Duration:
11 Days
Destination :
Delhi - Leh - Thiksey - Nubra Valley - Sumur - Yarob Tso
Price :
Price On Request
Itinerary
Arrival in Delhi
Welcome to India!
Arrive at Delhi International Airport.
You are met by our Travel representative with traditional and sacred marigold flower garland.
Delhi, a phoenix-like city, has seen the rise and fall of many emperors. Once an ancient walled city, the former jewel in the crown of the British Empire, now is the capital of Independent India. A plethora of monuments commemorate the grandeur and glory of the bygone ages. Discover the influence of the Mughal Emperors superimposed on the colonial era of Sir Edward Lutyens.
Welcome with garland and transfer to the hotel for check in Standard check in time at 1400 Hours (Early check in is subject to availability).
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.
In Delhi
American Breakfast.
Morning start for Mughal tour of Old Delhi: the once ancient walled city. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Possessing remarkable talent in architecture, he created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi’s glorious renaissance.
Jama Masjid: One of Asia’s largest mosques can hold a mind-blowing 25,000 people. Towering over Old Delhi, the ‘Friday Mosque’ was Shah Jahan’s final architectural opus, built between 1644 and 1658.
Explore the intricate bustling lanes of Old Delhi on a Cycle Rickshaw, also known as pedicab. A local form of transport. Meander through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk (literally, 'Silver Street'), once the most opulent perfume market of India, now famous for its Spice market. One can find hidden spots good for hunting down old and new silver and gold from jewellers whose forefathers served the emperors.
(shops are closed on Sundays)
Drive past the Red Fort, Shah Jahans symbol of power and elegance. Home to Mughal emperors for over 200 years. Named for its massive enclosing wall built in red sandstone, it was once the fortified palace of the then capital, Shahjahnabad.
The Delhi Sultanate:
Humanyun’s Tomb UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE is the tomb of the Mughal emperor Humanyun.
The tomb was commissioned in 1569-70, designed by a Persian architect. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and often considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Walk in the Lodhi gardens:
Spread over 90 acres where you still find ruins from the Mughal era, explore this historic garden.
Experiential visit at no extra cost:
Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple : Sikhism and Community Kitchens of Holy Proportions
Afternoon visit to Bangla Sahib Sikh temple.
Your introduction to one of the many religions you will explore through your journey – Sikhism.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh house of worship in Delhi. Here you can experience the service of the Sikhs and the humility their philosophy brings. Everyone here is a volunteer, from the shoe collector to the ladies that tirelessly cook in the community kitchen. Outside one might be a CEO, an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife, but inside the temple they are all one – Sikhs who serve.
Volunteer at the Community kitchen : The ‘langar,’ or free kitchen, operated by a Sikh shrine in Delhi dishes out an astonishing 10,000 meals a day regardless of sex, caste or creed. You are welcome to join and prepare these meals or be part of Vaṇḍ Chakkō, the Sikh uplifting concept that translates to ‘share and consume together’.
Footsteps of Lutyens. The greatest British architect:
Drive past the Imperial part of the city designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the British in the 1920s.
The architecture a great symbol grandeur and power of British empire.
Take a drive along the main avenue Raj Path – the kings path, to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate and past the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence and the Parliament Buildings.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Delhi – Leh (By Flight) - Leh Thiksey
Early Breakfast.
Departure transfer to Airport to board flight for Leh.
On arrival Leh you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your residence, Chamba Camp, Thiksey. Soak in the serenity of the surroundings as you are accorded a traditional Ladakhi welcome. You will be then accompanied to your well-appointed Luxury Tent after your check-in formalities at the Reception Tent is completed. There will be no activity on your day of arrival as it is medically mandated that you relax and undergo minimal exertion to enable you to acclimatize to the rarefied oxygen levels at this high-altitude. The Excursion Specialist at Chamba Camp, Thiksey will meet with you to discuss the itinerary suggested and help you plan your excursions and make changes if required, to suit your interests, choices and leisure.
You may take a stroll through the blessed hamlet of Thiksey and engage with the joyous local community and its pastoral lifestyle, immersing you to the scintillating peace and tranquility.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner.
Overnight: Hotel.
In Leh Thiksey - The Little Tibet Experience
Today brings a late start, leaving the morning free for you to enjoy a leisurely breakfast and walk around the camp site, taking in the sights and the peaceful milieu where each tent opens out on to alfalfa pastures. Enjoy the view of the willow trees as the wind gracefully brushes the branches and the rustling sound of the poplar trees create an aura of unmatched beauty and serenity, making you unwind and relax.
Or, you may take an easy, invigorating walk in the vicinity of the camp through the lush farmlands of Nyerma, with insights into ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs, agricultural practices and religious life in the nunnery.
This afternoon following lunch, you will visit the Leh City.
We then proceed on a gentle orientation tour of Leh. Our Leh City Heritage Walk ushers you to the labyrinth of by-lanes of Leh City under the gaze of the imposing 17th century nine storied Leh City Palace.
Our walk takes you through this last big frontier town where everything from daily needed rations to locally spun woolen clothing, rugs, yak fur and yak tail and ritualistic items can be sourced. The city boulevard presents a cauldron of shops which sell Pashmina shawls, stoles to Tibetan handicraft items. A few scattered curio shops also offer traditional Ladakhi jewelry set with turquoise, jade and emerald.
Your walk concludes near Chubi village where your vehicle will pick you up and take you to Shanti Stupa, perched upon a great vantage point over Leh, with spectacular views of this mesmerizing stone strewn landscape.
