LADAKH, LITTLE TIBET Journey to Shamballa Tour

(June)

* Itinerary may be subject to change..

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive in the evening. Overnight stay at 4 star hotel.

Day 2: – Delhi
Late morning, after a leisurely breakfast, proceed for a combined sightseeing of New and Old Delhi. Visit Qutub Minar, the landmark of Delhi, Parliament House, President Palace, India Gate and Humayun tomb. Take a ride of cycle rickshaw in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi. Visit one of the largest mosques of Asia. Enjoy your welcome dinner in one of the finest restaurants of Delhi.

Day 3: – fly Delhi/Leh
Today you will undertake one of the most spectacular flights over the Himalayas (depending on weather) when your flight to Leh will take you to the trans Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel Snow View or similar. Rest of the day is spent resting and acclimatizing.

Day 4: – Leh
Today, take half hour drive to village Stok, home of the royal family of Ladakh. Visit palace and the museum. Stop at Tibetan SOS village at Choglamsar while returning to Leh. In the evening explore Leh town and its bazaar, a great walk through the labyrinths of medieval streets, offering great opportunities for shopping where haggling and bargaining is the way of life.

Day 5: – Leh 6/7hrs
Take a full day excursion of Shey, Thikse and Hemis monasteries (Gompas) in Leh valley. Get a chance to visit monks at the monasteries..

Day 6: – Uletokpo
Pack your bags and drive for 3-4 hours to Alchi, one of the most ancient and important monasteries of Ladakh. Enroute, visit Likir Gompa situated in a very picturesque valley. Overnight at a semi-permanent camp in the village of Uletokpo. White-water rafting optional extra @ US$30 pp.

Day 7: – Uletokpo
Drive further down the Leh/Srinagar highway for another two hours to visit Lamayuru Gompa. Return via Rezong Gompa where we will take a short but steep hike for an hour. Return to the camp for overnight.

Day 8: – Leh
Drive back to Leh. Rest of the day is free to explore Leh town on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: – Tso Moriri Lake 5hrs
Very interesting five hour drive, upstream along the Indus river, through the Ladakhi villages. Part of the journey is on a dirt road through a narrow gorge, until road climbs a pass and descends to the lake. Overnight camp near lake at the village of Karzog.

Day 10: – Tso Moriri
Explore, by walk, the nearby Gompa and lake. The annual Ladakhi festival at Korzok Monastery is also happening while we are here. There are several peaceful areas available within short walk perfect for meditation. Overnight camping.

Day 11: – Tso Kar
Drive for four hours through the high Tibetan plateau and interesting villages of yak herders to the salt lake of Tso Kar. Before the 1962 Indo-China war, caravans used to transport salt to Tibet to barter for Pashmina wool. Overnight camp.

Day 12: – Jispa
Leave Tso Kar lake and drive for 7-8 hours out of the valley to join the main Leh/Manali road. You will meet your bus from Delhi at the Ladakh/Himachal border. Say goodbye to jeeps and continue drive to Jispa, crossing over the high passes of Laclung La and Baralacha La. Overnight in Hotel Jispa.

Day 13: – Dharamsalla
Drive along the Bhaga River via Keylong, the capital of Lahoul valley. Cross the last pass of Rohtang and enter Manali, a beautiful Tibetan flavoured village set in valley, surrounded by huge peaks. Over night at Banon guest house or Mayflower.

Day 14: – Dharamsalla
Explore Dharamsala resident town of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Overnight guest house.

Day 15 – Nalagrh
Leave the mountains and drive for 9 – 10 hrs to Nalagrh, a beautiful fort resort run by the local royal family.

Day 16: – Nalagrh/Delhi/depart
Drive to Delhi on a very good highway for 5-6 hours through the breadbasket of India, Punjab. After a farewell dinner, transfer to the airport and depart Delhi.

* Itinerary content may be subject to change slightly.

HIGHLIGHTS of LADAKH, LITTLE TIBET; Journey to Shamballa Tour

1. Being the “Little Tibet tour”, will appeal to all Buddhists and anyone looking for a diversely different tour.
2. The gorgeous blue lake, Tso Moriri + various other mineral and salt lakes.
3. Monasteries in pristine condition. Meet and greet the monks.
4. Stunning scenery, mountains, valleys.
5. Friendly Ladakhi people.
6. Incredible Flight over the Himalayas to Leh.
7. Leh, ancient city on Silk road route.
8. Hemis Monastery is where Jesus reputed to have studied.
9. Lamayuru Monastery, the largest monastery.
10. Private Jeeps used in much of the trip.
11. Fantastic resorts and old palaces for superb accommodation.

TOTAL PRICE, NZD $3,995 + airfares at market rates (approx $2,100)

Subject to change depending on currency and flight changes.

Cost includes

• All Hotels and camps on Twin sharing basis
• All Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• All guides and private transport.
• Mineral water
• All Entrance fees to the Temples, Monuments
• All applicable Govt. Taxes

Cost Excludes

• Alcoholic drinks /Soft drinks, juices
• Tipping
• Expenses of personnel nature Telephone / Laundry
• Hiring Mules/ donkeys
• Camera and video fee.