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Golden Triangle with Ladakh
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Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Leh - Uletokpo Camp - Delhi
The two weeks tour brings one to very diverse destinations of North India. The Imperial capital of India, the Mughal city of Agra with its incomparable Taj Mahal, Rajput magnificence in colourful Jaipur and the cool environs of "Little Tibet" in Ladakh. Experience this and much more…………….
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and escorted to the hotel where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Delhi
Day 02: Delhi
Delhi  with its Old and New parts - each with its specific charm and glory - makes an interesting city for its sustenance to medieval and modern cultures at the same time and space. Today, you will explore the capital of India in a full-day guided tour - visiting Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Gandhi's cremation site, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar. You will also enjoy a rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and will drive past the colonial Delhi.
Accommodation: Delhi (Breakfast)
Day 03 Delhi - Agra - (200 kms 4 & half hours)
After breakfast drive to Agra, visiting Sikandara for a photo stop. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Set out for the highlight of the tour - the Taj Mahal - a poetry in white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. It took 20,000 artisans and 22 years to build this masterpiece. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon visit the Agra Fort where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son and from where one can get the most moving picture of the Taj.
Accommodation: Agra (Breakfast)
Please note: Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.
Day 04 Agra - Jaipur - (238 kms 6 & half hours)
After breakfast drive to Jaipur. On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri 40 kms (1 hour) from Agra. This abandoned city was built by in red sandstone by Akbar the Great Mughal Emperor. Akbar is said to have lived here for only 14 years. He also built the shrine of the sufi saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of 3 sons to him. The imposing Buland Darwaza in front of the shrine was built commemorating his victory in Gujarat. Continue the drive to Jaipur upon arrival check in at the hotel in Jaipur.
Accommodation: Jaipur (Breakfast)
Day 05 Jaipur
After breakfast, a small excursion trip takes  you to Amber Fort. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 storeyed building with 25 cm thick facade from the 18 century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal family could see the procession and events in the city without being visible to the people. Proceed to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1727. Enjoy an Elephant ride to the top of the Palace fort.
Accommodation: Jaipur. (Breakfast)
Day 06: Jaipur - Delhi (265 kms 5 hours)
After breakfast drive to Delhi. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Delhi (Breakfast)
Day 07 : Delhi -Leh altitude 3650 metres ( Flight I hour )
Take the spectacular flight to Leh (Altitude) (3550meters) the capital of Ladakh also known as "Little Tibet". Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the hotel. Today you are requested to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude and rarified air. In the late afternoon take a very leisurely stroll or spend your time reading in the premises of the hotel.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 08 : Leh
Today we drive upstream on the Indus valley to see Shey Thikse and Hemis. Hemis was founded in the 1630s by Stags-Tsang-Ras-Pa under the royal patronage of the great ruler of Ladakh ,Sengge Namgyal, Hemis is the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh of the Drukpa order. It nestles into the mountainside a little way up a winding glen in the mountains of the Zanskar range, about forty kilometers up the Indus from Leh. Its two days festival every summer has given Hemis a particular reputation with local and overseas visitors. Thikse which resembles a mini Potala Palace is yet another striking monastery of the Gelucpa order ( yellow ) hat. It has an imposing statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Shey Palace built as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older ruined fortress. Return to Leh.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 09: Leh
Visit the oracle in Sabu. The oracle exists in most villages in Leh and practices faith healing. Locals as well as tourists visit her to seek solace from ailments and distress. Oracles do play an important part in the life of Ladakhis and they are revered for their healing powers. Later visit Stok Palace museum, which has one of the finest collections of Thangkas in the world. The Palace itself is the residence of the Queen of Ladakh belonging to Namgyal Dynasty. Return to Leh. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Leh
Drive to KhardungLa ( 5620 metres ) the highest motor able road in the world. Khardungla is an all weather road is maintained by the Indian Army as its vital link to the Nubra valley, well known for apricots, the fast flowing Shyok River and also the double humped Bactriian camel. From the top of the Khardungla Pass one can have a panoramic view of some of the peaks in the region. Return to Leh. Afternoon is at leisure.
Accommodation: Leh. ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 : Leh - Uletokpo Camp
Follow downstream by taking an enjoyable drive from Leh to Uleytokpo via Nimmu the confluence of the river Indus and Zanskar joining it from the south.The important monasteries to see for the next 2 days are Likir, which has today the largest statue of Buddha, Alchi an UNESCO world Heritage monastery with stunning frescoes, Lamayuru with its spectacular moonscape is the furthest monastery on your route. An overnight stay in a picturesque village near Alchi facilitates visits to these monasteries.
Accommodation: Uleytokpo (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 : Uletokpo Camp
Day is at leisure and walk to Ridzong monastery. The Ridzong monastery is located in a hidden valley and is known for its stricter rules. There is also a nunnery here.
Accommodation: Uleytokpo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 : Uletokpo /Leh
Return to Leh. Rest of the day is at leisure to pursue  independent activities and roam the bazaars for shopping etc. The Tibetan SOS village in Choglamsar is good place to see the Tibetan community living in Ladakh with their handicraft center, school etc. The Ladakh ecological center is another worthwhile place to visit for books and a film show on the region and for local handicrafts. The Leh Palace dominating the town was the former home of the Namgyal dynasty. Leh is a bustling town in the months of July and August as it is thronged by foreign tourists and is well known for treks, hikes, expeditions, rafting and kayaking. The grounds overlooking the Leh palace also has a lot of activity the most exciting one being its unique polo tournament.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 14 : Leh/ Delhi Flight
Early morning transfer to the airport for departure flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel in Delhi. Rest of the day is at leisure to pursue independent activities.
Accommodation: Delhi (Breakfast)
Day 15 Delhi
Day is at leisure for independent activities. PM departure transfer to the international airport to Connect onward flight. |
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