A HIMALAYAN JOURNEY - AMRITSAR TO LEH

This journey takes us from the plains of India on one of the most spectacular road journeys in the world across the Indian Himalaya to Ladakh. Scenically, religiously and culturally this is a spectacular and diverse trip.

From Amritsar, famous for the Sikh Golden Temple, we leave the hot dusty plains of India behind as we drive up into the foothills of the Himalaya to Dharamsala, home to the exiled Dalai Lama, and McLeod Ganj. Heading further into the hills we follow the Beas River to Manali, a popular Indian hill station bustling with colourful hill people, before travelling north across the Indian Himalaya, onto the Tibetan Plateau, and into Ladakh.

Ladakh is a Buddhist land more akin to Tibet than the lowlands to the south. Ladakh's centuries-old culture finds expression in the monasteries, monuments, fairs and festivals, and most departures coincide with monastic festivals. These are often the highlight of the year, involving hundreds of people as the local communities celebrate with a feast of colour and entertainment. The trip finishes on a high with a spectacular flight back across the Himalaya to Delhi.