Ladakh Family Holiday with Teenagers

A short scenic flight will bring you to Leh. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the village of Nimmu and your atmospheric traditional Ladakhi house. The remainder of the day is at leisure to acclimatise to Ladakh’s high altitude. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk around Nimmu village.

Begin your day with a cycle ride to the 16th-century mud-brick fortress of Basgo Gompa, which is perched atop a hillock and offers stunning views of the surrounding villages. Next, visit the three Maitreya temples dedicated to the ‘Buddha of the future’ and observe monks offering prayers before exploring the almost forgotten Saspol Cave Temples. After lunch, continue to the 10th-century Alchi monastery, which has one of Ladakh’s finest collections of Buddhist murals.

A short drive will bring you to Phey, where your rafts await. After a safety briefing, you will be on your way rafting down the Indus to Nimmu (Type 2 and 3 rapids). This is one of the most rewarding rafting routes, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and crumbling cliff-edge monasteries. Then, enjoy an al-fresco lunch at Nimmu House. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Make the breathtaking ascent up to the Khardung La Pass, which at 5,459m is one of the highest motorable roads in the world, and hoist colourful prayer flags for happiness and prosperity. Then, continue to Hunder, which sits like an oasis in the middle of the Nubra Valley’s cold desert and is referred to as ‘the Desert in the Sky. On arrival at Hunder, check in at your charming village house.

Embark on an exhilarating full-day journey to Turtuk, the last Indian outpost before Pakistan and the gateway to the Siachen Glacier. This is almost as far north in India as it is possible to go! Technically part of Baltistan, Turtuk village has a Muslim population and is noticeably different culturally, linguistically and architecturally from the rest of Indian Ladakh. On a clear day, the snow-clad slopes of K2 – the second-highest mountain in the world – are visible in the distance. After a picnic lunch, return to Hunder.

Set off this morning on a trek in the footsteps of ancient Silk Route caravans. This is an easy trail along the shimmering Shyok River and the beautiful Hunder Gorge and offers magnificent views of Saser Kangri (7,672m). Later, return by jeep to your village house for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a short camel safari across the sand dunes, which is undoubtedly one of the highlights of any visit to Hunder and then proceed to the village of Teggar via Diskit.

Cycle through the Nubra Valley to the 19th-century Samstanling Monastery, where you can observe young monks chanting. From Stamstanling, drive to the sacred Trisha Lake and light a traditional butter lamp at the small chorten on the water’s edge. Later this afternoon, a short cycle ride will bring you to the Sumur sand dunes, which is a perfect spot to take in the glorious views as the sun sets over the high-altitude desert.

A scenic morning’s drive with spectacular views of the majestic craggy mountains and the many villages that dot the Indus Valley will bring you to Stok village, near Leh. Today’s journey will take you across the Wari-La Pass (5,312m), which connects two of the most exotic valleys in the Trans-Himalayan region. Later this afternoon, visit the Stok Palace museum and conclude your day’s exploration with a walk through Leh’s bustling bazaar.

Rise early this morning to observe the mystical dawn prayer ceremony at Thiksey, one of the grandest monasteries in Ladakh. Listen to the younger monks reciting sacred Buddhist texts to the accompaniment of cymbals. Next, visit the monastery’s prayer hall filled with handwritten religious texts, scrolls and brightly painted images of Buddha and Tara. Then, after a relaxed breakfast, proceed to the celebrated Hemis monastery, the largest and most richly endowed monastic institution in Ladakh, which is situated on a green hill and surrounded by spectacular mountains. In the afternoon, meet with an Oracle and learn about the Spirit World.

Bid goodbye to Ladakh and fly to Delhi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Transfer to Delhi International Airport and check in for your onward flight.