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Ladakh lies in the trans-Himalayan region, in the shadow area of the Himalayas. The region benefits from not being governed by the movement of the Asian monsoon, allowing for a trekking season through the summer months. This expedition is fully supported by an experienced trekking team and top priority given to pupils' acclimatisation. Trekking at altitude in mountainous environments provides pupils with a physical challenge, alongside essential teamworking skills.

After an overnight flight to Delhi, the expedition begins exploring the city's famous sites. The following day the group will transfer by air to Leh, the principal town of the Ladakh region, and the stating point for a full four day acclimatisation programme. During this period in Leh, the team will visit some of the region's most significant palaces and spend a full day at a local school, were a community project will be arranged.  

After the acclimatisation period has ended, the group will begin trekking towards the Markha Valley - a beautiful region, providing changing scenery, steep canyons and towering mountains. Passing through the valley, the pupils will be tested finally at the highest pass of the trek, Kongmaru La (5,200 metres); after a hard climb, the views from the top are well worth the effort. At the end of the trek, you will visit the most important monastery found in Ladakh - Hemis Gompa - which remains inhabited by Buddhist monks.

After completing the trek, you will return back to Leh and enjoy a well earned rest day, before a farewell dinner and some local dancing. Flying back to Delhi, time can be added to visit Agra and the iconic Taj Mahal, before returning to Delhi once again for the return flight home.

Typical itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart the UK

    Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi.

  2. Day 2: Arrive Delhi, city tour

    On arrival in Delhi, the group will be met and transferred to a hotel in the city. Later in the afternoon, take a city tour of New Delhi, including visits to Humayuns Tomb and India Gate.

  3. Day 3: Fly to Leh

    This morning it's an early morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Leh. On arrival in Leh, meet the local team and transfer to the hotel, after which the rest of the day is at leisure, for acclimatisation. In the evening, take a walk through Leh town. Before dinner, there will be a general health check-up to ensure that all team members are acclimatising well.

  4. Day 4: Leh, visit bazaar & Shanti Stupa

    This morning, after breakfast, you can take a walk around Leh Bazaar. After lunch, the group will do an acclimatisation walk up to Shanti Stupa to enjoy a panoramic view of Leh. 

  5. Day 5: Leh, visit Lamdon School

    After breakfast, visit Lamdon School for a residential programme, working with the students and teachers there. 

  6. Day 6: Leh, visit Thiksey Monastery, acclimatisation hike

    After breakfast, visit Thiksey Gompa, the most picturesque monastry in Ladakh. The gompa possesses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of hand-written or painted prayer books.

    You will then drive to Saboo village for a picnic lunch, followed by an acclimatisation hike in the area.  Return to the hotel for dinner and a health check for the team.

  7. Day 7: Transfer to Chilling, walk to Skiu village

    After breakfast, drive to Chilling, a small village of craftmen and the starting point of the trek. A picnic lunch will be provide, and upon arrival in Chilling, you will cross the Zanskar River over a customised ropeway and meet up with the ponies that will carry the group's personal luggage and camping equipment.

    After all the equipment is loaded, ascend on a trail surrounded by willows and wild roses to Skiu village which is the entry point to Markha valley and your first overnight camping site.

  8. Day 8: Skiu to Shingo

    Today, you will trek to Shingo (4,140 metres), a small village with a few houses and fields that lies at the junction of a small stream. It is also the base of Gandha La (4, 920 metres). The hike up to the village is through a narrow gorge, which opens on to the broad grassy shoulders of the upper valley of Sumdo. 

  9. Day 9: Skiu to Markha

    This is a beautiful section of the Markha Valley, following the tree lined Markha River. The day is fairly long but relatively easy, as the trail goes steadily upwards to Markha. En route, you will pass a shrine at the junction of a canyon with the Markha valley, where you can see prayer flags, said to protect the spirits of one valley from those of the other. The trail continues steadily upwards to Markha. 

