ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi. After clearing customs and immigrations you are met and transferred to your hotel.

DELHI
This morning you head out to Old Delhi. Old Delhi came into prominence when Emperor Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. You will arrive at The Red Fort, which is the landmark of this area built in the mid 17 century by Shah Jahan, it was plundered by the marauding armies of Nadir Shah and later by British soldiers. After visiting the fort, we arrive at the 300 year old Chandni Chowk market. A maze of lanes crowded with shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and food, the noise and crowds are a quintessential part of any Indian market. We explore the market on a Cycle Rickshaw, our path leading us through lanes each dedicated to a particular item. From here we continue to the Jama Masjid or Friday Mosque. This is India's largest mosque designed by Shah Jahan, and was his last architectural legacy. Originally it was called Masjid-I-Jahan, which means "mosque commanding a view of the world". In complete contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, is Raj Ghat, a simple and stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India's independence.
In the afternoon you visit some of the sights of New Delhi. The Qutab Minar, the tapering monument begun in 1199 was built to symbolize the supremacy of Islam; Humayun's tomb was built by his senior wife and mother of emperor Akbar. This is the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. It is believed that it was this mausoleum, which inspired Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal. We will return to our hotel via the elegant government buildings designed by Lutyen and Baker. The architecture is a blend of Indian and European styles and is the celebration of the British rule in India. The most outstanding of this collection is the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace. Overnight at the hotel.

DELHI - LEH
In time transfer to the airport for flight to LEH. The flight takes you over the entire Himalayan Range to the barren desert land of Ladakh into the airport near the capital, Leh. Since the altitude in Leh is 11,500' you can expect to find yourself moving somewhat slowly the first day is free for you to acclimatize to the height. Overnight at the hotel.

LEH ULEY TOPKO
Your path today takes to first to Basgo. As you approach Basgo, you will see the ruins of a the Buddhist citadel perched on a spur overlooking the valley. Between 15 and 17 centuries, the citadel served as a royal residence and was once considered impregnable, after surviving a three-year Mongol siege. Not too far from Basgo, is the monastery of Likir. Likir was built during the reign of Lachen Gyalpo more than 500 years ago and housed more than 600 monks. Many of the old treasures and much of the old structure was destroyed in a fire, and the present buildings date mainly from the 18 century. A small, but interesting museum is opened on request. From Likir you head to the tented campsite at Uley Topko.

ULEY TOPKO LAMAYURU ULEY TOPKO
Leaving your things in your tent to drive to another of Ladakh's most famous temples, that of Lamayuru. Driving across the barren hills, one is struck by the vivid colors that light up the landscape. Legend has it that the monastery was built where once serpents swam in a crystal the clear lake and where the sage Naropa meditated in the 10 century. The central building dates backs to the 10the century and was constructed by Rinchen Zangpo at the request of the King of Ladakh. Once the home of more than 400 monks, today the monastery barely supports 20 to 30- monks of the Gelugpa sect. Known as the Tharpa Ling or "Place of Freedom", Lamayuru is considered a sanctuary guarded by a 2 headed, 1000 eye image of Chemezi, the Buddha of Compassion.
From Lamayuru you will continue to the little visited site of Ridzong with its nunnery, hidden from the road in a very dramatic setting. To get there, you have a short 3-kilometer trek. From Ridzong you will return to Uley Topko for the night

ULEY TOPKO LEH via Alchi Gompa
This morning you will drive back to Leh via Alchi, one of the most famous of Ladakh's monasteries. Alchi Choskor, to use the full name, is the oldest and largest monastery in Ladakh. Unlike most Ladakhi temples, Rinchen Zangpo built Alchi on the lowlands rather than high on a hill. Three 3 storey high statues of the Bodhisatvas dominate the monastery, but the Kashimiri Hindu influence in the wooden carvings on the doors, ceilings designs and murals is apparent. You return to Leh and Overnight at the hotel.

LEH - SARCHU
Early morning depart for Sarchu by surface 220 Kms, approx 8 hrs. The road soon takes 21 hairpin bends as it rises steeply by another 3500ft to 16,400ft Lachlung La passes through one ridge of the Zanskar range. Crossing the highest pass on this road and the 2nd highest motorable pass in the world Tanglang La pass at 5325m. Evening arrive at Sarchu & Check into the beautifully located campsite at Sarchu.

SARCHU - MANALI.
Early morning you depart for Manali by surface 235 Kms, approx 9 hrs. The drive to Manali will take you across the Rohtang Pass with fabulous views down the valley. Evening arrive at Manali. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

MANALI
The Kullu Valley is famous for its apples, lovely wooden temples and scenery. Watered by the Beas, famous for its rainbow trout, Manali, the main town, occupies the upper part of the valley. Surrounded by apple orchards, the town has become increasingly built up, but it is an interesting place to walk around. You have several choices today, which you can discuss with your guide. You may like to walk up to Vashisht, a small hillside village, famous for its sulphur springs. Of particular interest are the carvings on the houses of the wealthy farmers. The houses in Dhunghri Village are charming and worth visiting not just for the cedar wooden carvings and great views, but also because of the welcome given by the families to visitors. The Hadimba Devi Temple is two km hike from town. Legend relates how the God Bhima fell in love with Hadimba, the sister of the demon Tandi. Bhima killed Tandi and married the sister, who is worshipped only because of her marriage to a god. The temple though crude in structure is built to resemble a pagoda temple and has some fine carvings of animals and plants around the doorway. Overnight at hotel.

MANALI - DELHII
Morning you will be transferred to Kullu airport to take your flight to Delhi JA-204 (1220/1340hrs). Met on arrival and transferred to Imperial Hotel.
Afternoon you may like to visit The Crafts Museum was designed by leading Indian architect Charles Correa. In a natural setting are over 20,000 examples of Indian art and architecture. Most of the exhibits represent some of the rarer arts in India, especially from the remote tribal belts. Many of these art forms are now dying, and some of the exhibits are the only examples of particular art forms in existence. In a bid to encourage the continuance of these skills, the museum invites master craftsman to display their talents in the open courtyard of the museum. Each month new sets of artisans are invited, and we can spend time with them after touring the museum.
Late evening you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home