13 Days
Tired of the hustle and bustle of your daily life? Do you really need to experience a life time adventure in an extraordinary Himalayan landscape far away from the ordinary world? If so, maybe this itinerary is done for you!
Perched at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, Ladakh is an isolated plateau fringed with soaring snow-capped mountains and enormous sweeping valleys, and deep turquoise lakes dot this high-altitude desert. This raw and awe-inspiring ancient land is often referred to as Little Tibet and is home to one of the best-preserved Tantric Buddhist societies in existence. This itinerary is designed to experience the essence of Buddhist spirituality in India. Ladakh region Indian Himalaya has been a spiritual land for centuries. This tour is not for everyone, but only for experienced traveller who wants to go deep into the culture and practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Ladakh — once the hub of the ancient Silk Route — is aptly described as a place where Buddhist spirituality and its ancient culture reign supreme amidst virgin nature. It’s a cold desert in northern India, dotted by tiny hamlets spread over the Himalayan peaks adjoining Tibet, where one can simultaneously have a close brush with sunburn and frostbite in summer.
To experience Himalayan Tibetan Buddhist Spiritual atmosphere and to take part in daily activities, Conscious Journeys has designed this experiential tour to Ladakh for spiritual seekers or curious travellers who wants to discover this ancient land not only from a touristic point of view. There are many tours to Ladakh, but this one is different from others. You will be willing to practice meditation in one of the most traditional centre in Ladakh and take part in a soft trekking, living in local homestays led by a women Organisation. As soon as you reach Leh, you will have the chance to take part in a two days meditation retreat. We have selected an incredibly beautiful Retreat Centre, an inspiring oasis of tranquil contemplation, located in a secluded corner, dominated by Rocky Mountains on one side and golden sand dunes on the other. The sweet scent of fragrant and jewel-like flowers, which line the footpaths of the centre, play joyfully on the senses, while enigmatic stupas, reclusive meditation caves, abundant prayer flags, and the most sacred and eye-catching Milarepa rock cave provide silent spiritual encouragement. This experience will help you in the process of acclimatization at 3500 metres altitude.
Conscious Journeys offers you a unique opportunity to stay with and share the culture of the Ladakhi people in remote villages, while trekking through the rugged habitat of the endangered snow leopard. Its authentic interactions with Ladakhi people and exploration into the core of Ladakhi culture provides a perfect opportunity that you will never forget in life. During this tour you will discover all the major monastery of the area. In Lamayuru you will meet a small community of yogis, who practice a kind of tantric meditation that was practiced in ancient Tibet by great yogis like Milarepa, Naropa. Here you will have a chance attend the Chod ritual, a very ancient tantric practice.The tour ends in Pangong Tso, meaning High Grassland Lake in Tibetan. Situated around 4,350 metres above sea level, the endorheic lake is a vivid sheet of blue with a striking backdrop of stark scree slopes and harsh arid mountains. It truly is an enchanting place, one rarely feels so close to nature amidst the unforgettable scenery.
Registration can be requested for group travel or for self-travel. For group travel, registration is not binding. Upon reaching the minimum number of members necessary for the formation of the group, usually 4 or 6 people, you will be asked for confirmation of booking and payment of a deposit.
1° Day: arrival at Delhi
Arrival at Delhi airport. Transfer to hotel for some rest. Some of the most famous attractions are the Qutub Minar, the Red Fort, the Mughal Gardens, the Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, Raj Ghat etc. After some rest you will visit the Jama Masjid, the mainthe main mosque in Old Delhi (every day nearly 25,000 people visit and pray inside this mosque). An ancient copy of the holy Quran is also preserved here, which was written on Deer skin. Visit small lanes of this part of the city such as Chawri Bazar, one of the busiest street of Old Delhi. After you will visit the Red Fort, known as LalQila or Qil’ah” was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The fort was originally the palace of the Mughal emperor, after the capital was moved from Agra to Delhi. Delhi was the capital of the Mughals until the revolt of 1857. Overnight in Delhi.
2° Day: fly to Leh
After an early breakfast, you are transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Leh. This must be one of the most sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. You would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 3.500 metres! You will spend the day acclimatizing and enjoying the beautiful landscapes.
