Discover India's Little Tibet
Overview
Highlights
- Traverse the Himalayan landscapes of Northern India where religions and cultures collide
- Soak up the atmosphere in Amritsar at the Sikh's holiest shrine, the Golden Temple
- Learn about Tibetan Buddhism and visit the home of the Dalai Lama on this epic journey to Ladakh, India's Little Tibet
What's this trip about?
Itinerary
Our tour starts in Amritsar. The city is at the spiritual heart of the Sikh religion with its magnificent Golden Temple. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet us in the hotel reception at 4.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by a visit to the Golden...
Today we'll drive out of Amritsar and cross the plains of the Punjab before making our way up to the old British hill station of Dharamsala. Until 1959 this was a quiet unassuming town, but that changed when the Dalai Lama settled here after fleeing Tibet at the time ...
We'll spend this morning in McLeodganj. If the Dalai Lama is giving one of his occasional public audiences, we might be lucky enough to be granted permission to attend. This afternoon is free for you to explore the town more at your own leisure. Alternatively, you mig...
Leaving Dharamsala today, we'll continue to Mandi. Once an important town on the salt route to Tibet, Mandi is now a small temple town held sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. On arrival, we'll walk to see some of the 81 temples in the town, many of which are huddled on the banks of the Beas River.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Today we'll follow the Beas River north through the lovely Kulu Valley. A slight detour will take us up to the medieval Naggar Castle which overlooks the valley. Our destination is the picturesque town of Manali, surrounded by forests and mountains.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
The day is free to explore the town and the many picturesque villages nearby. Our tour leader will also organise an optional half-day walk to some of the traditional villages to the north of Manali. Alternatively, you can also visit the Hadimba Devi Temple or Vashisht...
Today we'll climb higher still as we travel from Manali to the small mountain village of Jespa. Our route takes us through the Atal tunnel, a newly constructed road that allows easier access to the region. The journey will take around three hours and we'll stop to vis...
Jespa is a small village, home to less than 1000 people, and we'll spend today strolling around and getting to meet the local community. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and set on the banks of a river it's a great spot to relax and acclimatise a little more.
Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner
Today, we'll gradually travel higher as we head for Sarchu. We'll climb to the top of the Baralacha La Pass (4891m) and then descend to our campsite for the night. The large pre-erected tents are set up each summer when the Leh to Manali highway is open. They're fully...
We'll set off for the long drive to Leh this morning, winding our way up through the Gata loops, an amazing series of 21 hair-pin bends, before crossing the Tanglang La Pass at 5328m - the highest point of our journey. Leh was once a staging post on the Silk Road fr...
Today we'll spend the day at the annual Daktok Festival. Translated as 'Rock Roofed Cave' there's a small cave deep inside the monastery said to have been a meditation spot for Guru Rimpoche. The festival is attended by thousands of pilgrims, and we'll join them in li...
The predominant faith of the residents here is the Lamaistic form of Buddhism in Tibet. This is seen clearly in the monastery (gompa) architecture and by the extraordinary number of gods and demons that give order to the daily life of the community. Today we'll have...
This morning there's the option to do some white water rafting on the Indus River (if water levels permit). Lifejackets are provided but we recommend that you're able to swim a minimum of 25 metres unaided. In the afternoon, we'll visit historic Alchi Gompa. Alchi i...
Today there are a few optional walks planned. The first takes us back across the river to Saspol, then up to the nearby Saspol caves with views across the Indus Valley. This afternoon, we can take a slightly longer and very scenic route back down to the Indus Valley a...
This morning we drive up to Likir Gompa, which houses some beautiful murals and is guarded by a 10-metre golden Buddha, there's also a small museum of religious artefacts to explore. We'll then drive back to Leh, with the afternoon left free. You might opt to walk t...
Today we'll take an early morning flight to Delhi and transfer to our hotel. After checking in we'll begin a city tour of some of the main sights of New and Old Delhi. The Indian capital is something of a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi ...
