Ladakh is located in the far north of India, bordering Pakistan and China. Politically it is a Union Territory of India, geographically the continuation of the Tibetan Plateau. Two of the mightiest mountain ranges meet at altitudes between 5,000 and over 7,000 meters: the Himalayas and the Karakorum.
Ladakh is where Tibetan Buddhism lives…
This tour has a mix of Day Hikes through the fertile, isolated villages that dot the glorious Sham Valley, the lower part of Ladakh, Cultural interactions & Overland journey. We gain an insight into the everyday life of Ladakhi villages, cook with peasant women, hike through remote villages, visit nunneries and eat with the nuns. We also visit women Tibetan Medical practitioner is a village and meet other interesting women during the tour. Enjoy Ladakh’s breath-taking landscape, high altitude desert and oasis-like green valleys. Visit the main monasteries and learn about Tibetan Buddhism.
You will have a women Ladakhi guide on this tour to facilitate the communication and open the doors to the hearts of Ladakhi women.
Walking & Cultural Ladakh 2024
Highlights
- Hike through fertile, isolated villages of Indus Valley – Traditional & mystical hermitages.
- Interact with Women Alliance of Ladakh, which works for upliftment of women.
- Lunch with a local family at a village.
- Cook with Peasant women at their home.
- Bicycle through a secluded village, visit the Nunnery & monastery.
- Cultural evening with Kyagar village women.
- Visit a women Amchi- Tibetan Medical practitioner in a village.
- Important Tibetan Monasteries – Thiksey & Alchi.
- Nubra: The north of Ladakh with picturesque oasis villages & sand dunes
- Accommodation is a mix of traditional Ladaki lodges, village homestays & Luxury campsite with en suite bathrooms.
Itinerary
You'll be met at the international airport and transfer to the Hotel.
Later in the afternoon, local sightseeing of New Delhi.
Morning transfer to domestic terminal for your short scenic flight to Leh, capital of Ladakh. The flight over the Himalayas and the landing in Leh is an adventure in itself. .
A day to relax and acclimatize. On the first day you can relax and ONLY relax to better acclimatize to the high altitude. (It is a conscious decision not having planned any activities on the first day, it is crucial for your adaptation to the high altitude!)
In the evening we will take an easy Heritage Walk towards Leh Palace.
Group Dinner at a local restaurant.
Altitude: 3500m
Flight Duration: 1 hr
You will visit the central city monastery - the Gonpa Soma -, the bazaar of Leh with its market women selling fresh vegetables from their gardens and the polo field, where polo was played long before the British.
After lunch at the hotel, there is some time to relax. Later drive up to Tsemo Monastery, walk past green fields, beautiful Ladakh houses & laughing children, to the hidden Samkhar Monastery. The end of the day is the Shanti Stupa built in the 80s, from where you can see the whole of Leh and the Indus Valley.
Hike Duration: 7-8 km/ 2-3 hr
Morning after breakfast head towards Takthok to attend the Festival at the Monastery. Later, post lunch, drive towards Nimmu Village for your stay in a traditional house.
In the evening we will walk and explore the Nimmu village.
Altitude: 3150m
Hike duration: 4 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 37 km
A short drive through the barren Ladakhi plateau to reach Phyang, from where you will set off on foot to explore the traditional village with glorious views of the terraced fields of barley, corn, rapeseed flowers, wheat and local vegetables. . Observe villagers tilling their farmlands using traditional methods. We'll have a picnic lunch in the shadows of Phyang monastery.
In the afternoon, we will reach the starting point of an exciting white water rafting trip. After the safety briefing, raft down on the Indus river, passing through astoundingly beautiful mountains, many of them with tiny hamlets and imposing old monasteries nesting among the valley.
Altitude: 3150m
Hike duration: 8-9 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 19 + 21 km
Drive to Likir and visit the sacred Likir Monastery, which is renowned for its striking wall paintings and the spectacular 25 foot statue of the Buddha.
Then, begin your trek to Yangthang village. An early ascent will bring you to the top of the ‘Chagatse La’ (3,630m) pass. Then, cross a small mountain stream and enjoy a picnic lunch at Sumdo (Saspotse village). Continue your trek through the beautiful Saspotse Gorge to ‘Phobe La’ pass (3,580m). Enjoy glorious views of the Zanskar range, before arriving at the 19th century Rizdong monastery. Visit Chulichan nunnery at Rizong Monastery & have butter tea at their kitchen, before walking through apricot and apple orchards to Yangthang village. Late this afternoon reach Ulley.
Overnight at Uletokpo, next to river Indus.
Altitude: 3000m
Hike duration: 10 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 22 km
A short drive this morning will bring you to Hemis Shukpachan (3,645m), one of Ladakh’s prettiest villages, which is surrounded by sparkling streams and willow trees. From here, begin your trek to Timisgam village. This easy going trail has been carved out from the ochre rocks. On leaving Hemis Shukpachan behind cross a flat terrain dotted with small chortens (stupas), before a steep climb brings you to Mebtak La pass (3,720m), where you will hoist a prayer flag. Then, descend down to the charming village of Ang and enjoy a picnic lunch amongst apricot orchards, before continuing your downhill walk to Temisgam village (3,220m). Overnight at Temisgam.
Altitude: 3270m
Hike duration: 11 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 40 km
The whole day is dedicated to the women of Temisgam. We visit peasant women, cook with them, work with them on their fields, we laugh, dance and maybe sing with them.
Later in the afternoon, get onto your mountain bikes to explore the neighbouring village of Tia and the ruins of the old fort. Visit the Nunnery there, before returning to Timisgam.
Overnight stay at Temisgam.
Altitude: 3270m
Bicycle duration: 4 + 4 km
After a leisurely breakfast we drive for 10 minutes to the bridge over the Indus between Farkethang and Nurla, starting point of our hike to the secluded village of Tar.
The hike through a beautiful gorge, also considered sacred by the locals, up to the hidden village of Tar is a beautiful one. The village is a contrast from other villages, with no road connectivity and electricity, it has minimised the influence of modernity and still maintains its culture and traditions.
Enjoy the hospitality of a local family and have lunch with them. Take in the solitude of this beautiful village before returning to the bridge where our vehicles will be waiting for us to take us back to Leh.
Enroute visit the 11th century temples of Alchi, before arriving at Leh.
Altitude: 3500m
Hike duration: 6 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 90 km
After breakfast, drive to North Pullu, via Khardung La pass (5380m). From North Pullu there are several ways to hike down the valley and our guide will choose a suitable route depending on the acclimatization of the group, enthusiasm and the weather of the day. We will descend to Khardong Village. Board the awaiting vehicles and continuing driving down the valley to Kyagar Village. Overnight at Kyagar.
Altitude: 3150m
Hike duration: 6-7 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 115 km
Morning yoga at sand dunes. After breakfast you will have a hike to Sumoor Village. Spend rest of the day exploring the surroundings of the village and interacting with the women.
Later we will have a bonfire evening and enjoy a cultural program organized by the village women of Kyagar.
Altitude: 3150m
Hike duration: 4-5 km
We drive to Deskit Village and visit the local (female) amchi (Amchi = Tibetan Medical practicioner) and find out more about her profession. If wanted, you can receive a personal consultation and ask her your questions.
After this interesting conversation, we hike to Hunder and will stay there for the night. The main attraction of Hunder village is the double-humped Bactrian camels that were brought in Nubra Valley during the golden silk route era.
Altitude: 3100m
Hike duration: 4-5 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 45 km
After breakfast drive back towards Leh, to a nearby village of Stok.
In the afternoon explore Stok Palace, which is still home to descendants of the Ladakh royal family and see the Stok Palace museum, which showcases the priceless private collection of the royal family. We will also walk to the Stok Village.
Dinner at Gyabthago Heritage Home.
Altitude: 3500m
Travel Duration: Drive: 152
We drive to Thikse, where we will see one of the most impressive monasteries of Ladakh – this magnificent monastery is in direct opposition to the simple nunnery of Nyerma. We will reach Nyerma after a small hike from Thiksey. Interact and have lunch with the nuns and learn more about the life of Ladakh’s nuns.
Later we visit the Women alliance of Ladakh and have an interactive session with them along with tea.
