Himalayan Silk Road & Tak Tok Festival

India

Travel India's forgotten Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh

16 days £4,295 pp (was £4,495 pp) This is the per person group tour price, based on 2 sharing. The price is subject to change with exchange rate and flight cost fluctuations.
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Intro, Dates & Prices

Intro

Join us on an unforgettable journey through the Indian Himalayas, retracing the travels of merchants, monks, and missionaries along a forgotten segment of the Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh. This region was once a hub of an important network of trading routes linking Central Asia and China with India and Tibet, and though modern borders have severed economic ties, strong cultural links survive.

Your adventure will begin in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, which is known for its rich Islamic culture, Mughal gardens, and the romantic houseboats moored on its lakes. One of the world’s most dramatic drives then awaits as you continue onto Kargil, a strategic Silk Road trading post, and start climbing beside the Indus River to the high altitude desert of Ladakh. Spectacular Buddhist monasteries dot the landscape and colourful prayer flags flutter above mountain passes, providing physical reminders of why Ladakh is so often called “Little Tibet”. The trip concludes with a visit to the remote village of Sakti where you will witness the colourful Tak Tok Festival.

Read Sophie's blog detailing her trip with us along this forgotten road >>

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Heritage walking tour in Srinagar
  • Magnificent Nishat Bagh Mughal garden
  • Shikara ride on Dal Lake
  • Stunning drive through the Himalayas
  • Kargil War Memorial in Drass
  • Silk Road artefacts and caravanserai in Kargil
  • Highest motorable road in the world - the Khardung La Pass
  • Sand dunes and remote monasteries in Nubra Valley
  • Isolated Diskit monastery

Places Visited

Delhi - Srinagar - Hari Parbat Fort - Drass Valley - Kargil - Lamayuru - Uleytokpo - Leh - Nubra Valley - Sumur - Diskit - Sumur

What's Included

Shared group airport transfers
Domestic flights
Ground transport with driver
Accommodation
Most meals included
Sightseeing activities with escorted guides
Entrance fees to sites (one-time entry)

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Itinerary & Map
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Overview Itinerary Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1 : Arrival

On arrival in Delhi airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Meet with the group in your hotel for dinner.

Note: you will have to take an overnight flight to arrive on Day 1. Let us know if you would like to arrive earlier for a pre-tour of Delhi or to visit other places in India before this tour. The tour includes a shared group arrival and departure transfer based on using Vistara. Anyone arriving or departing on different flights will require private transfers at an additional cost.

Overnight in Taj Ambassador, Delhi

Meal plan: Dinner

India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the vast spiraling skyscrapers, the remnants of a bygone era in the form of its many monuments, stand as silent reminders of the region’s ancient legacy. The first impression for any visitor travelling in from the airport is of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.

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Day 2 : Delhi - Srinagar

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatise and enjoy the surroundings. Lunch and dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Nadis Hotel, Srinagar

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River, Srinagar is the summer capital of Kashmir. It is well known for its beautiful gardens, lakes and houseboats as well as dried fruits and Kashmiri handicrafts. Known as ‘the Kashmiri Venice’, the city has a unique blend of cultural heritage which is reflected in the city’s many religious buildings, such as Keer bhawani and the Hazaratbal Shrine, which is the only domed mosque in the city.

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Day 3 : Srinagar

Today we experience Mughal landscape garden design, and local arts & crafts. First we visit the nearby Buddhist gardens. Next, we will visit the Nishat Bagh (the Garden of Delight), Chasme Shahi and Pari Mahal Gardens, each one from the era of the Mughal, and Persian-inspired.

Lunch will be in the Shamyana Kashmiri restaurant. In the afternoon, we can look forward to seeing the artisan's village, for a papier-mâché and embroidery workshop.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Nadis Hotel, Srinagar

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Designed in 1633 on the eastern flanks of Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh is the second-largest Mughal garden in the vale of Kashmir. Built in geometric alignment with the aesthetics of a Persian garden of paradise, Nishat Bagh actually translates from Urdu into English as 'Garden of Gladness'. 

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Day 4 : Srinagar

Our first scheduled trip is to Hari Parbat Fort where we will walk through parts of the old city. From there we climb to the summit of the fort from, where the views are panoramic.  After lunching at Ahdoos, we head to Kashmir's holiest Muslim shrine, the Hazrat Bal mosque, a reliquary of the Prophet. Before returning to the hotel for dinner, we shall wander through Srinagar's old bazaar. 

Overnight in Nadis Hotel, Srinagar

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Hari Parbat is also known as Kooh-e-Maran lies on the west of Dal Lake in Srinagar. This Mughal structure was built by an Afghan Governor Atta Mohammed Khan in 18th century, and presides over the city like all good forts ought to. 

