In this page, you can know about what could be called our classic tour to Ladakh. It is an ideal tour to immerse yourself into the gigantic Himalaya safely while having a varied experience of Ladakh and its people.
On the Manali-Leh road we come across landscapes that are almost "extraterrestrial", and we do it in the best way for your acclimatization to the high haltitude of Ladakh.
Beside the incredible sceneries invariably around you, the tour allows you to discover the local culture at the home of the Ladakhi.
You will also go for an easy trek in the Sham valley for three days. Going through Ladakh in a vehicle is one thing, going on your two feet is something else, another level of experience !
And finally you will not miss some of the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakh, the magic of the Pangong Tso lake and the Nubra valley.
Children are welcome on this tour, even on the trek as we can arrange a mule or a baby carrier if required.
The Indus valley, Ladakh
The Tso Kar lake seen during the hike on day 5
The Nubra valley on day 12
On the Manali to Leh road on day 4
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Our tours to Ladakh: Journeys through a mythical land, the little Tibet of India
Ladakh tour map
Map of our classic tour to Ladakh
The numbers are the location where you spend the night on that particular day.
Ladakh tour itinerary
Our classic tour in Ladakh
This is the proposed 16 days itinerary described in details in this page. |
|
| Day 1 |
From Home to Delhi. You reach Delhi by air from your country. |
| Day 2 |
From Delhi to Manali. By train up to Chandigarh and by private vehicle to Manali. |
| Day 3 |
From Manali to Keylong. Meet your Ladakhi guide and travel up to Keylong via Rohtang pass. |
| Day 4 |
From Keylong to Gya. Today your cross the higher passes to reach the Ladakh area. |
| Day 5 |
From Gya to Leh. A relaxed day with a visit of Hemis and Thiksey monasteries. |
| Day 6 |
From Leh to Nimmu or Likir. Rafting on the Indus or Zanskar river. |
| Day 7 |
From Likir to Yangthang. Visit of the Likir monastery and then trek to Yangthang. Homestay. |
| Day 8 |
From Yangthang to Hemis Shukpachan. Trek via the Tsermanchang La pass. Homestay |
| Day 9 |
From Hemis Shukpachan to Tingmosgang. Last day of the trek. |
| Day 10 |
From Tingmosgang to Lamayuru. Break at the moonland and visit of the Lamayuru monastery. |
| Day 11 |
From Lamayuru to Leh. Return to Leh with the visit of Alchi monastery and Basgo palace. |
| Day 12 |
From Leh to the Nubra valley. Crossing the Khardungla pass. Camel ride in the sand dunes of Hunder. |
| Day 13 |
From the Nubra valley to Pangong Tso. Going via a spectacular road and enjoying the camp near the lake. |
| Day 14 |
From Pangong Tso to Leh. Going back to Leh. Free time in Leh. |
| Day 15 |
From Leh to Delhi. By air and international flight to home. |
A shorter version
This is a shorter version of the tour in 10 days keeping the essential of Ladakh. It is recommended to keep one extra buffer day to face the unpredictable. |
|
| Day 1 |
From Home to Delhi. You reach Delhi by air from your country. |
| Day 2 |
From Delhi to Manali. By train up to Chandigarh and by private vehicle to Manali. |
| Day 3 |
From Manali to Keylong. Meet your Ladakhi guide and travel up to Keylong via Rohtang pass. |
| Day 4 |
From Keylong to Leh. Today your cross the higher passes to reach the Ladakh area. |
| Day 5 |
Stay at Leh. Free time in Leh and visit of Thiksey monastery. |
| Day 6 |
From Leh to Alchi. Visit of the Likir and Alchi monasteries on the way. |
| Day 7 |
From Alchi to the Nubra valley. Crossing the Khardungla pass. Camel ride in the sand dunes of Hunder. |
| Day 8 |
From Nubra valley to Pangong Tso. Via a spectacular road and then enjoying the camp near the lake. |
| Day 9 |
From Pangong Tso to Leh. Going back to Leh via the Changla pass. Free time in Leh. |
| Day 10 |
From Leh to Delhi. By air and international flight to home. |
Day 1
Delhi
Lodhi garden
A very peaceful area in the middle of the frenzy of Delhi.
