Ladakh Explorer

Ladakh Explorer

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tourhub | Encounters Travel | Ladakh Explorer | 274
tourhub | Encounters Travel | Ladakh Explorer | 274 tourhub | Encounters Travel | Ladakh Explorer | 274

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tourhub | Encounters Travel | Ladakh Explorer | 274

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tourhub | Encounters Travel | Ladakh Explorer | 274
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11 Days From

$2245

$2144

Ladakh Explorer

11 Days Starting and ending in Delhi, India

Visiting: Delhi, Leh, Tingmosgang Road, Hemis, Shey, Hunder, Turtuk, Diskit, Khardung La, Pangong Tso

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

274

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Over 9s

Special diets catered:

Request dietary needs

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Shopping, Sightseeing

From:
$2245
$2144 Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$101

NB: Prices correct on 21-May-2024 but subject to change.

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Tour Overview

This 11-day Ladakh India tour takes you high into the Himalayas in the far north of India near the Tibetan border to explore this remote and inaccessible region. Ladakh, (or 'Little Tibet' or 'Little Shangri La' as it is sometimes known), means 'land of high passes' in Tibetan, and this is a spectacular part of the country with the plateau surrounded by high mountains, beautiful lakes and meadows, Buddhist temples and friendly people. Due to the remote location and severe winters, the region is cut off by road for much of the year, limiting the main tourist season to the summer months. We start in Delhi with a tour of the old and new sides to the city before flying north to Leh which will be our base for much of the India tour. We take the first couple of days relatively easy to help acclimatise to the high altitude (Leh sits at 3,500m) and take day trips out to visit some of Ladakh's most important and impressive monasteries. The region is dominated by Tibetan Buddhism and we'll learn more about how this influences daily life here. Our first visits are to the monasteries and temples at Alchi and Likir, and the Sangam Point where the Indus and Zanskar rivers merge. We will also drink butter tea with a local family, learn how to make momos, and try some traditional Tibetan archery. Our next tour starts early so we can hear the morning chanting at Thiksey monastery and visit Hemis and Shey monasteries and the Stok Palace Museum. We then leave Leh for a few days and cross the Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world, to the Nubra Valley, also known as the Valley of the Flowers. There are sand dunes and opportunities for camel rides here as well as meadows and fruit orchards. We'll visit Turtuk village, close to the Line of Control with Pakistan and taste their famous apricots, while checking the horizon for views of K2. We cross back over Khardung La on our way back to Leh, with the option of cycling down if you wish. Our final day trip is then to the beautiful Pangong Tso lake, one of Asia's largest brackish lakes. The lake's crystal clear blue waters are framed by the barren mountains making for a spectacular setting. Finally we fly back to Delhi to finish the tour. A range of options are available to extend the tour if you wish.

Highlights

  • Old & New Delhi tours

  • Leh

  • Magnetic Hill

  • Hemis Monastery

  • Shey Palace

  • Nubra Valley

  • Turtuk village

  • Pangong Tso Lake

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Delhi, Airport To Hotel Transfer Included

Location: Delhi

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Delhi Hotel

Meals Included: No Meals

Once you arrive in Delhi, one of our staff members will be there to meet and greet you at the airport, before transferring you to your hotel for the day. We'll make sure you settle in OK, and confirm your pick up time for tomorrow morning.

Day 2 : Exploring The Kathputli Colony And A Haunted Step Well

Location: Delhi

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Delhi Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our morning starts with a tour of the Kathputli Colony, home for the last 50 years to thousands of India's street performers such as magicians, snake charmers, acrobats, singers, dancers, actors, traditional healers and musicians and puppeteers. During the tour, we learn about their lifestyle, heritage, and passion for their craft. We'll also see some performances during the tour, such as Chari Dance, Kachchi Ghodi Dance, Puppet Show, Ghoomar Dance, Fire Show, Dandiya Dance, Bhawai Dance.

This afternoon, we'll explore the towering India Gate Monument, which is inspired by the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris. India Gate is dedicated to the 82,000 soldiers who participated in the undivided Indian Army.

We'll also drive past important government buildings including the Parliament, and see the Bangla Sahab Gurudwara Sikh Temple and Humayun's Tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll also stop at the 60-metre long and 15-metre wide Agrasen ki Baoli step well, which is believed to be haunted. The thousands of bats and pigeons that call this step well home only adds to its eeriness.

Day 3 : Fly To Leh, Airport To Hotel Transfers Included

Location: Leh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Leh Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our day starts early as we'll be transported to the airport to board a flight to Leh, the capital city of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh. We'll transfer you to your hotel, before giving you time to settle in and adjust to your new surroundings.

This evening, you'll be given an Indian cooking lesson, as we attempt to make dumplings called momos, which is quite a popular Indian street food which is often filled with meat, pork or vegetables. We'll enjoy the fruits of our labour by having our momos for dinner tonight.

