Meet & greet: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Delhi by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will take you to your city hotel to check in.

Time to recover: Once arrived and checked in, you have the remainder of the day at leisure to relax after your long flight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Haveli Dharampura (Jharoka Room)

Flexible day in Delhi: Today’s itinerary in Delhi is flexible. If this is this your first time in India we suggest splitting the day in two: the morning, diving into Old Delhi’s bazaars, and perhaps visiting the magnificent Jama Masjid; the afternoon, driving or walking around New Delhi’s succession of impressive monuments. If however this is a return visit to Delhi then we will leave your driver and vehicle at disposal for you to re-discover the city with a totally open schedule; explore some of Delhi’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods, take in more off-beat temples or religious sites, stroll through one of the city’s many fine parks, or take your pick from a huge selection of galleries and museums.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Haveli Dharampura (Jharoka Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After an early breakfast, you will be collected from the Haveli Dharampura and transferred to Delhi Airport for your flight to Leh.

Flight: SG123 Delhi - Leh 10.00 - 11.30

Private transfer: On arrival in Leh, you will be met by a private guide and driver and then taken to your hotel to check in, a short drive of around 10 minutes.

Afternoon at leisure to acclimatise: This afternoon is free to relax at your hotel and take time to acclimatise to the high altitude. Leh has an altitude of 3,500m. In order to adjust to the thinner air we advise you to take it easy for the first couple of days. Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol and smoking. Make sure you drink extra water, especially on your arrival day.

Evening visit to Shanti Stupa: Later in the evening, you will be taken back out to visit the Shanti Stupa, a magnificent white-domed structure which offers spectacular views. Shanti Stupa was constructed by a Japanese Buddhist organization; the idea was conceived way back in 1914, but construction did not start until 1983, with the Stupa completed in 1991.  known as ‘Japanese for World Peace'. The stupa aims commemorate 2,500 years of Buddhism, and also echoes other Buddhist Peace Pagodas around the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated the Shanti Stupa in the year 1985.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Grand Dragon (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Leh: This morning, you will head out again with your guide to visit the Shey and Hemis monasteries. Shey was the ancient capital of Ladakh, and the palace here was once residence of the Ladakh royal family. Further back, the palace is believed to have been the seat of power for Ladakh’s pre-Tibetan kings. The centrepiece of the palace is 7.5m copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold.

Continue to Hemis: the wealthiest, largest, and best known Gompa in Ladakh. The monastery was constructed in 1630 AD during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, and flourished under the Namgyal dynasty. It houses Ladakh’s largest thanka (painted silk scroll) which is ceremonially unfurled once every 12 years. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon.

Afternoon at leisure: The rest of the day is then at leisure. We suggest a fairly relaxed afternoon as you continue adjusting Ladakh’s altitude.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Grand Dragon (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Likir, Rizong, Alchi Monasteries: Today, you will be taken on a day long excursion to see some of the most stunning monasteries of the entire Indus Valley region: Likir, Rizong and Alchi. First up is Likir, around 60km (or just over an hour’s drive) from Leh. Likir translates as ‘Naga Encircled’, so named as the Gompa is said to stand surrounded by the bodies of two great serpent spirits: the Naga-rajas, Nanda and Taksako. Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth King of Ladakh, offered the site to Lama Duwang Chosje; the Lama, a great champion of meditation, blessed the site and after which construction of the monastery begun.

A further 30 minutes in the car will bring to Rizong Gompa. Rizong is a Gelugpa monastery, built in the late 19th century, tucked into a steep hillside. Next door is the Thardot Choeling Nunnery, where you can learn more about the lives of the small group of resident nuns.

Come off the hillside and down to Alchi Gompa, situated on the banks of the Indus. Built in the 11th century, Alchi is one of Ladakh’s oldest standing monasteries and houses some fantastic interior frescoes. Although no longer an active monastery, the Gompa is looked after by monks from Likir Monastery and is an extremely interesting visit.

Road journey to Nimmu: After your visit to Alchi, you will continue by road to Nimmu, roughly equidistant between the monastery and Leh, a drive which will take around 45m. Once arrived you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Nimmu House (Heritage Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided walk around Nimmu: Today, take advantage of the stunning scenery, and head out on a guided walk in and around Nimmu village. This is a very flexible schedule with the walking route adapted to suit your interests. We recommend a hike out to nearby Basgo Fort, home to three 16th century monasteries, which are unusually built with Islamic architectural features rather than in typically Ladakhi Buddhist style. Alternatively, stroll through a couple of local villages and explore them at your own pace, with your guide helping to meet the locals and learn more about their Ladakhi life. Depending duration of your walk, lunch can either be provided packed, or you taken back at your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Nimmu House (Heritage Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Nubra Valley: This morning, you will be driven on to Nubra Valley, situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh Himalayan ranges, via the famous Khardungla Pass. At 5,602m Khardungla is on the same altitude as Everest Base Camp, and is the highest motorable road in the world! This epic drive will take around 4 hours, coming back down into Nubra Valley, also known as ‘Ldumra’ or the ‘Valley of Flowers’.

Guided visit to Diskit Gompa: Later in the afternoon, you will be taken to visit Diskit monastery. Diskit is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley, belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, in the 14th century.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lchang Nang (Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour around Nubra Valley: Today, you will be taken out for a leisure tour of the Nubra Valley. Begin with a walk around the picturesque and well-preserved village of Sumur, located across the Shyok and Nubra Rivers. Afterwards, you will drive up to Yarab Tso, a high-altitude lake which is only accessible by short hike. Yarab Tso is highly revered by locals, with washing and swimming strictly forbidden. A majestic drive back down through the farmlands of Sumur will bring you to a simple local farm, where you will enjoy a hearty lunch.

After lunch, if interested, you can continue to visit the Women's Alliance of Nubra. This village collective supports local women, allowing them to raise much needed family support through handicraft-making and traditional performing arts. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and have the rest of the day to relax.

The Nubra Valley is an area rich in adventure, with lots of excellent activities at hand. Treks, camel safaris, rafting, bird-watching, polo, and cycling are all on offer. Please let us know if you would like this day to be tailored in any way.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lchang Nang (Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Stok: After breakfast, you will drive back to Leh, again taking the Khardungla Pass. Continue past Leh and on to the village of Stok, located a few miles south. The total driving time should take around 5 hours.

Afternoon walk around Stok village: Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a walk around the beautifully unspoilt Stok village, which will also encompass a visit to the Stok Palace and Palace Museum. The palace was constructed by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825, following Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh. The Ladakhi royal family has resided here ever since. The palace museum houses an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewellery and artefacts, including some outstanding thangka painting. Also on display are the ceremonial headdresses or 'peraks', of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These headdresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, and gold - a truly exotic sight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Stok Palace (Standard Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning visit to Thiksey Monastery: Early this morning, you will be taken to the nearby Thiksey Monastery, timing your visit to coincide with morning prayers. Situated around half an hour from Stok, Thiksey is one of the largest and most architecturally impressive of Ladakh’s Gompas. The grounds of the gompa houses several fine stupas and the interiors are decorated with some truly exquisite wall art. Return to your hotel in Stok in the late morning.

Afternoon at leisure: The remainder of your final day in Ladakh is at leisure to relax, enjoy the views, or potter around the palace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Stok Palace (Standard Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Leh Airport: This morning, you will check out and be taken back to Leh Airport, a journey of around 30 minutes, in time to check in for your flight back to Delhi.

Flight: SG124 Leh - Delhi 12.00 - 13.30

Private transfer: You will be met on arrival in Delhi and taken to the nearby Aerocity complex to spend a final night at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast