Easy, Luxury Ladakh
Take the heat out of Indian summer in ethereal Ladakh. Discover compellingly beautiful and remote regions of the Himalayas, combining an honest and sustainable approach with sophisticated simplicity and style. Without the strenuous effort involved in trekking, one the most intact, Tantric Buddhist societies left on Earth can easily be explored.
Dates: 16 April – 30 September 2024
Highlight: Three village houses are used for the accommodation. They have been renovated to a good level of sophistication but without compromising on authenticity and charm. Staying in these houses offers the visitor a rare chance to experience an unchanged rural way of life in the homes of the Ladakhi people.
Suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Day 2: Delhi (B)
This morning visit Old Delhi, You will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes and the Chandni Chowk. In the afternoon you will be taken on a tour of New Delhi, a city known for its boulevards, formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building and India Gate. You will also visit Qutab Minar and Humanyun's Tomb (the fore runner of the Taj Mahal).
Overnight in Delhi
Day 3: Stok (B, L, D)
Early this morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Leh. On arrival, to aid acclimatisation your guide will take you on a gentle walk to explore Stok village, palace and museum before you have a picnic lunch site. Another brief walk after lunch then a 45 minute walk back to the village house. Cars will be on stand-by, depending on how you are feeling and acclimatising.
Overnight: Stok Village House – Double/twin Room
Day 4: Stok (B, L, D)
Your guide will take you on a gentle walk to explore Stok village. You will visit the Palace and Museum before continuing (45 mins) to the picnic lunch site. Ten minutes on takes you to the Heritage House which you will visit before walking back to the village house. Cars will be on stand-by so that any of the walks can be done by vehicle, depending on how you are feeling and acclimatising.
Overnight: Stok Village House – Double/twin Room Stock
Day 5: Stock (B, L, D)
For those who are prepared to get up at around 5am, there is a one hour drive to Thiksey monastery to experience early morning Buddhist prayers. The monastery consists of twelve levels ascending the hillside crowned by the current lama’s private residence. Below the monastery proper are houses stretching down the hillside where one hundred monks of the Yellow Hat Buddhist sect reside. As part of the visit, we have arranged a private audience with the Rinpoche (head priest) of Thiksey.
Drive to Sakti, a local village, for a picnic breakfast (approx 25 mins). After breakfast, either relax under the poplar trees or take a two hour walk in the area, before continuing to Hemis (45 mins) .
After visiting the monastery and museum, drive to Matho for a picnic lunch. Drive back to Stok with the option to visit Leh bazaar en route.
Overnight: Stok Village House – Double/twin Room
Day 6: Stok - Taru (B, L, D)
You will be driven to the rafting point on the Indus River at Karu for a 2 hour rafting excursion to Choglamsar (no more than grade 2 making this is more of a float than anything else. Note: only available early July to late September depending on the water levels of the Indus).
On arrival at Phey, you will be driven to Phyang monastery. You continue to the picturesque village of Taru (3770m) situated at the top of a narrow valley. Your Tibetan style village house sits at the edge of the village with stunning views over the mountains, traditional buildings, fields and orchards. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Taru Village House – Double/twin Room
Day 7: Taru – Nimoo (B, L, D)
You will be driven to the start point of your walk on the Umla road. Around two and a half hours after you start, you will descend into the village of Nimoo that is situated 36km west of Leh along the Indus valley at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. The village is characterised by impressive mountain scenery, and lush green fields and apricot, apple, and walnut orchards abound.
This is arguably the most impressive of the three Ladakhi houses on your journey. It a perfect place to soak up the ambience on ‘the rooftop of the world.’
Overnight: Nimoo Village House – Double/twin Room
Day 8: Nimoo (B, L, D)
Before breakfast you will be taken on a 2 hour walk of the village of Nimoo by the owner of your village house. You will also get the chance to try your hand at archery whilst on this walk.
You will be driven up to the entrance of the Zanskar canyon then to the village of Chilling, around one and a half hours from Nimoo. Enjoy a picnic lunch after which you will have the option of rafting (or driving) back through the Zanskar canyon to Nimoo (grade four rapids - July, August and September only) or to return by car.
In the afternoon, there is the opportunity to have a Ladakhi cooking lesson and in the evening a talk on Buddhism by a Khempo (Buddhist preacher).
Overnight: Nimoo Village House – Double/twin Room
Day 9: Nimoo (B, L, D)
Either spend a day at the Nimoo house or go on a walk in the surrounding area with a picnic hamper. For those who are more active, we can arrange a day trip to monasteries at Alchi and/or Lekir, rafting one way (directly from Nimoo to Alchi – July, August and September only, grade 4 plus rapid) and return by car.
Overnight: Nimoo Village House – Double/twin Room
Day 10: Nimoo-Leh- Delhi (B)
Early this morning, you will be collected from Nimoo and transferred to Leh Airport in time to check-in for your return flight to Delhi. You will be met at Delhi airport and transferred to a hotel near the airport where a day use room has been booked for use until your departure flight.
Included:
• All accommodation on a Double/Twin-share basis for 9 nights + day use last day
• Breakfast only in Delhi on arrival days
• Exclusively private accommodation in village houses
• All meals, all drinks (soft and alcoholic) and all activities at village houses
• Porters’ fees at airports
• An accompanying English speaking guide, support guide and porters during the stay in Ladakh
• Sightseeing of Delhi along with English speaking guide and entrance to monuments
• Car at disposal in Ladakh
• All taxes and service charges for Ladakh part of the tour
• Exclusively private use of the village houses
• Return transfers to Leh Airport
Prices and departures may vary please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information.
Additional Information: Children from the age of 7 can participate and groups are limited to a maximum of 6 people.
