Itinerary

Day 1 Enroute
Depart U.S for Delhi

Day 2 Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Meet your tour leader and transfer
to our comfortable hotel, conveniently located
only a few minutes’ drive from the airport.
Overnight Hotel Vasant Continental.

Day 3 Delhi/Leh
Fly Delhi to Leh. Upon arrival in Leh, transfer to
the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and
acclimatize; Leh sits at an elevation of 11,550
feet, so it is important to take it easy today.
The town of Leh is a fascinating labyrinth of
winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main
street is open and airy, with rows of shops. Long
rows of Ladakhi women in traditional dress,
bejeweled in coral and turquoise, hawk vegetables
from enormous baskets. The spectacular
16th century Leh Palace overlooks the town; it
closely resembles the famous Potala Palace in
Lhasa. This afternoon stroll through the colorful
main street bazaar. This evening stay at a lovely
locally owned hotel built in traditional Ladakhi
style, with beautiful views of the surrounding
mountains. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight.
Overnight Hotel Grand Dragon (B,L,D)

Day 4 Leh
This morning visit the Thiksey Gompa, a short
drive from Leh. It is the most picturesque monastery
in Ladakh, perched high on
a hill above the Indus River. Its
buildings are arranged at various
levels, leading up to the private
apartments of the incarnate lamas
on the summit. The Gompa possesses
a rich and beautiful collection
of hundreds of hand-written
or painted prayer books. Next drive
to Hemis Gompa, the largest and
wealthiest in Ladakh. It is filled
with golden statues, stupas with
precious stones, and thangkas
(cloth paintings). On the way back
to Leh, visit Shey Palace, built
in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal as a
summer residence for the kings of
Ladakh. Dinner will be on your own
tonight, offering opportunities to
explore or relax. Overnight Hotel
Grand Dragon (B,L)

Day 5 Alchi/Lamayuru
Travel by 4WD along the Indus River
to Alchi. Pass through a number of
lovely villages including Nimu and
Saspol. The scenery is fabulous
with the Stok Range to the south
and the Ladakh Range to the north, and the
Zanskar River flowing into the Indus. Situated
on the banks of the Indus River, Alchi is a wonderful
village with one of the most beautiful and
ancient gompas in Ladakh. The paintings at
Alchi Gompa are almost a thousand years old.
Next drive to the 11th century Lamayuru
Monastery. Founded by the Indian scholar
Mahasiddhacarya Naropa in the 11th century—
who alledgedly spent many years meditating at
the site—Lamayuru is the largest and oldest
gompa in Ladakh, supporting about 150 resident
monks. Are accommodations are comfy, rustic
huts set on a tranquil river amidst apricot and
apple groves. Please note bathrooms are shared.
Dinner will be on your own tonight. Overnight
Uleytokpo Ethnic Resort (B,L)

Day 6 Leh
In the morning drive back to Leh. Late in the
afternoon visit the Leh Palace, then stop in at a
traditional home. Here you will get a chance to
sample the local barley beer called chang, the
staple food tsampa (from roasted barley flour),
and the famous salty butter tea, an acquired
taste! Meet the engaging family, and see the
traditional architecture, dress and jewelry of the
local people.
In the evening, take a short 4WD ride to the
lovely little village of Sankar. Walk among the
barley and wheat, then explore the little gompa
in a courtyard filled with rosebushes. Return to
Leh on foot along a lovely path. Enjoy a special
local dinner tonight. Hotel Grand Dragon (B,L,D)


Day 7 Leh/Delhi
Early this morning fly to Delhi. Upon arrival in
Delhi we’ll begin a day tour. We visit the Birla
Mandir Temple and the president’s house.
Explore Old Delhi, the ancient city built by
Emperor Shah Jehan. Visit the Red Fort, and take
a bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes
to the Jami Masjid, the largest mosque in India.
Finally, visit the cremation site of Mahatma
Gandhi. Transfer to our hotel. Its classic British
Raj architecture, understated décor and expansive
garden provide a haven of tranquility in
the middle of the bustling city. Dinner will be
on your own tonight, offering opportunities to
explore Delhi’s many fine restaurant options
or relax and rest at our hotel. Overnight Hotel
Claridges. (B,L)

Day 8 Chandigarh/Pragpur
This morning we’ll transfer to the train station
for an early journey to Chandigarh. Upon arrival
we’ll enjoy an early lunch at the Taj Hotel followed
by a drive to Pragpur, of approximately
four hours. Transfer to the Judge’s Court Hotel,
with the rest of the afternoon free to explore
this lovely town. Pragpur is off the beaten path,
visited by the very few despite its allure. The
town is in many ways the quintessential village
of the foothills, with its meandering lanes
and temples; we’ll enjoy this area with a local
villager as our guide. Our lodging, formerly the
mansion of a local judge, is now a charming
hotel. This property is one of India’s finest country
hotels, set in a heritage village. The 300-year
old ancestral cottage features splendid homecooked
fare. Dinner will be on your own tonight.
Overnight Hotel Judge’s Court (B,L)

