Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Delhi

   Delhi

   After clearing Customs and Immigration, step into the receiving area, where our representative will meet you and escort you to the hotel.

   On arrival, check into the hotel.

   Overnight at hotel (No Meals)
2. Day 2 Delhi

   Delhi

   Delhi is a dynamic city where the past coexists with the present. While historic evidence shows that the area around Delhi was first occupied around 2,500 years ago, Hindu mythology predates that by another 500 years. The British captured the city in 1803 and when they decided to make it the capital of India in 1911, they commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans. The result is slightly surprising with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture which is among the most striking in the world.

   On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).

   Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.

   Thereafter, visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. It was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, a 17th century Indian ruler. It is open to people of all faiths, castes or creeds. The premises house a sacred pond in which devotees bathe. They believe that this would wash off their misdeeds and thus allow them to attain peace of mind. The 'Langars' or the community kitchen proves to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs. Anyone and everyone can have scrumptious meal irrespective of caste, color or class.

   Conclude the day by visiting the Delhi's most striking monument, The Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed in 1192 by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. Built in red sandstone and marble, it has a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft) and contains 379 stairs. A Soaring conical tower, it is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and is the tallest minaret in India.

   Overnight at hotel (B)

   

   Bangla Sahib

   Sikh Temple

   

   Chandni Chowk

   

   Old Delhi Cultural Rickshaw ride

   

   Red Fort

3. Day 3 Fly Delhi – Leh (GoAir Flight # G8-221 Delhi/Leh ETD: 09:10/ETA: 10:30 Hrs.)

   Leh Ladakh

   After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board your flight to Leh.

   You arrive at Leh airport, step into the receiving area where you will be met by our representative and drive to hotel.

   Rest of the day for acclimatization through rest.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)
4. Day 4 Leh

   Leh Ladakh

   After breakfast explore some of Ladakh's ancient gompas. A picnic lunch is provided.

   Shey Palace was built in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older ruined fortress. In 1655, in memory of his father, this same king built the two-storey Shey gompa adjacent to the palace. Hundreds of chortens of all shapes and sizes stand below the palace and gompa. These chortens demonstrate the interest taken in Shey by the Ladakhi kings and queens who succeeded Shey's original builder. Located on the second storey of the gompa is a large Buddha statue made in 1655 by a Nepalese sculptor who was assisted by three Ladakhi craftsmen. The seated Buddha is 12 meters high and worked of copper sheets gilded with gold. This Buddha is the biggest metal statue in the region and was the largest Buddha statue of any type in Ladakh until Thiksey gompa installed a 15-meter tall Buddha made of clay in 1970. Sacrificial offerings such as grain or jewels, holy signs and mantras are contained inside the figure. In front of the Buddha is a large bowl of wax with a central flame that burns for one year before being replaced. This flame represents divinity and purity and is present in front of all Buddha statues.

   Thiksey Gompa is the most picturesquely situated monastery in Ladakh, perched high on a hill above the Indus. Its buildings are arranged at various levels, leading up to the private apartments of the incarnate lamas on the summit. From here one commands a magnificent view of the valley. The gompa possesses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of hand-written or painted prayer books.

   A new temple contains a 15-meter tall Buddha statue, constructed in 1970 to commemorate a visit to Thiksey by the Dalai Lama. The statue, made of clay and covered with gold paint, is the largest Buddha figure in Ladakh and took four years to construct. Inside, the statue is filled with the Kandshur and the Tandshur - volumes of Buddhist canonical texts. The statue was made entirely by local craftsmen and represents Maitreya, ("compassion" in Sanskrit) the Buddha of the Future. The prophecy made of the Future Buddha is that the world will be undergoing such chaos that He will teach compassion to the people.

   Hemis Gompa is one of the most important in Ladakh, the largest and also the wealthiest. The king-architect Singe Namgyal, a great patron of Buddhism, built it in 1620. He filled Hemis with golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thangkhas brought from many places, including Tibet.

   The lamas of Hemis were associated with the Ladakhi royal family and became quite prosperous, owning much land and supervising many smaller, scattered monasteries. Although only about a dozen lamas actually live here, Hemis has several hundred lamas attached to its subsidiary monasteries.

   The Rimpoche or spiritual head of Hemis is a reincarnation of the monastery's founder Stagtshang Raspa. The last Rimpoche was a reincarnation who, as a five-year old child, was being taught in Tibet when the Chinese invaded. There has been no communication with the Rimpoche since the 1960s. During the 1975 festival, Drugpa Rimpoche, a 12-year old youth, became the new Rimpoche as a new incarnation.

   Return to the Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)

   

   Hemis Gompa

   

   Another perspectice of Shey Palace by Kgbadariprasad / CC BY

   Shey Palace

   

   Thiksey Monastery, Leh (Thikse Gompa) by Antara Sarkar / CC BY

   Thiksey Monastery

5. Day 5 Leh

   Leh Ladakh

   Acclimatization walks around Leh and visit the bazaar and the Shanti Stupa for enjoying a spectacular view of the Indus Valley with the Mount Stok Kangri standing majestically across the Indus River.

   Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)
6. Day 6 Drive From Leh To Matho And Trek To Matho Phu

   Matho

   After breakfast, drive to Matho Village. From here we start the trek. Initially trail passes through, wheat and barley fields.

