Tour: Summer 2011
DATES: Aug 01-29, 2011 (29 Days)
Pick Up: New Delhi, Aug 02
Drop Off: New Delhi, Aug 29
PACKAGE COST*: Introductory price $3950 CAD (2950 EUR/4150 USD)
Price includes:
- All Food and Accommodation while in India
- All Transportation costs within India (Air Travel & 4-7 days of Jeep Safari)
- Up to 60 min. of phone calls to anywhere in the world
* Please note: flight to New Delhi is not included in the package cost
FEATURES
- Safe Exciting Travel
- High Quality Amenities
- Off the Beaten Track
- Small Group (max of 7 people)
- Cooking classes to explore the culinary delights of each region
- Meet local residents in villages and monasteries
- Experience a variety of physical and cultural regions in the Himalayas
- The Ultimate Himalayan Adventure & Cultural Experience
OVERVIEW
Your tour will start in the Lesser Himalayas at an altitude range of from 1500 to 2500 meters. Monsoons are very active in this region at this time of the year, so you will have an excellent opportunity to witness first-hand, this amazing natural phenomenon.
After spending a week in the lush green valleys, you will leave the rains behind and travel to the semi-arid regions of Lahaul & Spiti.. Inhabited by people of Buddhist as well as Hindu descent, this region has a rich and unique culture. Situated at altitudes ranging from 3000 to 4500 meters yet near enough to low altitude valleys this is an ideal place to acclimatize for the high altitude road trip to Ladakh. The road from Lahaul to Ladakh traverses some of the highest mountain passes in the world and offers spectacular views.
In the third week you will experience Ladakh, the cold desert of India. Sitting at an altitude of over 3500 meters it has an average annual precipitation of 50 mm and 330 sunny days in a year. Fine, gentle weather is guaranteed at this time of the year. The inhabitants of Ladakh are mostly people of Tibetan descent. There are vast numbers of Buddhist monasteries and an extremely rich culture and heritage. His Holiness Dalai Lama often mentions this region as his favourite place on the planet.
The final segment of your journey will bring you back to the "Lesser Himalayas". You will visit Dharamshala , the monastery and residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama as well as the museums and offices of the Tibetan Government in Exile. Your adventure will conclude with a sightseeing tour of Delhi and a trip to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the "Taj Mahal".
We look forward to providing you with a rich, high quality, authentic cultural experience. We hope you will return home with all of your expectations met and the desire to return another day to Incredible India!
INTERACTIVE ITINERARY MAP SUMMER 2011
(Click on the dots for more information)
ITINERARY
(Times and Dates are approximate depending on weather, road conditions or other unforeseen factors)
Day 1 to 6: Lower Himalayas: Shimla or Kullu region.
As mentioned, monsoons usually reach this area in mid-July and heavy rains can close some roads in the Himalayas. The plan will be to visit the Great Himalayan National Park in the Kullu District and then cross over to Spiti via Kinnaur region on a jeep safari. If road conditions are unsuitable, the alternate plan will be to reach Lahaul via NH 22 or NH 21.
Day 1: Pick up from Delhi and set out for the Himalayas.
Day 2-4: Stay in a small town at an altitude of around 2000 meters depending on the route taken. Here you will acclimatise, rest, and begin your introduction to the Himalayan culture.
Day 5-6: Leave on jeep safari to the Inner Himalayan region of Lahaul and Spiti.
Highlights: Great Himalayan National Park (Kullu), Kinnaur, Shimla (NH 22), Manali (NH 21)
Day 7 to 12: Inner Himalayas: Lahaul and Spiti
The geography of this region is unaffected by monsoons, making it very dry and barren. A few short day hikes (2-5 hours) or one 2-3 day hike will help you acclimatise for the high altitude road trip to Ladakh. You will immerse yourself into the rich culture of this region by visiting local families and Buddhist Monasteries.
Highlights: Dhankar Monastery, Ki Monastery, Pattan Valley, Roadtrip from Keylong to Leh
Day 13 to 14: Drive to Ladakh Region.
Offering spectacular views, the road from Keylong to Leh (372 km) passes through one of the highest mountain passes in the world. Baralacha La 4892 m, Lachulung La 5059 m, and Taglang La 5325 m.
Highlights: High Altitude Passes, Town of Darcha, Plains of More
Day 15 to 21: Ladakh
Nestled between the Kunlum mountain range to the north and Great Himalayas to the south, Ladakh means "Land of high passes". Local sightseeing will include visits to monuments and monasteries, many of which have a rich history of more than 1000 years. The main accommodation will be at 125 year old house by the banks of the river Indus.
Highlights: Spituk, Leh, Thikse, Lamayuru
Day 22 to 28: Lower Himalayas, Taj Mahal and Delhi
This segment of the journey will bring you back to the Lesser Himalayas where the monsoons will still be active. You will travel to rainy Dharamshala, home to the monastery and residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama. You will also visit the Taj Mahal and have a day of shopping and sightseeing around New Delhi.
Day 22: Leh to Dharamshala: Fly from Leh to Jammu then drive from Jammu to Dharamshala.
Day 23 to 25: Sightseeing in Dharamshala: Visit the monastery of HH Dalai Lama and the museums and offices of the Tibetan Government in Exile. Weather permitting there may be a day hike.
Day 26: Dharmshala to Delhi: Car ride to Pathankot, then train to Delhi.
Day 27: Visit Taj Mahal
Day 28: Sightseeing & Shopping for Handicrafts in New Delhi
Day 29: Drop off in New Delhi.
Highlights: Dharamshala (Residence of HH Dalai Lama), Taj Mahal, New Delhi