20 Days
Delhi * Around Leh * Lake Tsomoriri * Tibetan Nomad & Drokhpa Tribal Villages

This ultimate adventure includes the best of Ladakh. Tour Old Delhi's chaotic silver street, sweets and spice markets and spend a quiet moment at Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site before exploring the interesting folk art museum. Fly to Leh with its dramatic high mountain scenery and stunning centuries old monasteries with exquisite religious frescos. A ttend a tranquil prayer ceremony with chanting monks and travel to a remote monastery to join the village folk at a fascinating Buddhist festival. See the red robed monks in their wide brimmed hats act out the sacred dance dramas or Chhams that form the core of this festival. Dancers are accompanied by musicians playing cymbals, yak-skin drums and trumpets. Photograph the gorgeous Ladakhi women with their stunning peraks (headdress), a family heirloom. Travel to Lamayuru - the oldest monastery, Thiksey — the largest practicing one, and Alchi with its Kashmiri influenced intricate woodwork. Visit a Ladakhi home and observe an oracle in deep trance

Drive past rocky mountains along the Indus River to the restricted Dah Hanu Valley. Meet the gorgeous and fast diminishing Drokhpa tribes considered to be Aryans. They are ethnically, linguistically, religiously and culturally different from the rest of Ladakh. They speak a distinct dialect and live in relative isolation. Walk to tiny Drokhpa villages set amidst apricot orchards. Visit a local school and spend time with the heart-warming kids. Enjoy tribal dances with men and women wearing traditional outfits, flowers and ethnic jewelry. A mobile camp and crew will accompany you past dramatic snow mountains in the Chamathang highlands that border Tibet, to sacred Tsomoriri Lake (15,000 plus ft). View the ever changing hues of the iridescent blue lake and meet the Changpa nomads with their sheep herds and yaks camped out in pristine meadows, in their black yak-hair tents. See endangered wild ass, golden crested ducks and marmots. Return to sprawling Leh with its ski town atmosphere and busy bazaar with stores selling fine pashmina, tribal rugs, Tibetan antiques and the stunning turquoise peraks.

TOUR CODE: LH
TOUR DATES:
2012: Jul 21 - Aug 9
2013: Jul 11 - 30

2012 TOUR PRICES:
Land Package: $4070 (5+ members)
+$120 (3-4 members)
+$210 (2 members)
Single Supplement: $1190

Approx. International Air: $1695 (Los Angeles / Delhi / Los Angeles)
Approx. Internal Air: $485

Trip Grading | More Info



Pre or post tour extensions available - call 1-800-825-1680 to plan your next adventure!

9-Day Leh to Manali