The winter season in Ladakh is truly an unforgettable experience, filled with culture and traditions that can all be witnessed with some particular festivals (Spituk Gostor, Stok Guru Tse and Dosmoche Leh). To ensure you get full experiences of the Ladakhi people’s lifestyle, you will be able to stay in local guest houses. The trekking route proceeds over several passes which makes the grade moderate, however, cold temperatures does make it challenging with max altitude of 3850 m (12,631 ft.). We will explore several villages on route as well as visiting monasteries, ending the programme in Delhi.
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Guests will be received at the airport followed by a transfer to a hotel, where you will be staying overnight.
Day 2
Sightseeing around Delhi
Day will consist of visiting Old and New Delhi, as well as visiting the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Shanti Van, Raj Ghat, Humayun Tomb and Qutub Minar. The India Gate and the architectural buildings of the President’s House and Parliament will also be seen. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3
Domestic flight Delhi – Leh
Altitude: 3500 m / 11,482 ft.
Transferral to a domestic airport where you will fly to Leh. Once reached in Leh, you will then be transferred to your hotel. Afternoon visit to a monastery within the town and sightsee of the Shanti Stupa and Old Fort of Leh.
Day 4
Sightseeing around Leh
Full day of sightseeing with a visit to the Shey, Thiskey and Hemis Monasteries. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Festival: Spituk Gustor (January)
2 days for the festival, overnight stay in hotel.
Festival: Dosmoche in Leh-Likir (Febuary)
2 days for the festival, overnight stay in hotel (Likir local house-Guest house.)
Day 5
Trek 1 – Leh – Likir to Yang – Thang
Trekking Distance: 80 km
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 3500 m / 11,482 ft. (Over Pobe 3580 m / 11,745 ft., Chagtse La 3630 m / 11,909 ft.)
The first day of trekking will consist of crossing over two passes (Pobe and the Chagtse La) for 80 km.
Day 6
Trek 2 – Yang-Thang – Hemischukpachan
Trekking Time: 6 hours
Altitude: 3600 m / 11, 811 ft. (Over Meptek La 3750 m / 12,303 ft.)
We will depart to head for the big village of Schukpa (Cidar). A 2 hour climb to reach the Meptek La will bring us a long descent to the village. En route we will visit the Gopa at the top of the village, as well as exploring the village itself. Overnight stay in a local house.
Day 7
Trek 3 – Hemischukpachan – Themisgam
Trekking Time: 51/2 hours
Altitude: 3200 m / 10,498 ft. (Over Meptek La 3750 m / 12,303 ft.)
The trail will begin passing through a flat pasture, before heading towards the Meptek La, which will take approx. 21/2 hours, until the pass will begin to descend to Ang Village. From here we will be lead towards the Shyok Valley. A further 30 minutes will bring us to Temisgam; the richest valley of Ladakh that provides apricots, apples and nuts, which are plentiful here. The villages Gompa can be visited. Overnight stay in a local house.
Day 8
Trek 4 - Themisgam - Khaltse
Trekking Time: 5 hours
Altitude: 2995 m / 9,826 ft. (Over Bonbbong La 3850 m / 12,631 ft.)
We will leave the beautiful valley and begin an easy climb to Bonbonb La for 11/2 hours. We will then follow a long gentle slope to Khaltse - the main highway between Leh and Srinagar. We will make a drive to Chilling before staying overnight in a camp.
Day 9
Journey from Chilling to Gyalpo
Travelling Time: 7 hours.
Chilling is where the adventure begins. Porters prepare the baggages, whilst we walk on the ice, ensuring at all times you are following the guide and porters. As it is the first day you will be taking some time to getting used to walk on ice. To keep the warmth in body, you will need to stay loose that's how the circulation keeps going.
Day 10
Journey from Gyalpo to Chilling-Leh
Travelling Distance: 65 km
Travelling Time: 7 hours
We will be heading back until we reach the road, where we will drive further on to reach in Leh. You will then be transported to a hotel.
Festival: Stok Guru Tse-Chu (Febuary)
2 days for the festival, overnight stay in hotel.
Day 11
2nd day in the stok guru tse-chu festival, Overnight will be in the hotel.
Day 12
Flight from Leh-Delhi
You will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Delhi. Once reached in Delhi you will then be transported to your hotel where you will be staying overnight. You will have an entire day of sightseeing in Delhi (or Leh in case of weather problem) which will include the Red Fort, a Mosque, Birla Temple, Old Delhi, Connaught Place, etc. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 13
Sightseeing in Delhi/Agra
Travelling Time: 4 hours
Travelling Distance: 220 km
In the morning we will leave for Agra, where we will visit the Taj Mahal - a sumptuous white marble tomb - one of the most beautiful pieces of Mogul art. It has been built by Shah Jahan Emperor in 17th Century for his wife Mumtaj Mahal. In the afternoon we will visit the Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb and spend the evening at leisure. Overight stay in Agra.
Day 14
Journey from Agra to Delhi via Fathepur Sikri
Travelling Distance: 265 km
Legend has it that Akbar was without a male heir and made a pilgrimage to this spot to see the saint Shaik Salim Chisti, who foretold the birth of Akbar’s son. Furthermore, Akbar transferred his capital to Sikiri and built a new and splendid city. The region dates between 1570 and 1586 in Fathepur Sikiri. You will then be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 15
Flight Departure
You will be given the opportunity to shop around Delhi before checking out of your hotel and being transferred to the Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will depart to your onward destination.
