INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS &

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

22 days / 21 nights

Dossier validity: 2022 - 2023

Welcome to Incredible Indian Tours’ Top of the World - Ladakh & Kashmir Tour. This is a very exotic adventure throughout the Indian . First we journey to Ladakh through , visiting Shimla and Manali before driving the spectacular Manali - road. In and around Leh we explore the Valley, and also experience the 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 .

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 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

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

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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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

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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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

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 , and the . 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 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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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Days 8 - 9 Manali - Leh Road

Travel time: Approx 14-16 hours over 2 days

Heading up from Manali, we head through the newly opened , built under the Rohtang Pass. At just over 9km, it is the longest tunnel above 10000ft (3048m) in the world. Heading further north into the Lahaul & Spiti Valleys we have a stunning drive through Keylong town and if we’re lucky, views of the Shigri Glacier. After lunch we drive further up into the high Himalayas to our overnight camp at 4290m (14075ft) at .

Hotel: Goldrup Camp

Day 9 is the most spectacular day of this drive, as we head over two high passes, the Lungalacha La (5059m - 16600ft) and the (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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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Day 10 Leh / Hemis Festival (3500m - 11483ft)

Today is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip as we head to the nearby to witness the spectacular Hemis Festival. Built in the 1600’s, Hemis Monastery is a stunning Tibetan Buddhist (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 who is revered throughout the Himalayan regions as the second Buddha.

Hotel: Hotel Ladakh Residency

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Days 11-12 Nubra Valley (3144m - 10315ft)

Travel time: 5 hours

Travelling over the 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 Monastery, with its majestic views, old temples and halls and a 32m high statue of the Buddha facing down the river towards Pakistan. We also take the opportunity to wander through local villages.

Hotel: Desert Himalayan Resort

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Days 13-14 Leh (3500m - 11483ft)

On day 13, we return to Leh the way we came, back over the Khardung La Pass. The afternoon is free to spend the afternoon relaxing, or wandering the market in Leh where you’ll find many Tibetan market stalls and Kashmiri shops selling beautiful handicrafts.

On day 14 we have a full day sightseeing in the Leh valley where we will visit the Leh Palace before heading to the nearby villages of and , 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 mountain range.

Hotel: Hotel Ladakh Residency

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Days 15-16 Leh - Road

Travel time: Approx 7 hours

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

On day 15, we visit the monastery villages of Basgo and 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 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 in Uleytokpo (3040m - 9974ft), on day 16 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 .

Hotel: Ule Ethnic Resort / Zojila Residency

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Days 17-19 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 , 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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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

Itinerary

Days 20-21 Delhi

Travel time: 2 hours

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 21. You are free to depart at any time

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

general tour information

group size minimum 4, maximum 10 This tour uses a variety of accommodation. From guesthouses to heritage hotels to tented camps, we days 21 days 20 nights experience a wide range of accommodation styles. Hotel rooms are twin share with private bathrooms with western starts and finishes in Delhi style toilets. Although a few rooms may be air-conditioned, most will be fan-cooled. The tents are all en-suite. price includes Arrival and departure transfers single supplement All accommodation as specified If you are a single traveller, you are not required to pay a All transportation between overnight stops and to and single supplement as we will match you up with other from included sightseeing travellers. If we are unable to match you up with another Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary traveller of the same sex, we will pay your single supplement Local guides and western tour manager for you. Should you not wish to share accommodation at all, Meals as specified but would like to guarantee your own room throughout the Tips & Gratuities tour a single supplement of from (TBC) will be payable.

price does not include transport Visa costs Train, private vehicles, domestic flight. Meals other than those listed Train travel in India is essential considering it is such an Drinks, meal tips, laundry and other items of a personal efficient and extensive network, and is also such a part of nature India’s culture and heritage. On this journey we enjoy a trip International flights on the UNESCO World Heritage Shimla Toy Train. We have one domestic flight and will be taking private accommodation vehicles (Awd - 3 person maximum per vehicle) for all other Guesthouses/hotels (15 nights), Houseboat (3 nights), journeys. Tented Camp (3 nights) 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) , Hunder Sand Dunes, Village hike (Nubra Valley) Bagso, Alchi and Lamayuru Monasteries (Leh-Kargil Rd) Shikara Rides, Floating vegetable market, Moghal gardens, Pari Mahal, Old City walk (Srinagar)

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

general tour information

meals spending money Traveling with Incredible Indian Tours we ensure that you Although entrance fees to specified sites are included in the will experience a vast array of the gustatory treats tour price, there are additional sights that you may like to available in India. Generally, meals are not included in the visit. Many sites levy camera fees. trip price when there is a choice of eating options. Spending money requirements will differ from one person to This allows you to choose where, and what to eat. More the next. You will need to take into consideration your often than not however we eat together as a group. On spending habits when allowing for drinks, shopping, and road trips by day, we have included lunches that will optional activities. usually be taken at a local road-side eatery, or Dhaba. For You will need to allow enough money for the following: other meals, your leader will offer suggestions for favourite Meals – USD350 (or equivalent) restaurants throughout the trip. Optional Activities – USD100 (or equivalent) Money for drinks, shopping and incidentals. meal inclusions Tipping is an integral part of Indian life and is essential to a 20 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 10 Dinners smooth trip. To make things easier, we cover tips for hotel room boys, local guides and for drivers of private transport money exchange As at March 2021 we use. We do NOT cover restaurant tips. You will need to AUD1 = 55 INR allow approximately 10% on top of your restaurant bill. CAD1 = 57 INR EUR1 = 85 INR physical rating GBP1 = 100 INR There will be plenty of walking around towns or sites with NZD1 = 50 INR steps, which due to the altitude of many locations on this tour USD1 = 72 INR will make general sightseeing more strenuous. There will also There are many ATM machines (which accept both Cirrus/ be long days of travel on rough and bumpy roads. There is Maestro debit cards and Visa and MasterCard) throughout no hiking on this tour, however we have some gentle walks. India. This is a safe and convenient way to access money You should be able to walk for 3-4 km on relatively flat in India, however we suggest that you bring some money grades and negotiate multiple flights of steps whilst visiting in cash for the times that ATMs are not available or monasteries. working, as is sometimes the case in Ladakh. The major currencies, including AUD and CAD are no problem in culture shock rating general to exchange. Travellers cheques are no longer Conditions in India are not always as comfortable as in other commonly accepted. Visa & MasterCard credit cards are countries. You may need to deal with squat toilets, or no accepted in major shops and restaurants in the bigger toilets (especially on mountain drives), cold showers or power cities. 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

