Himalayan Heritage Journey

Early morning flight to Leh, offering stunning views of the Himalayas. At 3,500 metres, Leh requires gentle acclimatisation, so we'll take it easy today. Check into our beautiful hotel, a restored Ladakhi palace, and rest while enjoying mountain views from your window. Later, our guide will brief you about altitude adjustment. Evening gentle walk around Leh market, followed by dinner watching the sunset over the Himalayas.

Start your day with optional sunrise yoga and meditation. After a leisurely breakfast, we'll take a gentle walk through the old town, visiting the nine-storey Leh Palace, which looks like a mini Potala Palace. Lunch at the Leh Women's Alliance Café, supporting local women entrepreneurs. Afternoon visit to Shanti Stupa for spectacular views. Evening talk by a local expert about Ladakhi culture and traditions.

Today we explore Ladakh's most spectacular monasteries. Start at Thiksey, where you can join morning prayers and hear monks chanting. Continue to Hemis, the region's richest monastery, famous for its masked dance festival. After lunch in a local home, visit Stakna Monastery, dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop. Evening cooking demonstration of traditional Ladakhi cuisine at our hotel.

An early start for one of the journey's highlights - Pangong Lake. The drive takes us through Khardung La, the world's highest motorable pass at 5,359m. The first sight of Pangong's turquoise waters will take your breath away! Enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake and look for rare black-necked cranes. Tonight we stay in comfortable camps by the lakeshore, enjoying dinner under the clearest, star-filled sky you've ever seen.

Drive to the enchanting Nubra Valley, stopping at monasteries along the way. Visit the sand dunes at Hunder, where you can enjoy a short ride on Bactrian camels! Stay in a beautiful heritage house tonight, where the family will share stories of life in this remote valley over dinner.

Morning flight to Delhi, then drive to McLeod Ganj, home of the Tibetan government in exile. Evening orientation walk around the town, watching monks debate at the Namgyal Monastery. Our hotel tonight overlooks the stunning Dhauladhar range.

Start early to join the kora (ritual circumambulation) around the Dalai Lama's residence with local Tibetans. After breakfast, visit the Tibet Museum and Norbulingka Institute, keeping Tibetan arts alive. Lunch at the Tibetan Children's Village, supporting refugee education. Afternoon cooking class learning to make momos (Tibetan dumplings). Optional evening meditation session with a Buddhist monk.

Morning drive to the heritage village of Pragpur. En route, visit the beautiful Kangra Fort and tea gardens. Stay in The Judge's Court, a magnificent 300-year-old country manor. Afternoon heritage walk through the village, meeting local craftspeople. Evening cultural performance in the hotel's colonial-era drawing room.

Scenic drive to Shimla, former summer capital of British India. Watch the landscape change as we climb into the mountains. Late afternoon arrival at our hotel, a gracious colonial-era property. Evening walk on The Mall, Shimla's famous promenade, followed by dinner at the historic Indian Coffee House.

Explore Shimla's fascinating colonial heritage on foot. Visit Viceregal Lodge, where India's partition was planned, Christ Church, and the Gaiety Theatre. Lunch at Shimla's oldest restaurant. Afternoon free to explore the bazaar or enjoy high tea at Wildflower Hall, Shimla's most famous hotel.

Experience the UNESCO-listed 'Toy Train' journey from Shimla to Solan, a masterpiece of engineering with 103 tunnels and 806 bridges. Amazing views guaranteed! Afternoon drive to Chandigarh, India's best-planned city. Visit the famous Rock Garden, created entirely from recycled materials.

Morning exploration of Chandigarh's modernist architecture, including the Capitol Complex designed by Le Corbusier. Afternoon train to Delhi. Final dinner at a rooftop restaurant, sharing memories of your Himalayan adventure.

Transfer to Delhi International Airport for your flight back to London, taking with you unforgettable memories of the mighty Himalayas.