Idea 1
You can extend your time in Ladakh, maybe try some of the more remote village houses, or add on some more adventurous trekking (we can set up mobile camps)
The Story
Best time to go: May - September
Best for: Adventure & Off-the-beaten track, Trekking & Walking, Cultural & Immersive, Repeat Visitors
Best for: Adventure & Off-the-beaten track, Trekking & Walking, Cultural & Immersive, Repeat Visitors
Ladakh is located to the far north of India, beyond the high Himalayan peaks, meaning that it is in the rain-shadow and doesn’t get affected by the summer monsoon. It borders Tibet, and as such has a long history of Buddhist culture with a dramatic scattering of Buddhist Monasteries. The Indus River flows through Ladakh, ensuring the valley floor is green and lush, juxtaposed against the arid, craggy valley hills making it strikingly beautiful. The altitude is around 3500m, meaning you need to take a little time to properly acclimatise before exploring this remarkable part of India. You’ll stay in lovely village houses in remote off-the-beaten track locations. The rooms have been refurnished to boutique hotel standards, with en-suite bathrooms. You only ever take the houses exclusively, so you see almost no other tourists, very much having the destination to yourself. You’ll have a team of guides, porters and cooks to ensure the experience is second-to-none. You mix up a variety of walks, drives and even rafting to get from one to the other (the day-to-day itinerary is tailor-made around your interests and travelling style). Explore interesting monasteries and local villages, maybe stopping for a picnic in a stunning location.
Guide Pricing
Starting At
| £5120 |
|---|
Price per person including all accommodation, private transfers, unique experiences and excluding international flights. We can arrange international flights should you wish.
Highlights
- Wonderful, exclusive, immersive experience which operates from May to September
- Stay in three village houses that are always taken exclusively, and the rooms have been refurbished to boutique hotel standard
- Have your own private guides, porters and chef
- A Millis Potter favourite!
Day 1
The Imperial Hotel
Day 2-4
Shakti Ladakh
Day 5-6
Shakti Ladakh
Day 6-8
Shakti Ladakh
Day 9
Trident Gurgaon
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Delhi | The Imperial Hotel |
| Day 2-4 | Nimmo | Shakti Ladakh |
| Day 5-6 | Likhir | Shakti Ladakh |
| Day 6-8 | Stok | Shakti Ladakh |
| Day 9 | Gurgaon | Trident Gurgaon |
Day 1
Delhi
The Imperial Hotel
Fly to Delhi and in the afternoon explore the city with your guide. We can of course extend your days here to more days, but do note that in the summer, Delhi is remarkably hot and/or humid.
Day 2
Nimoo
Fly to Leh, which at 3332m or 10928ft takes some acclimatisation. The first village house is about an hour’s drive from Leh on the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers. The fields around are incredibly fertile featuring apricot, apple and walnut orchards. It’s best to just sit back and enjoy the views today.
Day 3
Nimoo
Take a two hour walk or cycle ride with your guide around Nimoo, seeing rural Ladakhi life all around you. After lunch back at the village house, visit Basgo Fort and around the village. That evening maybe have a cookery lesson from your private chef.
Day 4
Nimoo
Shakti Ladakh
You will be driven one hour to the village of Chilling, noted for its metal smiths and has traditionally provided Leh with its copper, bronze, tin, silver and iron work over the centuries. Walk around the village, seeing the craftsmen at work. If you feel active, you can return to Nimoo by rafting back along the Indus which takes about two hours. You have the option of another walk across the fields of the Hinju region.
Day 5
Likhir
Shakti Ladakh
Drive to Likhir, which takes about an hour and walk to the village of Temisgam, along a portion of the famous ‘Sham Valley’ trek. Pass through traditional villages and orchards and stop for an amazing picnic en route.
Day 6
Stok
Shakti Ladakh
Visit Likhir Monastery followed by a walk to Saspol where you have an amazing picnic lunch. After this, see Alchi Monastery and drive onto Stok, your final village house.
Day 7
Stok
Shakti Ladakh
Take a full day walk toward Stok Kangri, Ladakh’s most famous mountain, or take a more leisurely village walk or cycle. That afternoon the local Oracle will tell you your fortune.
Day 8
Stok
Shakti Ladakh
For early risers, you can visit Thiksey monastery for early morning prayers. Otherwise just see Hemis monastery which is about an hour from Stok, and is Ladakh’s largest and will give you a glimpse into Buddhism in Ladakh. After a picnic lunch, explore Leh, famous for its bustling market. A Buddhist monk will come to the village house tonight to tell stories about living in Ladakh.
Day 9
Gurgaon
Trident Gurgaon
Drive to Leh and fly to Delhi for your final night in India, or you can choose to extend your time.
Suggested Hotels
Itinerary Experiences
Customise Your Itinerary
We can tweak and change any element of this itinerary and you can depart on any day you want, add nights here and there, and we can fully customise your day-to-day experiences depending on your interests. Here are just a few ideas of many that we can look at and discuss when we come to plan your tailor-made itinerary.
Idea 2
Fly to Kashmir for a stay on Dal Lake in a houseboat for a little R&R
Idea 3
For a beach element, why not fly to the Maldives from Delhi, making it the ultimate combination of adventure, culture and beach?
Further Itinerary Suggestions
Darjeeling & Sikkim: Hidden India
Calcutta - Darjeeling - Biksthang - Sikkim - Darjeeling - CalcuttaIn recent years, there have been some wonderful developments in luxury tourism to Sikkim; the chance to get completely off-the-beaten track in style.
Remote & Heavenly Himalayas
Delhi - Mukteshwar - Almora - Leti - Binsar - DelhiKumaon is truly one of the most remarkable and beautiful corners of India where you can get off-the-beaten track in style.