Ladakh Kashmir Dossier - incredibleindiatours.com · The tour starts at 6pm. After a short tour briefing, we head out for dinner to get to know each other and discuss the journey

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS

Top of the World -

Ladakh & Kashmir

Welcome to Incredible Indian Tours’ Top of the World - Ladakh & Kashmir Tour. This is a very exotic adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas. First we journey to Ladakh through Himachal Pradesh, visiting Shimla and Manali before driving the spectacular Manali - Leh road. In and around Leh we explore the Nubra Valley, and also experience the Hemis Festival. Heading west we drive through the upper Himalayas along one of the most stunning drives in the world to Kashmir, and Srinagar, holiday mecca of India.

Dossier validity: 2021 - 2022

Highlights

• the splendour and contrast of the 7 cities of Delhi

• the historic toy train ride up the mountain to Shimla

• witness the remnants of the British Raj in Shimla

• see the mountain views from the beautiful green Beas River valley in Manali

• experience the spectacular Manali - Leh Highway

• drive the highest motorable pass in the world - the Khardong La - at over 5600m

• explore the amazing Nubra Valley in Ladakh

• be part of the energetic and colourful Hemis Festival

• drive the amazingly scenic Leh - Srinagar Highway

• discover the monastery villages of Uleytokpo & Basgo

• soak up the relaxing ambience of Dal Lake in Srinagar

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Top of the World - Ladakh & Kashmir

22 days / 21 nights

2/17

www.incredibleindiatours.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Ph: +91 95490 02876

Days 1-2 Delhi

The tour starts at 6pm. After a short tour briefing, we head out for dinner to get to know each other and discuss

the journey ahead.

On day 2, we visit New Delhi - specifically Humayans Tomb, Rajpath and the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. India's

capital is an exciting, busy and chaotic city. With a past that stretches far back into the mists of time, it is rich

with the splendor and vitality of an eternal city. Divided into an ancient and a modern part, 1000 years of

history greet the visitor at every step. Monuments, mosques, and forts from many different eras, bazaars, shops

and museums lie scattered across its sprawling expanse. There is so much to see in Delhi. If you arrive earlier

than day 1, there is an opportunity to make more discoveries - the ruins of Qutb Minar and Purana Qila, Indira

Gandhi Museum, Rajghat, Akshardam tempe and the Lotus

Temple are all recommended.

Hotel: Claridges

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Days 3-5 Shimla (2276m - 7467ft)

Travel time: 10 hours

After a morning express train to Kalka, we board the famous Shimla Toy Train that takes us up the mountain

over hundreds of bridges, through many tunnels and switchbacks providing an entertaining trip with the locals.

We spend several hours on the train before alighting and travelling the rest of the way to Shimla by road. Once

the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla today is the capital of Himachal Pradesh state. It is a sprawling

town set amongst spectacular cool hills with plenty of crumbling

decaying colonial charm.

Whilst in Shimla, we take a heritage walk to visit the Vice-regal

Lodge, now home to the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies,

the site of the signing of India’s Independence treaty. The walk

takes us past the Mall and the Ridge with many colonial buildings

that still grace the streets. There are plenty of walks to be done

around Shimla, including the hike up to Jakhu Temple (if you’re

fit), Prospect Hill and the Glen. We visit Wildflower Hall for morning

tea and there is also the opportunity to enjoy the markets or take

in a Bollywood Movie at the local Cinema.

Hotel: Clarkes


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Days 6-7 Manali (2050m - 6726ft)

Travel time: 8-9 hours

We head deeper into the mountains today to Manali, the jumping off point for Ladakh, the Rohtang Pass, and

the Spiti Valley. A centre for trekking, climbing, and other adventure sports, Manali is one of the most popular

Indian summer resort towns.

After a day’s drive through the mountains, we take a morning walk (3-4 km flat) to a nearby village, untouched

by tourists where we can meet the locals and experience traditional life here in the Kullu valley. You also have

the opportunity to explore some of the temples around Manali, take a massage or soak in the hot springs in

nearby Vashisht.

