Day notes
Fly from Delhi to Leh. Altitude 3,500 metres
Arrive on your international flight into Delhi and transfer for a domestic flight to Leh. The Leh flight is a truly beautiful flight as it goes over the western Himalaya range, over majestic peaks and into the heart of Himalayan snow kingdom of Ladakh. As we land, look down for your first glimpse of the River Indus.
We will be welcomed by our driver who will take us to our hotel. Rest and acclimatise for the day. If anyone feels up to a little outing later this afternoon, we will take a slow walk into the town centre for some last-minute shopping. The bustling heart of Leh, the Main Bazaar, is filled with shops selling traditional Ladakhi handicrafts, jewellery, and souvenirs. It’s a great place to experience the local culture and pick up unique items.
The town of Leh is set against a dramatic backdrop of towering, snow-capped peaks, rugged mountains, and stark, arid, cold desert. The landscape is a study in contrasts, with the valleys of the Indus River cutting through the barren, rocky terrain. The crystal-clear skies and the crisp, clean air add to the region's allure, making it a haven for nature lovers.
The surrounding areas are dotted with ancient monasteries perched precariously on cliffs, and the sight of these age-old structures against the vast, open landscape is truly breathtaking.
Note: If you wish to arrive a day or two earlier in Delhi, or stay there at the end of the programme, this can be arranged, along with a sightseeing tour.
Scheduled Flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport [DEL] to Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL]
IndiGo [6E]
Scheduled Flight
6571
Indira Gandhi International Airport [DEL]
09:10
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL]
10:30
Transfer from Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL] to The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Transfer
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL]
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Check-in to The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Expert tips:
You are very likely to feel the effects of the altitude quite quickly on arrival in Leh. It's important to take things very easy today:
- Sip warm or hot water at least every 30 minutes
- Rest, walk slowly
- Breathe calmly
- Drink Cava tea or Sea Buckthorn Juice
- Take a headache tablet if necessary, otherwise, it's best to let your body adjust naturally
Day notes
A day in Leh
After breakfast, we will head out to Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery with our local guide.
Lunch back at the hotel and time for a rest.
This afternoon we will visit the Central Asian Museum and then finish at the Shanti Stupa for sunset.
Expert tips:
Morning:
A short drive from Leh takes us to Shey Palace, once the summer retreat of Ladakh’s royal family. The palace sits on a rocky ridge with beautiful views across the Indus Valley. Inside the temple, we will find a remarkable 12-metre gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (the name given to the historical Buddha, the real person who lived and taught in northern India around the 5th century BC) one of the tallest in the region, surrounded by richly painted walls and butter-lamp alcoves. The site gives a gentle introduction to Ladakh’s former kingdom, its artistic traditions, and the strong connection between royalty and monastic life.
Nearby, Thiksey Monastery is one of Ladakh’s most important cultural centres. Spread across several levels of a hillside, it resembles a miniature Potala Palace (the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas in Tibet). The monastery belongs to the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school and is home to a large community of monks. Highlights include the impressive 15-metre statue of Maitreya (future Buddha), created to mark the Dalai Lama’s visit, the assembly hall with colourful murals, and a range of chapels that showcase different aspects of Tibetan Buddhist practice. The views from the rooftop are superb, offering a wide perspective over the Indus Valley and the surrounding mountains.
Visiting these two sites offers an excellent introduction to the history, culture, and spiritual life of Ladakh before travelling deeper into the region.
Afternoon:
Central Asian Museum: A fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Ladakh and its historical connections with Central Asia. Housed in a beautifully restored, traditional Ladakhi building, the museum showcases a diverse collection of artefacts, including ancient trade route maps, traditional clothing, and religious objects. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the region's history as a vital crossroads of trade and culture, where merchants, monks, and adventurers once traversed the Silk Road. The museum's displays highlight the unique blend of Tibetan, Indian, and Central Asian influences that have shaped the heritage of Ladakh
Shanti Stupa: A white-domed Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop, Shanti Stupa is not only a significant religious site but also provides stunning views of the sunrise and sunset over Leh.
