Early morning flight to Leh. Day free for rest and acclimatization.

Tour of Leh city, including the 17th century palace and gompa.

Touring the monasteries and palaces of the Indus valley.

Travel by jeep to Lamayuru gompa, a site that abounds in myth and legend. Overnight in the village.

Begin trek! Cross the Prinkiti La (~3700 metres) to the village of Wanlah, where there is a beautiful ancient gompa. A short day.

Continue through awesome gorge country to pastures beyond the village of Hinju.

Cross the 4900 metre Konzke La for a spectacular view before descending to pastures just above the village of Sumda Chenmo.

Pass through Sumda Chenmo, which actually has two gompas: One is active, while the other lies in ruins below the village. Camp in the valley near the river.

Rest day, with an optional side trip to Sumda Choon, whose ancient and rarely visited gompa houses remarkable artistic treasures.

Continue upwards to the beautiful meadow of Lanak. In the evenings, we have often spotted Bharal, the rare and elusive blue sheep, on the nearby cliffs.

Today's climb to Dundunchen La (4800 metres) is strenuous, a stunning view encompassing the Stok and Zanskar ranges. Finish our trek with a long descent into Chiling, before boarding the rafts on the Zanskar river. Ride the river to its confluence with the Indus at Nimu, then board jeeps for the trip to Alchi. Overnight at Alchi village.

In Alchi, we tour the remarkably well-preserved 11th -century gompa and the famed frescoes within. In the afternoon, we return by jeep to Leh for a well-deserved rest.

Day free in Leh.

Morning flight to Delhi. Brief exploration of India's capitol.