Hotel: Banon Resorts


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Days 8 - 10 Manali - Leh Road

Travel time: Approx 18 hours over 3 days

Heading up from Manali, the first stop is the Rohtang Pass at just under 4000m (13060ft). Heading further north

into the Lahaul & Spiti Valleys we have a stunning drive through Keylong town and if we’re lucky, with views of

the Shigri Glacier to the first nights stop - Jispa (3200m - 10500ft)

Hotel: Hotel Ibex

On day 9, we drive further into the high Himalayas to our overnight camp at 4290m (14075ft) at Sarchu.

Hotel: Goldrup Camp

Day 10 is the most spectacular day of this drive, as we head

over two high passes, the Lungalacha La (5059m - 16600ft)

and the Taglang La (the second highest motorable road in

the world) at 5359m (17582ft) past stunning eroded cliffs

and mountains before descending down into Ladakh and

the capital Leh at 3500m (11483ft).

Hotel: Hotel Ladakh Residency


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Day 11 Leh (3500m - 11483ft)

We have a full day sightseeing in the Leh valley where we will visit the Leh Palace before heading to the

nearby villages of Shey and Thiksey, exploring the Shey Palace and Monastery and the Thiksey monastery as

well as soaking up the beautiful, stark scenery produced by the river flowing through the valley creating a

green belt of willow and poplar trees. We also make an visit to the Shanti Stupa to the north of Leh town,

where you’ll experience amazing views of Leh, the valley and the Stok mountain range.



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Days 12-13 Nubra Valley (3144m - 10315ft)


Travelling over the Khardung La Pass, at 5602m (18380ft), the highest motorable pass in the world, we head

into the remote Nubra Valley with green oasis villages surrounded by stark scree slopes, boulder fields, sand

dunes and arid mountains. Part of the old Silk Road between India & China, local communities once

prospered as caravans of cloth, spices, gold & gemstones traversed this route. Double-humped Bactrian

camels were abandoned here by traders and travelers and have thrived. There are now around 200 of these

camels and you have the opportunity to take a camel-ride into the Hunder sand dunes.

We visit the 14th century Diskit Monastery, with its majestic

views, old temples and halls and a 32m high statue of the

Maitreya Buddha facing down the Shyok river towards

Pakistan. We also take the opportunity to wander through

local villages.

Hotel: Desert Himalayan Resort


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Days 14-15 Leh / Hemis Festival (3500m - 11483ft)


We head back to Leh, another drive across the high Khardung La, where we spend the afternoon relaxing, or

wandering the market in Leh where you’ll find many Tibetan market stalls and Kashmiri shops selling beautiful

handicrafts.

Day 15 is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip as we head to the nearby Hemis Monastery to witness

the spectacular Hemis Festival.

Built in the 1600’s, Hemis Monastery is a stunning Tibetan

Buddhist Gompa (one of the largest in Ladakh) famous for

it’s annual festival with ceremonies including music,

ceremonial displays and the mystic masked dances or

chhams. Chham dances are considered a form of

meditation and an offering to the gods, providing merit to

anyone who witnesses them. The Hemis Festival

commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava who is

revered throughout the Himalayan regions as the second

Buddha.



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Days 16-17 Leh - Kargil Road

Travel time: Approx 7 hours

Another epic road trip awaits us as we drive west along another scenic Himalayan mountain road.

On day 16, we visit the monastery villages of Basgo and Alchi before stopping the first night at Uleytokpo. Basgo was

an impregnable monastery/fort that was never conquered. It’s location atop a hill towering over ruins of the ancient

town is spectacular. While other monasteries in Ladakh were always built upon a hill, Alchi was hidden in plain sight

within the village at ground level, thereby escaping attacks from invaders. Built in the 10th century, the shrines and

temples are very different in style from other gompas and the Kashmiri artisans who created wall paintings and

sculptures lent their own unique style to the detail in the temples.

After a night in charming cottages overlooking the Indus River in

Uleytokpo (3040m - 9974ft), on day 17 we head on to Kargil, via

our last monastery stop - Lamayuru. One of the largest and oldest

gompas in Ladakh, Lamayuru has around 150 permanent

resident monks. The town and monastery of Lamayuru are

situated in what is known as ‘Moonland’ - a series of undulating

hills that resemble the surface of the moon - yet again another

unique and spectacular landscape.

