India Classic Journeys
Ladakh Cultural Tour
10 Nights / 11 Days
Outline Itineraries
INCLUDED WITH EVERY LUXURY SMALL GROUP JOURNEY
- English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
- Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
- Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
- Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
- Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
- Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
- Our Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
- Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
- Internet Access
- Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
- 24/7 ICJ On-Call Support
- Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests
- Day 1- Delhi
- Day 2- Leh
- Day 3 - Leh
- Day 4 - Uletokpo
- Day 5 - Lamayuru
- Day 6 - Leh
- Day 7 - Nubra
- Day 8 - Nubra
- Day 9- Tsomoriri
- Day 10 - Tsomoriri
- Day 11 - New Delhi
About Ladakh Cultural Tour
Positioned in the high-altitude terrain of the Trans-Himalayas, Ladakh is India’s utmost northern region, celebrated not only for its distinctive landscape that starkly contrasts the lush plains found elsewhere but also for its unique cultural heritage. A vibrant testament to the Buddhist culture and beliefs, its identity is deeply rooted in these traditions. The region is dotted with numerous monasteries that act as spiritual hubs for the Buddhist faith, showcasing the deep religious devotion of its inhabitants. This mix of stunning natural beauty and rich cultural expressions renders Ladakh an exceptionally remarkable destination.
Trip Highlights
- Rich Buddhist heritage: monasteries, prayer flags, and spiritual tranquility.
- Majestic landscapes: rugged mountains, deep valleys, and pristine lakes.
- Unique festivals: Hemis, Losar, showcasing vibrant traditions and rituals.
- Warm Ladakhi hospitality: homestays, local cuisine, authentic cultural experiences.
- Adventure activities: trekking, rafting, offering adrenaline-pumping thrills amidst nature.
- Nomadic life: encounter with Changpas, their lifestyle, and yak herding.
- Ancient trade routes: Silk Road history, meeting points of diverse cultures.
- Handicrafts and art: intricate thangka paintings, handwoven textiles, exquisite jewelry.
- Stargazing paradise: clear skies, celestial beauty, perfect for astronomy enthusiasts.
- Eco-conscious travel: emphasis on sustainability, preserving Ladakh's fragile ecosystem.
Detailed Itineraries
After you land at the airport, a representative from Nature Safari India will meet you outside the arrival area and guide you to your hotel. Once you’ve checked in, you’ll have some free time to relax at the hotel.
Your accommodation for the night will be in New Delhi.
Transfer to the airport early after breakfast to catch a flight to Leh. Due to Leh airport being a military facility, photography is strictly prohibited. Upon landing, a short half-hour journey will take you to your hotel. Traveling from Delhi to Leh involves a significant altitude increase of over 3000m in a brief span, making acclimatization a critical aspect for anyone arriving by air. The initial day in Ladakh is dedicated to adjusting to the reduced oxygen levels. To aid in your acclimatization, adhere to the following recommendations:
– Avoid engaging in any vigorous activities or climbing stairs.
– Drinking plenty of water is key; warm water is preferable.
– Refrain from showering on your first day.
– To avoid sleep disturbances at night, try not to take daytime naps.
– While rest is essential, taking short, slow-paced walks is advised.
– Immediate notification to the hotel’s front office is required if you feel nauseous or vomit.
– Any unusual symptoms or discomfort should be reported right away.
Adhering to these guidelines will facilitate a smoother adjustment to the altitude.
Overnight at the hotel in Leh.
Start your day with an early morning meal at your hotel before heading out on a tour of monasteries, visiting Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Gompa. Following this, travel to Stok Village for a distinctive lunch experience hosted by a local family, where you’ll taste traditional dishes that are hard to find in modern Leh. After enjoying lunch, spend some time exploring their ancient 300-year-old home, now a private museum. Ensure to also visit Stok Palace, home to the reigning king. Wrap up your day with a return drive to Leh (12 Km) by evening.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Leh
Begin your day with a visit to the Spituk Monastery, then proceed to marvel at the unique phenomena of Magnetic Hill. Continue to explore the grand open-air Maitreya Buddha statue at Likir Monastery before heading towards Uletokpo. Make sure to stop at the ancient Alchi Monastery, a site of spiritual significance dating back over a thousand years. Your journey to Uletokpo, planned to conclude around lunchtime, promises an enriching experience with visits to several notable landmarks along the way.
