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Sightseeing tours

Although we will continue to specialise in trekking, we are also able to offer tours to monasteries, Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso. However, please note that we only have limited guide availability for tours.

Whether you're interested in visiting monasteries(gompas) or want to see Ladakh's spectacular mountains and lakes, or both, you will find something to suit your needs. See below for examples of the tours we offer. Please contact us for further information and detailed itineraries.

Monastery trips

Shey, Thikse and Hemis, 1 day.

The semi-derelict palace of Shey was abandoned midway through the 19th century. Its pride and joy is the massive 12m high metal Shakyamuni Buddha housed in a ruined temple. Thikse is Ladakh's most impressive gompa, an imposing temple complex providing panoramic views of the Indus valley from its hilltop position. Hemis is the biggest gompa in Ladakh, famous because of its festival held in the summer. This rambling and atmospheric gompa is the headquarters of the Red Hat Drukpa order and is responsible for the administration of all gompas in Ladakh.

Alchi, Likir, Basgo and Saspol, 1 day.

Alchi is one of the most important gompas in Ladakh. Built in the 11th century it contains wonderful examples of early Buddhist art in the Kashmiri tradition, very different to the Tibetan art found in other Ladakhi gompas. Impressive Likir gompa dates back to the 12th century, but was destroyed in a fire and the current buildings are 200 years old. Admire the new 23m high Buddha statue towering above its surroundings. Basgo is a former capital of Lower Ladakh, home to a ruined Ladakhi Royal Palace and a monastery. The renovation of the temples and citadel won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award of Excellence in 2007. At Saspol there is a large cave with wall paintings in a style similar to Alchi.

Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru, Basgo or Saspol, 2 days

Extend the above 1 day tour to include a night in the village of Lamayuru. Lamayuru monastery is perched on a crag, complete with caves and rock pinnacles, with a view over the village below. Go for a walk to explore this lunar landscape. Maybe get up early to attend the early morning puja (prayers) at the monastery. Accommodation in homestay.

Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru, Basgo and Saspol, with Day Hike in Ang, 3 days

Visit the same monasteries as on the above 2 day tour, but spend 2 nights in the village of Ang where you can go for a day hike, or half day hike if preferred. Visit the new monastery above Temisgang, walk through several village to reach the village of Tia and return to Ang via Temisgang with optional visits to more monasteries and the palace. Accommodation in homestay.

Scenic trips (available May-October)

Nubra Valley, 2 days or longer.

Visit the stunningly beautiful Nubra Valley, reached via Khardung La (5602m) - the highest motorable pass in the Himalayas. Go for a ride on double-humped Bactrian camels. Visit gompas and explore the villages. Enjoy fantastic views of the Karakoram and Ladakh mountain ranges. Possible visits to Turtuk on tours lasting 3 days or longer. Accommodation in small family-run guesthouses.

Pangong Tso (4267m), 2 days.

Around 134km long and up to 8km wide, Pangong Tso is the biggest lake in the Himalaya and one of the largest saltwater lakes in Asia. See the spectacular sunset and sunrise and witness the beautiful changing colours of the lake. Enjoy bird watching by the lake shore. Possible visits to Chemrey and Thikse monasteries on the way back. Accommodation in a homestay.

Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso Combined, 5 days.

Combine visits to both Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso.