Day 1: Delhi - Wander at will or just relax.
The starting point for this 11-day trip is
Delhi, where you can sightsee or spend the day preparing for your journey. Sleepless after a night flight or just want to relax? An undemanding stroll among the outdoor sculptures and the monuments to former leaders Indira and Rajiv Gandhi or the Mahatma's cremation site (now a shrine) in the landscaped gardens of Raj Ghat (near
Delhi Gate) may be just the thing.
Day 2: Manali - A taste of train and road travel.
A combination of train to Chandigarh then by road to reach your destination Manali by the evening.
Day 3: Manali - See the sights.
This is a hill station known as the land of Gods and Goddesses, lakes and ancient temples. Visit Naggar Castle and the Reorich Art Gallery. It's the converted house of a Russian professor who settled there in 1929 and displays many of his rare paintings along with other works of art.
Day 4: Keylong - The start of the The Ladakh safari.
Now you're in a very different land from the rest of India! It's known as "Little Tibet" and the "rooftop of the world". It's the home away from home for the Buddhists exiled from Tibet since the Chinese invasion of the 1950s Let the wonderful, majestic mountain scenery ease you into a gentler rhythm as your journey takes you up the Rohtang Pass to Keylong.
Day 5: Sarchu - Climb still higher.
Your journey away from the crowded metropolitan world with all its perils and excitement continues as you cross the second and higher Baralacha La Pass on your way to Sarchu on day four. Try the region's favourite foods - Thukpa, a thick soup with vegetables that provides a complete meal, and Momos or steamed dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables, accompanied by a fiery chilli sauce.
Day 6: Leh - And even higher!
Onwards and upwards, your journey takes you across the second world's second highest pass, Tanglong La (5360m) up to Leh, Ladakh's capital.
Day 7: Leh - Two full days in Leh.
This is a highly spiritual place but unless you have reached an advanced state of enlightenment and can distance your body from the environment you might need to wrap up warm! Visits to Spituk and Phyang monasteries, Leh palace, Shankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa and Leh Bazaar - with an evening spent watching a thrilling horseback polo match. A day of contrasts!
Day 8: Leh - There's more to explore.
Today's agenda is Shey palace, Thiksey, Hemis Monastery and Stok palace museum. One of the biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals normally held throughout the winter is at the gompa of Hemis, about 40Km from Leh. It's the exception to the rule- held in late June or early July. Every 12 years, the gompa's greatest treasure, a huge thangka, (hanging scroll) is ritually exhibited. The last time was in 2004.
Day 9: Uletopko - Fancy a night under the stars?
Leave Leh for an overnight camp in tents at Uletopko. En route there are visits to the Basgo palace, Liker and Alchi monasteries.
Day 10: Leh -
Spend the day on the return trip to Leh via Lamayaru monastery