A Himalayan Journey - Amritsar To Leh, Discovery Holiday to India

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 10 reviews.

Patricia Oliver

A HIMALAYAN JOURNEY - AMRITSAR TO LEH

Written September 2012
This was my seventh Exodus holiday and I enjoyed the experience tremendously. I loved the journey through the Himalayas, I have a passion for mountains, rock formations and geological patterns. The mountain drive was spectacular and the drivers are to be congratulated for their skillful manouevering of the cars.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Watching the nomads with their large herd of goats and sheep on the morning after we had camped at the lake. When one of the nomads started to sing it was quite a spiritual moment.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sunny was a fantastic leader, he was very knowledgeable and caring. He also had a great sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take plenty of layers of clothing!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Try the apricot pie.....out of this world.
Quintin Rayer

A HIMALAYAN JOURNEY - AMRITSAR TO LEH

Written August 2012
A fascinating trip across the Himalayas to Ladakh by road. An opportunity to see fantastic high altitude scenery of almost brutal beauty. Frequently traversing unsurfaced roads with sheer drops adds to the excitement. In Ladakh we were rewarded with visits to monasteries and stunning views.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
In the high altitude plains, Lake Tso Kar was serenely beautiful, but the environment and altitude demanding. The monasteries in Ladakh were colourful and intriguing. The many high passes en route gave either spectacular views or else (when lost in fog) a sense of other-worldliness.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader, Sunny Wattal, was excellent. He was also extremely knowledgeable about both the political and cultural aspects of the areas we visited.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is a high-altitude road-trip. You should be prepared in case of altitude sickness. If you do not like long car journeys on poor roads next to sheer drops, you might want to think again. Also the temperatures over the trip ranged from very hot to very cold. That said - if you enjoy a little bit of a challenge, the reward is well worth it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A stimulating brush with unfamiliar cultures...
Jason Tavares

A HIMALAYAN JOURNEY - AMRITSAR TO LEH

Written July 2012
Was an amazing trip; Amritsar to Manali was okay but a bit too touristy for my liking. The Rohtang pass was an incredible spectacle - for all the wrong, albeit amusing, reasons. However once you cross over into Laddakh it is absolutely breathtaking! The views, the people (both locals and tourists or lack thereof), the contrasting landscapes, everything
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The two standout moments for me were:
1. Standing on the edge of the Tibetan plateau absolutely gobsmacked at the costasting view of mountains, valleys and plains.
2. Playing cricket with monks at a remote Himalayan monastery; the latter however changed when I lost their one and only ball.

What did you think of your group leader?
Fantastic - Dilip really knew his stuff and was very approachable and did his best to make sure everyone was catered to
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get to Laddakh and Leh before it gets ruined by tourism!

Altitude may be an issue because of the rapid ascents that occur on this trip. You don't need to be fit as such to do the trip, just be able to cope with the altitude
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Tipping - take more than what the notes say because there seems to be a never-ending stream of tips that you have to pay.
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.
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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
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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!!
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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.
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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.