Delhi To Himalayas Tour

Arriving in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport, welcomed by your Himalaya tour guide and taken to your hotel. Your hotel in Delhi is the Taj Palace Hotel, one of the city’s finest. A sanctuary of calm amidst the bustle of India’s capital, you’ll have your first day and evening to relax before the tour begins in earnest. Enjoy a good night’s rest in your deluxe suite ahead of your day discovering Delhi.

Morning and afternoon of this day of the tour will be spent exploring Delhi and the city’s fascinating fusion of cultures and pasts. In Old Delhi, you’ll find an abundance of ancient grandeur; a centuries-old capital built by the mighty Mughal emperor Shah Jehan. Highlights include the iconic Red Fort where the Indian Prime Minister addresses the nation on Independence Day, the sprawling Jama Masjid mosque and Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s shrine.

Continuing the city tour in New Delhi, you’ll learn about the early 20th century British colonial capital. Here, you’ll find wide avenues, impressive government buildings and the imposing Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s residence. In New Delhi, the great arch of India Gate serves as a war memorial to those slain in WW1 and the Indo-Afghan War. Vying for grandeur with the Taj Mahal, wander the exquisite Humayun’s Tomb and embracing gardens, built by the widow of the second Mughal emperor, Hazrat Nizamuddin. Finish the day at the twelfth-century Qutab Minar - one of Delhi’s most famous monuments and the city’s first Quwat-al-Islam (Light of Islam) mosque - and stunning Lakshmi Narayan temple.

This morning, your Himalaya tour leaves Delhi for the high reaches of India’s remote Himalayan mountain ranges. You’ll be taken to the airport to board a flight for Leh, Ladakh’s far-flung, high-altitude capital. Once landed, you’ll be greeted and taken to your Leh hotel, the Grand Dragon. The landscape of Leh is other-worldly in its beauty, and the Grand Dragon offers breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

You’ll have the first day to acclimatise to the altitude and soak in Leh’s spellbinding settings. Leh is a high-desert city in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas, a clutch of buildings embraced by a ring of jagged mountains that soar from burnt-orange to snow-white. Spend your evening strolling through Leh’s Old Town, discovering the city’s ancient heritage in the clifftop Leh Palace, forgotten forts and beautiful monasteries. Return to the hotel for dinner with a spectacular view.

Arising early, the day begins with an exceptional experience at Leh’s most historic monastery. A drive will take you to the Tibetan Buddhist, Thiksay monastery, perched on a hilltop above Leh. Here, you’ll witness a beautiful morning prayer session of the resident monks. Thiksay monastery is also home to the vividly painted, impressive Maitreya Buddha Statue.

After breakfast at the monastery cafe, soaking in the serenity of the monastery and surroundings, you’ll walk through the rolling landscape to Shey Village (two hour walk). Weaving through remote mountain villages, you will have the chance to glimpse local life in the far reaches of India’s Himalayas. Shey Village is one of Ladakh’s most picturesque villages, home to the old summer palace of the Ladakh King, built more than 555 years ago - Shey Palace. White-washed ruins rise on a hillock above the village; within the Palace complex, you’ll climb cobbled stairs to the Shey Monastery and golden Buddha statue. Soak in magnificent vistas of the landscape from the top. Later, the Himalaya tour travels on to Stok Palace, the residence of the current King of Ladakh.

A last breakfast on the hotel verandah with a view of Leh’s mountains, and the Himalayan Sanctuary of Ladakh tour journeys to Nubra Valley through Khardungla Pass, the world’s highest motorable pass at 18,000 ft. Find yourself mesmerised on this drive, winding around steep mountains and along snow-beaten roads.

You’ll reach Nubra in the afternoon, a deep enclave surrounded by rugged mountains, thin ribbons of rivers running far below. Settle into your luxury tent at the camp - Desert Himalaya Resort - nestled in the lush expanses of Nubra Valley, with tinkling natural springs and mountains on every side.

A guide will take you up to Diskit Monastery, the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh’s Nubra Valley. Atop the monastery sits an enormous, colourful statue of Buddha, behind which the magnificent Nubra Valley dips and curves. Later, you’ll join a two hour hike to Hunder Sand Dunes, an unearthly and incredibly beautiful desert set amongst snow-tipped peaks. Spend the evening beneath the star-dazzled night sky.

After breakfast, travel to Sumar Village to visit the gold-gilded Smasthaling monastery, followed by a hike up to the ruins of Ensa monastery, resting high above Nubra Valley. The day’s expedition continues with a hike from the monastery to the hidden, high-altitude lake, Yarab Tao. Wind down from your day of trekking at Panamik sulphur hot springs, recharging in the warm spring water.

Another beautiful evening will be spent in your Nubra Valley camp, with a blazing bonfire and music, followed by a delicious al fresco dinner under the stars.

This morning, the Himalaya trip drives back to Leh, again crossing the mighty Khardungla Pass. Once you arrive in Leh, you may have the chance to visit His Eminence the eighth Chokyong Palga Rinpoche of Ladakh for a special spiritual experience. For this night in Leh, you’ll have another spacious suite in the Grand Dragon hotel. Enjoy your final dinner in the Himalayas with incredible views from the restaurant.

Today, a transfer will take you to Leh airport, where you’ll board a flight to Delhi. Once you check in to the Taj Palace Hotel, you’ll have your final day to enjoy as you like.

After breakfast, a transfer will take you to Delhi airport for your onward flight - the end of your Himalayan Sanctuary of Ladakh tour!