• We arrive at the International airport of Delhi at night. We get professional assistance in boarding our early morning flight to Leh after the traditional welcome by company’s representative at Delhi airport.

Delhi - Leh

• In the early morning flight from Delhi, the plane flies over the Himalayan Range providing amazing overhead view of the whole mountain range with gigantic glaciers and glaring peaks before it brings us to Leh, a fertile valley just to the north of the mighty Indus River (this flight is subject to appropriate weather and perfect flying conditions). Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel.

• The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (3,500m). Late afternoon there is a gentle orientation walk in Leh and its bazaars. In the olden days Leh was an important trading center along the old Silk Route from China. The town is dominated by the nine- story Namgyal Palace whose faded grandeur has been likened to a mini version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.

• In the morning we leave for a sightseeing tour of three of the major gompas (Monasteries) in the area. We first drive to Shey, a former Royal Palace of the Ladakh kings. Shey was the castle of the first king of Ladakh, Lachen Polgyigon. Inside is a small temple containing a 350 year old sacred gilt copper statue of Lord Buddha. Deldan Namgyal made it in the year of 1633 as a funerary memorial to his father, king Singee Namgyal. From Shey we drive to Thiksey where we visit the monastery perched on top of a hill with its red and white buildings visible from a long distance. There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen. A recently built temple within the main complex contains a magnificent image of the Future Buddha. Next we drive to Hemis Gompa that belongs to Drukpa order (Red hat). It holds the distinction not only of being the biggest and the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh but also for a very rich collection of ancient relics and the rare 17th century murals (called tangkhas) and the painted stone reliefs adorning the courtyard gallery making it a true UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Leh - Likir

• After breakfast we leave Leh behind and drive to Likir, en-route visiting famous monasteries of Rizong and Alchi. Founded by Lama Tsultim Nima in 1831 Rizong is a Yellow Hat sect Gompa and is spectacularly situated on a Cliffside overlooking the Indus Valley. The monastery holds special significance for Tibetan Buddhists as it belongs to Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. We drive back towards Alchi Monastery, which is the largest and most famous of all of them, and is noted for its massive Buddha statues and lavish woodcarvings and artwork. The foundation of the monastery was laid by Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in the middle of 12th century. It has three main structures known as Du-khang, Sum-tsek and the temple of Manjushri. We continue our drive to Likir Village. Located in Indus Valley it is believed to be among the oldest villages of India. The monastery of Likir is believed to have been in existence since 11th century. It belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect and is also known for the 75-feet statue of Buddha. After visiting the monastery we drive to our camp where our tents are already pitched and waiting to be occupied.

Umla - Taroo

• From here, we put on our trekking gear and start our walk with a gentle climb through the meadow. Leaving behind the meadow, we climb towards a small pass at 4150m with beautiful view of the Indus valley. From here a small steep descent takes us to the village of Taru. We spend the night in our camp surrounded by fields.
  Duration of Trek: 6 Hrs
  Distance: 11 Kms

Taroo - Murbruk

• After the breakfast, we start with a gentle climb. However, the trail goes a little steeper at times before we reach the pass, Bong-Bong la (4200m). From the top, we can enjoy the magnificent views of the Stok range and from here we can also find our trail that leads to Phyang Monastery. After a steep descent from the pass we reach Phyang. We visit the Gompa which is considered as one of the important Gompas representing the "Red Hat" sect of Tibetan Buddhism and famous for its exquisite wall paintings. The gompa complex also includes a 900 year-old museum containing a rich collection of Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian artifacts. After the visit, we continue our trek and enter another village called Murbruk which looks beautiful with its agricultural fields.
  Duration of Trek: 6 Hrs
  Distance: 14 Kms

Murbruk - Pulu

• In the morning we start with a gentle climb towards Pulu at the left side of a torrent. We continue our gradual climb for 3-4 hours to reach a stream where marmots can be seen. We may have to cross this stream to enter a gorge for further walk for another 2 hours before we climb to reach Pulu. The yaks can be seen all around near our camping site.

Pulu - Base Camp (4800m)

• Since we have to scale Lasirmo La (pass) today, we start very early in the morning. The path goes upwards gently towards the pass over the boulders for about an hour followed by a steep climb for about 2 hours up to the top of Lasirmo La. Beautiful views from the top of Lasirmo la over the Karakorum Range are breathtaking. We descend over the glacier and the moraine for 45 minutes followed by gentle descent up to the base camp.
  Duration of Trek: 6 Hrs
  Distance: 12 Kms

Base Camp (4800m) - Hundar Dok (4100m)

• After the breakfast, we continue our trek over the moraine with gentle descent into a gorge. While descending to our next camp we pass by shepherd houses called Doks with their Yaks and sheep. We may get an opportunity to visit one of shepherd's houses and taste a cup of Ladakhi butter tea known as Gur Gur Tea. We continue negotiating some ascents and descents for another two hours of trek to reach Hundar Dok. Beautiful camping site is in the pastures at the right side of the Stream.
  Duration of Trek: 5 Hrs
  Distance: 12 Kms

Hundar Dok (4100m) - Hundar (3300m)

• After the breakfast, we leave our camp and move forward towards the village of Hundar with some ascents and descents. We have some magnificent views over the Hundar Dok. The trail moves further into the impressive gorge after crossing one wooden bridge. It is about 2 hours gentle descent to Skarchan on the left side of the river, an ideal place for lunch. Our walk continues for about two hours through this gorge and finally opens at the Hundar Village that provides fantastic views of the Sand Dunes from the distance.
  Duration of Trek: 6 Hrs
  Distance: 14 Kms

Hundar (3300m) - Diskit

• Today we explore Nubra Valley with an easy day-walk providing attractions galore. Leaving Hundar Village behind we walk through a gorgeous stretch of Sand Dunes of this high altitude desert with snow-capped mountains on the horizon. The main attraction in this area is the Bactrian Double Humped Camels. Here one can enjoy a camel ride (optional), which can be organized. We pass over the sandy trail to Diskit Village which is amongst the larger villages in the region and then visit the famous Diskit situated on the top of a cliff. It has an elevated cupola with a fresco depicting the Tashihunpo gompa of Tibet. The gompa roof offers glorious/magnificent views of Nubra Valley, Diskit Village and the point where the Shyok River and Siachen Glacier meet.
  Duration of Trek: 5 Hrs
  Distance: 9 Kms

Diskit - Sumur

• Later we drive to Sumur and visit its monastery, Samstanling Gompa, founded by Lama Tsultims Nima in 1841 CE. This gompa which belongs to the Gelukpa order is a house of a fine collection of idols, frescos and tangkhas.

Sumur - Leh

• Continuing our journey we drive to Leh via world's highest motor-able road Khardung La. Built in 1976 it was opened to motor vehicles in 1988 and has seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions since then. With a clear sky the views are stupendous. Reaching Leh in the afternoon we have free time to wander through the town, shop or relax.

Leh - Delhi

• This morning, we have an early morning flight to Delhi.

• In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full of activity and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort Delhi. Here we visit Jama Masjid Delhi - the largest 17th century mosque in India; Chandni Chowk - the typical Indian market always abuzz with activities; and Rajghat - the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi (also called the 'Father of the Nation’). We also visit New Delhi where we drive past the Presidential Palace, Secretariat Buildings and down the impressive Rajpath to India Gate .