Days 1 & 2
UK – Delhi – Leh

We meet as a team at the airport in London and catch our flight to Delhi. Touching down in Delhi, we continue our journey with a domestic flight to Leh, the historical capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, also known as Little Tibet, so-called because of its shared customs and culture. Nestled in the Himalayas, with its little white houses perched on the cliff face, Leh is a truly unique part of the planet and makes the perfect starting point for our trekking adventure.

We check in to our hotel and enjoy free time to relax, nap, and acclimatise to the thin mountain air, at 3,500m above sea level. After lunch, we head out for a gentle orientation walk around Leh and its bazaars. Then we finish the day with dinner and head back to bed for extra rest and acclimatisation.

• Included meals:
  Day 1 meals on the flight
  Day 2 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation:
  Day 1 N/A as on an overnight flight
  Day 2 Hotel

Day 3
Leh – Shey Palace – Tiske Monastery – Leh | approx. 2 hours walking

Today gives us an immersive introduction to the local area as we explore two of its major gompas (monasteries). After breakfast, we drive to Shey Monastery, a spectacular former Royal Palace of the Ladakh kings.

Watching over the kingdom from its hillock location, the palace exterior is something to behold, but the inside is even better, with a 350-year-old copper and gold statue of the Buddha.

From Shey, we stretch our legs further on a two-hour walk following a scenic trail across the fields. This takes us to Tikse and its hilltop monastery.

We drink in the view of the surrounding mountains and tour the monastery’s red and white buildings, temples, and courtyards, with a chance to meet the resident red-robed monks. In one of the temples lives a 15m-high statue of the Future Buddha.

This afternoon, we return to Leh, where you are free to relax or to do some more exploring of the city for the rest of the day. To give you more flexibility, lunch isn’t included today, so please take this opportunity to visit one of the excellent local eating establishments.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4
Leh – Leh Palace – Sankar Monastery | approx. 4 hours walking

More acclimatisation today as we ease ourselves into the challenge. We start after breakfast with a walk around Leh Valley. Heading up Namgyal Hill, we climb to the striking ruins of the 1600 Royal Palace, also known as Lachen Palkar Palace.

From here, a winding path takes us even higher to the Tsemo Monastery. The ascent may be tough, but the vistas are more than worth it, especially once we reach the top, where we can see the whole of Leh and its surrounding villages – a testament to just how far we have climbed. Take advantage of the photo opportunity here – you won’t want to forget this panorama, nor the feeling.

Descending around the back of the palace, we hike via the charming Sankar Monastery to the recently built Japanese Peace Pagoda. This huge stupa overlooks Leh and gives us more captivating views of the town and the Stok Range of Zazkar Mountains across the valley.

We return to our hotel in Leh for another free afternoon. Please make your own lunch arrangements before we reunite for our group dinner this evening.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5
Leh – Likir – Yangthang (3,680m) | approx. 10km/4-5 hours walking

Waking to breakfast at our hotel, we take a short drive to the hilltop Likir Monastery upstream of the village. We take advantage of the chance to visit the monastery and then set off on the trail up to Phobe La (3,550m).

We continue trekking to Sumdo Village, where we take a well-deserved break. Then, it’s back on our feet to climb the steady trail to Chagaste La and down to the remote Yangthang Village.

Tonight, we get a greater feel of the local culture in this remote pocket of the mountains, as we spend the night in a village homestay or in tents.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Homestay or tents

Day 6
Yangthang – Ullay (4,023m) | approx. 6km/3.5-4 hours walking

If you thought we were high on the planet before, just wait for the days ahead. Today, we’ll reach an incredible 4,023m above sea level, as we trek north towards Ullay. We see the Ladakh desert at its best, with extraordinary rock formations along our path and multi-coloured hills that seem magnificent in any light.

During the first couple of hours of today's walk, we pass unique erosional features, including pinnacles with rock boulders precariously balanced upon them – a wonder of nature. It’s just as well the views are so captivating – a welcome distraction from the challenging ascent.

We reach our camp in Ullay by lunchtime and in the afternoon, you can either relax or we can climb further up the valley to an area known for Ibex and rare sightings of snow leopards.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Homestay or tents

Day 7
Ullay – Spangpo La Pass (4,082m) – Hemis Schupachen | approx. 8km/4.5-5 hours walking

Fuelling up with breakfast, we set off on a gentle trail that climbs to our first pass, Spangpo La. Here at 4,082m, we marvel at the sea of hills below and descend to the tranquil village of Hemis Schupachen (3,663m), a wonderful home for the night. The protected juniper trees stand tall here, and we’re likely to see some of the villagers’ apricot and apple trees, all against the surreal backdrop of Dakmar (red-rock) Hill.

This afternoon, we have a chance to visit the little village monastery and wander around the village to admire its beautiful green pastures and the clear stream that runs through it. Tonight, we either sleep in tents at a comfortable camp or in a local homestay.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge or tents

Day 8
Hemis Schupachen – Mebtak La – Lago La – Ang – Temisgam (3,256m) – Alchi | approx. 9km/4 hours walking

Waking to an excellent view of the surrounding mountains, we begin the day with breakfast and set off across the pastures to the village of Schukpa, named after its mature juniper trees. We enjoy a brief break to admire the stupa before climbing the village trail.

This path takes us steadily up to our first pass of the day, the Mebtek La (3,796m), and an amazing view of the pink and mauve mountains ahead. Take this chance to savour the panoramas and snap some photos, before we head down and up through the mountains on a long, zigzagging trail.

Our final climb of the adventure brings us to Lago La pass (3,382m), from which we descend into Ang. The village is known for its splendour of fertile land, boasting barley, potatoes and fruit orchards. Best of all for us, Ang is where we find our finish line! Having trekked an immense distance through Little Tibet and reached greater heights than you thought was possible, we settle down for a very well-deserved lunch and bid goodbye to our trekking leaders.

Ahead of us lies a relaxing afternoon. We rest our legs on a drive to the village and castle ruins at Temisgam (3,256m). A short visit later, we journey on to Alchi (approx. 1 hour/30km drive), a wondrous place to spend the evening. Here, we have the opportunity to see the ancient Alchi Monastery and the five shrines of the Choskor Temple Complex.

A walk around the village gives our legs a gentle stretch before we end the day with an awesome Celebration Dinner. We toast our success and revel in the one-of-a-kind sense of achievement that comes with completing a Dream Challenge.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Day 9
Alchi – Delhi – Agra

We spend today journeying to Agra, the home of the famous Taj Mahal. Waking early, we drive (approx. 1.5 hours) to the airport in Leh and catch our domestic flight to Delhi. From here, we have a longer drive (approx. 4 hours) to our comfortable hotel in Agra.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Days 10 & 11
Agra – Delhi

We make the most of our final morning in India with a visit to the Taj Mahal and a magnificent Marble Emporium – a perfect end for our adventure. Please take advantage of this last opportunity to arrange your own lunch, as it is not included today.

This afternoon, we drive to the airport and catch our overnight flight to the UK. Touching down in London on Day 11, we say our goodbyes and you make your own way home, ready for your next Dream Challenge.