Our tour ends at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Our tour starts in Amritsar. The city is at the spiritual heart of the Sikh religion with its magnificent Golden Temple. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet us in the hotel reception at 4.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by a visit to the Golden...
Today we'll drive out of Amritsar and cross the plains of the Punjab before making our way up to the old British hill station of Dharamsala. Until 1959 this was a quiet unassuming town, but that changed when the Dalai Lama settled here after fleeing Tibet at the time ...
We'll spend this morning in McLeodganj. If the Dalai Lama is giving one of his occasional public audiences, we might be lucky enough to be granted permission to attend. This afternoon is free for you to explore the town more at your own leisure. Alternatively, you mig...
Leaving Dharamsala today, we'll continue to Mandi. Once an important town on the salt route to Tibet, Mandi is now a small temple town held sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. On arrival, we'll walk to see some of the 81 temples in the town, many of which are huddled on the banks of the Beas River.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Today we'll follow the Beas River north through the lovely Kulu Valley. A slight detour will take us up to the medieval Naggar Castle which overlooks the valley. Our destination is the picturesque town of Manali, surrounded by forests and mountains.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
The day is free to explore the town and the many picturesque villages nearby. Our tour leader will also organise an optional half-day walk to some of the traditional villages to the north of Manali. Alternatively, you can also visit the Hadimba Devi Temple or Vashisht...
Today we'll climb higher still as we travel from Manali to the small mountain village of Jespa. Our route takes us through the Atal tunnel, a newly constructed road that allows easier access to the region. The journey will take around three hours and we'll stop to vis...
Jespa is a small village, home to less than 1000 people, and we'll spend today strolling around and getting to meet the local community. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and set on the banks of a river it's a great spot to relax and acclimatise a little more.
Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner
Today, we'll gradually travel higher as we head for Sarchu. We'll climb to the top of the Baralacha La Pass (4891m) and then descend to our campsite for the night. The large pre-erected tents are set up each summer when the Leh to Manali highway is open. They're fully...
We'll set off for the long drive to Leh this morning, winding our way up through the Gata loops, an amazing series of 21 hair-pin bends, before crossing the Tanglang La Pass at 5328m - the highest point of our journey. Leh was once a staging post on the Silk Road fr...
Today we'll spend the day at the Hemis Festival, an annual celebration dedicated to the Lord Padmasambhava. Hemis Gompa, situated 48km outside Leh, is the largest and most important monastery in Ladakh, a treasure house of golden statues, gem-studded stupas, rare book...
The predominant faith of the residents here is the Lamaistic form of Buddhism in Tibet. This is seen clearly in the monastery (gompa) architecture and by the extraordinary number of gods and demons that give order to the daily life of the community. Today we'll have...
This morning there's the option to do some white water rafting on the Indus River (if water levels permit). Lifejackets are provided but we recommend that you're able to swim a minimum of 25 metres unaided. In the afternoon, we'll visit historic Alchi Gompa. Alchi i...
Today there are a few optional walks planned. The first takes us back across the river to Saspol, then up to the nearby Saspol caves with views across the Indus Valley. This afternoon, we can take a slightly longer and very scenic route back down to the Indus Valley a...
This morning we drive up to Likir Gompa, which houses some beautiful murals and is guarded by a 10-metre golden Buddha, there's also a small museum of religious artefacts to explore. We'll then drive back to Leh, with the afternoon left free. You might opt to walk t...
Today we'll take an early morning flight to Delhi and transfer to our hotel. After checking in we'll begin a city tour of some of the main sights of New and Old Delhi. The Indian capital is something of a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi ...
Our tour ends at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Our tour starts in Amritsar. The city is at the spiritual heart of the Sikh religion with its magnificent Golden Temple. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet us in the hotel reception at 4.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by a visit to the Golden...
Today we'll drive out of Amritsar and cross the plains of the Punjab before making our way up to the old British hill station of Dharamsala. Until 1959 this was a quiet unassuming town, but that changed when the Dalai Lama settled here after fleeing Tibet at the time ...