If we have time during one of our days in Leh, it may be possible to visit the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust, an NGO working in the Trans-Himalayan regions of Ladakh and Spiti for the conservation of the highly endangered Snow Leopard. SLC-IT has established itself as one of the most productive and successful conservation organisations in the Himalayas. Programs are meticulously designed to conserve the mountain ecosystems in collaboration with local communities. They focus primarily on building local stewardship through community-based tourism, education and research in Ladakh, where snow leopards and wolves, once disdained as pests and adversaries because of frequent livestock depredation, are now considered as Ri Gyancha or 'ornaments of the mountains'.
Day notes
Transfer to Drenmo Lodge, Western Ladakh (approx 8 hours including stops) Altitude 3,000 metres
We will first stop at Alchi Monastery. located about 65 km from Leh. One of the oldest and most important Buddhist sites in Ladakh, dating back to the 10th–11th century. Unlike most Ladakhi monasteries, it sits on the valley floor rather than on a hill, giving it a peaceful, village-like atmosphere. Alchi is best known for its extraordinary Kashmiri-influenced murals, wooden carvings, and early Buddhist art, which are remarkably well-preserved. The highlight is the Sumtseg Temple, which houses three towering statues: Maitreya (Future Buddha), Avalokiteshvara (Compassion), and Manjushri (Wisdom). The walls and ceilings are covered in intricate paintings that reflect a blend of Himalayan and Indian artistic traditions.
Photography is not permitted inside the temples to help preserve the fragile artwork, but the experience of stepping into these quiet, dimly lit spaces—unchanged for nearly a thousand years—is truly memorable. Alchi offers a unique insight into early Buddhism in Ladakh and is one of the most culturally significant stops in the region.
As we leave Leh behind, the road takes us through a series of picturesque, winding and steep valleys. These valleys, with their meandering rivers and green patches of cultivated fields, contrast beautifully with the rugged mountains that surround them. Along the way, we pass through remote villages where time seems to have stood still. These villages, with their whitewashed houses, prayer wheels, and monasteries, offer a glimpse into the traditional Ladakhi way of life. The route also involves crossing several rivers. Fed by glacial meltwaters, these rivers are a striking shade of turquoise and add to the scenic beauty of the journey.
As we approach Drenmo Lodge, the landscape opens up to reveal wide, open plains surrounded by towering peaks. The lodge itself is set in a stunning location, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Arrive and check in at Drenmo Lodge, the first-ever exclusive lodge in India dedicated to the majestic Himalayan Brown Bear known as “Drenmo” in the local language. Located in the remote Holiyal village in Mushkow valley, this lodge was born out of a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Roots Ladakh, a locally based responsible travel company.
Lodge facilities:
- Rooms are heated with electric heaters with hot/cold water provided in buckets in April and November
- 24-hour power supply with generator backup
- Food: Mix of Indian / Continental / Ladakhi (set menus)
- Dedicated Host with knowledge of the cultural and natural heritage of the region and fluent in Hindi and English
- Tea/coffee & cookies available all day in the dining/lounge area
- Drinking water provided
- Packed lunch and tea/coffee provided when in the field
This is prime brown bear country and known as the second coldest inhabited place in the world - it is undoubtedly the best location in India for sighting this magnificent mammal.
It is a pioneering initiative to change the perception of the local community towards the mammal by bringing them economic benefits through tourism.
This evening, we will have a briefing by our local Tour Leader and Spotter, followed by dinner.
Check-out from The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Transfer from The Grand Dragon Ladakh to Drenmo Lodge
Transfer
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Drenmo Lodge
Check-in to Drenmo Lodge
Expert tips:
Regarded as the “Second coldest inhabited place in the world” - Drass is an alpine terrain at an average elevation of 3000m with winter temperatures below 40 degrees Celsius and an average snowfall of about 4 to 5 feet. The unique microclimate of Drass nurtures over 50 varieties of high-altitude plants with a majority of them having medicinal properties and over 30 varieties of resident and migratory avifauna.
Ethnically, the region is inhabited by the “Shina” tribe. Primarily of the Muslim faith they are said to have come from the neighbouring region of Gilgit (now in Pakistan) and is one of six different ethnicities settled in the Kargil district of Ladakh. Joyful and full of life, their distinct Indo-Aryan (Dardic) culture is reflected through their language, traditions, attire and food.