   Then walk along the Matho stream. It passes through willow trees for about three hours followed with two Latho's, which represents the two oracle of Matho Monestery. After crossing Matho stream for a couple of times, you will arrive just above the tree line, which opens the view. Camp will be set up near the shepherd's camp.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
7. Day 7 Matho Phu To Mounkarmo (14,950 ft/4,600 m) over Matho La– 6 Hour’s

   Stok Kangri

   The climb up to Matho La is extremely strenuous and at the top, travellers are often greeted by the high wild cry of the Snowcock, a giant partridge common in these parts but difficult to see.

   Spectacular views of Stok Kangri (6,153 m) and other peaks are available from the pass. This region provides an interesting study for geologists - alternating deposits of limestone, shale and sandstone. Also worthy of note is the formation of stream beds and passes in the less resistant red shale. An abrupt though not very steep descent past a spring leads to the upper part of the main Stok Nala and follows along the true right, some 90 meters above the river bed. the valley broadens out and a tributary stream, originating from Stok Kangri, must be forded before reaching the campsite at the Base Camp of Stok Kangri.

   The pasturage of the Upper Matho is a huge area bisected by streams, dotted with doksas, many hidden amongst the dips and rises of the sharply uneven plateau. To the south it climbs to the foot of the ice-clad bastion formed by Mount Matho Kangri peak (5,960 meters) and its surrounding peaks. The terrain is full of life; white-tailed hares abound and whole colonies of Himalayan marmots can be seen sunning themselves outside their burrows, trilling sharply in alarm as they catch sight of a Golden eagle circling on dihedral wings or the menacing bulk of a Bearded vulture held aloft on its nine- foot spread. The lucky may catch a glimpse of a wolf or the track of a snow leopard imprinted in wet ground, providing evidence of the presence of this most elusive of cats.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
8. Day 8 Mounkarmo – Stok Kangri Base Camp (4975 M)

   Stok Kangri

   Now we follow the busy trail up to the Stok Kangri Base Camp. It’s a short day with gradual ascent to the campsite. The base camp is on a big meadow and is usually full of climbers from all parts of the world. On the trail there are a lot of chances to see the Bharals or, Blue Mountain Goats.

   After lunch, leave for a short and steep hike to gain some altitude and acclimatize.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
9. Day 9 Stok Kangri Base Camp.

   Stok Kangri

   Rest day and preparation for Climb with a hike till the location of the advance base camp though, this is purely for acclimitisation and training only.

   Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
10. Day 10 Base Camp – Stok Kangri – Base Camp (4975 M)

    Stok Kangri

    Day starts well before dawn at 2 AM, it’s a long way up from the Base Camp to the Summit (6,153 m) and back. The climb starts off steep from the Base Camp which flattens out slowly till we cross the glacier. Having crossed the glacier, we climb up the steep slope to the summit ridge.

    A couple of hours of scrambling on scree and boulders followed with exposed 450mts ridge brings us to the summit of the Mount Stok Kangri which offers wide open views of the Karakoram range on the north with the Mount Saser Kangri (7,672 meters) and Mount Rimo peak (7,385 meters) dominating the sky and the Zanskar ranges to the south.

    After spending time to appreciate the panoramic views and the feeling of success, descend to the Camp for overnight stay.

    Overnight at Camp (B, L, D)
11. Day 11 Stok Base Camp to Stock (13,582 Ft/4,116 M) Drive to Leh (6 Hour’s Trek And 45mnts Drive)

    Leh Ladakh

    After a leisurely morning, commence the onward trek. Keeping on the left bank of the Stok Nala (stream), the trail descends, going past the jagged ruins of the Staklang Khar fort. At its base is a thick grove of willow. The trail is well worn, being used for the summer movement of cattle and sheep to the higher pastures. The small gorge opens on to an alluvial plain. The trail through apricot orchards and barley fields, ending at the Stok.

    Awaiting vehicle will drive you to Leh town for overnight stay.

    Overnight at hotel (B, L, D)
12. Day 12 Fly To Delhi (Indigo Flight # 6E-6003 Leh/Delhi ETD: 11:45/ETA: 13:20 Hrs.)

    Delhi

    After breakfast you will be transferred to the Leh Airport in time to fly to Delhi.

    Arrive Delhi, you will be transferred to the hotel.

    Overnight at hotel (B)
13. Day 13 Delhi

    Delhi

    Full day at leisure or you have an option for Agra excursion.

    Optional Agra excursion:

    Agra: Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. The earliest reference for Agra comes from the epical age, when Mahabharata referred Agra as Agravana. In the sources prior to this, Agra has been referred as Arya Griha or the abode of the Aryans. The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. Akbar made it the center of art, culture, commerce and learning. Later, Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire. During the peaceful reign of Shah Jahan, his passion for architecture came to the fore and world-famous architectural masterpieces were constructed. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. However, after the reign of Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb (1658-1707), and the gradual disintegration of the empire, the city passed from one invader to another before the British took charge early in the 19th century.

    After breakfast, drive to Agra.

    Visit the imposing Red Fort of Agra (also known as Agra Fort). A creative, architectural, and strategic masterpiece, the Fort is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In a cruel twist, Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal and whose grandfather built the original Fort and who also assumed the throne himself, was imprisoned here at the end of his life by his own son – in a room looking out on the Taj Mahal across the river.

    Lunch is on your own.

    Explore the Taj Mahal, the greatest monument of love and one of the wonders of the modern world. Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 labourers worked for 22 years to build this edifice, constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

    Later drive back to Delhi.

    Overnight at hotel (B)

    

    Agra Fort

    

    Taj Mahal in 1884 by Dr Gustave LeBon /

    Taj Mahal

14. Day 14 Delhi & Departure

    Delhi

    On time check-out from the hotel and transfer to the Airport to connect with the departure International flight.

    (B)