Northern India: Dharamshala, Kashmir & Ladakh Highlights

Group Size

Max 18

What's Included

Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Arrival Transfer, Indira Gandhi International AirportYour G for Good Moment: Tenacious Honey Bee Collective, DharamshalaYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Local Living Moment: Overnight at the Lamayuru Monastery, LamayuruYour Local Living Moment: Kyagar House Experience, Nubra Valley. Guided temple and museum visit in Chamba. Half-day hike in Chamba Valley. Organic farm tour. Embroidery workshop on Chamba rumal - experience and Chamba painting. Cooking class with homestay family. Dharamshala orientation walk & Dalai Lama Temple visit. Impact experience at Tenacious Bee Collective with honey tasting session .Wagah Border ceremony & Golden Temple visit. Vande Bharat express from Delhi to Pathankot (air-conditioned seat class). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. Domestic flight from Amritsar to Srinagar. Panoramic walk to Shankaracharya Hill. Guided visit to Srinagar's Mughal Gardens (Nishat, Shalimar, Chashm-e-Shahi). Houseboat stay & shikara ride on Dal Lake. Guided Lidder Valley trek. Short guided hike in Sonmarg + Jeep ride to Zero Point. Scenic drive through Zozila Pass & Kargil. Visit to Drass War Memorial, Mulbekh Monastery, and Kargil Gompa. Evening walk through Lamayuru's moonlike landscapes. Leh Old City guided walk and Central Asian Museum visit. Sunset visit to Shanti Stupa. Morning prayer experience at Samstanling Monastery. Crossing Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Visit Diskit Monastery and explore the Nubra Valley. Immersive cultural storytelling at Kyagar House and Pangong Lake homestays. Early morning yoga by Pangong Lake. Visit Rezang La Memorial and meet Pashmina herders. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Highlights

Explore Dharamshala's Tibetan culture and Amritsar's Golden Temple, Cruise Dal Lake and overnight on a traditional Srinagar houseboat, Travel the epic Srinagar-Leh Highway into the Himalayas, Visit cliffside monasteries and trek through Nubra Valley, Stargaze on the shores of Pangong Lake

Message from G Adventures About Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Optional Activities

G Adventures is offering the following optional activities at an additional cost, subject to availability:

Dharamshala- Norbulingka Institute VisitChamba- Bhagsu Nag WaterfallSrinagar- Dachigam National ParkLeh- Astronomy Experience- Alchi Monastery and Likir Village visit

What transportation will we take on this trip?

TRAINThe best way to see India is at ground level on the railway system. In fact, no visit to India would be complete without the experience of tavelling on a train and negotiating the busy railway stations. The chaos in the Indian Railway stations is a replica of the life in India. Indian trains are not merely a conveyance they are an odyssey so sit back relax, be patient and enjoy the show.G Adventures uses a combination of AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier and sleeper class (for overnight journeys) and AC Chair car or second class seats for day journeys.There are no restaurant or buffet cars on Indian Railways, but on long distance trains an attendant will appear in your coach and ask you if you would like to order food. Regular stops are made at stations where food is also available and on some trains many vendors board the train selling chai, cold drinks and crisps and biscuits.Don't expect pristine western standards anywhere in India, but you'll find AC2, AC3 and AC Chair class fairly clean by Indian standards, with both western-style and squat toilets usually in a reasonably sanitary condition. Sleeper Class and 2nd class toilets may be a different matter! Bring your own toilet paper and hand wash soap or liquid. Indian trains are quite safe to travel on, even for families or women traveling alone, and you are unlikely to have any problems. Having said that, theft of luggage, although rare is not unheard of, so just for peace of mind you might like to take along a chain and padlock to secure your bags (readily available at all Indian stations). Generally, Indian Railways are very efficient, but Indian trains do run late particularly in winter time when fog is heavy, and sometimes it's many hours rather than minutes. Make sure you have something to occupy your time – a good book, music, a magazine or photos of your home country and family to show the Indian travelers also waiting for the train. You should also have snacks and water for the journey.ROADTraveling by road in India or Nepal is certainly not what people are use to in Western countries. Rules are not always followed, drivers appear to speed, do not stay in their lanes, overtake in seemingly dangerous situations, rarely use their mirrors or driving lights at night time. The horn however is used very frequently and can range from the latest Bollywood tune to Britney Spears! In India, although the government is investing large sums of money improving the road infrastructure, there is a lot more to be done. As a result, in both India and Nepal, some of the roads are poorly maintained, pot holed and uneven. This gets even more pronounced particularly during and after the monsoon. Travel time covering relatively short distances is very long in comparison to Western countries.

Accommodation Summary

Simple hotel (twin-share): 14 nights, Homestay: 6 nights, Boat House: 1 night

Meals Included

13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

International Flights

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

Transportation

Private vehicle, Plane, Train, Boat, Jeep, Walking

Minimum Age

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

How should I dress to respect local customs during the tour?

In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting small rural communities or visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites as this may restrict your entry. India is very conservative and you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline shoulders and knees should be covered at all times. The wearing of shorts is not allowed as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes. A light water and windproof jacket is useful and a hat essential. NB: WE STRESS THAT IT CAN BE VERY COLD IN THE HILLS DURING THE MONTHS FROM DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY.NB: During our trip there will be many opportunities for you to meet and "talk" with locals. One way to start any conversation is with pictures. We recommend that you bring some photos/postcards of your family, home, city or country where you live, animals peculiar to your country etc.

Notes

Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 14, 2025 or March 4, 2026 for the nation’s most colourful festival.

Checklist

Cold Weather:o Long-sleeved shirts or sweatero Scarfo Warm gloveso Warm hato Warm layerso Warm waterproof jacketConservative Dress:o Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)o Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)Documents:o Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)o Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)o Passport (required) (With photocopies)o Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)o Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)Essentials:o Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)o Binoculars (optional)o Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)o Cash, credit and debit cardso Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)o Ear plugso First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)o Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)o Fleece top/sweatero Footwearo Hato Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)o Locks for bagso Long pants/jeanso Moneybelto Outlet adaptero Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)o Reusable water bottleo Shirts/t-shirtso Sleepwearo Small travel towelo Sunglasseso Swimwearo Watch and alarm clocko Waterproof backpack covero Windproof rain jacketHealth & Safety:o Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)o Hand sanitizero Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

When can I do my laundry on this trip?

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Service Level

Standard: Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.