Ladakh - 'Little Tibet'

 

Delhi	The Maidens	1 night
Leh	Ladakh Residency	5 nights
Delhi	The Maidens	2 nights

Click on the name of the hotel for details

9 days from £1330

excluding international flights

 

DAY 1 - Arrival in Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.  Recommended flight from London: Jet Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Fly to Leh (Ladakh).

Transfer to Delhi Airport for the morning flight to Leh, gateway to Ladakh, a land often referred to as 'Little Tibet' and closed to the outside world until 1974 when tourists were first allowed to visit.  Situated amidst barren mountains at an altitude of 3,500 metres, Leh developed over the centuries as a trading post and market, attracting a wide variety of merchants - from Kashgar, Kashmir, Tibet and North India.  Today it is an easy-going town of just 27,500 inhabitants.  Because of the altitude you are advised to rest for a while on arrival.  In the afternoon there will be a short introductory tour of the town.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3 – Sankar Gompa and Spitok Gompa.

In the morning you will walk for about 30 minutes through pleasant country lanes to the Sankar Gompa (monastery), which houses a remarkable representation of Avalokitesvara, the Buddhist god of compassion, complete with 1,000 arms and 1,000 heads.  You will then be driven 8 kilometres to the west of Leh to visit the Spitok Gompa, built in the 15th century and perched proudly on a conical hilltop.  There are superb views of the surrounding countryside from the monastery.  Within the monastery is an interesting collection of ancient masks, icons and arms including some rescued from the Potala Palace in Lhasa.  Return to your hotel for lunch.  The remainder of the day is free
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 – Tikse and Hemis Gompas.

Rise early this morning to hopefully witness the 6.30 a.m. puja ceremony at Tikse Gompa (pictured), regarded by many travellers as the most beautiful of Ladakh's Buddhist monasteries.  Continue to the famous Hemis Gompa, located on the west bank of the mighty Indus River some 45 kilometres to the south of Leh.  Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, Hemis is the biggest and wealthiest of Ladakh's monasteries and is one of the highlights of a visit to the region.  After your visit, return to Leh in the afternoon with further sightseeing en route.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

THE HEMIS FESTIVAL - The most colourful festival of the Ladakhi year will take place on 18 and 19 June 2013 at the monastery.  There is no additional cost during this time but due to the festival's popularity hotel accommodation is difficult to find so you are advised to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

DAY 5 – Lekir and Alchi Gompas.

A full day outside Leh today as you visit the remote monasteries of Lekir and Alchi.  The picturesque white-washed Lekir Monastery (pictured) was founded in the late 11th century and originally housed 600 monks.  The building we see today mainly dates from the 18th century.  The head lama is the younger brother of the Dalai Lama.  Not far from here sits the Dharma Chakra monastery at Anchi, surrounded by a patchwork of cultivated fields.  This large complex is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist centres in Ladakh and a jewel of monastic skill.  Return to Leh in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 – Leh.

A break from visiting monasteries this morning as we invite you to take a scenic walk in the countryside close to Leh.  The rest of the day is free, with the opportunity to browse in the Tibetan market or the handicraft stalls on Fort Road.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Fly back to Delhi.

In the morning fly to Delhi and transfer to your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 8 - At leisure.

At leisure in Delhi.  We always recommend building in an extra day at leisure in Delhi as occasionally there are delays with the flights back from Leh and this extra day gives you a 'cushion' in case of problems.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 – Depart.

Private transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Jet Airways from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Delhi. Depart at 20.45; arrive Delhi at 09.45 (next day)
Delhi/Heathrow. Depart at 13.45; arrive Heathrow at 18.30

India Holidays: Ladakh - 'Little Tibet' (Tour Reference: WDIN014)
2013 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
Jun to Sep	£1330

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights Delhi/Leh/Delhi, including airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 9 full breakfasts 5 lunches and 5 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation throughout.  In Delhi you will have the services of a private English-speaking driver, selected by World Discovery.  In Ladakh, allocation of both vehicles and drivers is controlled by the strong local transport union and we have no control over the quality provided, although your own private guide (see below) will coordinate the transport on your behalf.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of a private English-speaking guide for the included sightseeing in Ladakh.
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• Optional sightseeing.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• An Indian Visa. This should be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. Applications should be made online through VFS Global, the official representatives of the High Commission in London - http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your India holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.