from 3 reviews
11 Nights / 12 Days
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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The Dalai Lama Trek begins in Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama and the centre of the Tibetan Community are situated – the heart of the world’s highest mountain range.
You will have time to spend in this fascinating town before seting off on foot to explore this stunning region. This special challenge incorporates India’s best sights and sounds. Our 5 day trek takes us through the Kingdom of Gaddi – a semi-nomadic race who spend months wandering the high passes with their cattle. With spectacular views of the Daula Dhar Mountain Range, your journey together takes us through rhododendron forests, passing through Hindu settlements and Buddhist Monasteries. This journey has everything we could ever wish for from a trip to India.
To end this most amazing of challenges, we have some free time to explore the incomparable Taj Mahal – one of the world’s greatest monuments to love ever built, and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World!
Upon arrival in Delhi, we are met by our local guides and transfer to a Hotel in Delhi to freshen up. There will be some free time to explore Delhi this afternoon, before we take the transfer to the train station to catch our sleeper train to Pathankot.
Arriving in Pathankot early morning, we then transfer by coach to Dharamshala - the spiritual home of his Holiness the Dalai Lama. There we will be some free time today to explore this fascinating town, before we meet later in the evening for dinner and a briefing for the start of our challenge tomorrow.
Following breakfast at our Hotel, we take the transfer to our start point to begin trekking! Our first few kilometres are undulating until we reach Satobari Village, which is where we start our descent through pine forests to Ghere Village. We stop at a mountain stream to enjoy lunch - a great spot!
We continue after lunch with a steep ascent for about 2 hours to Kareri Village, where we set up camp next to the Laund River.
Trekking distance - approx. 12 km.
After experiencing our first night under the stars, we continue ascending on a gradual trail passing through many charming villages, passing beautiful open meadows and pine forests on the way. We take a short descent to the mountain stream to stop for lunch, then ascend sharply afterwards to Bal. We’re sure the memories of this day will never be forgotten. Trekking distance - approx. 13 km
We continue our trek by crossing over a suspension bridge then ascending through rhododendron and pine forests for approx. 2 hours. We’ll soon come across the local ‘chai’ (tea) shop where we can take a rest and enjoy our surroundings.
All around us are the Gaddi Tribal people taking their cattle up to the high pastures of Lak and Triund. Continuing our ascent after lunch, we finally reach our camp on an alpine meadow facing the breathtaking snow-capped peaks of the Duala Dhar mountain range. Trekking distance - approx. 09 km.
Our trek today is a challenging ascent to see the fascinating Laka Got, situated at the tip of a glacier. There will be an opportunity for us to trek on the glacier in order to reach Lahes Cave - an overnight shelter used by the shepherds travelling over the mountains with their sheep.
After making the effort to climb up to the cave, we return to Triund for our last night under the stars. Trekking distance - approx. 10km
Following our last breakfast in the campsite, we begin trekking over a grassy ridge which offers us lasting memories of the snow capped peaks that surround us.
Our trek continues with a steep descent to the Bahgsu Nallaha stream - we cross the stream by hopping over the boulders with the help of our local guides. We push towards Bhagsu Nag, which has a divine temple and natural springs which we can visit before taking the transfer back to Dharamsala. This evening we enjoy our celebratory dinner to take in our achievements.
Trekking distance - approx. 09 km
We have a free morning to further explore this magical town - why not visit the Tibetan market or take a visit to one of the majestic monasteries? In the afternoon, we take the transfer back to Pathankot train station to catch the overnight sleeper train back to Delhi.
Overnight: Train.
On arrival in Delhi, we will transfer to Agra and check into our hotel, where we can freshen up and have a tasty brunch before a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Red Fort, seat of the Moghul Empire. Then it is time for our celebration meal, overlooking the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunset.
In the morning very early, we will visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Avoiding the crowds that fill the area at midday, we get to experience this iconic symbol of love at its very best. In the afternoon we will head back to Delhi, check into our hotel and head into town to celebrate our trekking achievements in Junkyard - one of Delhi's hottest nightspots.
oday is free to enjoy - visit the stunning Akshardham Temple, go shopping for bargains in Connaught Place, or marvel at one of the beautifully preserved heritage buildings that Delhi is famous for. Then transfer to the airport for our flight back to Home.
Cynthia