15-Day Himalayan Cultures of Ladakh & Kashmir
5 Good Reasons To Do This Trip!
Blow your friends’ India travel stories out of the water as you recount tales of soaring mountain passes in the cold desert landscapes of Ladakh and the Saffron fields of Kashmir!
Dissolve into a mesmerised state as you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with locals at the Hemis Festival to watch the Cham Dance unfold, with its colourful spectacle of twirling costumes, performed to a chorus of drums and the wailing sound of Tibetan Horns.
You don’t need to be a green-thumb to be seduced by the kaleidoscopic visions of the Mughal Gardens. Built in the 1600’s they are a glorious nod to Persian architectural precision. lulling you into a state of calm by the echo of trickling water from the water-element features.
Resist the hypnotic colours of Ladakh’s Lake Pangong, the highest saltwater lake in the world, before enjoying top-of-the-world views of a starry Himalayan sky. And, Kashmir’s technicoloured Lake Dal as you settle in for a night on a houseboat, and wake up to the sight of waterfront villages.
Satiate your adventurous soul amongst the heights of the planet. Seek out hidden Buddhist monasteries, cross some of the wildest landscapes around and visit the most remote communities you’re bound to find – with a small bunch of eager women just like you.
Trip Details
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Missed out on a trip? Let us know and we’ll be in touch about future dates!
Price
$6,766 AUD (twin share)
- $1,650 deposit.
- 2 week cooling off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
- Private supplement available: $1,989 AUD, max 4 spots
Trip length
15 days, 14 nights
Meeting point
The Claridges, New Delhi
Ending point
The Claridges, New Delhi
Group size
Maximum 12
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section under the Participation Tab.
Included
- Meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 14 dinners
- Private vehicle transportation, 2 domestic flights: New Delhi – Leh, Srinagar – New Delhi
- 12x nights accommodation, 1x night tentend camp, 1x night houseboat
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader
- All listed activities and more!
Not included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Visa Fee
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Click the tabs to find out more
What our Patchies say
Day 1: Delhi
Welcome to India! One of the friendly team will meet you at Delhi International Airport for a private transfer directly to your hotel. Your adventure begins this evening. After a meetup with your tour leader, the group heads out into the chaotic streets of Delhi.
The restaurant for tonight’s welcome dinner is in an immaculately renovated manor-house tucked down one of the lanes of the old city – what a perfect splash of opulence before you embrace the grassroots lifestyle of the remote Indian Himalayas – starting tomorrow!
Accommodation: The Claridges Hotel (or similar)
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Leh
The flight to Ladakh only takes one and a half hours and, depending on the airline-scheduling Gods, you’ll be catching your breath in awe of Ladakh’s stark mountainscape by lunchtime. This is a pinch-yourself moment. Yes! You’re really here – at The Himalayas!! The ‘Roof of India’.
Once your hotel check-in is sorted, you’ve got some time to take it easy. Leh, known for its epic views and pristine nature, is a high-altitude town (3,500 metres above sea level), so just take the time to acclimatise. The group will catch up again for dinner.
Accommodation: Ladakh Sarai (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Leh
You may not have heard of Leh, but this is a special place to start our Ladakh trip, and it won’t take you long to find out why.
First, there’s a 45-minute gentle walk through Leh’s ‘old town’. It’s a labyrinth of covered pathways that weave beneath the traditional mud houses, and you’ll tread them, step-by-step, with a local guide. There’s a spectacular view across the whole town and valley from the ruins of the 350-year-old Leh Palace.
You’ll discover the colourful market too, where you’re bound to return for more shopping and maybe some people watching. The town of Leh is ethnically and religiously diverse and is often referred to as ‘Little Tibet’… or the ‘Land of Lamas’ for all of its Buddhist temples. Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are all significant faiths here and this is reflective in the people and their daily life. You’ve got some time to rest this afternoon too; before regrouping for dinner.
Accommodation: Ladakh Sarai (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Hemis Festival
Day four is Sunday, 22 June 2025, in the Western calendar.
But it’s a different calendar that matters, today. For this just happens to be the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar; which is a very important date indeed. On this day, the revered founder of Tibetan Buddhism was born: Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rimpoche).
For over 1,200 years, followers of Tibetan Buddhism have marked this day – and this morning, so will you! All through the early hours of the morning, groups of locals, pilgrims – and let’s be honest, a few contingents of Westerners like us – will be heading up to the monastery to witness the whirlwind of colour that is the Hemis Festival commemorations.
Yes, it will be busy, crowded and a bit noisy, but that’s part of the experience. Your trip leader will explain to you the rituals, but we also recommend doing some Googling to learn the significance of this festival in order to understand what you’re seeing.
Accommodation: Fana Resort (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Pangong Lake
The festival is now over and it’s time to leave the area. You’ve experienced the culture, and now it’s time to see some more of the spectacular scenery.
The scenic drive today takes us to the brightly-hued Pangong Lake that forms part of the Indo-China border. You could literally swim – or row – to Tibet… however, we wouldn’t! It’s actually the highest saltwater (brackish) lake in the world at over 4,350 metres above sea level. The sights are unforgettable on this journey as you enjoy panoramic views of the villages and the summer pasturelands of the yaks.
Tonight’s accommodation is a fixed-tented camp (similar to a yurt camp) right by the lake. You’re in the middle of nowhere, up close to nature, under Himalayan skies and tonight you’ll possibly see the brightest-ever stars in your lifetime – and it’s time to enjoy it all. Go for a hike and enjoy the beauty, which has been described as ‘supernatural.’
Accommodation: Pangong Vista Resort (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Nubra Valley
You know that feeling you get when you’re constantly aware of the commotion of the world around you? Busy life, errands, catching up with friends and family, those sorts of things. It may well be the reason why you’re doing this trip. In a world of complete contrast, you’ll really get to know the simple, yet craved-for lifestyles of local communities, built on Buddhist culture – through generations of ruling dynasties – from monasteries, temples and ancient traditions.
Let your thoughts wander far on today’s five-hour journey to Nubra Valley, amidst high-altitude scenery and vivid landscapes coloured by Mother Nature herself. Your intimacy with the Ladakh region and its very remote and very special culture, is set to grow deeper still as we visit the Diskit Monastery, the oldest monastery in the valley – protected by the Dalai Lama’s blessing.
After your long drive, you’re going to arrive hungry. Good thing then that a special dinner is waiting for you. Lovers of Indian food, you’ll enjoy this one.
Accommodation: Lchang Nang Retreat (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Khardung La Pass
It’s another long drive today, but maybe we can tempt you back into the car because this one has a little surprise in store. Watch the mineral landscapes, prayer flags fluttering on the breeze and snow capped peaks pass by your window. The journey will take five hours, but you’ll make a pit stop at Khardung La Pass along the way. Once part of the Silk Road, this split in the mountains is still one of the world’s highest motorable roads. Pull over to snap photos and grab a cheeky cup of chai to warm up.
From the top of the pass, you’ll see your ultimate destination – Leh. Tonight is another chance to take in the magic of this special Himalayan town through a cultural performance to remember. Soak it all up because tomorrow you’re onto another high-mountain town.
Accommodation: Ladakh Serai (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Ulley
By now you’ll feel completely at home with your surrounds in Leh… but it’s time to say goodbye – not only is there so much more of Ladakh to discover, but now the Vale of Kashmir is well within your sights too!
You’ll have uninterrupted views from your window seat once more as your group’s two, high-roof minivans travel in tandem westwards, along the Indus River Valley. On the way you’ll stop to view the Zanskar River confluence – fiercely propelled by the icy Himalayan snow melt – and the Alchi Monastery built more than a thousand years ago.
Today’s destination is only 85 kilometres from Leh and you’ll arrive at your accommodation with ample time to absorb its remoteness. Wander through the orchard or take advantage of the views from one of the sitting areas around the grounds. Dinner will be served in-house tonight.