We'll spend this morning in McLeodganj. If the Dalai Lama is giving one of his occasional public audiences, we might be lucky enough to be granted permission to attend. This afternoon is free for you to explore the town more at your own leisure. Alternatively, you mig...
Leaving Dharamsala today, we'll continue to Mandi. Once an important town on the salt route to Tibet, Mandi is now a small temple town held sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. On arrival, we'll walk to see some of the 81 temples in the town, many of which are huddled on the banks of the Beas River.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Today we'll follow the Beas River north through the lovely Kulu Valley. A slight detour will take us up to the medieval Naggar Castle which overlooks the valley. Our destination is the picturesque town of Manali, surrounded by forests and mountains.
Meals Provided : Breakfast
The day is free to explore the town and the many picturesque villages nearby. Our tour leader will also organise an optional half-day walk to some of the traditional villages to the north of Manali. Alternatively, you can also visit the Hadimba Devi Temple or Vashisht...
Today we'll climb higher still as we travel from Manali to the small mountain village of Jespa. Our route takes us through the Atal tunnel, a newly constructed road that allows easier access to the region. The journey will take around three hours and we'll stop to vis...
Jespa is a small village, home to less than 1000 people, and we'll spend today strolling around and getting to meet the local community. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and set on the banks of a river it's a great spot to relax and acclimatise a little more.
Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner
Today, we'll gradually travel higher as we head for Sarchu. We'll climb to the top of the Baralacha La Pass (4891m) and then descend to our campsite for the night. The large pre-erected tents are set up each summer when the Leh to Manali highway is open. They're fully...
We'll set off for the long drive to Leh this morning, winding our way up through the Gata loops, an amazing series of 21 hair-pin bends, before crossing the Tanglang La Pass at 5328m - the highest point of our journey. Leh was once a staging post on the Silk Road f...
Today we'll spend a full day experiencing the annual Phyang Festival. The Phyang monastery is located just west of Leh and belongs to the red hat school of Buddhism. The festival features the sacred Chham dance, a dance performed by the monks and said to ward off evil...
The predominant faith of the residents here is the Lamaistic form of Buddhism in Tibet. This is seen clearly in the monastery (gompa) architecture and by the extraordinary number of gods and demons that give order to the daily life of the community. Today we'll have...
This morning there's the option to do some white water rafting on the Indus River (if water levels permit). Lifejackets are provided but we recommend that you're able to swim a minimum of 25 metres unaided. In the afternoon, we'll visit historic Alchi Gompa. Alchi i...
Today there are a few optional walks planned. The first takes us back across the river to Saspol, then up to the nearby Saspol caves with views across the Indus Valley. This afternoon, we can take a slightly longer and very scenic route back down to the Indus Valley a...
This morning we drive up to Likir Gompa, which houses some beautiful murals and is guarded by a 10-metre golden Buddha, there's also a small museum of religious artefacts to explore. We'll then drive back to Leh, with the afternoon left free. You might opt to walk t...
Today we'll take an early morning flight to Delhi and transfer to our hotel. After checking in we'll begin a city tour of some of the main sights of New and Old Delhi. The Indian capital is something of a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi ...
Our tour ends at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Trusted Customer
Jul 2024
Discover India's Little Tibet
This holiday requires a level of fitness that copes with altitude and heat. The hotels are largely OK , three are good but the one in Mandi is filthy with an urgent...
Trusted Customer
Jul 2024
Discover India's Little Tibet
POSITIVES This is an amazing multifaceted trip. Learning about the partition of the Punjab by the British, the Dalaï Lamas place of excile, the growth of Tibetan Bu...
Trusted Customer
Jul 2024
Discover India's Little Tibet
The trip was full of variety where it constantly changed and evolved; with lots of wonderful surprises and never got predictable. This was my 3rd trip to India; but ...
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