Road to Leh

Road to Leh Ladakh
 

Trip at a Glance
Trip duration        : 14 days tour
Grade                    : Moderate 
Activities              : Sightseeing
Accommodations: In Hotel 13 Nights 
 
Journey Highlights
  • By train journey to Amritsar
  • Amritsar Golden temple
  • McLeod Ganj, Home of the Tibetan  
  • Spectacular road journey to Leh
  • Taglangla pass 5400 meters
  • Visit ancient Buddhist monasteries
  • A spectacular flight over the Himalaya
 
Tour Inclusions
  • Comfortable sharing accommodations
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Local guide throughout
  • Monuments entrances
 
Tour Exclusions
Travel insurances
Single accommodation (available on request)
Tipping
  
Meals: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner
 

Detailed Itinerary
 
Day 1     Meet in Delhi 
On arrival in Delhi you are transfer to the Hotel.
Standard Hotel
 
Day 2     By train to Amritsar
From New Delhi railway station, we catch the comfortable train journey to Amritsar. In the evening explore local market of Amritsar.
Standard Hotel
 
Day 3     In Amritsar
Today full day local sightseeing including Golden temple main shrine, so shoes must be removed, feet washed and heads and arms covered before we enter. Stunning beautiful Golden temple is surrounded by tanks of holy water. The atmosphere is incredibly claimed as devotees stroll round the temple, sit and listen to the continuous recitals from the Granth Sahib. A visit to the huge community kitchen is a must to see the thousands of meals prepared by the volunteers every day for the pilgrims. If there is enough time we can also visit the Jalianwala Garden, site of the notorious massacre under General Dyer in 1919. In the evening short drive 30km to Wagha border to see the retreating ceremony of Indian and Pakistan soldier, which is unique kind of experiences.
Standard Hotel (B)
  
Day 4     Drive to McLeod Ganj 2100 meters
We leave Amritsar heading north to the foothills of the Himalaya and today quite long, but spectacular drives as the road winds its way into hills. The Dhauladhar range makes a stunning backdrop to the hill station of Dharamsala. In the year 1959, the Dali Lama settles in McLeod gang, after fleeing from Tibet at the time of the Chinese invasion.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 5     In McLeod Ganj 2100 meters 
McLeod Ganj is the upper part of the Dharamsala and the area with the greatest Tibetan influence. We have a full day to explore the town and visit the Dalai Lama temple and Norbu-linga institute.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 6     Drive to Manali 2050 meters
We heading to Manali follow the Kullu valley and join the Beas River. As we ascend the valley we are surrounded by the lush fir and pine forests and the scenery becomes more impressive. Finally we arrive in Manali, a busting hill station now popular with Indian tourists escaping the heat of the plains.
Standard Hotels (B)   
 
Day 7     In Manali 2050 meters
Manali is surrounding by beautiful fir and pine forests and there are lovely walks in and around the town. The ancient wooden Hadimba Devi Temple is the most important in Manali. Manali has a colourful local and Tibetan market full of souvenirs.
Standard Hotels (B)  
 
Day 8     Drive to Keylong 3350 meters via Rohtang pass 3980 meters
We now leave the lush green forest behind and embark on the spectacular road journey to Ladakh across the great Indian Himalayan Range. This journey rates as one of the world classic road journey and some of the road surfaces are not the best, but those prepared to take the opportunity to travel this spectacular route through the wild mountain scenery of the Lahaul and the high altitude plains of Changthang, to the remote northern territory of the Ladakh will not be disappointed. Early season on the Rohtang Pass 3980 meter you see the large amount of snow and once we have crossed the pass into Lahaul the scenery changes dramatically. Lahaul is the northern boundary of Himachal Pradesh, the people and cultural are more like to Ladakh and Tibet than Indian. The valley narrows as we head north with the mountains towering above us. 
Standard Hotels (B, D)
 
Day 9     Drive to Tsokar Lake 4268 meters
Today is long, but spectacular as we cross the mighty Indian Himalaya. After Jispa 3142 meter we are climbing the zigzag road up to the Baralacha la Pass 4850 meter. We are now surrounded by huge mountains and more than half of the year the road is close, due to heavy snowfall during the winter. Serchu 4253 meter the border between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. After Brandy Nallah this is an amazing series of 22 hairpin bends or loops, which climbs on to the Tibetan Plateau. The scenery becomes even more dramatic as we climb to the Lachung la pass 5060 meter. There are lots of tea tents at Pang, where we can stop for a cup of tea. We continue north across the high altitude plains are home to the hardy Chang-pa nomads and we may well see their encampments in the distance and huge herds of yaks and sheep. The area is home to herds of rare Kiang (Tibetan wild ass). Leaving the main road we divert across an open landscape to Tsokar Lake.
Fixed Camp (B, L, D)
    
Day 10     Drive to Leh via Taglang la Pass 5400 meters
In the morning we drive north climbing to our last pass, Taglang-la pass 5400 meter, which is second highest motor-able road in the world. On the top hundreds of Buddhist prayer flags flutter in the winds, with great view. Descending steeply the road drops to Small River which we follow down a stunning gorge. After passing several small villages we finally join the Indus River at Upshi, follow the Indus River to Leh.
Standard Hotels (B)      
 
Day 11     In Leh 3500 meters
Ladakh is known as "Little Tibet" now part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. We will visit some of the monasteries in Indus valley. We first drive to Shey, a former Royal Palace of the Ladakh kings. Inside is a small temple containing a more than 350 year old copper and gold statue of Buddha. From Shey we drive to Thiksey, visit monastery - perched on top of a hill - its red and white buildings can be seen from the distance. The temple of Future Buddha is the main attraction of Thiksey monastery. Afternoon explores Leh market or you may just wish to have time relaxing.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 12     Drive to Lamayuru 3450 meters
We leave Leh following the Indus River drive to Lamayuru and on the way visit 11th century Alchi monastery and ancient well known fresco painting. In Khaltse we leave behind the Indus River and entering the narrow gorge. The Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest in Ladakh, in the main assembly hall you can witness 11th century Naropa cave. The monastery is on the strategic location.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 13     Drive to Leh 3500 meters
Before we start the journey to Leh, you have an opportunity to capture few more photos of Lamayuru. Evening explore Leh market.
Standard Hotel (B)
 
Day 14     Fly Leh to Delhi
In the morning, short drive to Leh airport to catch the flight to Delhi. (trip concludes)
 
Weather & Seasonality
Delhi and Amritsar will be very hot and humid in the summer months with temperatures up to 40ºC. In Dharamsala and Manali it will be hot and humid with daytime temperatures up to 37ºC and there may well be some monsoon rain. Generally the weather is good in Ladakh in the summer time, with hot sunny days (up to 30ºC or more), and cooler nights. At the tops of the high passes on the road journey the temperatures will drop. The night in Tsokar Lake, can be cold if the weather is cloudy. The sun is very strong at these altitudes. Ladakh, classified as a high altitude desert, occasionally experiences a few effects of the Indian monsoon. You should remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described here.