Overnight in Leh (B,L,D)
3° Day: meditation retreat Choglamsar
After breakfast transfer to Choglamsar about 10 km from Leh for 2 nights meditation retreat. On the outskirts of Leh resides a large Tibetan refugee community in the village of Choglamsar, an idea that sprang from concerns of XIV Dalai Lama for the Tibetan Settlement in Ladakh. Devachan meditation camp is dominated by Rocky Mountains on one side and golden sand dunes on the other. The place with its enigmatic stupas, reclusive meditation kuties, abundant prayer flags, and the most sacred and eye-catching Milarepa rock cave provide an ideal occasion for spiritual engagement. These 2 days meditation courses will be conducted by Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder and spiritual Director of Meditation Centre and the course will be based on the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. This retreat will be useful to acclimatize with the altitude and to have a direct experience of spiritual practices of Buddhism.
Overnight at Mahabodhi Society (B,L,D)
4° Day: meditation retreat Choglamsar
After breakfast transfer to Choglamsar about 10 km from Leh for 2 nights meditation retreat. On the outskirts of Leh resides a large Tibetan refugee community in the village of Choglamsar, an idea that sprang from concerns of XIV Dalai Lama for the Tibetan Settlement in Ladakh. Devachan meditation camp is dominated by Rocky Mountains on one side and golden sand dunes on the other. The place with its enigmatic stupas, reclusive meditation kuties, abundant prayer flags, and the most sacred and eye-catching Milarepa rock cave provide an ideal occasion for spiritual engagement. These 2 days meditation courses will be conducted by Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder and spiritual Director of Meditation Centre and the course will be based on the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. This retreat will be useful to acclimatize with the altitude and to have a direct experience of spiritual practices of Buddhism.
Overnight at Mahabodhi Society (B,L,D)
5° Day: visit the palace Leh
After 3 days meditation program you are ready to discover with more consciousness the essence of Ladakh, a real backpacker’s heaven with numerous trekking trails, valleys, and picturesque lakes, renowned as the land of monks and monasteries. After breakfast transfer to Leh. Today you will discover the fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main street is open and airy, with rows of shops on either side. You will visit the spectacular eight-storey Leh Palace looming above, overlooking the town, was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala in Lhasa which it resembles. In the afternoon you will visit Women’s Alliance of Ladakh, a local NGO that works on strengthening local communities to provide for their own needs of finding a way of counter-development. The organization concentrate son self-sustaining farming, the use of renewable energy and education, traditional medicine and mindful tourism. Here you will watch a movie about Ladakh and their activities.
Evening visit to Shanti Stupa to admire a beautiful sunset from the stupa.
Overnight in Leh (B)
6° Day: monastery exploration Hemis
Early morning, we will drive to Thiksey and Hemis monastery for the morning prayer. Thikshey Monastery, perched on a rock-strewn hill, resembles the Potala in the Tibetan capital Lhasa famous for its architecture and location. Located on top of the hill in Indus Valley, the 12-storeys monastery has 10 temples, assembly hall, rare and precious stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. The monastery housed a big statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the purity of whose gaze invites reflection and silent meditation. Morning Prayer at Thiksey Monastery. After the visit and prayer we will have breakfast at Thiksey. Later visit Hemis Monastery, the most famous and largest monastery of Ladakh, which belongs to Drukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. During the colourful festival, which takes place every year in the Monastery, you will have the chance to observe the Cham Dance or the Mystic Mask Dance. The monks in flowing brocade costumes and brightly painted paper mache masks depicting demons, perform the chams or masked dance to demonstrate how goodness came to prevail over evil. On the way visit to Stok palace which houses a fine private museum. There is a superb collection of thangkhas, said to be the best in the world. Overnight in Leh. (B, D)
7° DAY: TREKKING YANGTHANG
Today you will start for a three days easy trekking in the Sham Valley with the Ladakhi Women Association, a responsible tourism initiative. We will drive to Likir. where you will have a chance to visit the Monastery, built in the 11th century and known for the 75 m tall Buddha statue. After the visit we will start the easy trekking for around 5 hours, a perfect way to explore cultural and natural heritages of the Sham. The itinerary is easy to follow, because the aim is not to reach the summit the highest peaks the trip becomes not only the destination itself but to increase awareness through slow trekking approach. You will cross Pobe La pass (3550m) and descend to Sumdo (3470m), a tiny village of 2 households in a small river valley. Rest under shady trees, before ascending to Charatse La pass (3650m). Overnight in Yangthan (B,L,D)
8° Day: trekking Hemis Shupachan
After breakfast in your homestays start another day of easy trekking (approximately 3 hours) towards Hemis Shukpachu (3690m). You will cross Sarmanchan La pass (3750m) and descend to the large, prosperous village of Hemis Shukpachu. The village has a grove of juniper trees. There are not too many juniper trees in Ladakh and hence, Hemis-shukpachan is famous for having a grove of them! The trees, held sacred by the local people, are protected by the Forest Department. Time to explore the village with your host family.
Overnight in Hemis Shupachan (B,L,D)
9° Day: TRANSFER TO LAMAYURU
After breakfast start your trekking (around 4/5 hours) towards to Temisgang (3200m). You will have a gradual walk up to Mebtak La pass (3820m), then short steep down. Enjoy mountain views as you walk towards the steep zig-zag path up to Lago La pass (3820m). Keep watching for Ladakh Urial. As you reach Temisgang visit the monastery and palace. After drive to Lamayuru. Our journey weaves through remote mountain passes and deep river valleys that embed themselves eternally in your heart and mind. Overnight in Lamayuru (B,L,D)
10° Day: chod ritual Lamayuru
After breakfast we will visit the monastery. This 11th century monastery is not only the oldest and most picturesque, but is said to be the earliest seat of learning in Ladakh. It serves as a seat for the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We will climb to Lamayuru meditation center. Lamayuru meditation center hosts a small community of yogis, who practice a kind of tantric meditation that was practiced in ancient Tibet by great yogis like Milarepa, Naropa. You will have a chance to meet and interact with Yogis and attend the Chod prayer lead by Yogis.
Chod ritual is an esoteric tantric practice aiming at cutting your ego or attachment to your body by mental visualizing the offering of your body to all sentient being especially to the restless hungered creatures of the spirit world. Later we will have lunch at the retreat Centre with a typical local style. After lunch drive back to Leh. If time permits, we will stop at Rizong Gompa. Rizong is one of few monasteries in Ladakh which houses women monks called ‘Chomos’. Its small Gompa is situated deep inside a narrow valley. also called “The paradise for Meditation”.
Overnight in Leh (B,L)
11° Day: visit Pangong lake
Departure towards Pangong lake. On the way visit Chemre Monastery. We proceed to Taktok Gompa which is a monastery within a cave with beautiful wall paintings. A collection of multicolored yak butter candle sculptures made by the head lama can also be seen. Arrival at Spangmik village, enjoying beautiful views of mountains of the Chang-Chenmo Range and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong Range from the village. Several glaciers located on the north west of the Pangong Lake are also visible from the village.
Overnight at Spangmik. (B,D)
12° Day: transfer to Leh
Visit Pangong Lake (4,267 m). which is bisected by the international border between India and China. Spending some free time at the beautiful lake, possibility of swimming, meditation or practicing yoga. Return Back to Leh. Overnight at Leh (B, D).
13° Day: depart from Leh airport
Transfer to Leh airport and depart for your international flight via Delhi.
All the itinerary has been designed in order to promote direct or indirect benefits for local communities, environment and cultural heritages. When possible, we have selected traditional accommodations sensible to social and environmental issues, following general principles and practices of responsible tourism. The tour is designed to include the activities of various local communities, through the use of a number of local homestays, which get economic support from the trip. Recently homestays have been started in villages in some of the trekking areas, generating income for the villagers and reducing the strain on the ecosystem caused by camping. On most of the trekking routes in Hemis National Park, trekkers can now use homestays as they trek from village to village. During our soft trekking from Likir to Hemis shupchan you will have a change to spend two nights in traditional homes where you can eat Ladakhi food, meet local people and experience the Ladakhi culture and lifestyle. The homestay system was started by the Snow Leopard Conservancy, a non-government organization, dedicated to preserving Ladakhi wildlife. The system was set up in order to generate income for the villagers in Hemis National Park, famous for its wildlife. In the past snow leopards used to kill many of the domestic animals, and since the people were dependent on the domestic animals, they tried to kill the snow leopard to preserve their livestock. The villagers were trained in flora and fauna, how to maintain a tourist friendly home and taught how to prepare food hygienically. 10% of the income goes to local development.
In Choglamsar village during the 2 days meditation retreat you will visit a kind children’s school village. Set up in 1975, it is a thriving village with its own school, facilities and centres that offer training in handicrafts and other such vocations. The premises also flaunt an agro-nomadic farm and an old people’s home. Often called an ‘oasis in the desert’, it serves both the Tibetan and Ladakhi communities and is a beautiful example of ethics of care and universal responsibility for all. A dedicated team of social workers, teachers, doctors, monks, nuns, community leaders and care-providers have created an integrated community at Devachan in Ladakh which provides comprehensive care to all segments of society: children, elderly, special needs individuals, monks & nuns, the sick, as well as those seeking spiritual development. The community has become a model for the region through sustainable, ecological development.
