Ladakh Explorer
11 Days Starting and ending in 28.632069,77.194061
Visiting: India
Tour operator:
Tour code:
274
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 14
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
This 11-day Ladakh India tour takes you high into the Himalayas in the far north of India near the Tibetan border to explore this remote and inaccessible region. Ladakh, (or 'Little Tibet' or 'Little Shangri La' as it is sometimes known), means 'land of high passes' in Tibetan, and this is a spectacular part of the country with the plateau surrounded by high mountains, beautiful lakes and meadows, Buddhist temples and friendly people. Due to the remote location and severe winters, the region is cut off by road for much of the year, limiting the main tourist season to the summer months. We start in Delhi with a tour of the old and new sides to the city before flying north to Leh which will be our base for much of the India tour. We take the first couple of days relatively easy to help acclimatise to the high altitude (Leh sits at 3,500m) and take day trips out to visit some of Ladakh's most important and impressive monasteries. The region is dominated by Tibetan Buddhism and we'll learn more about how this influences daily life here. Our first visits are to the monasteries and temples at Alchi and Likir, and the Sangam Point where the Indus and Zanskar rivers merge. We will also drink butter tea with a local family, learn how to make momos, and try some traditional Tibetan archery.
Our next tour starts early so we can hear the morning chanting at Thiksey monastery and visit Hemis and Shey monasteries and the Stok Palace Museum. We then leave Leh for a few days and cross the Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world, to the Nubra Valley, also known as the Valley of the Flowers. There are sand dunes and opportunities for camel rides here as well as meadows and fruit orchards. We'll visit Turtuk village, close to the Line of Control with Pakistan and taste their famous apricots, while checking the horizon for views of K2. We cross back over Khardung La on our way back to Leh, with the option of cycling down if you wish. Our final day trip is then to the beautiful Pangong Tso lake, one of Asia's largest brackish lakes. The lake's crystal clear blue waters are framed by the barren mountains making for a spectacular setting. Finally we fly back to Delhi to finish the tour. A range of options are available to extend the tour if you wish.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Delhi
Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel
Once you arrive, one of our staff members will meet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel for the day. You’ll have some time to settle in, before we run through the itinerary and arrange a time to collect you tomorrow.
Extra day in Delhi - pre-tour, Single Room Supplement
Day 2: Exploring The Kathputli Colony And A Visit To A Haunted Step Well
Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll start our day exploring the Kathputli Colony, an entertainment hub which sees India’s street performers such as magicians, snake charmers, acrobats and more gather to show of their unique craft. We’ll also be treated to some spectacular performances such as the Chari Dance, Kachchi Ghodi Dance, Puppet Show, Ghoomar Dance, Fire Show, Dandiya Dance, Bhawai Dance.
This afternoon, we’ll visit India Gate, a towering 42-metre Archway which shares a resemblance to France’s Arc de Triomphe. New Delhi is also the seat of India’s government and we’ll drive past the President’s Palace and the Parliament of India, before passing Humayun’s Tomb and the Bangla Sahab Gurudwara Sikh Temple.
Our final stop for the day is at the Agrasen ki Baoli step well, which is believed to be haunted. The thousands of bats and pigeons that call this step well home only adds to its eeriness.
Day 3: Fly To Leh. Airport To Hotel Transfers Included
Accommodation Name: Leh hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ll board an early morning flight to Leh, the capital of the Ladakh region. We’ll transfer you to your hotel and you have the rest of the afternoon free to relax.
The action begins once more this evening, as we’ll be given an Indian cooking masterclass, as we learn how to make dumplings called momos, a popular delicacy on the streets of India. Once we’ve finished, we’ll enjoy our creations for dinner tonight.
Day 4: A Sightseeing Tour Of Leh
Accommodation Name: Leh hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start our day with a visit to the Alchi village, home to some of India’s oldest and most beautiful temples. We’ll also make our way to Sangam and the unique Magnetic Hill, which creates an illusion that a slight downhill slope is an uphill slope.
We’ll also make our way to Likir, one of Ladakh’s most well preserved monasteries, before heading to the Sangam point, the meeting point of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers. Our day ends with a visit to a local family in Tingmosgang to try some butter tea, a popular drink of the locals here at the foothills of the Himalayas.
Day 5: The Monasteries Of Leh
Accommodation Name: Leh hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our day starts a little earlier, as we head to the Tibetan Thiksey Monastery, listening to the morning prayers of the monks, which includes chanting and the beating of drums.
We’ll then make our way to the Hemis and Shey Monasteries, before we try our hand at archery. Afterwards, we’ll our way to the Stok Palace Museum, built in the 14th century by Lama Lhawang Lotus, exploring the ancient artifacts such as royal crowns, copper coins, jewellry and much more.
We’ll end the day with a visit to the village of Stok, the current residency of the former royal family of Ladakh.
Day 6: Welcome To Hunder
Accommodation Name: Nubra Valley hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After exploring Leh, we make our way to the Hunder, nestled in India’s Nubra Valley. Its often referred to as India’s ‘desert in the sky’ due to its sand dunes and barren landscapes.
