Day 1 : Wednesday, September 4 : Delhi
You are welcomed at Delhi airport by our local agency representative or your French-speaking guide who will greet you upon your arrival in India. They will ensure your transfer to the hotel we have reserved for you for the night.
The afternoon is dedicated to the discovery of Delhi.
The city is divided into 2 very contrasting parts: New Delhi, the Victorian city with wide avenues, its business district, and the parliament grouped around Connaught Place; and Old Delhi, the old city and capital of Muslim India, with alleys lined with bustling markets. The old city houses the Red Fort, a testament to the power of the Mughal emperors, as well as the largest mosque in the country: Jama Masjid.
You will explore Old Delhi on foot, then visit Raj Ghat, the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi.
In the evening, you will share a moment of fervor with the Sikh community at the Bangla Sahib temple.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Thursday, September 5 : Delhi / Leh (by plane)
After breakfast, you are transferred to Delhi Airport to catch your flight to Leh.
The Little Tibet of India was greatly influenced by the presence of Sengge Namgyal, the most famous king of Ladakh, who decided to open the famous trade route of Central Asia. In 1974, the region opened to visitors and has seen a significant number of tourists since 2002.
Today, Leh is the most important city and the capital of the Ladakh region. With about 33,000 inhabitants and an altitude of 3,524 meters, the city has tripled in size over the last two decades and has become a major tourism hub. In addition to its numerous monuments and sites (Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Leh Mosque, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, etc.), mostly influenced by secular Tibetan architecture, you will find great pleasure in getting lost in the charming little streets, meeting the locals, and strolling through the shops.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : Friday, September 6 : Leh / Lamayuru / Sham
After breakfast, you will head to the Sham Valley. On the way, you will visit the Likir Monastery, the Magnetic Hill, and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
You will arrive in the Sham Valley late in the morning and check in at the hotel.
After lunch, you will head towards Lamayuru : You will discover hypnotizing lunar landscapes and the Lamayuru Monastery, one of the largest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh; 400 monks once lived there. Its frescoes, a beautiful statue of Buddha Vairocana, and the exceptional surrounding landscapes make Lamayuru a magnificent excursion.
Return to Sham.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 : Saturday, September 7 : Sham / Leh
After breakfast, you will head back to Leh, visiting the Alchi Monastery and the Pantheon on the way.
You will arrive in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Sunday, September 8 : Leh / Nubra Valley
From Leh, you are ready to explore the fabulous Nubra Valley, a high-altitude cold desert (3,028 meters), where precipitation and vegetation are rare, except along the riverbanks. On the way, you travel via the Khardung La pass, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as it is at an altitude of 5,602 meters. It is the highest motorable pass in the world.
After catching your breath, you begin to enter Nubra Valley where you will be amazed by the incredible diversity of landscapes. Snow-covered peaks, rocky mountains full of surprising contrasts and colors, and at their base, sand dunes bordered by abundant vegetation and rivers. You will enjoy visiting the Diskit Monastery, which features a 35-meter high statue of Maitreya Buddha.
You will settle into the camp before visiting the Hunder Sand Dunes, nicknamed the desert in the sky, where you can encounter camels, present only in this region of India.
Dinner and overnight in a tent.
Day 6 : Monday, September 9 : Nubra Valley / Shyok
This day is about navigating through mud and water crossings. The Shyok Valley acts like a wind tunnel, making bikers tremble during their ride due to the powerful winds, sandstorms, and rolling stones.
These are very common conditions in this valley. Few river crossings are as imposing and challenging, unlike anything you've seen before. Later, you will face the undulating curves along the Shyok River.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.*
Day 7 : Tuesday, September 10 : Shyok / Pangong
After breakfast in this magnificent location, you will start your journey to Pangong Lake. Covering an area of 700 m² and with a depth of 100 meters at an altitude of 4,350 meters, Pangong Lake is also called "long, narrow, enchanted lake" by Tibetans.
Since the lake is saline, it completely freezes in winter. You will stay for one night and camp amidst one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Dinner and overnight in a tent.
Day 8 : Wednesday, September 11 : Pangong / Leh
Early in the morning, you will have the chance to witness the sunrise over the lake. You will start by taking the narrow road along the coast of Pangong Lake. You will encounter many water crossings on the way before reaching the 3rd highest passage in the world, Chang La (5360 m), which you will cross.
Then, you will discover Shey Monastery, the former residence of the royal family of Ladakh (the highlight of the monastery is an immense gilded copper statue of Buddha Shakyamuni) and the Indus River.
Upon arrival in Leh, check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 : Thursday, September 12 : Leh / Jaipur (by plane)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Leh airport to catch a flight to Jaipur, one of the most pleasant and lively cities in India.
The capital of Rajasthan is also called "The Pink City" in reference to the color of the buildings in the old town, surrounded by barren hills topped with fortresses and crenelated walls. Sacred cows, camels, elephants, and Rickshaws coexist here. Built in 1727, Jaipur is one of the most colorful and picturesque cities in all of India.
Upon arriving in Jaipur, check in at the hotel.
After lunch, you will visit the "Jantar Mantar," an amazing observatory built by a prince passionate about astronomy, and then you will stroll through the bazaars of the old town in a rickshaw to admire the artisans in their shops (potters, dyers, jewelers), street vendors, and vegetable sellers.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Friday, September 13 : Jaipur
After breakfast, you will go on an excursion to Amber Fort. This majestic structure is located 9 kilometers north of Jaipur, in the ancient capital of the Rajput empire. You will ride to the top of its ramparts in a 4x4.
On the way, stop at the Hawa Mahal (or Palace of Winds), a slender structure pierced with over 900 windows and balconies. On the way back, you will visit the "Jantar Mantar," an astonishing observatory built by a prince passionate about astronomy.
Lunch, then visit the Monkey Temple (Galta Ji) and the afternoon is free for strolling in the bazaars and shopping.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Saturday, September 14 : Jaipur / Agra
After breakfast, on your way to Agra, you will visit Fatehpur Sikri, one of the most remarkable places from an artistic and architectural point of view.
Fatehpur Sikri is the former capital of Emperor Akbar, built in 1571. The Imperial City contains buildings in pink sandstone of the most varied architectural forms: palaces, pavilions, courtyards and basins, mosques, and caravanserais.
After lunch, you continue the road to Agra.
Upon arrival, you set out to discover the Taj Mahal. You then explore this pinnacle of Mughal art and architecture, a luminous white marble mausoleum inlaid with semi-precious stones. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and is considered the third wonder of the world.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Sunday, September 15 : Delhi
After breakfast, you visit the Red Fort of Agra, whose high red sandstone walls dominate the Yamuna River. It marks the birth of the Mughal imperial style and offers you the opportunity to take a last look at the Taj Mahal.
Late in the morning, you take the road to Delhi.
Arrival and check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Monday, September 16 : Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your return flight.