Day 4 : Exploring Leh And A Visit To A Local Family In Tingmosgang Village

Location: Tingmosgang Road, Leh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Leh Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, we'll visit the Alchi Village in India, which is home to some of India's most beautiful temples which date back to the 11th century, Sangam and the interesting Magnetic Hill, which creates an illusion in which a slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope, making it seem as if vehicles are able to drift upwards.

We'll also visit Likir, home to some of the oldest and best preserved monasteries in Ladakh, before stopping to visit the Sangam point, which sees the Indus and Zanskar Rivers converge to become one single water source.

Our busy day of travelling ends with a more relaxing activity, as we visit a local family in Tingmosgang Village to enjoy some butter tea - one of the most popular drinks of the people who reside in the Himalayan area of India.

Day 5 : Discovering Leh's Monasteries

Location: Hemis, Shey, Leh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Leh Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We'll start a little earlier today, as we make our way to the Tibetan Thiksey Monastery, to listen to the morning prayers of the monks which involves chanting and playing drums, a magical experience to start any day.

On the agenda today is a visit to the Hemis and Shey Monasteries, before we stop to play some archery. This afternoon, we'll make our way to the Stok Palace Museum, which was built in the 14th century by Lama Lhawang Lotus. We'll explore the ancient artifacts on show here, which includes royal crowns, copper coins, precious stones, jewellery, heirlooms, and prayer instruments.

We'll also explore the village of Stok, it's palace being the current residence of the former royal family of Ladakh.

Day 6 : Exploring Hunder

Location: Hunder

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Nubrah Valley Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we'll make our way to Hunder, situated in India's Nubra Valley. Hunder is often referred to as the 'desert in the sky', made famous by its sand dunes and barren landscapes.

Once we've settled in at our accommodation for the day, we'll visit Deskit - a quaint little village with its main attraction being the Diskit Gompa - a monastery well-known for its artfully arranged mounds of stones, embellished with Buddhist prayers and mantras.

As an option, you can even go camel-riding on the sand dunes of Hunder, one of the most popular activities in the region, giving you an excellent opportunity to take in the scenic beauty of the Ladakhi valleys.

Day 7 : A Visit To The Turtuk Village

Location: Turtuk, Diskit

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Nubrah Valley Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, we'll visit the remote Turtuk Village, which is home to just over 4,000 people. The drive here is long, but the views are so rewarding as we pass mountains and view the Nubra Valley and the Shyok River from above.

While we're here, we'll learn about the line of control, a military control line between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Balti People - an ethnic group of Tibetan descent and the various fruits grown here, especially apricots, which are grown in four different varieties.

Day 8 : Nubra Valley To Leh, Optional Activities Available

Location: Khardung La, Leh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Leh Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We'll make our way back to Leh via the Nubra Valley today. We'll explore the Deskit Monastery, the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. Founded in the 14th century, It stands on a hill above the Shyok River. The monastery runs a school for the Tibetan children in the region. We'll also see the towering Maitreya statue, which sits atop of a hill below the monastery, facing down the Shyok River towards Pakistan.

You also have the option to cycle down to Khardung La mountain pass, which is at an altitude of 5,359 meters and is approximately 40km from Leh. Some believe that it may be the highest motorable road on the planet. The views here are spectacular. Hundreds of bikers traverse the pass on a daily basis, as it serves as an important gateway to the Shyok and Nubra Valleys.

Day 9 : Exploring The Pangong Tso Lake

Location: Pangong Tso, Leh

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Leh Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We'll spend the entire day exploring the Pangong Tso Lake, which sits at an elevation of 4,350m. Pangong Tso is Tibetan for 'high grassland lake', however it's often referred to as the hollow lake.

Pangong Tso is one of Asia's largest brackish lakes, with its crystal clear waters spanning over the borders of India and China. Both the sky and the lake create an amazing shade of blue. A visit here will make you understand why it's the most sought after destination in Leh.

Day 10 : Return From Leh To Delhi

Location: Delhi

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Delhi Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You'll say goodbye to Leh as you board a flight to Delhi. One of our staff members will be there to meet you before transferring you to your hotel. You then have the rest of the day free to yourself.

Several half-day tour options are available for this afternoon which you can either pre-book or arrange while in India (a few days notice is required) or you can go shopping or do some more sightseeing on your own.