Overnight: Hotel.
In Leh Thiksey – Two Paths to Nirvana
An early morning start with tea and coffee followed by a visit to the Thiksey monastery, which stands about a kilometer from your camp. This beautiful monastery houses a two storey statue of the Maitreya Buddha seated on a lotus and boasts of a spectacular view of the Leh valley. At the monastery, you will have the privilege to participate in the Buddhist Morning Prayer ceremony at sunrise.
Continue on a guided tour of the monastery, visiting the beautiful prayer room which has many handwritten and painted books as well as the temple dedicated to goddess Tara with her 21 images placed in glass-covered wooden shelves. You will also see small shrines devoted to the guardian divinities including Cham-Sing, the protector deity of Thiksey.
After a leisurely breakfast at camp, proceed to explore the jewel in the crown of the Drukpa lineage, the Hemis Monastery, the biggest monastic institution of Ladakh, situated about 23 kilometers (45 mins) from Thiksey. Built in a secluded valley, the monastery belongs to the Drukpa School or the Dragon Order of Tibetan Buddhism. Explore the many interesting facets of this institution, established under the patronage of King Senge Namygal in the 17th century, where young lamas are taught literature, history, philosophy, yoga and tantra. The monastery halls are adorned with beautiful statues and mural paintings.
Return to camp for lunch
The rest of the evening is at leisure, allowing you time to soak in serenity of your beautiful camp location.
After a short safety briefing after lunch, you will then cycle down the best track that the Ladakh Himalayas has to offer. The road criss-crosses it’s way down the mountain side into the green oasis of Shakti village, where we will end our cycling trip.
Overnight: Hotel.
Drive to the Nubra Valley
Following breakfast this morning, your exciting journey continues through some of the region’s most awe-inspiring and dramatic landscapes, passing through the Khardung La Pass (5570 mtrs / 18,381 ft.), considered to be the highest motorable road in the world. From the pass one gets to see the Nubra Valley and rich agricultural lands interspersed with poplar and willow trees, giving the landscape a lush green look. Following a packed lunch in the village of Khardung continue onwards driving past the famous sand dunes of Nubra, arrive at the village of Diskit.
Your arrival at Chamba Camp, Diskit comes as a delightful oasis after your adventurous drive. Our camp here is inspired by the aesthetics of safari camping and equipped with every modern comfort to pamper your senses. Rest yourself on your own private deck and breathe in the tranquility of the serene water body reflecting the high mountains and cloudless blue skies. Be at leisure as the wind whispers fables of the famed Silk Route and the mighty mountains boast of stories untold. Loose yourselves to the peaceful pleasures of solitude.
Overnight: Hotel.
In Nubra Diskit Five: The Kalon Farm Experience at Sumur, Yarab Tso – The Hidden Lake and Camel Safari
After a sumptuous breakfast, we drive to the picturesque village of Sumur located across the Shyok and Nubra Rivers.
You can also opt to drive towards the most northern road on the Saichen Glacier route and then hike towards the hidden lake - Yarab Tso – which is one of the high altitude and sacred lakes in the Nubra Valley. It holds crystal clear holy water, secluded within a rocky terrain.
We then whisk you to experience local life and be privy to the special initiative by the Women’s Alliance of Nubra. These hard working women have collaborated to come together in activities like handicrafts, documentation of natural and oral history along with traditional performing arts.
A lovely drive through the farmlands of Sumur brings you to a traditional local farm which promises you delectable promises of a sumptuous homely lunch.
Visit the house of the Kalon family which allows you a glimpse into their rich historicity of this region.
This evening, we usher you for an adventurous ride on the double hump Bactrian camel on the sand dunes of the Hunder cold desert. Relive the dreams and glories of the merchants, mercenaries and monks as they trudged these very sands in search of Gold, Glory and God in the days of yore.
In Nubra
Soak in the solitude and serenity of our camp location amidst the whispering winds of the sand dune of Diskit and hear of lost stories of the bygone Great Game played out in this frontier wilderness.
Overnight: Hotel.
Nubra – Leh Drive Nubra Sojourns And Return to Leh through Wari - La
After an early morning wake up call, we drive you up towards the Diskit Gompa. Perched on a hill in the village of Diskit and considered to be the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley, it belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
It is a sub-gompa of the Thiksey monastery and has a statue of the Cho Rinpoche “the crowned Buddha” in the prayer hall, a huge drum and several images of fierce guardian deities. An elevated cupola of the monastery depicts a fresco of the Tashilhunpo monastery of Tibet.
Start the day with a special prayer high up near the towering Maitreya Buddha.
Return to the hotel for a hearty breakfast and after breakfast get ready for your journey back to Leh Valley through picturesque landscape traversing through Wari - La (5,300 mtrs / 17,384 ft) the fourth highest motor able pass in Ladakh. En route, enjoy seeing the shepherds graze their pashmina goats, stop for photograph of the scattered villages. Not to be missed is spotting the famous yaks grazing in the meadows along the streams.
NOTE: If Wari-La is closed due to any local conditions, then the drive will be back through Khardung-La.
On arrival into the Leh Valley, check into the hotel
Rest of the evening is at leisure to relax and unwind in the luxurious environs of your camp.
Overnight: hotel.
Leh – Delhi (By Flight) Bid Farewell To The Land of The Lamas
Today you bid farewell to the enchanting and breath-taking mountainous and rugged terrain of Ladakh as you proceed on your onward journey.
Departure transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival Delhi and transfer to Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Delhi Out
Departure transfer to Airport for the flight to final destination.