The Spectacular Hidden World of “Little Tibet”

Trekking in Ladakh

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"My 6th trek with WT and while they have all been wonderful, this was by far the best. The hiking was challenging (in a good way) and the scenery gorgeous." Stephanie Boye, Cambridge MA

Awe-inspiring Ladakh is an absolutely striking moonscape. Here 20,000-foot peaks shelter oasis-like villages and brilliant green fields of barley are watered by canals that channel the melting snows. In this former Buddhist kingdom hidden in the Western Himalayas, we trek among the towering peaks of the Stok Kangri range and discover an ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture beautifully expressed in the traditional dress of the people, in thousand-year-old cliff-side monasteries, and in the long walls of exquisitely carved mani stones (Buddhist prayer stones) that line spectacular trails. This is truly one of the most dramatic settings in the Himalayas. Our July departure witnesses the annual Buddhist festival at ancient Lamayuru Monastery; our August departure includes the Leh Festival.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Delhi (July 2008 Lamayuru Festival Departure)

We gather in Delhi and visit the sights of Old and New Delhi, including its masterpieces of Mughal architecture.

Days 3-4
Leh / Ladakh

A breathtaking mountain flight brings us to Leh, Ladakh’s ancient capital, set at 11,500 feet. This remote mountain enclave of Tibetan Buddhism has historically been difficult to reach and long isolated from the outside world. We meet the self-sufficient Ladakhis, who speak a dialect of Tibetan, as we explore Hemis, Ladakh’s largest monastery, and Tikse, reigning over the valley from its hill perch.

Days 5-7
Alchi / Lamayuru Festival

The mighty Indus River flows through the center of Ladakh, ringed by craggy peaks. We enjoy a half-day raft trip on the Indus, visit 14th century Likir Gompa, then head to the famous cliff-perched Lamayuru Gompa, the most spectacularly located monastery in all Ladakh. Here we enjoy Lamayuru’s unforgettable Yuru Kab-gya, an annual festival of sacred mask dances performed under Ladakh’s cobalt-blue sky. Ladakhis from across the province gather for this marvelous event, and it is a joy to be among them.

Days 8-14
The Stok Kangri Trek

As we trek in the dramatic scenery of the Stok Kangri range, we enjoy Wilderness Travel’s famous full-service camping, with our Ladakhi camp staff seeing to the details and our horsemen transporting our camp gear. After a hike over the Shang La (16,400') to our base camp in a lovely, wild valley below Stok Kangri, we are rewarded with panoramic views extending across Ladakh to the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and even into Tibet. We enjoy an exploration day in this sublime setting, then descend to the old village of Stok. We explore the treasures of the museum at the Stok Palace before we return to Leh.

Days 15-16
Leh / Delhi

After a day to explore the ancient bazaars of Leh, we fly to Delhi and depart on the late evening of Day 16.

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Tour Costs $5395 (13-15 members) $5595 (10-12 members) $5895 (6-9 members) Single supplement: $985 Internal airfare: $465 (subject to change) *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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