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

general tour information

before the date of travel for the 30 day e-Visa and 120 days communications before the date of travel for the 1 and 5 year e-Visas. The Many of our hotels have Wifi, but do not rely on it being visa is issued online (you do not need to send your passport available or fast. away) and takes up to 3 days. The 30 day e-Visas are You can purchase a local prepaid sim card (for unlocked double entry with validity commencing from the date of cell phones) and data sticks (for mobile internet on your arrival. The 1 and 5 year e-Visas are multiple entry with laptop) inexpensively in India, although they will not work in validity running from the date of issue with stays of maximum Ladakh and Kashmir, where only post-paid sim cards work. 90 days at a time allowed with the exception of US, UK, Recommended are Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance. You will Japanese and Canadian passport holders who can stay for need extra passport photos for this as well as photocopies of up to 180 days at a time. your photo and visa page from your passport. When applying for your e-Visa, be aware of a number of commercial websites offering e-Visas that do not belong to your tour manager the Government of India and will charge you additional Your tour manager is there to organise and streamline your service fees to issue your visa. travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Whilst they The official Government of India e-Visa website is are not a guide per se, they will share their local knowledge, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html give you suggestions for your free time and manage the day to day running of the tour. They will introduce you to their health local friends and recommend great local restaurants and We recommend that you consult your doctor for current experiences. They will have a broad general knowledge of medical travel information about before departure. Your India, so do feel free to tap into their wisdom. On this tour, we leader will be carrying a basic first aid kit, but we suggest also have local guides for Ladakh and Kashmir who have you bring along your own as well as any personal medical unparalleled knowledge of their regions and will add to the requirements . enjoyment of the places we are visiting. The following websites have up-to-date information about health requirements. responsible travel Australia https://www.travelvax.com.au/ We believe strongly in responsible travel. This includes being New Zealand http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy- respectful to the local culture (ie dressing appropriately, and living/travelling learning a few basic cultural do’s and don’ts), being mindful USA https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ of the environment, and leaving a positive image behind. UK http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/ Remember we are ambassadors for our country. Bringing a Canada https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines 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 your name when you exit the baggage claim area of the

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

general tour information

arrivals hall. There may be large crowds here so please will require extra accommodation in Delhi, please advise us look carefully for your transfer. as early as possible as rooms tend to get booked out quickly.

arriving early what to take The elegant Claridges Hotel is one of Delhi’s premium 5 We will be on the move a lot, so try to pack as lightly as star hotels. Built in 1952, Claridges is a short walk from the possible. The smaller your bag in India the better, as the trendy Khan Market area and is just two kilometres from various modes of transport we use tend to have limited India Gate. storage space.

The refined rooms feature wood floors and a mix of India is very conservative and we ask that you dress colonial and contemporary decor, plus flat-screen TVs accordingly. As a guideline, shoulders and knees should and minibars. always be covered. The wearing of shorts is looked upon by locals as akin to wearing your underwear and will limit your Dining options include 4 restaurants, a cafe and a bakery. entry into mosques, temples and other places of worship. There’s also a fitness room, an outdoor pool and a spa, Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool. plus garden cabanas and a modern Indian art gallery. Singlets, tank tops and shorts are not suitable attire for India. We will be visiting some high altitude regions on this trip, early arrival information which despite it being summer can be quite cold, If you are arriving earlier than day 1, extra particularly our overnight camping stop at Sarchu, where the accommodation in Delhi is available from (TBC) Single/ overnight temperature can get as low as 0C (32F). Thermals Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Please notify us and a warm windproof jacket are recommended as are as early as possible if you require extra accommodation layers to keep warm. as hotels in Delhi tend to be heavily booked up well in advance. Note that some Indian domestic airlines have recently reduced their check-in baggage allowance to 15kg. If you staying on have heavier luggage, you may need to pay the excess at If you are staying on in Delhi after the tour, extra the airport for your internal flights. Excess luggage charges accommodation in Delhi is available from (TBC) Single/ range from around Rs400 (USD6) per kilo. Double (or equivalent) per night per room. Again, if you 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 for the cooler evenings in the mountains and our excursions to the high altitude passes. Rain is always a possibility at this

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INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Ladakh & Kashmir

general tour information

time of year, so bring an umbrella, and sunblock and a store your passport, air tickets, credit cards and cash. Avoid hat are essentials. bringing valuable jewellery with you. Some hotels we use have safety deposit boxes. checklist Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (don’t Updated on: 27th March 2021 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 heavy quilts provided in the tents. We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt to

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