Most of the international flights from Europe reach Delhi in the night
Our taxi receives you at the Delhi airport and drop you at your hotel in Delhi.
After your breakfast our guide takes you for a day visit of Delhi.
You will start with the beautiful Lodhi garden. This will help you acclimatize with the frenzy of the capital of India.
Then after your lunch in a very special place, you will move to Old Delhi to enjoy the agitation and architecture of this unbelivable neighborhood of Delhi.
Night at the hotel.
Jama Masjid
In the middle of Old Delhi, this mosque was designed by the one who made the Taj Mahal.
Day 2
Manali
Beas river
Some stretches of the road to Manali are very beautiful.
In the morning your guide takes you to the New Delhi station to take the train to Chandigarh.
Our taxi receives you at the station. You continue together towards Manali that you reach in the evening.
Have your lunch in the plains of Punjab, just before climbing the first hills.
The most beautiful part of the trip is the last 2 or 3 hours in the Beas valley.
Stay at the hotel where you will have your first night of acclimatization to the altitude.
The Beas valley
When approaching Manali, the higher Himalayas become visible.
Day 3
Keylong
Rohtang pass
The first pass to Ladakh at around 3980 m.
Today you start the real journey to Ladakh.
You starts by climbing almost 2000 m to the Rohtang pass. Have a break at the pass to enjoy the scenery.
If you had rain on the Manali side you will be surprised by the drastic change of weather after crossing the Rohtang pass.
It is suddenly dry as the monsoon is not affecting the regions to the north of Rohtang.
Enjoy the pleasant drive to Keylong.
We will stay in a guesthouse with a nice garden offering a great view of the valley.
Keylong
The municipality of the Lahaul sub-district.
Day 4
Manali to Leh road - Gya
Gata loops
Reaching the higher passes involves going through very interesting roads !
Start as early as possible today to enjoy the great sceneries of the Manali to Leh road. A lifetime experience !
The first pass of the day is Baralacha La (4890 m). After the pass, what was left of green after Rohtang is definitely gone. You are into the arid mountain range of Zanskar.
The next pass takes you above 5000 m and after Pang you are on the Tibetan plateau (Changthang).
You have then an incredible drive on the Moore plateau at around 4700 m surrounded by higher mountains.
After the plateau you start the climb to the last and higher pass of the day : Tanglang La at 5328 m.
You go down from the pass through a valley that reached the Indus valley. You will stop at the next village called Gya for a stay in a homestay !
The Moore plains
If you have time (2 hours) you can ask your guide to take you for a hike to see the Tso Kar lake.
Day 5
Hemis, Thiksey monastery - Leh
Hemis monastery
Monks in the prayer hall in the Hemis monastery.
Gye is one of the most beautiful village of Ladakh. Hence staying at the home of a family in Gya is a unique opportunity to enjoy the life of the Ladakhi in the spectacular environmemt of the Hemis National Park.
Spend some time with your guide and the family to visit the village and the surrounding.
Later, you take the road again to finally reach the Indus valley.
On the way to Leh you stop at Hemis for your first visit of a Buddhist monastery. It is located in between awesome rock formations.
After Hemis you continue on the way to Leh and stop at the largest monastery of Ladakh : Thiksey ! Enjoy the dusk light illuminating the entire Indus valley before your eyes.
More info about the monasteries of Ladakh here.
Thiksey monastery
The Thiksey monastery complex is the largest in Ladakh and has a magnificient statue of the Buddha.
Day 6
Leh, rafting, Nimmu or Likir
Leh palace
You have free time in the morning in Leh. You could this opportunity to visit the palace.
This morning you wake up in Leh the capital of Ladakh. You are free this morning to take some rest or to walk around in the market of Leh.
You could also take this opportunity to go to the Leh palace or the Shanti Stupa that has a great view of the city.