Post-lunch, set out for a roughly two-hour trek to Mangyu Village. This hike offers a splendid opportunity to enjoy the landscape and connect with nature. Upon reaching Mangyu, you’re invited to visit a local family’s home for evening tea and snacks. This intimate encounter allows for a deeper understanding of the local customs, daily routines, and sustainability practices. The evening is set to be a memorable experience, highlighting the warmth and cultural richness of the local community.
Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Uletokpo
Start your morning with breakfast before embarking on a scenic drive to the Lamayuru Monastery, situated 40 km away, a trip that should last around an hour. Once there, take in the breathtaking lunar landscape and delve into the monastery’s deep historical roots. Post visit, head back to Leh, a distance of 120 km, which you’ll cover in about 3 hours.
On your way back to Leh, take an interesting side trip to meet a local Amchi, a practitioner of ancient Himalayan herbal medicine. This encounter provides a deep dive into the time-honored medicinal practices that have been sustained through generations. It’s a chance to discover unique herbal treatments still employed to cure a variety of ailments, both common and uncommon.
Conclude your day by returning to Leh in the evening, where you can relax at your hotel. The day wraps up with a dinner followed by an overnight stay in Leh, offering a moment to ponder over the day’s profound cultural and historical experiences.
Your day begins with a thrilling journey to Nubra Valley after a delightful breakfast. The adventure leads you across Khardungla Pass, known as the highest motorable pass in the world, standing at an elevation of 18,300 feet. The ascent offers stunning views and an exhilarating experience. You are set to reach Nubra by the afternoon, where you’ll settle into your fixed camp, arranged in advance.
The exploration kicks off with a visit to Diskit Monastery, a symbol of serenity and spirituality, showcasing expansive views of Nubra Valley. This is followed by a remarkable hike to the Hunder Sand Dunes. Amidst the Himalayas, this unique desert terrain provides a surreal experience, estimated to last about 2 hours.
After immersing yourself in the day’s adventures and breathtaking sceneries, you’ll retreat to your camp for a well-earned dinner. Your night will be spent under the stars at Diskit Village in Nubra Valley, concluding an unforgettable day of discovery and wonder.
Start your day with a journey towards Nubra, making a stop near Ensa Monastery for a short drive of 10 km, which approximately takes 30 minutes. Then, take a scenic 1-hour hike to reach the monastery, enjoying the calm and picturesque landscape along the way. After visiting the monastery, continue your adventure with a trek to the secluded Yarab Tso lake, known for its tranquil atmosphere, with an hour-long trek needed to reach this serene destination.
Later, proceed to the Panamik hot springs, celebrated for their healing qualities. Bathing in these therapeutic hot springs is an ideal way to soothe and refresh yourself after a day filled with exploration.
Finish your day at the camp in the evening, where you’ll be greeted with a bonfire and a session of gentle music, creating a warm and friendly setting for relaxation and socializing. The day concludes with a dinner and an overnight stay at the camp, marking the end of an exhilarating day of discovery and relaxation.
Commence your journey back to Leh, a 120 km trip taking around 6 hours, as you once more cross the splendid Khardungla Pass. This trip provides an additional chance to appreciate the stunning vistas and the remarkable achievement of constructing the highest drivable road in the world. The day wraps up with a dinner, serving as a moment to ponder over the day’s adventures.