In Leh you visit will support the local NGO the women’s alliance of Ladakh, an organization with the twin goals of raising the status of rural women and strengthening local culture and agriculture. Membership grew to over 5000 from more than 100 villages from all areas of Ladakh, so that today the organization plays a significant non-political role in the area.
This trip to Ladakh redefines the conventional form of travel and gives an ingenuous essence to the spirit of traveling with a difference. From definitely being one of the most memorable trips of a lifetime to being a carbon positive trip to creating additional livelihoods and revenues for the local communities, this is a journey that merges conservation and travel. What if your travels could also generate a positive karmic footprint?
Moreover, your contribution of 50 euros will support development projects in favour of one of the most marginalized tribal communities of India. Tribal communities are still at the margin of Indian society and for this reason two are the main projects financed: 1) to conserve biological and cultural diversity 2) to promote the formal education of children belonging to Kattunaickan community of the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
A conscious approach to travel requires a considerable capacity and willingness to adapt and adjust to the local environment and culture. If you wish to travel with us we request you to be open enough to experience local culture, religious and traditions without bias and pre-conceived ideas you might have before the departure and which belong to our Western cultural way of thinking. Exploring with fresh eyes, with patience and openness, you will be able to access the real essence of the cultural heritages and spirituality through the places and people you are going to meet; if you are ready to do this effort you will really enjoy the beauty of the rich culture and religiousness of Ladakh, the extraordinary of the nature, the solemnity of Buddhist monasteries.
As a foreign visitor to Ladakh we request you to respect the rights and beliefs of local people and to minimize your impact, both culturally and environmentally. Be aware of your actions and how they will affect the people and environment around you. Here are just a few suggestions of things you may like to consider while visiting Ladakh:
This itinerary offers good opportunities for cultural exchange, adventure, hiking, wildlife spotting and moderate trekking. However, it is not fit for everyone, due to moderate trekking and altitude.
When you arrive in Leh, remember that you are at an altitude of 3500m. Rest at your guesthouse on the day you arrive in Leh and drinks lots of water – great excuse to read a book, sit around and chat and just be lazy. Listen to your body! However, this tour has been designed as to reduce the effect of altitude as much as possible. After a first day of rest in Leh. On the 3rd day we have organize a meditation retreat of 3 days, which will be useful to acclimatize. In this way you will have a very special chance to allow your body the time to acclimatise before starting the tour. Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen at high altitudes (3,000m and above). It occurs as the result of our bodies’ inability to adapt to a sudden increase in altitude. If given time, our bodies will adjust and a gradual ascent will decrease the possibility of altitude sickness. During these first days we suggest you to go slowly, drink a lot of water, carry a light pack and pay attention to your body sensations. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, mild shortness of breath with minimal exertion, difficulty sleeping, dizziness or light-headedness, mild weakness, fatigue or a general unwell feeling may occur especially at the beginning of the tour. However, in the event of more serious symptoms that may be a sign of HACE (High Altitiude Cerebral Edema) or HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) you must descent immediately as these are life threatening conditions.
We strongly recommend being vaccinated against rabies before visiting Ladakh. There are many stray dogs here and we recommend caution when approaching any dog. Be particularly careful with dogs when out and about in the evening in Leh.
trekking tips
During trekking we suggest you to bring the following items (however, the key to staying comfortable on a trek is layering!):
Many of the above items can be purchased or hired in Leh, but we do not recommend hiring sleeping bags as they are not always clean. LWTC has fleece sleeping bag liners, trekking poles and water bottles for hire. Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. If you must use disposable batteries, please take the used ones with you to dispose of safely in your home country.
Last but not the least: please remember to not buy mineral water in plastic bottles! Some guesthouses in Leh provide filtered water for guests. You can also fill up your water bottles with safe drinking water for a small charge at the Dzomsa Laundry. Alternatively, water purification tablets or a good water filter will save you money and help reduce plastic waste (especially necessary on camping treks). Homestays provide filtered or boiled water.
Best to bring water purification tablets with you as they are not readily available in Leh. Reusable bottles can be bought in Leh.
During this tour we have selected comfortable but very simple guesthouses with clean and comfortable room with attached bath (running hot and cold water) and western toilet. During the trekking you will be host in a home stays with very basic facility. Also, during the retreat in the monastery rooms are clean and comfortable but very simple.
Private vehicles o mini-buses with AC according to the number of participants for all the itinerary in Ladakh. 1 Flight from Delhi to Lehi is included in the program.
The summer months from late May to late September are the best time to visit Ladakh.