Accommodation: Ulley Ethnic Resort (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Lamayuru Monastery
Lamayuru Monastery is renowned – not only because it’s Ladakh’s oldest monastery, but also because of the unusual lunar-like landscape that it’s surrounded by. Most visitors to Lamayuru are day-trippers from Leh, so you’ll be able to examine the detailed Dharma murals and colour deity statues this morning before the tranquil site fills with people. By then, you’ll be moving on to explore the little-known Lion Temple just nearby.
It’s equally as impressive and missed by most visitors. In the afternoon, there’s plenty of time back at the resort for a stroll along the river, or a recharging rest, before dinner.
Accommodation: The Kargil (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Maalhos
Helloooo Kashmir! Today it’s time to say Jullay! to Ladakh and Aadab! to the Kashmir region of India. How exciting! You’ll make your way to the town of Srinagar, known for its gardens and lakes – a stark contrast to what you’ve experienced the last 10 days. The fluorescent greens and sky-mimicking blues will be a festival for your senses after so many days spent in desert landscapes.
Summit one more high mountain pass for a final breathtaking (literally!) finale. Zoji La sits at 3,527 metres and while it’s been awarded the nickname of “Gateway to Ladakh”, this is actually your exit point. Wave farewell to the high-altitudes and set your sights on all things leafy, a climate that you’ll quickly descend into. With another five-hour drive under your belt, you deserve a treat – and boy will we deliver. Glide across Dal Lake in a traditional shikara to reach your accommodation for the night… a plush, wooden houseboat!
Accommodation: Khilona Houseboat
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: Gulmarg Meadow
Rise and shine! You’ll wake up to serene lakefront scenes this morning, peering out from your intricately carved, floating hotel. Take the time to enjoy your morning cuppa with views of the lily pads and mountains. This trip might seem like an awful lot of goodbyes, but each hello is more beautiful than the next. Today you’re headed to Gulmarg, also known as the Meadow of Flowers. Imagine an alpine prairie, covered in a carpet of purples and pinks.
The area isn’t just about the botanicals though, it’s also a world-famous ski slope. Weather permitting, you might catch a glimpse of the Naked Mountain, Nanga Parbat, standing 8,126 metres tall, or Pakistan from the Khilanmarg Gondola. Head back down to Srinagar this evening and unpack your bags. You’ll be here for three whole nights.
Accommodation: The Grand Kaisar
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Shalimar Gardens
You might have noticed a trend here in Kashmir – it’s gardens and meadows galore. Continue in your pursuit of finding Eden today with a visit to the Shalimar Gardens. Also known as the Garden of Love, this is an unparalleled Mughal masterpiece and worthy of its UNESCO designation. You’ll draw parallels between this architecture and some other famous sites around India (hint: the Taj Mahal!).
If you thought you’d seen the pinnacle of horticulture this morning, get ready because you’ll also stop at the lakeside beauties of Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi. One thing’s for sure, the Mughal’s loved their fountains, terraces and elegantly carved pavilions, and what a marvel that you get to enjoy their particular architectural taste all these centuries later!
Accommodation: The Grand Kaisar
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13: Saffron Fields
The word ‘beautiful’ has been thrown around a lot, but after today you might have a new definition of it. Visit the crowning glory of Kashmir’s natural scenery, the Pahalgam region, just outside Srinagar. If you’re scratching your head and wondering when you were transported to Switzerland we won’t blame you.
Wrapped in a cathedral of snowy peaks, you’ll drive through the meadows and valleys of Aru, Chandanwari, and Betaab, crisscrossed by milky blue rivers, but the true star of the show are the saffron fields in Pampore. Spread out like a quilt of fuschia blooms, this notoriously pricey spice has been cultivated here for centuries.
Relax back at your hotel this evening. Can you believe it’s almost been two weeks exploring India’s far north?
Accommodation: The Grand Kaisar
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14: Delhi
It’s one last lingering breakfast in Srinagar before your transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Delhi, the final leg of your journey. Do remember that domestic flights have a smaller baggage allowance than internationals! Grab one last peak at Kashmir out your window and settle in for the 1.5-hour journey.
In Delhi you’ve come full circle again to enjoy your starting point – the luxurious landmark Claridges Hotel. You have the afternoon free to take care of final packing and prepare for dinner. Your last evening among newfound friends will be quite special indeed – the group will be looked after by the third-generation family that run Delhi’s iconic United Coffee House.
Accommodation: The Claridges (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15: Farewell Friends!
Your final morning; this is your last chance to make sure you’ve exchanged emails, phone numbers, photos and the rest. Check-out is at 12.00 and there are no other plans for the day, except your final transfer to Delhi Airport for your connecting flight.
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Good to Know
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
Traditional food in India, particularly in the regions of Ladakh and Kashmir, is known for its rich and diverse flavours, deeply influenced by geography and cultural history. Ladakhi cuisine, shaped by the high-altitude, cold desert environment, centers around ingredients like barley, wheat, lentils, and root vegetables. Popular dishes include thukpa (a noodle soup), momos (dumplings), and skyu (a dough and vegetable stew), often served with yak butter tea or tingmo (steamed bread).
In contrast, Kashmiri cuisine, known as Wazwan, is aromatic and spice-rich, featuring ingredients like rice, lamb, and dairy, with dishes such as rogan josh (lamb curry), yakhni (yogurt-based meat curry), and haakh (collard greens). Accompanied by fragrant Kahwa tea and traditional bread like sheermal or lavasa, Kashmiri meals maintain a luxurious balance of Persian, Central Asian, and local influences.
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love to travel but don’t like being herded around B-grade attractions… just the mere idea of joining a ‘big bus’ tour makes you want to run for the hills.
You also know, however, that some places are worth the wait.
You’re open-minded and open-hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also love the idea of living a day fully, and then returning to unique, interesting accommodation!
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that could involve trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
If that sounds like you, you’d make a great Patchie.
Frequently Asked Questions
A deposit of $1,650 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 95 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Note: prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:INR exchange rate; this trip pricing is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD : 55.22 INR.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
This is the most frequently asked question we get!
Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)
Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.
The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.
Oh, and one last thing:
Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders can apply for an E-Tourist Visa. If you are staying in India longer than 30 days you will need to apply for a 1 year Visa. The Visa fee is around $40AUD for 30 days and $65AUD for 1 year.
Airfares are not included.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
There are several airline companies that offer direct flights to Delhi from major Australian cities.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
For your Indian adventure, we ask your contribution be:
- 4,500 Indian Rupee (equivalent to $85 AUD) which is given to your guide on Day 1. The kitty will be managed by your guide and distributed along the way at restaurants for included meals, hotel staff, drivers and regional guides.
What is not covered is a customary tip at the end of the trip for your guide. If they’ve ensured that your trip is memorable, we recommend the following guidelines:
- 8,000 to 9,000 per person (equivalent to $150 – $170).
Will we be picked up at the airport?
Yes! One of our friendly team will be waiting for you in the public arrivals area of the airport. You’ll transfer directly to the hotel. The transfer is free and in a private and air-conditioned vehicle, which you will only share if there is anyone else on your flight joining the tour.
When should we arrive?
Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in. We can organise additional hotel nights for you at cost.
Level 2 or Moderate
You’ll need a moderate level of fitness for this trip. If you can walk 3 – 4 hours at an easy pace on undulating and uneven ground, you’ll be fine. There will be days when you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet and times when you’ll need to get on and off different types of transport, including boats. You may need to occasionally sit on the floor and from time to time, you must be ok with using a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit-down toilets) but when you’re on-the-road, sometimes it’s the only choice available. You also need to be able to endure long drives at high altitudes.
Activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it, but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