Altitude: 3500m
Hike duration: 3 km
Travel Duration: Drive: 25 km
After an early breakfast drive to Leh to take a flight back to Delhi. You will be met on arrival at the airport, drive to a hotel in central Delhi.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jama Masjid (anrchitectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan). It’s one of the largest mosques, used as house of worship for Muslims. You will walk in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi to experience the hustle and bustle of an ancient Mughal city.
After your visit to the mosque, you will take a bicycle rickshaw through narrow lanes to a tucked-away Haveli of Lala Chunnamal (1848), in the heart of Chandni Chowk. This haveli is three stories high, with 128 rooms, and spread over an acre of land. A must-visit historic building.
The present generation of the family that owns it still lives here! We will have tea/coffee with the family and savor the Indian snacks that are prepared locally, while listening to their stories of the by-gone era.
Evening dinner will be organised by the tour leader.
Flight Duration: 1 hr
You will be given a departure transfer to International airport to board your flight back home.
PRICE ON REQUEST
Cost Includes
- Accommodation on Twin/Dbl share basis.
- Transportation in SUV's for overland journey.
- Services of Local English speaking women guide.
- Acitivities & Sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary.
- Flight ticket from Del/Leh/Delhi.
- Women Tour Leader for groups.
- All permits & monument fee.
Cost Excludes
- Any additional expenses incurred on the tour, due to unforeseen circumstances, weather conditions, sickness, natural disasters, riots etc.
- Any tip/gratuity to trekking staff, drivers, guides, hotel staff etc.
- Liability for or insurance against injury, loss of life, accidents or loss of goods.
- Sleeping bag & Trekking pole.
- Any camera fee where applicable.
- Anything NOT mentioned in the “Inclusions”.
Ladakh is an easy travel destination in the extreme north of India, the people are friendly and the climate is quite pleasant for the westerners. Only the average height of 3500m worries some, but often unfounded. Those who stick to a few rules usually adapt quickly. The Himalayas and the culture of Tibetan Buddhism have always fascinated people. Ladakh combines both in a harmonious and carefree way.
Population: 270 000
We’ll hike in the Indus valley where accommodation will be in Ladaki homes, Village homestays with ensuite bathrooms, Luxury camping & Lodges.
Climate: (June to Sep)
Ladakh is a rain shadow region of the Himalayas, the annual average rainfall in Leh is 100 mm. Ladakh is the only region in India not affected by the monsoon.
In summer, temperature reaches max of 30°C and it drops down to 10°C, days being warm and sunny with a sudden dip in temperatures towards the evening.
It is possible that a route change may become necessary due to inclement weather, inaccessibility through the mountain passes due to heavy snow, condition of the trail and physical fitness of the clients, political restrictions and other cause beyond human control
This tour goes into the Ladakh region, where government & private hospitals are available at Leh. Through the hike basic professional medical help will be available. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in good health and physically & mentally fit to join the trip.
The tour guide, though not qualified medically, has done first aid course from NOLS (national outdoor leadership school) and is competent to give first-aid if and when required. The guide will be carrying portable oxygen cylinders during the hike.
In case you have an existing medical condition, like heart problem or disability you must consult your doctor before making a booking with us.
Local tipping is customary in India. We follow a tipping system on all Group Tours. It involves guests contributing to a kitty which is handed over to the tour leader at the beginning of the tour. The tips are distributed for the services everyday on the guest’s behalf. This avoids the need for individual tipping daily throughout your trip.
• Leh is at 3500m above sea level so acclimatization is important because of high altitude, but there is nothing to worry.
• It’s important that you don’t exert yourself for first couple of days & do easy and slow walks & not exert yourself.
• Give time to your body to acclimatize itself. DRINK LOTS OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS!!
• Prevention: Consult your doctor and confirm if you can take Acetazolamide tablets like Diamox – Carry them with you.
• Say “JULLEY” while meeting people and receiving favours. In Ladakh, it means both “Namaste” and “thank you”
• Avoid bringing or using polythene bags as it is strictly banned in Ladakh.
• Always put off your shoes before entering a monastery chapel
• Take permission from the monks before taking photos inside the monasteries.
• Always take clockwise direction while visiting Stupas and Monasteries.
• Avoid Smoking / drinking around religious shrines.
• And always wear your smile, you will win many friends.
• Taking photographs at Leh airport is prohibited since it’s a military airport.
Map
