• Monasteries and stupas of Leh
• Khardung La, the highest motor able road pass in the world
• Lamayaru Monastery, one of the earliest seats of lamaistic learning
• Tsomoriri Lake, the highest lake in the world

Delhi is a bustling metropolis that incorporates the ancient with the modern. Amidst the skyscrapers, the monuments stand as a silent reminder to India’s legacy. Driving from the airport, you will be impressed with Delhi’s spacious, tree-lined streets and garden parks. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 1: Delhi—Leh
In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Leh. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Located at 11,975 feet, Leh was once the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh. The town boasts a strong religious co-existence of Tibetan Buddhism and Islam. Afternoon at leisure for rest and acclimatization. Overnight in Leh.

Day 2: Leh
After breakfast, begin your tour with short walks to nearby monasteries and Leh Palace. Later, drive to Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese order whose mission was to spread Buddhism throughout the world. The stupa is located at a commanding height and provides fantastic views of Leh and surrounding valleys. Continue to Namgyal Tsemo Hill. Built in 1430, it contains a 3-story Buddha image, ancient manuscripts, and frescos. Overnight in Leh.

Day 3: Leh—Uleytokpo
In the morning, drive to Uleytokpo (3-4 hours), en-route visiting Alchi monastery. Alchi is one of the largest and most famous monasteries in Ladakh. Evening at leisure to explore the surroundings of Uleytokpo. Overnight in tents.

Day 4: Uleytokpo—Saboo
After breakfast, drive to Saboo. En-route, visit the 11th century Lamayaru Monastery, one of the earliest seats of lamaistic learning. It is one of the most picturesque monasteries in Ladakh. Upon arrival in Saboo, enjoy a walk around the village to interact with the locals. Overnight in Mongolian huts.

Day 5: Saboo
Today drive to the monasteries of Chemrey and Tak Tak. The magnificent gompa of Chemrey sees few visitors because of its location in a side valley. It is an illustration of Buddhist preservation. Tak Tak houses a cave in which the apostle Padmasambhava is said to have meditated in during his epic journey to Tibet in the 8th century. Return to Saboo for your overnight stay.

Day 6: Saboo—Sumoor
After breakfast, drive to Sumoor village (5-6 hours). You will drive over Khardung La, the highest motor able road pass in the world. The views are nothing short of spectacular, gazing South across the Indus Valley to the seamlessly endless peaks of the Zanskar range. Continue driving 2-3 more hours across the Shyok River to reach Sumoor village. Overnight at Sumoor camp.

Day 7: Sumoor—Disket—Sumoor
In the morning, drive to Disket. The Disket monastery is perched high on a rock overhanging a stream that is used as a source of energy by the mills. The monastery is full of silk paintings, magnificent giant statues of the Buddha and ancient mural paintings. Overnight at Sumoor camp.

Day 8: Sumoor—Leh
After breakfast, drive back to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Leh.

Day 9: Leh
Day at leisure to explore Leh. Visit the various hillside monasteries or shop in the local markets. Overnight in Leh.

Day 10: Leh—Tsomoriri
After breakfast, drive to beautiful, high-altitude Tsomoriri Lake (6-7 hours). Surrounded by mountains, the lake is so salty that salt is procured from its margins and sold all over Ladakh and Kashmir. Overnight in lakeside tents.

Day 11: Tsomoriri
Full day of exploring the lake’s surroundings. Walk to the quaint village of Korzak, comprised of 100 families. Also visit the 350 year old gompa with 30 resident monks. Overnight in lakeside tents.

Day 12: Tsomoriri—Leh
This morning, return to Leh through the remote countryside. Other than the Korzak village, there are no villages en-route except for the occasional nomad settlement of 2-3 tents. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Overnight in Leh.

Day 13: Leh—Delhi
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to explore India’s multicultural capital. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 14: Delhi –Agra—Delhi
This morning, transfer to the train station for your first class rail journey to Agra (3 hours). Upon arrival, visit the majestic Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj took over 22 years and 20,000 men to build. The monument is truly a wonder of the world. Later, transfer to the station for your return train journey to Delhi.Overnight in Delhi. (Please note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. For scheduling purposes, Day 14/15 may be reversed.)

Day 15: Departure
After breakfast, tour the sites of Delhi: Red Fort, a marvel of red sandstone; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; and Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Also drive past the President's Palace and India Gate. In the evening, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. Bon Voyage!