Included:
Packed lunch
Excluded:
Optional stops at Alchi, Lamayuru Monasteries and Saspol Caves
Day notes
Brown Bear and Wildlife Spotting
A typical day at the brown bear lodge looks something like this:
07:00 Bear watching from scopes on the deck of the lodge. OR 0500. An early start to go looking for Himalayan Bears and other wildlife around Drass with your spotter and naturalist (usually a drive to scan the slopes)
The bears are generally active until around 0900
Nature walk and picnic lunch or lunch at the lodge
Afternoon and early evening out with the spotters
Expert tips:
Mules and porters can be arranged with advance notice
Included:
During the "down time" you can take some walks from the lodge.
Mushkow River Walk
Azur Glacier Walk
Pandrass Valley Flora Walk
Day notes
Brown Bear and Wildlife Spotting
Day notes
Brown Bear and Wildlife Spotting
Day notes
Return to Leh. Altitude 3,500 metres
After breakfast, drive back to Leh.
En route, we will make stops at the Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum – Central Asian & Kargil Trade Artefacts, Mulbekh Monastery to see the Rock-Carved Maitreya (future Buddha) and "Moonland", near Lamayuru, one of the most unusual landscapes in Ladakh, and the name isn’t an exaggeration — it really does look other-worldly.
Lunch on the way, and we'll be back in Leh by late afternoon at the Grand Dragon.
Check-out from Drenmo Lodge
Self Drive from Drenmo Lodge to The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Self Drive
Drenmo Lodge
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Check-in to The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Expert tips:
Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum – Central Asian & Kargil Trade Artefacts
This small but fascinating museum in Kargil offers a window into the days when the region sat on important trade routes linking Ladakh, Tibet, Kashmir and Central Asia. Run by descendants of the Munshi family, the museum displays original artefacts from their historic caravanserai—everything from textiles, saddlebags and jewellery to weapons, coins, household items, and trade ledgers.
Walking through the rooms gives a vivid sense of daily life on the old Silk Route: the goods that moved across the mountains, the traders who travelled with their caravans, and the cultural exchanges that shaped the region. It’s an intimate, atmospheric stop that brings Kargil’s trading past to life.
Mulbekh Monastery
Mulbekh, located on the road between Kargil and Leh, is best known for its striking 8-metre rock carving of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. The carving dates to around the 7th–8th century and reflects a blend of early Buddhist and Kashmiri artistic styles. It shows Maitreya standing upright with a serene expression, crowned and adorned with simple ornaments.
The carving sits beside a small monastery and overlooks the valley, making it a memorable stop on the journey. It’s one of the earliest monumental Buddhist artworks in Ladakh and offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s ancient cultural connections with Kashmir and Central Asia.
Moonland (near Lamayuru)
This unusual landscape gets its name from its soft, creamy-yellow hills and gullies that look almost lunar. The formations are the eroded remains of an ancient lakebed, where layers of fine clay and silt have been shaped over time by wind and water. The result is a striking, other-worldly terrain that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding mountains.
Day notes
For our next three days we will use Leh as the base, and we plan to keep things flexible, depending on feedback and sightings from the local spotters and guides.
We have highlighted three possible valleys - Warila, Shang and Rumbok.
Warila Pass (Warila)
Landscape:
A high, windswept pass linking the Indus Valley with the Nubra side. The landscape is stark and dramatic: wide open slopes, glacially carved valleys, and sweeping views across snow-covered peaks. In winter and early spring the terrain feels almost Arctic — bare, cold, and very beautiful.
Buddhist Features:
Prayer flags typically crown the pass, fluttering against the skyline. These mark it as a traditional crossing point blessed for travellers.
Wildlife Possibilities:
Snow Leopard (occasionally spotted on ridges in winter)
Blue Sheep and Ibex on the surrounding slopes
Lammergeier and Golden Eagle
Snowfinches and Horned Larks in windswept flats
Shang Valley
Landscape:
A beautiful side valley of Hemis National Park, known for steep, rugged cliffs, narrow gorges, and broad river fans. The lower valley has small settlements with poplars, willows, and narrow agricultural terraces; higher up it becomes classic rocky snow leopard country.
Buddhist Features:
Small mani walls and chortens (stupas) near the villages
Occasional small shrines set into the cliffs
Hemis influence is strong — the valley is part of the wider monastic estate of Hemis Monastery, one of Ladakh’s most important religious centres
Wildlife Possibilities:
Snow Leopards (Shang has had several well-known territories over the years)
Red Fox
Bharal (Blue Sheep) on high slopes
Winter birds: Choughs, Accentors, Hill Pigeons, Tibetan Snowcock in higher terrain
Rumbak Valley
Landscape:
One of the most famous valleys for snow leopard research. It offers a mix of wide, open valley floors and steep shale slopes, creating perfect terrain for spotting wildlife through scopes. The views towards Stok Kangri and surrounding ridges are superb.
Buddhist Features:
Traditional Rumbak village mani walls
Small stone stupas in and around the settlement
The valley is culturally linked to the monastic system in Hemis, with residents maintaining rituals and prayer sites
Wildlife Possibilities:
Snow Leopards (Rumbak has some of the longest-running studies and sightings)
Bharal (Blue Sheep) — extremely common
Red Fox, Woolly Hare, Pika
Raptors: Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Upland Buzzard
Day notes
Drive to Hanle
Start early today for Hanle, a full day's journey with stops en route for photography.
We will head eastwards across Ladakh, following the Indus River. The mountain valleys will open up onto grasslands where we can spot Kiang (Wild Ass) herds. Watch out for Blue Sheep on the cliffs.
Lunch en route at Chumathang hot springs to reach the homestay in Hanle by late afternoon. We will stop and scan at a couple of well-known Pallas's cat areas around 30km before Hanle.
Spend the evening at leisure.
Hanle is a fantastic location to photograph the night sky due to its remote location and minimal light pollution.
Check-out from The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Transfer from The Grand Dragon Ladakh to Padma HomeStay Hanle
Transfer
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Padma HomeStay Hanle
Check-in to Padma HomeStay Hanle
Day notes
Wildlife Spotting
We will head out around 0730 by car to look for Pallas’s cat and other wildlife. Back to the homstay for late lunch.
Hanle’s rugged, windswept terrain, set at over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, is part of the cold desert ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau. This stark, open landscape—dotted with rocky outcrops and sparse alpine vegetation—provides perfect camouflage for the Pallas’s cat as it hunts pika and small rodents, relying on its thick fur and low metabolic rate to survive the frigid temperatures.
A shorter drive later in the afternoon, closer to the town of Hanle.
Possible sightings of other mammals include Tibetan Sand Fox, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Tibetan Wild Ass, and Tibetan Wolf.
Day notes
Drive back to Leh and overnight at the Grand Dragon
Time permitting, we will drive up to Hanle Monastery as we leave the town.
Hanle Monastery sits high above the wide, open Hanle Valley and offers one of the most expansive views in Ladakh. Belonging to the Drukpa (Red Hat) school, the monastery dates from the 17th century and has a calm, understated atmosphere compared to the larger gompas around Leh. From its terraces, the landscape opens out in every direction: vast grasslands, distant snow-capped ridges, and the big, open sky that makes Hanle famous for its dark-sky observatory. It’s a beautiful, peaceful stop, giving a real sense of Ladakh’s scale and isolation.
We will stop for an hour on the grasslands to see if we can get one last chance of Pallas's Cats, before we backtrack along the road to Leh, arriving late afternoon.
Check-out from Padma HomeStay Hanle
Transfer from Padma HomeStay Hanle to The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Transfer
Padma HomeStay Hanle
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Check-in to The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Day notes
Flight to Delhi to connect with international flights.
Or overnight in Delhi to rest after the trip and take some time to explore this vibrant city.
Check-out from The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Transfer from The Grand Dragon Ladakh to Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL]
Transfer
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL]
Scheduled Flight from Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL] to Indira Gandhi International Airport [DEL]
Air India [AI]
Scheduled Flight
2464
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport [IXL]
12:10
Indira Gandhi International Airport [DEL]
13:35
Expert tips:
Hanle Extension (4 nights)
Start early today for Hanle (250kms / 5 hours) Lunch en route at Chumathang hot springs. Reach the homestay in Hanle by afternoon. Spend the evening at leisure.
Visit to the Indian Space Observatory (optional). Hanle is also a great location to photograph the night sky due to its remote location and minimum light pollution
Overnight for 3 nights at Padma Homestay or similar
Full-day vehicle safaris in the Hanle river, marshes and plains looking for Pallas’s cat and other wildlife. (Possible sightings of Pallas’s Cat, Tibetan Sand Fox, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Tibetan Wild Ass, Himalayan Grey Wolf)
Return to Leh for 1 night