We’ll have some time to settle in at our accommodation, we’ll make our way to the small village of Deskit. Its well known for is Diskit Gompa, a monastery famed for its beautifully arranged stone mounds, embossed with Buddhist prayers and mantras.
We have an option of camel-riding on Hunder’s sand dunes, which gives us an excellent opportunity to take in the beauty of the region.
Day 7: Exploring The Turtuk Village
Accommodation Name: Nubra Valley hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After exploring Hunder, we’ll make our way to the Turtuk Village today, home to over 4000 inhabitants. The drive may be long, but it is rewarding, as we take in the beauty of the mountain passes around us and the spectacular Nubra Valley.
You’ll be introduced to the line of control, a military control line between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Balti People - an ethnic group of Tibetan descent and the various fruits grown here, especially apricots, which are grown in four different varieties.
Day 8: Back To Leh. Optional Activities Available
Accommodation Name: Leh hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say your final goodbyes to the Turtuk Valley as we head back to Leh via the Nubra Valley. We’ll visit Ladakh’s oldest and largest Buddhist monasteries - the Deskit Monastery - which stands on a hill above the Shyok River. We’ll also visit the Maitreya statue, which looks down on the Shyok River below.
We have an option to cycle down the Khardung La mountain pass, which is at an altitude of 5359 meters and is approximately 40km from Leh. It's believed to be the highest motorable road on the planet and you’ll be treated to magnificent views as you traverse down.
Day 9: The Crystal Clear Waters Of Pangong Tso Lake
Accommodation Name: Leh hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ll visit the Pangong Tso Lake, which is 4350 metres above sea level. Pangong Tso is Tibetan for ‘high grassland lake’, however it's often named the ‘hollow lake’.
We’ll be mesmerised by its crystal clear waters and its amazing shade of blue created by the skies above. Pangong Tso stretches over India and China, making it one of the largest brackish lakes in Asia.
Day 10: Travel Back To Delhi
Accommodation Name: </strong>We leave Leh today as we board a flight to Delhi. One of our staff members will be there to meet us before transferring us to our hotel for the day.You have the day free to yourself. There are a few half-day tour options are available to pre-book
Meals Included: Breakfast
New Delhi half day by car, Old Delhi half-day walking tour, Salam Balak Trust walk
Day 11: Time To Say Goodbye! Hotel To Airport Transfer Included
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll say our final goodbyes before transfer you back to the airport to board your flight back home.
Goa beach extension, Extra day in Delhi - post-tour, Spinmonkey cycling tour
What's Included
What's Not Included
Accommodation
Mid-range hotels & Nubra Valley tented hotel
Mode of Transport
Car, minivan or minibus
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Your passport expiry date must be at least 6 months after your time in India finishes. Do not bring a full or almost expired passport. You must also have a machine-readable passport or you may be denied entry. If you have an old-style manually issued passport you will need to replace this with a new machine-readable passport before you travel.
Most nationalities (including UK, USA, European, Australian, Canadian) will need to arrange their Indian tourist visa in advance. A new online e-visa system is available which makes the process more straightforward than before. You can make your application online at indiavisaonline.
Visa requirements for India can and do change regularly and we suggest that you arrange your Indian visa early and re-check your specific visa requirements prior to travel for any changes. -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
The tour price does not include entrance fees to the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. This allows for fluctuations in the prices set by the local authorities, which do change from time to time.
You should currently allow approx. US$15 per person to cover these entrance fees. You will also need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit that are not listed in the main tour itinerary. Your guide will offer to collect the entrance fee cost from everyone at the start of the tour and pay on your behalf, or you can arrange them yourself as you go along. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
The tour price includes a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in New Delhi airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers.
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Are flights included in this tour?
We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, we don’t include your international flights in the main tour price. We are however very happy to suggest flights to go with the tour. Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from.
Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour. Most of our Indian tours start and finish at Delhi airport (DEL).
We do also sometimes advertise flight inclusive packages from selected airports. Where these are shown on our website, prices are correct at the time of quoting, but are subject to continued availability of the fare used. Prices will be reconfirmed at the time of booking, and we will also provide the flight times and airline details before tickets are issued.
Flight inclusive prices are based on the cheapest Economy ticket class available which is generally non-refundable and non-changeable unless the flight is cancelled for reasons such as Covid-19, in which case the airlines are more flexible. More flexible ticket options, as well as Premium Economy and Business Class tickets are available on request for an additional supplement. Any changes made to flight inclusive bookings will be subject to the airline rules on your ticket. -
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:
India: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Yellow fever rules for India are quite complicated and lengthy. Please read the WHO guidance.
Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. In general the north eastern regions of India including Assam and Orissa are considered high risk,while the rest of India is generally considered low enough risk that anti-malarial tablets are not necessary for most travellers doing relatively short tours.
Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary.
Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have.
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What should I know before travelling?
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.
General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.
Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information. -
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.