A HIMALAYAN JOURNEY - AMRITSAR TO LEH

Our Clients’ Reviews

• 

  Robert Della-Sala

  LEH TO AMRITSAR

  

  Written September 2011

  A really good trip which had something from everyone - a bit of culture, spectacular scenery and mixing with the locals and at a pace that you could enjoy and absorb everything around you. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Watching the Masked Dance at the monastery in Leh was just magic . Hundreds of years of history, colour, music and fabtastic costumes and of course masks. Everyone we met in Ladakh was friendly and happy to be photographed which was a huge bonus as well ! Every face had a story to tell. Smiles all round ! We were lucky enough to see the "Tibetan" Oracle leaving Shay Palace followed by several hundred Tibetans in full "Sunday" outfits - a chance ina million ! Camping in the middle of nowhere was magical - a wonderful walk to the lake and we got too see a fabulous sunset. Our afternoon at the Golden Temlple in Amritsar was sensational - we were made to feel welcome by the locals and the light and buildings was pure magic !

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dilip was a eem - never obstrusive, gave the right information and sussed each of us - so we all got to do the things we wanted. A really cheerful and helpful person who was pleased to show us his country and did it so proudly.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a pillow - most hotel pillows were small and very soft and most beds were hard !

   
• 

  Julie Crank

  LEH TO AMRITSAR

  

  Written September 2011

  Great  mountain scenery,interesting Buddist culture, very different to other parts of India.  If you have enjoyed Tibet,you will like Ladakh. Worth putting up with the humidity, heat and crowds to see the Golden Temple 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Descent into Leh airport in perfect weather with wonderful views set the scene for a  most spectacular journey!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Can be tiring with all the sightseeing, travelling and high altitudes-take it slow ,especially at first. You don't need to visit every monastery in the Leh valley ! Consider a prescription for diamox if you are susceptible to migraines and /or altitude sickness. I am and was fine.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I think it is good to go at festival time and I noted that all Exodus trips coincide with one.

  Alchi was my favourite place. Good to have 2 nights there.

   
• 

  Kate McGee

  LEH TO AMRITSAR

  

  Written August 2011

  Ladakh is an amazing area! I could have spent the entire holiday visiting Buddhist monasteries! The only downside to the holiday was the unseasonal weather - we could have done without the blizzards, landslides and heavy rain!! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The Tak Tak festival was spectacular. As much to watch in the crowd as the performance.

  Hemis monastery was a delight. Visiting in the late afternoon provided beautiful lighting and a very peaceful atmosphere.

  Reaching Manali was somewhat of a relief, after all the pass closures and dreadful road conditions!

  Amritsar and the Golden Temple never fail to impress. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dilip was extremely knowledgable, and completely unflappable. He managed to remain completely positive despite the challenges thrown up! Nothing seemed to faze him, and throughout he was charming and affable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take the advice seriously about the potential cold at Tsokar Lake - it was very very cold, and you needed properly warm clothing! Also never go anywhere without a very good waterproof!

   
• 

  Catherine Street

  A HIMALAYAN JOURNEY - AMRITSAR TO LEH

  

  Written July 2011

  I had always wanted to see the Himalaya and I was rewarded by the spectacular landscapes we encountered on our way to different passes. notably the Khardung pass at 5602m and the Tagland La pass at 5328m.  The roads were so narrow and incredibly precarious that it could be quite thrilling and scary in turn when we drove close to the edge.  I was fascinated by the Tibetan culture and was pleased to be able to visit some of their impressive monasteries and get to talk to some Tibetans.  I loved to explore their bazaars. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  For me the most inspirational moment was when I got off the jeep at the Khardung Pass. one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Although the air is very thin, I was able to walk to the edge of the pass beneath fluttering Budhist prayer flags and I admired the peaks and the high altitude glaciers.  I felt on top of the world and totally exhilerated to be there. It was magical to see Nature at its best and most powerful.

   The second most inspirational moment has to be the Golden temple in Amritsar.  Its reflexion in the holy water is spectacular.  It is quite an experience to have lunch in the biggest restaurant in the world in the Guru-ka-langar where 35000 people a day can sit on the floor and wait to be served on a metal plate.

   

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had two leaders part of the time and they were very friendly and helpful.  On two occasions we took some risks which could have been dangerous if we had lost our head!!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This trip is not for the faint hearted who are scared of heights or for people who may have medical problems regarding lack of oxygen.  We were allowed plenty of acclimatisation time in and around Leh.  I found that it helped me greatly to take DIAMOX as I had very few symptoms associated with high altitude.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I enjoyed the Himalaya so much that I can't wait to go to Nepal next.  Maybe I will also go to real Tibet one day.

   
• 

  Hellen Leonard

  LEH TO AMRITSAR

  

  Written July 2010

  Fantastic experience. Ladakh valley absolutely stunning,didn't want to leave it! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Spending time in the Ladakh valley - stunning scenery, unpolluted, lovely people.

  The road trip to Manali - long days, difficult roads but stunningly beautiful.

  Visiting old, beautiful monastries.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Good leader. Aware of group and individual needs and catered for them.

  Spent time with all group members, interested in them as people. Good sense of humour. Extremely good english. Knowledgeable and interesting to listen to - I learnt lots.

  Extremely practical and resourceful. Made the holiday run smoothly.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Try to do some background reading about Buddhism before going on the holiday.

  Be aware of extremes in temperature. Be prepared to be flexible and patient.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A local sight seeing guide with a greater knowledge of Hinduism and Sikhism would be useful. At times his english was difficult to understand, there was either not much or too much information.  Sometimes the information was not communicated in as interesting a way as it could have been.

   
• 

  Tracey Jeacock

  HIGHLIGHTS OF LADAKH

  

  Written September 2009

  Stunning scenery, amazing people, wonderful food, etc 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The friendly people

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure you are fully aware of what travelling on the roads in that part of the world entails.

   
• 

  Asha Alexander

  HIGHLIGHTS OF LADAKH

  

  Written August 2009

  Having previously been to Bhutan and Tibet I was keen to go somewhere different, that had a similar feel culturaly. This trip was perfect for that - Little Tibet. Spectacular scenary, great architecture and warm people.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The monesatries in Ladakh.

  The spectacular senic drives.

  The Dlai Lama's base

  The Golden Temple.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dillip was a great organiser and very social. He was a mindful of information (even though he prefers trekking to cultural tours) and when he didn't know things he got in someone who did. Having a Lama travel with us as a guide for several days was fantastic and I learnt a lot from him.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I think it would be better if the trip ran in reverse so that you could get acclimatised to the altitude gradually.

  I would have preferred one less days drive from Leh to Daramsala - if time permitted? possibly missing out Mandi - and spend an extra day in Amrister or Daramsala.