Chortens Tibetan Mastiffs

Ladakh - Little Tibet in India
Ladakh & the Nubra Valley

A wonderful cultural trip, high in the Himalayas,
through the remote and magical Tibetan Buddhist
kingdom of Ladakh and the remote Nubra Valley.

Duration: 13 Days.
Best time: May to September.
Highest point: Khardung La (5602 m).
Focus: Villages, monasteries, wildlife, high passes, and dramatic landscape.
Physical Challenge: Moderate overall, some bumpy drives and high altitude passes can be challenging.

Monastic Festivals 2007        Hemis - 25th and 26th June.          Phayang - 16th and 17th July.

Day 1   Arrive in Delhi   Welcomed at the airport and transfer to your hotel for two nights. Morning at leisure to recover from your flight. Afternoon guided sightseeing of Old & New Delhi visiting Jama Mosque, Red Fort, India Gate and Humayuns Tomb. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2   Delhi/ Leh    Transfer to domestic airport for your flight to Leh. The spectacular one hour mountain flight over the mighty Himalayas brings you to Leh, capital of the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh. Arrive and transfer to Ladakh Serai (tented camp). A day of rest to acclimatise to the arid high altitude of Leh (3100 mtrs). Relax in the hotel gardens or take a leisurely stroll around the colourful bazaar. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 3 Leh   After breakfast we start the cultural guided tour of Leh town visiting Spituk monastery in the morning. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon visit Leh Palace, Sankar Gompa and Shanti Stupa (Japanese Pagoda). Overnight in hotel.
Day 4   Leh sightseeing   Full day sightseeing to Hemis, Thiksey and Shey gompas. Overnight in Ladakh Serai.
Day 5    Leh to Nubra Valley (Sumur)    Early morning drive (about 07hrs.) to the mystical Nubra Valley, crossing the exhilarating Khardung la (5602 m) – the highest motorable pass in the world and the highest point of our journey.
The views from the top are spectacular, extending to the south, across the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range. To the north, the views of the mighty peaks of the Saser Massif in the Kharakoram range are amazing. Arrive Tyagar (Nubra) and transfer to permanent tented camp, where we will spend the next three nights.
Day 6    Explore Nubra   After breakfast drive to Diskit (about 1hr.) crossing Shayok river. Here we visit Diskit gompa, overlooking the valley. The monastery is the branch of Thikse gompa near Leh. Also Diskit is home to a small population of Bactrian camels; these shaggy, double humped animals, were once used as pack animals on the central Asian trade routes. Close to Diskit we visit Hunder gompa, later driving back to our camp at Tyagar.
Day 7    Explore Nubra   Today we explore Panamik village, now a sleepy village, but once a major trading centre for merchants and the hot-springs, still renowned as medicinal water. Drive back to Tyagar, en route visiting the holy lake and Samstanling gompa. If time permits, you can walk from the gompa to the camp, which takes about 30 min.. Overnight in Camp.
Day 8    Nubra – Leh    After breakfast we drive back to Leh, via the Khardung la. Check in to hotel. Afternoon free for your personal activities, or to relax. Overnight in hotel.
Day 9    Leh – Stok (day hike) – Leh    Morning transfer to Stok village. From here we start a leisurely full day hike following the stream up-river for couple of hours, stopping for a packed lunch, then we walk back via Stok village to visit the Royal Palace & its museum. Later return to Leh by jeep.
Day 10   Leh – Lamayuru – Uletokpo   After breakfast we drive by Jeep to Lamayuru (about 5hrs.). At Lamayuru visit the Yangdrung Gompa – recognized as the oldest monastery in Ladakh – surrounded by a landscape reminiscent of the moon. Later a short drive to Uletokpo (about 43kms/ 2hrs.) for your overnight stay.
Day 11   Uletokpo – Alchi – Leh    After breakfast we drive back to Leh (3hrs.), en route visiting the 1000 year old Alchi Choskor (religious enclave), famous for its frescoes, woodcarvings and stucco art. Arrive Leh and check-into hotel. The remainder of your day is free for you to explore the colourful Tibetan bazaar & back streets, selling exotic jewellery and art. Overnight in hotel.
Day 12   Leh/ Delhi (fly)    Early morning transfer to Leh airport for your return flight over the Himalayas to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to Hotel Imperial for one night.
Day 13   Delhi departure   After breakfast time free (Rooms reserved till 1200hrs), until your transfer to the airport for your return flight to London.

