Ladakh Overland
The itinerary starts from Delhi to arrive, through the visit of Amritsar (with its Golden Temple) and Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama currently resides, up to Manali, from which we begin to travel the spectacular road with an off-road car Himalayan that reaches as far as Leh, in Ladakh. A particular journey that offers intense emotions drawn from the beauty of the places, from the strong sense of adventure and from the Buddhist religiosity that permeates the ancient monasteries and the life of the people.
Day 01: Arrival in Delhi
Upon arrival at the airport in Delhi, meeting with our staff and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast, tour of Old Delhi, visit from outside the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007 and built in 1639 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (the creator of the Taj Mahal). Visit of the Jama Masjid, one of the most impressive Indian mosques, also commissioned by Shahjehan and completed in 1656. We pass through the characteristic and ancient market of Chandni Chowk built in the 17th century by the emperor himself. Visit of the Raj Ghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on January 31, 1948, one day after his assassination. Continue to New Delhi to the district of the government buildings which represent the largest liberal democracy in the world. Stop at India Gate, the arch erected in memory of Indian soldiers who left their lives fighting for the British army during the First World War. Visit of the Qutub Minar complex, a 73 meters high tower, engraved with verses from the Koran, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak is one of the most beautiful monuments in India. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Delhi / Amritsar ( by Shatabdhi Express - approx 5 hrs)
Breakfast and departure, by train, to Amritsar, in Punjab. At the arrival station, meeting with our staff and transfer to the hotel. Visit of the holy city and the Golden Temple, a white marble building with a dome covered in gold leaf and surrounded by the waters of the Sacred Basin. Visit to Jallianwala Bagh where, in 1919, the Amritsar massacre took place, an important event for the fight against Independence. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Amritsar / Dharamsala (Km. 200 – approx 4 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Dharamsala, in Himachal Pradesh, a small village nestled in a landscape of firs, oaks and conifers, protected by snow-capped mountains that surround the three sides. Since 1960, when it became the temporary seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala has acquired international fame as "The Little Lhasa in India". Mcleodganj, at 2,082 m.s.l.m and 9 km. from Dharamsala, the official residence of the Tibet government in exile since 1959, as well as home to Buddhist monasteries and a refuge for thousands of Tibetan refugees, it is a great pilgrimage destination. Visit of the monastery, the Tibetan Buddhist center and the buildings that house the government. Walk in the picturesque village between bazaars and small temples and to the waterfalls in the surroundings. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Dharamsala / Mandi / Manali (Km.240 – approx 4 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Manali, where the summer air is always fresh and outpost of Ladakh. Stop in Mandi, the former capital of a Rajput principality which in 1846 became part of the English colony. Continue to Manali, an important city in Himachal Pradesh, surrounded by the high peaks that guard the Beas River. Here come lovers of sports, adventure and nature. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Manali
Breakfast and then visit of the Old City, visit of the ancient Hadimba temple. In the afternoon, free time to relax or take a walk in the Bazaar. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Manali / Keylong (Km. 115 - approx 6 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Keylong crossing the Rohtang La pass (3978 m.) Which connects the Kullu valley with the Lahul and Spiti valleys. Continue to Keylong (3350 m.). Dinner and overnight in a tented camp.
Day 08: Keylong / Sarchu (Km. 165 - approx 8 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Sarchu crossing the Baralacha pass (4883 m.) To enter the eastern basin of the Zanskar. Dinner and overnight in a tented camp.
Day 09: Sarchu / Leh (Km. 233 - approx 8 hrs)
Breakfast and departure for Leh along landscapes of rare beauty, admiring the ranges of the Zanskar Valley. After the Lachlung pass (5060 m.) You reach the Taglang pass (5328 m). We pass through deserted places and small settlements such as Rumtse, Gya and Meru. In Leh, accommodation in the Hotel. Full board.
Day 10: Leh / Hemis / Thiksey / Leh
Breakfast and visit of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Hemis existing before the 11th century, still revered today as the largest monastic institution in Ladakh. It is famous for its collection of ancient texts, the Buddha statue, gold and silver stupa. Visit of the Thiksey monastery, on a hill at 3600 m.s.l.m., similar to the Potala of Lhasa, which houses objects of Buddhist art and the statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future. Photo stop at Shey Monastery. Afternoon visit the Shanti Stupa, built in 1991, at a height of 4,267 meters with a wonderful view of the valley. Free time for a tour of Leh among its bazaars. Full board.
Day 11: Leh / Valle di Nubra (Km. 150 - approx 4 hrs)
Transfer to the Nubra valley (average altitude 3048 mt.) Through the spectacular KardungLa pass, 5602 meters high. Accommodation in a tented camp. Afternoon, visit the Diskit Monastery, the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery in the Valley. On the top of the hill, in front of the monastery, a 32 meters tall statue of Buddha, whose construction began in April 2006 and which was consecrated by the Dalai Lama on 25 July 2010. Visit of the Samstaling monastery, built in the early 19th century. Century in one of the most remote villages of the Valley, in a picturesque landscape. Towards the end of the day, walk on the sand dunes with the optional possibility of a camel safari. Full board.
Day 12: Valle di Nubra / Leh (Km. 150 - approx 4 hrs)
In the morning, return to Leh. Free afternoon for example to stroll up to Sankar Gompa and Leh castle. Full board.
DAY 13: Leh / Alchi / Lamayuru / Uletokpo (Km. 160 - approx 6 hrs)
Transfer to Uletokpo, along the Indus valley. Along the way, visit two of the most beautiful monasteries in Ladakh: Likir, founded in 1065 and Alchi, from the 11th century, rich in frescoes and with the great golden statue of Maitrya 23 meters high. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Lamayuru monastery, the oldest Gompa in Ladakh, at 3510 mt. high, on top of a "lunar" landscape. Full board.
Day 14: Uletokpo / Leh / Spituk / Stakna / Leh (km. 70 - approx 2 hrs)
In the morning, return to Leh. Visit the 11th century Spituk Monastery and Phyang Monastery from 1515 which houses a collection of bronzes, ancient paintings and Tantric rooms. Afternoon visit to the small monastery of Stakna and of Matho, in a suggestive landscape. Descent on foot through the delightful village. Full board.
Day 15: Leh / Delhi (by flight)
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Delhi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16: Depart from Delhi
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. Boarding the flight to return home.