Mountain
Himalayan Monasteries Circuit
Leh – Thiksey – Hemis – Diskit (Ladakh) or Dharamshala – Mcleodganj – Bir Billing (Himachal Pradesh)7 Days / 6 NightsUp to 30 guests
About This Tour
This circuit explores India's living Tibetan Buddhist monastic culture in the high Himalayas, and is offered in two route options depending on the traveller's preference. The Ladakh route covers the dramatic high-altitude monasteries of Leh and the Nubra Valley, while the Himachal route centers on Dharamshala and Mcleodganj, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, paired with the paragliding hub of Bir Billing. Both routes offer an immersive look at monastery life, prayer flags, and mountain landscapes.
Tour Highlights
Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace, Leh (Ladakh route)
Thiksey Monastery, resembling a mini Potala Palace (Ladakh route)
Hemis Monastery, Ladakh's largest and wealthiest gompa (Ladakh route)
Diskit Monastery and the Nubra Valley's sand dunes (Ladakh route)
Namgyal Monastery, residence of the Dalai Lama, Mcleodganj (Himachal route)
Tibet Museum and Tsuglagkhang Complex, Dharamshala (Himachal route)
Bir Billing, one of the world's best paragliding sites (Himachal route)
Norbulingka Institute, preserving Tibetan arts and culture (Himachal route)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Day 1: Arrive Leh (Ladakh Route)
Arrive Leh by flight (at 3,500m) and rest for acclimatization — essential given the altitude. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Leh.
2
Day 2: Leh (Ladakh Route)
Morning visit to Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa, both offering panoramic views over the town. Afternoon at leisure to continue acclimatizing. Overnight in Leh.
3
Day 3: Leh to Thiksey and Hemis (Ladakh Route)
Morning visit to Thiksey Monastery, a striking twelve-storey complex resembling a mini Potala Palace, often timed to catch the monks' morning prayers. Continue to Hemis Monastery, Ladakh's largest and wealthiest gompa, founded in the 17th century. Overnight in Leh.
4
Day 4: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung La (Ladakh Route)
Drive over Khardung La, one of the world's highest motorable passes, to the Nubra Valley. Visit Diskit Monastery, overlooking the valley's sand dunes, with its towering Maitreya Buddha statue. Overnight in Nubra Valley.
5
Day 5: Nubra Valley to Leh (Ladakh Route)
Morning at leisure in Nubra Valley — optional camel safari on the double-humped Bactrian camels at Hunder dunes. Drive back to Leh over Khardung La. Overnight in Leh.
6
Day 6: Leh (Ladakh Route)
Full day at leisure or optional excursion to Pangong Lake (long day trip) or further monastery visits (Shey, Spituk). Overnight in Leh.
7
Day 7: Departure (Ladakh Route)
Transfer to Leh airport for onward/international flight connection. Alternative Himachal Route: Day 1 Delhi to Dharamshala (approx. 470 km / 10 hrs, or fly to Kangra); Day 2 Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang Complex and Tibet Museum, Mcleodganj; Day 3 Bhagsunag Waterfall and the Norbulingka Institute, Mcleodganj; Day 4 drive to Bir Billing, one of the world's best paragliding sites, with optional tandem paragliding; Day 5 free day at Bir Billing; Day 6 drive back to Dharamshala; Day 7 departure via Kangra airport or onward road journey to Delhi.
What's Included
Included
- Hotel/guesthouse accommodation for the entire duration of the tour
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All travel — airport/railway station pick-up and drop, and inter-city/local transport throughout
- Sightseeing and monastery entry as per itinerary
- Professional local guide at all major sites
- Dedicated tour escort for the entire journey
- Private driver for the full duration of the trip
Excluded
- Personal purchases
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Details
- Duration7 Days / 6 Nights
- Group SizeUp to 30
- Best TimeLadakh route: May to September; Himachal route: March to June, September to November
- DepartureLeh (Ladakh route) / Delhi (Himachal route)
Tags
Himalayan MonasteriesLadakhHimachal PradeshBuddhist CircuitPilgrimage
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