We stop the night at Kargil (2676m - 8780ft), the second largest

town in Ladakh after Leh, and an ancient town in the area known

as Baltistan.

Hotel: Ule Ethnic Resort / Zojila Residency

Days 18-20 Srinagar (1585m - 5200ft)

Travel time: Approx 8 hours

Srinagar dates back to the 3rd century BC with evidence that Emperor Ashoka built many stupas in the valley.

Over the next 2000 years, Buddhist rulers strengthened the Buddhist traditions before the Hindus took over

around 960CE. After the 14th century, the city came under the control of several muslim dynasties, including

the Moghals. The Sikh’s also had control over the valley for a period before the British took control and installed

Gulab Singh as the Maharajah in the mid 1800’s.

After our final mountain drive over the heartstopping 3528m (11575ft) pass of Zoji La, we descend down into

the Kashmir valley and making our way to Dal Lake, we board Shikaras which will take us to our houseboats

situated in a quiet and serene spot on the stunning Dal Lake.

We have two full days to explore the sights in and around

Srinagar. In town, the old city, the Moghul Gardens and Pari

Mahal are all must-sees, although you will probably enjoy

spending much of the time relaxing on your houseboat. In

fact you don’t really need to leave as shikaras pass by

regularly bringing local handicraft sellers, money changers

and even the ice-cream wallah to your boat.

Hotel: Royal House Boats


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Days 21-22 Delhi


After a free morning, we have an afternoon flight over the spectacular Himalayas to Delhi. Tonight, we’ll head

out for a final night dinner to celebrate a remarkable journey across the top of the world.

Hotel: Claridges

There are no activities on day 22. You are free to depart at any time


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This tour uses a variety of accommodation. From

guesthouses to heritage hotels to tented camps, we

experience a wide range of accommodation styles. Hotel

rooms are twin share with private bathrooms with western

style toilets. Although a few rooms may be air-conditioned,

most will be fan-cooled. The tents are all en-suite.

single supplement

If you are a single traveller, you are not required to pay a

single supplement as we will match you up with other

travellers. If we are unable to match you up with another

traveller of the same sex, we will pay your single supplement

for you. Should you not wish to share accommodation at all,

but would like to guarantee your own room throughout the

tour a single supplement of from USD1110 (or equivalent) will

be payable.

transport

Train, private vehicles, domestic flight.

Train travel in India is essential considering it is such an

efficient and extensive network, and is also such a part of

India’s culture and heritage. On this journey we enjoy a trip

on the UNESCO World Heritage Shimla Toy Train.

We have one domestic flight and will be taking private

vehicles (Awd - 3 person maximum per vehicle) for all other

journeys.

activities included

The following is a list of included activities on this trip. Other

activities are optional and will be at your own expense.

Humayans Tomb, Rajpath, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Delhi)

Toy Train ride, Vice-regal Lodge, Jakhoo Temple (Shimla)

Village hike, Hadimba Devi Temple (Manali)

Hemis Festival and Monastery, Leh palace, Shey Palace,

Thiksey Monastery, Shanti Stupa (Leh)

Diskit Monastery, Hunder Sand Dunes, Village hike (Nubra

Valley)

Bagso, Alchi and Lamayuru Monasteries (Leh-Kargil Rd)

Shikara Rides, Floating vegetable market, Moghal gardens,

group size minimum 4, maximum 10

days 22 days 21 nights

starts and finishes in Delhi

price includes

Arrival and departure transfers

All accommodation as specified

All transportation between overnight stops and to and

from included sightseeing

Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

Local guides and western tour manager

Meals as specified

Tips & Gratuities

price does not include

Visa costs

Meals other than those listed

Drinks, meal tips, laundry and other items of a personal

nature

International flights

accommodation

Guesthouses/hotels (15 nights), Houseboat (3 nights),

Tented Camp (3 nights)

general tour information


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spending money

Although entrance fees to specified sites are included in the

tour price, there are additional sights that you may like to

visit. Many sites levy camera fees.

Spending money requirements will differ from one person to

the next. You will need to take into consideration your

spending habits when allowing for drinks, shopping, and

optional activities.

You will need to allow enough money for the following:

Meals – USD350 (or equivalent)

Optional Activities – USD100 (or equivalent)

Money for drinks, shopping and incidentals.

Tipping is an integral part of Indian life and is essential to a

smooth trip. To make things easier, we cover tips for hotel

room boys, local guides and for drivers of private transport

we use. We do NOT cover restaurant tips. You will need to

allow approximately 10% on top of your restaurant bill.

physical rating

There will be plenty of walking around towns or sites with

steps, which due to the altitude of many locations on this tour

will make general sightseeing more strenuous. There will also

be long days of travel on rough and bumpy roads. There is

no hiking on this tour, however we have some gentle walks.

You should be able to walk for 3-4 km on relatively flat

grades and negotiate multiple flights of steps whilst visiting

monasteries.

culture shock rating

Conditions in India are not always as comfortable as in other

countries. You may need to deal with squat toilets, or no

toilets (especially on mountain drives), cold showers or power

failure. Power is generally only available for several hours a

day in Sarchu, the Nubra Valley and in Uleytokpo.

travel insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommended whilst traveling to

India and is compulsory for any group tour with Incredible

Indian Tours. Please read the small print of your insurance

policy to ensure it provides cover for travel to areas where

your state department may be advising against all but

essential travel.

visas

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. Most

nationalities can apply for an e-Visa. Validities available are

30 days, 1 year and 5 years. You can apply up to 30 days

Pari Mahal, Old City walk (Srinagar)

meals

Traveling with Incredible Indian Tours we ensure that you

will experience a vast array of the gustatory treats

available in India. Generally, meals are not included in

the trip price when there is a choice of eating options. This

allows you to choose where, and what to eat. More often

than not however we eat together as a group. Your

leader will offer suggestions for favourite restaurants

throughout the trip.

meal inclusions

21 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 9 Dinners

money exchange As at May 2019

AUD1 = 48 INR

CAD1 = 52 INR

EUR1 = 78 INR

GBP1 = 89 INR

NZD1 = 45 INR

USD1 = 70 INR

There are many ATM machines (which accept both Cirrus/

Maestro debit cards and Visa and MasterCard) throughout

India. This is a safe and convenient way to access money

in India, however we suggest that you bring some money

in cash for the times that ATMs are not available or

working, as is sometimes the case in Ladakh. The major

currencies, including AUD and CAD are no problem in

general to exchange. Travellers cheques are no longer

commonly accepted. Visa & MasterCard credit cards are

accepted in major shops and restaurants in the bigger

cities.


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communications

Many of our hotels have Wifi, but do not rely on it being

available or fast.

You can purchase a local prepaid sim card (for unlocked

cell phones) and data sticks (for mobile internet on your

laptop) inexpensively in India, although they will not work in

Ladakh and Kashmir, where only post-paid sim cards work.

Recommended are Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance. You will

need extra passport photos for this as well as photocopies of

your photo and visa page from your passport.

your tour manager

Your tour manager is there to organise and streamline your

travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Whilst they

are not a guide per se, they will share their local knowledge,

give you suggestions for your free time and manage the day

to day running of the tour. They will introduce you to their

local friends and recommend great local restaurants and

experiences. They will have a broad general knowledge of

India, so do feel free to tap into their wisdom. On this tour, we

also have local guides for Ladakh and Kashmir who have

unparalleled knowledge of their regions and will add to the

enjoyment of the places we are visiting.

responsible travel

We believe strongly in responsible travel. This includes being

respectful to the local culture (ie dressing appropriately, and

learning a few basic cultural do’s and don’ts), being mindful

of the environment, and leaving a positive image behind.

Remember we are ambassadors for our country. Bringing a

few photos of your family and home with you is a great way

to interact with the locals by giving them a glimpse of your

world whilst you visit theirs.

joining hotel

Claridges Hotel

12, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road,

New Delhi, 110011

Ph: +91 11 3955 5000

transfer/joining instructions

Your airport transfer pickup will await you holding a sign with



before the date of travel for the 30 day e-Visa and 120 days

before the date of travel for the 1 and 5 year e-Visas. The

visa is issued online (you do not need to send your passport

away) and takes up to 3 days. The 30 day e-Visas are

double entry with validity commencing from the date of

arrival. The 1 and 5 year e-Visas are multiple entry with

validity running from the date of issue with stays of maximum

90 days at a time allowed with the exception of US, UK,

Japanese and Canadian passport holders who can stay for

up to 180 days at a time.

When applying for your e-Visa, be aware of a number of

commercial websites offering e-Visas that do not belong to

the Government of India and will charge you additional

service fees to issue your visa.

The official Government of India e-Visa website is

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

health

We recommend that you consult your doctor for current

medical travel information about before departure. Your

leader will be carrying a basic first aid kit, but we suggest

you bring along your own as well as any personal medical

requirements .

The following websites have up-to-date information about

health requirements.

Australia https://www.travelvax.com.au/

New Zealand http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-

living/travelling

USA https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

UK http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/

Canada https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines

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accommodation in Delhi is available from USD150 Single/

Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Again, if you will

require extra accommodation in Delhi, please advise us as

early as possible as rooms tend to get booked out quickly.

what to take

We will be on the move a lot, so try to pack as lightly as

possible. The smaller your bag in India the better, as the

various modes of transport we use tend to have limited

storage space.

India is very conservative and we ask that you dress

accordingly. As a guideline, shoulders and knees should

always be covered. The wearing of shorts is looked upon by

locals as akin to wearing your underwear and will limit your

entry into mosques, temples and other places of worship.

Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool.

Singlets, tank tops and shorts are not suitable attire for India.

We will be visiting some high altitude regions on this trip,

which despite it being summer can be quite cold,

particularly our overnight camping stop at Sarchu, where the

overnight temperature can get as low as 0C (32F). Thermals

and a warm windproof jacket are recommended as are

layers to keep warm.

Note that some Indian domestic airlines have recently

reduced their check-in baggage allowance to 15kg. If you

have heavier luggage, you may need to pay the excess at

the airport for your internal flights. Excess luggage charges

range from around Rs400 (USD6) per kilo.

laundry

Inexpensive laundry facilities are offered by most hotels we

use and are generally available wherever we have a two

night stop.

weather

The weather during our journey should be great. Daytime

temperatures will be warm, in the range 20-30 in the

mountains (hotter in Delhi). Night time temperatures will be

comfortable, and you will need to bring a jacket and layers



your name when you exit the baggage claim area of the

arrivals hall. There may be large crowds here so please

look carefully for your transfer.

arriving early

The elegant Claridges Hotel is one of Delhi’s premium 5

star hotels. Built in 1952, Claridges is a short walk from the

trendy Khan Market area and is just two kilometres from

India Gate.

The refined rooms feature wood floors and a mix of

colonial and contemporary decor, plus flat-screen TVs

and minibars.

Dining options include 4 restaurants, a cafe and a bakery.

There’s also a fitness room, an outdoor pool and a spa,

plus garden cabanas and a modern Indian art gallery.

early arrival information

If you are arriving earlier than day 1, extra

accommodation in Delhi is available from USD150 Single/

Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Please notify us

as early as possible if you require extra accommodation

as hotels in Delhi tend to be heavily booked up well in

advance.

staying on

If you are staying on in Delhi after the tour, extra

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heavy quilts provided in the tents.

We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt to

store your passport, air tickets, credit cards and cash. Avoid

bringing valuable jewellery with you. Some hotels we use

have safety deposit boxes.

Updated on: 8th March 2020



for the cooler evenings in the mountains and our

excursions to the high altitude passes. Rain is always a

possibility at this time of year, so bring an umbrella, and

sunblock and a hat are essentials.

checklist

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (don’t

forget your emergency insurance contact details), air

tickets.

Photocopy of above documents

Day pack

Health vaccinations/medication

First aid kit

Money: ATM card (widely available and easy to access);

credit cards (widely accepted in big cities); cash (for when

atms or credit cards cannot be used/accessed)

Money pouch

Alarm clock and torch/flashlight

Mosquito repellent

Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper

Lock for your bag or suitcase

Good hiking or walking shoes for optional walks in and

around the mountains.

If you feel the cold, you may wish to bring a sleeping bag

for our night at Sarchu as it can be very cold even with

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Documents

Ladakh Kashmir Dossier - incredibleindiatours.com · The tour starts at 6pm. After a short tour briefing, we head out for dinner to get to know each other and discuss the journey