Begin your journey after breakfast, heading towards the majestic Tso-Mo-Riri Lake, positioned at an elevation of 4525 meters, through the routes of Upshi and the Tanglang La pass. Pause for a delightful picnic lunch by the serene Tso Kar, and then proceed to the expansive Tso-Mo-Riri Lake, a haven for numerous species of wild birds including wild ducks. The lake, stretching 28 kilometers in length and about 8 kilometers in width, provides a picturesque setting for an overnight stay in a tented camp near Karzok, located on the lake’s southwestern bank.
KARZOK
Located in the Rupshu Valley’s lofty terrains, surrounded by peaks soaring to 6000 meters that encase the lake entirely, lies the enchanting Tsomoriri or “Mountain Lake.” Karzok Monastery, an establishment of the Yellow Sect, stands in this serene setting. The valley serves as a home for the Changpas, a nomadic shepherd community known for their pastoral lifestyle and involvement in trading and caravan activities across Ladakh, Lahaul, and Spiti. The region’s rich biodiversity includes species such as the Kyang (wild ass), red fox, and the elusive snow leopard. During the summer, the lake’s shores become a breeding ground for black-necked cranes and geese. Housing approximately 33 monks, the Karzok Monastery, with a history spanning 350 years, remains a pivotal part of this vibrant ecosystem.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Tsomoriri.
Depart for Leh after breakfast, taking a packed lunch for the journey via Mahe Bridge. On your way back, make sure to explore Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. Despite the construction of a grander palace in Leh by Singe Namgyal, the kings of Ladakh continued to cherish Shey as their genuine residence. The area’s historical and cultural importance is highlighted by the numerous Chortens surrounding the village, particularly near the palace complex and the barren plain to the south of the road. Upon reaching your destination, proceed to check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at the hotel for rest.
Following a leisurely breakfast and based on your flight’s timetable, you will be transported to the international airport to catch your flight back home. Upon arriving at New Delhi airport after your flight from Leh, our representative will greet you and facilitate your transfer to your hotel.
Tour
Inclusions
- Accommodation in the city hotel on bed and breakfast basis and in Jungles lodges on full board basis.
- Your entrance and guide charges in monuments and in safaris.
- All safaris on an exclusive basis as mentioned in the itineraries.
- Guide and Car charges for exclusive sightseeing in cities.
- Assistance at airport and hotels.
- All land transfers in air-conditioned Toyota Innova car/ Tempo traveler .
- All currently applicable taxes.
Tour
Exclusions
- International airfare and domestic.
- Expenses of personal nature like Tips, smokes, liquor, laundry and telephone calls.
- still/ video camera fee in the monuments and national parks.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
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Tour Map
- 10 Nights / 11 Days
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Frequently Asked Questions
ome of the must-visit cultural destinations in India during your cultural and wildlife tour include the Taj Mahal in Agra, Jaipur’s palaces and forts, Varanasi’s spiritual sites, and the cultural heritage of cities like Delhi and Udaipur. For wildlife enthusiasts, national parks like Ranthambore, Kaziranga, and Jim Corbett offer incredible biodiversity.
The ideal time for a cultural and wildlife tour in India depends on your preferences and the regions you plan to explore. Generally, the winter months (October to March) offer pleasant weather for most parts of India. However, wildlife enthusiasts may prefer visiting national parks during the cooler months, while cultural tours can be enjoyed year-round.
India boasts incredible wildlife diversity. During wildlife tours, you can spot iconic species like Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, leopards, and various bird species. Each national park and region has its unique fauna and flora, making India a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise.
Yes, cultural and wildlife tours in India can be family-friendly. Many tour operators offer family-oriented itineraries that include educational activities and interactions with local communities. However, it’s essential to consider the age and interests of your children and choose destinations and activities accordingly.
Packing essentials for a cultural and wildlife tour in India include comfortable clothing suitable for the season and region you’re visiting, sturdy walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle, a camera with extra batteries, any necessary medications, and a power bank for charging electronic devices. Additionally, it’s wise to check specific packing recommendations with your tour operator based on your itinerary.