The page we put on this site for our proposed tour to Tibet has created quite a lot of interest, so we thought that you may like to see a few more of the tours we do to the Himalayan areas of northern India.
You could well see some Tibetan Mastiff type dogs in these regions - we certainly have - and one tour even goes to Ladakh, which is a little piece of Tibet which just happened to fall on the Indian side of the Indo-Tibetan border and, despite modern investment, is still much as it was 300 years ago and a very good representation of what old Tibet might have been. It is also the homeland of some of the dogs (such as Motoo, Chico and Grey King) which appear in modern day pedigrees.
We have also included Kashmir here, as though it is not a home of the Tibetan Mastiff, it none the less has some very interesting indigenous dog breeds of its own - and it is one of our favourite places in the world.
Since many of our dogs have a heritage which originated in Nepal, we have included a couple of tours to that country, too.
And, not forgetting China, we have one tour which includes both China and Tibet

If you would like any further information please get in touch with us.

If you are planning on travelling to India on your own and need some help in finding good high quality hotels which have that something different - in fact, ones which could be described as unique Indian hotels, then try this website. I t could help you find just what you are looking for.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi     Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided tour of Old Delhi including the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid Mosque.
Day 02 : Delhi – Haridwar     Early this morning we take the train to Haridwar, one of the most sacred pilgrimage spots of north India, where you will stay in a charmingly converted house overlooking the Ganges. Breakfast on board the train.
Day 03 : Haridwar – Rishikesh - Shivpuri     After breakfast we drive the 25kms to the sacred town of Rishikesh on the Ganges, where you can visit the bazaar and ashrams. In the late afternoon we continue further into the foothills to Shivpuri, to our hotel set in a tranquil garden on the river’s edge.
Day 04: Shivpuri - Mussoorie     After breakfast we drive 115 kms to Mussoorie, stopping for lunch en route. Afternoon free to relax or stroll in the bazaar.
Day 05: Mussoorie     Early morning trip by jeep to see the spectacular sunrise over the snow capped Himalayan peaks of Trishula, Gangotri and Nanda Kot. Return to hotel for breakfast, after which you could enjoy a leisurely horse ride round Camel Hill. In the afternoon there is free time for shopping and exploring the bazaar or relaxing at the hotel.
Day 06: Mussoorie – Shimla     After breakfast an all day (290 kms) drive through beautiful pine forests and hill villages to Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of the British Raj.
Day 07: Shimla     All day to wander in the period charm of Shimla, including a visit to the Mall and the Vice Regal Lodge.
Day 08 : Shimla – Nalagarh     Today we drive 85 kms to Nalagarh, with lunch en route. Our hotel here is a beautifully converted 18th century fort, with great character, individualised rooms and spectacular views.
Day 09 : Nalagarh – Mandi     Today we continue 135 kms to Mandi, to our hotel situated on the river and run by the Namdharis, a vegetarian sect of Sikhs. Evening visit to the nearby bazaar of Mandi, with its unique architecture and temple styles.
Day 10 : Mandi – Palampur     We continue to Taragarh, where we stay in the charming ancestral home of Dr. Karan Singh, the well-known politician and writer, formerly India’s Minister of Tourism.
Day 11 : Palampur     Today we explore the local attractions of the seventh century Shiva temple of Baijnath, and the Tibetan monastic complex of Sherabling. Nestling amongst ancient and beautiful pine forests, Sherabling is a place of very great atmosphere and the seat of the reincarnating Tai Situ lamas, held in great respect amongst all schools of Tibetan Buddhists. Afternoon walk through the tea gardens.
Day 12: Palampur – McLeod Ganj/Dharamsala     Today we travel 60 kms to Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj. This area of Himachal Pradesh is the heart of the Tibetan community in India, being the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile, and the current living quarters of both the Dalai Lama and the young 17th Karmarpa since his dramatic escape from Chinese-occupied Tibet. En route we shall visit Chintapurni Mata Mandir, one of the most important Divine Mother temples in the area. Afternoon visit to the Tibetan bazaar.
Day 13: McLeod Ganj/Dharamsala      A relaxed day to explore the area, including a visit to the charming Norbulinka Institute of Tibetology, a centre of scholarship and research and an internationally renowned studio for traditional artistic skills: rugs, paperwork, woodwork and thanka painting.
Day 14: McLeod Ganj – Paragpur     After breakfast we continue 85 kms to Paragpur, where we shall enjoy the hospitality of Justice Lal, a retired judge, in his delightful family home, built by his father. Afternoon free to relax, with a walk through the village, with some beautiful old houses and shops selling block prints, shawls and silver. In the evening we shall take a sunset boating trip on the river.
Day 15: Paragpur – Amritsar     Today we leave the hills and head down to the Punjab, driving the 175 kms to Amritsar, the spiritual capital of the Sikhs. Lunch en route. We shall enjoy a sunset visit to the magnificent Golden Temple, the sacred heart of the city and a shrine of great beauty, atmosphere and historical importance.
Day 16: Amritsar – Delhi     We end our trip with a train ride back to Delhi, with breakfast on board. We arrive in Delhi at midday, and transfer to our hotel near the airport. Afternoon free.
Day 17: Departure:   You will transfer from the hotel to the airport, for your return flight to the UK.

Day 01    Delhi   Arrive Delhi from your home country and transfer to the hotel.   Morning free at leisure.   Afternoon guided tour of Old Delhi, visiting The Red Fort, Shahjahan’s Mosque and including a cycle rickshaw ride through the silver market.     Breakfast and overnight in hotel.

Day 02    Delhi - Golfing   After breakfast for those who enjoy golfing, we go to Delhi Golf Course for the morning, with the afternoon free. For those not interested in golfing there can be sightseeing of New Delhi visiting Hamuyun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and the India gate. Breakfast and overnight in hotel.

Day 03   Delhi to Srinagar    After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the one hour classic flight over the Himalayas to Srinagar ,the capital of Kashmir. Upon arrival transfer to Nehru Park, from where you will be paddled across Dal Lake, on a shikara, to our house boats situated near the Summer Palace of the Maharani. The houseboats offer fine views of the Lake and the surrounding mountains. The remainder of the day is free to relax. Evening Shikara ride through the lake’s backwaters. Lunch, dinner and overnight in houseboat.

Day 04    Srinagar     Morning sightseeing of the Mughal gardens , visiting Nishat Bagh built by Asaf Khan, the brother –in- law of Jehangir in 1632 A.D., and Shalimar Bagh built by Jehangir for his wife empress Nur Jahan. Both gardens are situated on the banks of Dal Lake with the Zabarwan hills in the background. Late afternoon visit Shankaracharya temple perched on a hilltop with lovely views of the valley & old city. Overnight on the houseboat.

Day 05    Srinagar   Full morning for golfing, the golf course which meets international standards, is situated in the Zabarwan hills with splendid views of Dal Lake. Afternoon shikara ride through the backwaters. All meals and overnight in houseboat.

Day 06    Srinagar to Gulmarg   Full day trip to Gulmarg (the Meadow of Flowers) 2730 metres above sea level. The distance of 56 kms will be covered in about 2 ½ hrs. Gulmarg has one of the best ski slopes in the world, and one of the highest golf courses with 18 holes. You can also enjoy a view of Nanga Parbat if the weather permits. The views en route from Tangmarg to Gulmarg are fascinating. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07    Gulmarg    Full day golfing on the highest golf course in the world with great views of the mountains. All meals and overnight in Highlands Park Hotel or similar.

Day 08    Gulmarg - Srinagar    After breakfast we can enjoy more golfing, while those not interested in golfing can do horse riding, go up to Khelen Marg in the Gondola cable car, or just relax in the hotel garden to enjoy the fantastic views of the snowcapped peaks. After lunch we drive back to Srinagar for overnight on Houseboat.

Day 09    Srinagar to Delhi     Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to Srinagar airport to board your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel Ashok Country Resort near airport for overnight.

Day 10    Delhi to Agra     After breakfast we drive about 250kms/5hrs to Agra. Arrive and stay overnight in hotel. Evening visit to the Taj Mahal. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11    Agra to Delhi    Morning after breakfast we visit the Red Fort & Akbar’s Tomb
at Sikandra - then drive back to Delhi for overnight in hotel.

Day 12    Departure     Early morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 1   Beijing   Arrive in Beijing, to be met by your guide and then transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day can be spent relaxing after your flight, or for you to spend as you wish.
Day 2   Beijing    Today will be one of the highlights of the trip as you visit and climb the Great Wall of China and see the Ming Tombs. In the evening enjoy the Beijing Acrobatic show.
Day 3   Beijing/Chengdu Free till transfer to the airport and your flight to Chengdu. A little time to explore Chengu on your own and to have dinner.
Day 4   Chengdu/Lhasa At leisure until your transfer to the airport and flight to Lhasa. On arrival check in to your hotel and rest and allow yourself some time to acclimatise.
Day 5   Lhasa Visit the magnificent Potala Palace, the Sera Monastery, the Norbulingka Summer Palace and Park and a spend some time with a local Tibetan family.
Day 6   Lhasa   Visit the Drepung Monastery, the Tibet Museum, the thriving bazaar of the Barkhor Street Market, the Tibetan Traditional Medicine Hospital and the Carpet Factory.
Day 7   Lhasa/Chengdu/Beijing At leisure until your transfer to the airport and the flight back to Chengdu and the connecting flight to Beijing.
Day 8   Beijing Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport and the return flight to the UK.