  10. Day 10: Markha to Thachungtse

    Start the trek to Thachungtse, the camping site for the day. It’s an easy walk over a rugged trail carved into the cliff and sheer walls of the Markha canyon, passing Umalung village and a farmers’ village called Hankar (4,030 metres) en route. As you follow the trail, the landscape changes from wooded sections in the lower valley to a starker landscape past Umalung.

  11. Day 11: Thachungtse to Nimaling

    The trek to Nimaling entails two to three hours of hard climbing through a narrow valley to reach the top, from where you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of snow-capped peaks. After stopping here for a while, descend into the Nimaling plain to your overnight camping site. The Nimaling plain is a broad, undulating meadow with slopes to the base of the ice-clad Kang Yatse peak (6,390 metres), and is a grazing ground for animals like yaks, dzos, sheep, goats, horses from villages all around. Here Himalayan marmots and white- tailed hares can be seen in plenty and occasionally one can spot a blue sheep or even a wolf.

  12. Day 12: Nimaling (rest day)

    Today there is an option to explore the valley and go for a hike towards the base of Mt. Kang Yatse.

  13. Day 13: Nimaling to Kongmaru La to Churkimo

    A two hour hard climb brings you to Kongmaru La (5,270 metres), the highest pass on this trek. The stunning views from the top make up for the hard climb!  After spending time at the top enjoying the magnificent views, you will descend on the other side of the valley and a narrow gorge to reach Churkimo village, the last camping site on the trek.

  14. Day 14: Churkimo to Leh

    We continue along the trail to Shang village (3,670 metres), which is the finishing point on the trail. On arrival at Shang village, the group will drive back to Leh, visiting Hemis monastery en route. Hemis Gompa, one of the most important monasteries in Ladakh, is the largest and also the wealthiest. It was built in 1620 by the king-architect Singe Namgyal, a great patron of Buddhism. 

  15. Day 15: Leh (rest day)

    After a day of well-earned rest, enjoy a farewell dinner this evening, along with a cultural programme. 

  16. Day 16: Leh to Agra

    Early morning transfer to the airport to board the flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival, meet with the local team and drive to Agra, stopping en route for lunch, before reaching the hotel in Agra. In the evening, enjoy a first glimpse of the spectacular Taj Mahal.

  17. Day 17: Taj Mahal, farewell dinner

    Rise early to witness sunrise over the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, as a memorial to his wife, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After a guided tour, drive back to Delhi for the last night's dinner, with a visit to Agra Fort en route.

  18. Day 18: Fly back to the UK

    After breakfast, transfer to Delhi Airport for the return flight to UK

Key info

This suggested itinerary is based on personal recommendation and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
  • Destination: India
  • When to go: Jun to Jul
  • Duration: 18 days
  • Trip type: Expedition
  • Itinerary highlights:
    • Delhi city tour
    • Trekking in the Markha Valley
    • Visits to palaces and monasteries in Leh
    • Taj Mahal
    • Agra Fort
  • Activities:
    • City tour
    • Trekking
  • Accommodation: Hotels & camping
  • Ideal for: Ages 16 to 18
  • Travellers will need:
    • High level of fitness
    • Strong interest in outdoor adventure
    • Strong interest in encountering new cultures, often in a remote and demanding environment

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Locations

Featured locations:

Leh

Trekker standing on summit overlooking Leh surrounded by Himalayas

At an altitude of 3,500 metres, Leh has for centuries been an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and also between India and China. Find out more about Leh

Delhi

Colourful spice market in Delhi

India’s capital city, Delhi is the cultural and political hub of the country and the site of several interesting ancient monuments and archaeological sites, as well as bustling streets and markets. Find out more about Delhi

Taj Mahal

View of Taj Mahal with reflection and red hue

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture in the world and an iconic highlight of many students’ exploration of India. Find out more about Taj Mahal