost of tour package.

ADD ON: Tso Moriri & Nubra Valley

Aug 06-13, 2019 (7 Days)

Day 22-24: Tso Moriri

Day 22:Karzok, 4522 m
For the people staying for another week, on day 22, you will go on a road trip to Tso Moriri.
Karzok at 4522 m is the biggest settlement along this lake.

DAY 23:Karzok, 4522 m
Local Explorations.

DAY 24:Leh
Road trip back to Leh

Day 25-27: Nubra Valley

Day 25:Diskit, 3144 m
Road trip from Leh to Diskit. Enroute you will cross over Khardung La, which is at an altitude of 5359 m.

DAY 26:Diskit
Local Explorations.

DAY 27:Leh
Road trip back to Leh

Day 28-29: Leh and Delhi

Day 28:Leh
Rest day. Local Explorations.
Social Evening.

DAY 29:New Delhi *
Morning or early afternoon flight from Leh to Delhi.
Delhi Explorations (Time permitting)
The price of your tour package covers your stay till the morning of Day 30 (July 20, 2019).
*Dinner for this day is not included in the cost of tour package.

Au Revoir!!

DATES

Main Tour: Jun/Jul (22 Days)

With Add-On: Tso Moriri and Nubra Valley
Jun/Jul (29 Days)

Pick Up and Drop Off: New Delhi International Airport (DEL)
Price of your tour package covers your stay from the evening of Day 1 to morning of Day 22 or 29 for people with add-on.

COST

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: Two people sharing the same room. Separate beds upon request.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Each person has an individual room

BOOKING & PAYMENT

To register/book (confirm your spot) on this trip, you are requested to deposit the booking amount (non-refundable) or the full amount, into the bank account of “Journey to Himalayas”. The booking amount, is 1/3rd the price of your total trip package. You will be required to deposit the full amount, max of 90 days before the trip starts (Mar 09, 2020).

PLEASE NOTE: The booking amount will be a non-refundable. Please read TOS for details.

Total Price is inclusive of:

• Accommodation while in India
• Cost of all meals, except where otherwise specified (Alcohol Exclusive)
  Dinner for the day 21 and 22 is not included in the package. All other meals are included
• All Transportation costs within India (Air Travel & Car/Jeep Travel)
• Entrance Fee for Museums and Monuments
• Permits and other fees incurred while traveling in India
• Cost of special events like Cooking Evening or a Culture Show

Total Price is exclusive of:

• International flight to/from India
• Visa Fees
• Room Charges at hotels for snacks and drinks
• Tips and other Gratuities to the local staff in India