Don't be late (we should depart from Leh at 12) as we have a great adventure this afternoon : rafting on either the Zanskar or the Indus river, according to conditions of the waters.
Your water games end at Nimmu from where we move to either a boutique guesthouse in Nimmu or to a more traditional guesthouse in Likir.
Rafting on the Zanskar
It is a great way to enjoy the arid landscape of the Zanskar valley.
Day 7
Sham valley trek - Yangthang
Likir monastery
Have a short visit of the Likir monastery before you start your trek.
Leave the guesthouse just after breakfast, and let's visit another awesome monastery the Likir Gompa. You can visit the monastery but don't spend too much time as you have a walk of about 4 to 5 hours to reach Yangthang.
The trail is quite easy with no steep climb. You enjoy Ladakh on foot, catching each and every bit of the landscape tookeep it in your memory. If for some reason the trek is too hard for you (it could be because of the altitude) we can ask your driver to catch you as the trail meets a small road from time to time.
After reaching a small pass, Yangthang reveals itself nested in a very charming valley.
Meet your hosts. Today again you will stay with a family and enjoy their hospitality.
Yangthang
The perfect break for the first night. What a pleasure to reach such place on foot !
Day 8
Sham valley trek - Hemis Shukpachan
Hiking to Hemis Shukpachan
Half way to Hemis Shukpachan you cross a pass after which it is gentle descent.
We have a shorter walk for today, and that's fine ! Perhaps 3 hours only, leaving us with plenty of time to enjoy our day in the real Ladakh.
Hemis Shukpachan lies in the next valley that we reach by crossing the Tsermanchang La pass at around 3880 m. From Yangthang you first go down to the small river and then you start climbing toward the pass. The difference of altitude is only 300 m.
From the pass the view is great !
You continue descending to tha village where you can observe the field, the orchards of apricot trees, the irrigation systems, the villagers busy here and there. Today again we will stay at the home of a family.
Hemis Shukpachan
The Buddha overlooking the village of Hemis Shukpachan.
Day 9
Sham valley trek - Temisgam (Tingmosgang)
Villager working in the fields
Walking through the villages of the Sham valley will allow you to see the real life of the Ladakhi.
Today again you will have to cross a pass - Mebtak La (3850 m) to reach the next valley.
The climb is a little bit steeper but it is worth it ! The views are really spectacular and will help you forget the extra pain. On the way to Temisgang there is another village Ang, that you need to cross. Continue the descent up to the Temisgang village.
Temisgang or Tingmosgang is the end of your trek.
Enjoy the slightly more comfortable guesthouse being still a very authentic village.
Irrigation system
The villagers cleverly use the little water of the arid mountains for their farming.
Day 10
Lamayuru and the moonland
Moonland of Lamayuru
The erosion of sandstone around Lamayuru shaped this very special landscape.
Today we take the car again to reach Lamayuru through a spectacular gorge.
Just before reaching Lamayuru have a break to admire the stunning moonland. This spectacular spot was made by water erosion on soft sandstone. The Lamayuru village and monastery is against this unique landscape and obviuosly add to the mystical atmosphere of the place.
Lamayuru is also the departure point of the famous trek to Padum in Zanskar. You can visit the monastery in the afternoon.
You will stay in a comfortable guesthouse.
Lamayuru
The village and the monastery of Lamayuru.
Day 11
Alchi, Basgo - Leh
Basgo Gompa
The Basgo village has a monastery and some historical ruins.
Today we will end the exploration of Ladakh West of Leh with two more important villages, Basgo and Alchi.
Among the two, Alchi stands out. It has a thousand years old monastery, rich of paintings and murals. Both the villages have a great atmosphere, but the one of Alchi is unmatched. That is why we have decided to stay here tonight.
Enjoy some free time in Alchi in the afternoon. We will meet again in the evening at the hotel for the dinner.
Have a good sleep, tomorrow we have another adventure in the program.
Alchi monastery
Enjoy the unique ambiance of Alchi, a historical place.
Day 12
Nubra valley
Nubra valley
Do not miss the Nubra valley and its beautiful waters flowing from the largest continental glaciers on Earth.