Day 11 : Bon Voyage! Transfer To Airport Included

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: N/A

Meals Included: Breakfast

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and your time is free until we transfer you back to the airport to board your flight back home. Further options are available in Delhi this morning, subject to your flight departure time. You can also add extra days to your tour, or extensions including visits the holy city of Varanasi or the beaches in Goa.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in mid-range hotels and a comfortable guesthouse/camp

  • All transport and transfers

  • Return domestic flights between Delhi and Leh

  • 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service

  • Sightseeing tours and activities as per the itinerary

  • Services of local tour leaders and specialist local guides

  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (10 breakfasts & 2 dinners)

What's Not Included

  • Country Entry Visas

  • Entrance Fees

  • International Travel

  • Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)

  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary

  • Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)

  • Tips for driver and/or tour guide

  • Any other items not mentioned above

Accommodation

Mid-range hotels & Nubra Valley tented hotel

Mode of Transport

Car, minivan or minibus

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    The tour price does not include entrance fees to the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. This allows for fluctuations in the prices set by the local authorities, which do change from time to time. You should currently allow approx. US$15 per person to cover these entrance fees. You will also need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit that are not listed in the main tour itinerary. Your guide will offer to collect the entrance fee cost from everyone at the start of the tour and pay on your behalf, or you can arrange them yourself as you go along.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    The tour price includes a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in New Delhi airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are: India: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Yellow fever rules for India are quite complicated and lengthy. Please read the WHO guidance. Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. In general the north eastern regions of India including Assam and Orissa are considered high risk,while the rest of India is generally considered low enough risk that anti-malarial tablets are not necessary for most travellers doing relatively short tours. Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, we don’t include your international flights in the main tour price. We are however very happy to suggest flights to go with the tour. Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from. Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour. Most of our Indian tours start and finish at Delhi airport (DEL). We do also sometimes advertise flight inclusive packages from selected airports. Where these are shown on our website, prices are correct at the time of quoting, but are subject to continued availability of the fare used. Prices will be reconfirmed at the time of booking, and we will also provide the flight times and airline details before tickets are issued. Flight inclusive prices are based on the cheapest Economy ticket class available which is generally non-refundable and non-changeable unless the flight is cancelled for reasons such as Covid-19, in which case the airlines are more flexible. More flexible ticket options, as well as Premium Economy and Business Class tickets are available on request for an additional supplement. Any changes made to flight inclusive bookings will be subject to the airline rules on your ticket.

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    Your passport expiry date must be at least 6 months after your time in India finishes. Do not bring a full or almost expired passport. You must also have a machine-readable passport or you may be denied entry. If you have an old-style manually issued passport you will need to replace this with a new machine-readable passport before you travel. Most nationalities (including UK, USA, European, Australian, Canadian) will need to arrange their Indian tourist visa in advance. A new online e-visa system is available which makes the process more straightforward than before. You can make your application online at indiavisaonline. Visa requirements for India can and do change regularly and we suggest that you arrange your Indian visa early and re-check your specific visa requirements prior to travel for any changes.

  • What should I know before travelling?

    It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters. General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not. You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds. Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Claire Carter  

Fantastic Tour

November 2023

I was unsure what to expect but it was far better than I thought. Collected from the airport and thoroughly looked after until I was returned to the airport 10 days later. The times, travelling and food was as advertised. The guide and sights were beyond my expectations. Fantastic tour.

Posted on Google
Judith B  

Amazing Service

2023

We enjoyed this tour very much! Our guide Ahdam was very helpful throughout our journey, always explaining the itinerary making sure we felt safe and comfortable. He was very knowledgeable and explained very well, this helped us appreciate the sites much more! Thank you for a great experience

Posted on Tripadvisor
Anwar A  

Egypt

01-Jul-2023

My wife and I did a tour with Encounters Travel in July 2023. We had an amazing experience. Our tour Guide - Ayman Kenawy - was very knowledgeable. He did his best to explain and share history, culture and customs of the area. We could not have enjoyed our tour without Ayman.

Posted on Tripadvisor
EdinburghBlair   United Kingdom

Tailor made tour for India

February 2023

This is our fifth trip orgainsed by Encounters and the very efficicient and thougtful Anthony Horrobin and his colleages in India. We travelled in Rajastan and the Punjab. All the key sites eg Taj Mahal, Amber Foort etc are amazing of course but sometimes people do not go further afield. You should! Johdpur and Udaipur have beautiful sites and very attractive hotels and restaurants. They are also excelllent for shopping! Udaipur's lake setting is utterly beautiful. The Amet Haveli on its shores is one of the lovelies hotels I have every stayed in Amritsar and the Golden Temple are too little visited. They are extraordinary and so full of history. The Encounters arrangements went without a hitch. Two of the gudes were quite outstanding but all were good. The cars and drivers superb and attentive.

Posted on Tripadvisor

1 Dates & Availability

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Saturday - Tuesday

Jun 08, 2024 - Jun 18, 2024
$2245 $2144

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$101

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Saturday - Tuesday

Jul 06, 2024 - Jul 16, 2024
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Saturday - Tuesday

Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 13, 2024
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Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$101

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Saturday - Tuesday

Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 10, 2024
$2245 $2144

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$101

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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