Day 9 Pragpur/Dharamsala
This morning we’ll drive to Dharamsala, approximately
two hours away. After China’s invasion
of Tibet in 1959, the Fourteenth Dalai
Lama and his Buddhist government
were given asylum in Dharamsala, a
former British hill station amidst stunning
Himalayan peaks. Since then, a
steady stream of Tibetan exiles have
relocated here, some of whom have
walked across the Himalayas in winter,
to escape oppression and to be near the
man they regard as their religious and
secular leader. Our hotel is centrally
located in McLeod Ganj, a comfortable
guesthouse overlooking the Dalai
Lama’s temple. Each room has been
decorated by a Tibetan artist, depicting
themes of Tibetan life. Dinner will be
on your own tonight. Overnight Hotel
Chonor House. (B,L)

Day 10 Dharamsala
Rise at 5 a.m. to watch the student
monks in their morning prayers and
rituals at the nearby monastery. It is an
early rising, but well worth the effort
to experience the spirit of Dharamsala.
After breakfast enjoy a leisurely walk
through the pine and deodar forests in the craggy
Dauladhar Mountains. Return to the hotel for
a garden lunch, then visit the Tibetan Children’s
Village School. This school has been housing,
caring for, and educating more then 2,500
orphaned Tibetan children under the patronage
of the Dalai Lama since the 1960s. Dinner will
be on your own tonight, offering opportunities
to explore or relax at our hotel. Overnight Hotel
Chonor House. (B,L)

Day 11 Amritsar
Travel by 4WD to Amritsar and transfer to our
hotel. Then proceed to the spectacular Golden
Temple—sacred sanctuary of the Sikhs. It is
marbled, bronzed & covered with gold leaf,
though its spiritual gravity and sense of serenity
are what leave the greatest impression.
The temple has a community kitchen where
free meals are prepared by volunteers, to feed
10,000 pilgrims each day. Sikhs are monotheistic,
but God is not anthropomorphized; rather
God is timeless and formless. Sikhs reject the
Hindu caste system, viewing it as a social ill of
the most damaging and debilitating order. Our
newly opened hotel immediately assumed its
place as the city’s best property—enjoy its lovely
design, attentive service and plush amenities.
Overnight Ista Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 12 Amritsar
The Golden Temple changes tempo and aspect
throughout the day; we’ll visit once again during
the morning prayers. Sikh devotees, for whom
the Temple is a symbol of freedom and spiritual
independence, come from all over the world
An intimate, insider’s perspective | Mariilyn Downing Staff/ATJ to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers.Overnight Ista Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 13 Haridwar/Rishikesh/Ananda
Spa
Board a morning train for a scenic ride to the
holy Hindu city of Haridwar, near Rishikesh,
arriving mid-afternoon. Haridwar is one of the
seven holiest sites to Hindus. Board cyclerickshaws
and head for the sacred ghats (steps
leading to the river), to take in the surrealistic
scenes of ablution and devotion performed by
thousands of devout Hindus
every day. Hindus believe that
a ritual cleansing in the holy
waters of the Ganges River here
absolves the believer of all sins,
and can ensure higher birth in
the next incarnation after this
life.
Transfer to the sublime Ananda
Spa, a destination in its own
right. Nestled in the Himalayas
outside of Rishikesh, the
Ananda recently garnered the
coveted World’s Number One
Destination Spa award from
Condé Nast Traveler magazine;
it is considered by many to be
the ultimate spa experience.
Once the residence of Maharaja
of Tehri-Garhwal, this 21,000
square foot spa now offers an
extensive menu of over 79
body and beauty treatments,
integrating the traditional
Indian systems of Ayurveda
with the more contemporary
Western spa approach. This
spa experience strives to
achieve the ultimate harmony
between the physical and
the mental realms of the
individual. Enjoy included
amenities and activities such
as Morning Wake Up signature
tea, scheduled yoga and
meditation classes, hiking in
the Himalayan foothills, use
of the sauna, steam bath and
Jacuzzi, gymnasium and pool.
Other optional treatments
can be enjoyed at additional
charge. Overnight Ananda in
the Himalayas. (B,L,D)

Day 14 Rishikesh/Ananda Spa
You will have a rejuvenating morning at the
Ananda Spa followed by a walk along its expansive
gardens. This morning will be at your leisure.
In the afternoon take a fascinating excursion
to Brahmapuri Ashram, a community of
sadhus (Hindu ascetics) who live and meditate
along the banks of the Ganges River. You’ll have
the chance to interact with some of the sadhus
as you visit the cave temples they meditate
in. From here we will cross the Ganges via the
pedestrian suspension bridge to the left bank.
The scene is surrealistic, with scampering monkeys,
multistory temples, and Hindu pilgrims.
We’ll stop for a cup of tea and cakes in a small
café to revel in the atmosphere. We’ll then
commence an afternoon walk along the river,
amidst orchards and herb gardens to the Swarg
Ashram, to witness the spectacular sunset aarti,
a daily prayer ceremony on the river bank, where
scores of yellow-clad pupils of the ashram pray
together. The chanting of mantras and the setting
sun make for a moving experience. Priests
then place leaf boats loaded with flowers and
candles into the river. We’ll return to our hotel
the Ananda Spa for a farewell dinner and overnight
stay. Overnight Ananda in the Himalayas.
(B,L,D)

Day 15 Delhi
You will spend almost a full day at the Ananda
Spa. Late this afternoon, transfer to the airport
for your flight to Delhi. Overnight Hotel Vasant
Continental. (B,L)

Day 16 Home/Extend
Fly home, or have us arrange a private extension
to other great destinations in Asia and the
Pacific. (B)

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