The challenge of today is to cross the highest motorable pass in the world : Khardungla at 5359 m.
Our drivers takes us back to Leh, from where the road to Khardungla starts. It is then a long climb (almost 2000 m difference of altitude) to the pass. Enjoy the view of the epic Himalayas from the pass. We have to descend to Diskit, the main village of the Nubra valley. If you are adventurous you can do the descent on a mountain bike !
In the evening you can go for a camel ride in the sand dunes of the Nubra near the village Hunder. br /> We will spend the night near the dunes.
Sand dunes of Nubra valley
The erosion due to the glaciers of the Karakoram range has brought these sands.
Day 13
Pangong Tso
Diskit monastery
Overhanging this magnificient valley, the Diskit monastery is worth a visit.
You will be quite excited by the next objective today : the Pangong lake. Be patient, and enjoy a bit more of the Nubra valley first, by visiting the Dikit village and monastery.
After this we go back on the way to Leh but we don't climb towards the Changla pass, we take a more recent road that is a shortcut avoiding going through a high pass again. The road is quite spectacular with river crossings. We are progressing slowly, but what a pleasure for the eyes !
We will reach the lake in the afternoon. Stroll by the lake side and enjoy the awesome colours of the lake at the sunset. It is again a lifetime experience !
Pangong Tso
You will be amazed by the incredible colors that can be reflected on the lake.
Day 14
Changla pass and Leh
Pangong Tso
After sunrise and the last photos,say good bye to the lake.
Have you got a chance to wake up in the middle of the night to observe the stars reflecting on the lake ?
This morning we have to head back to Leh via the Changla pass which is again above 5300 m. Try to wake up early enough to enjoy the sunrise over the lake, we will move just after the breakfast.
We reach Leh in the afternoon. Go explore the market. There is a nice Tibetan market where will find many kind of souvenirs.
Ask your guide to advise you the best restaurant for your last dinner in Ladakh.
Leh Ladakh
Use your last hours in Leh to be in the market place and enjoy a last Tibetan meal !.
Day 15
Return flight to Delhi
On the flight to Delhi
Good bye Ladakh.
Our taxi takes you to the airport in the morning for the flight to Delhi.
You may have you international flight to home on the same day from Delhi airport.
Wisdom of Ladakh
We hope that you get back to home enriched with some of the wisdom of Ladakh !
Ladakh tour photos
Tso Kar lake
You can hike to this pass offering a stunning view of the lake
Manali to Leh
Driving on the Moore plateau just beside Tibet.
Hemis National Park
The Manali-Leh road takes you through amazing landscapes.
Leh Namgyal Tsemo
This monastery can be visited during your free time in Leh.
Hemis festival
The Hemis festival occurs every year somewhere in July.
Homestay
During this tour you will spend 3 nights at the home of a local family.
Ladakh tour - best time to go
Since the tour involves going through the high passes from Manali, the only time to do this is from June to October.
This is also the best time in terms of weather and temperature.
If you want to do this tour outside this short window, it is possible but
1. You will need to fly to Leh instead of going via the Manali to Leh road.
2. we may have to adjust the program as not all the places will be available because of snow.
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This is also the best time in terms of weather and temperature.
If you want to do this tour outside this short window, it is possible but
1. You will need to fly to Leh instead of going via the Manali to Leh road.
2. we may have to adjust the program as not all the places will be available because of snow.
Other places to see with Himalayan Ecotourism
Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)
Come and trek with us in one of the most pristine Himalayan Park.
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Recognition of Himalayan Ecotourism
Our awards
Himalayan Ecotourism is the winner of the To Do award 2022 in the field of "Socially Responsible Tourism".
We are also the Overall Winner of the Indian Responsible Tourism Award 2019 and the Gold winner in the Best Adventure Operator category.
We have been declared winner of the Sustainable Tourism Award 2019 by Skal International and Biosphere.
Our cooperative-based model of social enterprise and our efforts to conserve the Himalayas are the main reasons for winning these awards.
Thank you to all our cooperative members, our customers, our friends and well-wishers !
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