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Day 5 : Srinagar

Leisurely breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to your houseboat on Lake Dal. Enjoy lunch on your floating palace before spending the afternoon cruising the lake on a shikara boat. Your 3-hour boat concludes around sunset, when you'll be returned to your houseboat for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight in Chicago Houseboats, Srinagar - Dal Lake

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Surrounded by snow capped mountains, Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful urban lakes in India. It's the second largest lake in Kashmir and has many orchards dotted along its shores. The lake is part of a natural wetland including its floating gardens which cover the surface in lotus flowers during July and August. Called the 'jewel of Kashmir', the best way to view the stunning scenery is to take a colourful shikara ride across the tranquil waters.

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Day 6 : Srinagar - Sonamarg - Drass - Kargil

Today we embark on our journey along the Himalayas, driving through some of the most picturesque scenery on earth. After an early breakfast we will set off for Kargil. En-route we will pass Sonamarg, popular with trekkers wanting to climb one of the nearby glaciers, and  we will stop briefly at Zojila Pass where the first hints of Buddhist culture start to be seen. After crossing the Ladakh state border we will stop in the small town of Drass for lunch and then visit the nearby Kargil War Memorial, which commemorates the fallen Indian soldiers during the 1999 war with Pakistan. Finally we drive on to the city of Kargil where we will enjoy dinner at the hotel. 

Overnight in Hotel The Kargil, Kargil

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Zojila Pass is a high mountain pass connecting Srinagar and Leh. It’s one of the most dangerous roads in the Himalayas because it is narrow and has vicious winds due to a funnel effect. The second highest pass on the Srinangar – Leh Highway, it provides a vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir. 

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Day 7 : Kargil

In the morning we will visit the Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum. The family museum contains a fascinating collection of artifacts, relics and photos dating back to the days when Kargil stood at the crossroads of the old Silk Road in India. We will walk through the local bazaar to see from outside what is left of the old caravanserai (entry may not be permitted due to the precarious condition of the building). After lunch, we will visit the abandoned village of Hunderman, located in the rugged valley close to the Line of Control with Pakistan. Local people have opened a small museum in one of the homes documenting the lives of border families. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Hotel The Kargil, Kargil

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Lying on the banks of the Suru River, Kargil is the second largest town in the Ladakh. Before the Partition of India in 1947, the town was part of the Baltistan region of Ladakh and was a sparsely populated area with diverse language, ethnic and religious groups living in the isolated valleys. The town has a unique mix of architecture with the older mosques built in Tibetan and Iranian styles and the more modern mosques built with Arabic influences.

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Day 8 : Kargil - Lamayuru - Uleytokpo

Our drive continues through some of the most unforgettable scenery you will ever see. We will stop briefly at the Mulbek Maitreya Buddha statue (9m tall) and then proceed to Lamayuru, home to one of the most majestically situated monasteries in Ladakh. We continue our journey towards Uleytokpo, stopping en-route for a walk around the little-visited mud-brick fortress of Basgo Monastery, which again occupies a splendid position overlooking villages and stark barren landscapes. A short drive later we will finally arrive at the eco-retreat in Uleytokpo in time for dinner.

Overnight in Ule Ethnic Resort, Uleytokpo

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Lying on the banks of the Suru River, Kargil is the second largest town in the Ladakh. Before the Partition of India in 1947, the town was part of the Baltistan region of Ladakh and was a sparsely populated area with diverse language, ethnic and religious groups living in the isolated valleys. The town has a unique mix of architecture with the older mosques built in Tibetan and Iranian styles and the more modern mosques built with Arabic influences.

Lamayuru is a medieval monastery that is built on top of a near-vertical cliff. Towering over a small cluster of mud-bricked houses, it was founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the tenth and eleventh centuries. However, the place itself is thought to have been sacred well before Buddhism when the local people followed the shamanistic Bon cult. It is known for the being one of the largest gompas or monasteries in the Ladakh region with 150 monks permanently residing there. It hosts two masked dance festivals in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan lunar calendar when all the monks from the surrounding gompas gather together to prey.

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Day 9 : Uleytokpo - Leh

After breakfast, we set off for Leh via the Sangam (confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers) and stop off at Spituk Monastery. Arrive in Leh and afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Ladakh Eco Resort, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Spituk is a small village just outside Leh. It is best known for Spituk Gompa – an important Buddhist monastery. It was founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od in the 11th Century. Founded as a Red Hat institution, the monastery was taken over by the Yellow Hat sect in the 15th century.The monastery contains 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali (unveiled during the annual Spitok festival). Spituk has an average elevation of 3,307 metres (10,852 feet).

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Day 10 : Leh

In the morning we will head into the old part of Leh, where we will take a heritage walk and visit the impressive Central Asian Museum. The engaging museum showcases photos and artifacts illustrating the importance of Leh and Ladakh's importance in the Silk Road trading route. Afterwards, we will visit Shanti Stupa and then have lunch in one of Leh's finest local restaurants. Rest of day at leisure.

Overnight in Ladakh Eco Resort, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Leh is at an elevation of 3500m above sea level, situated in the Ladakh province. The stunning Leh Palace is modelled on the Tibetan Palace in Lhasa. some of Ladakh’s most famous and spectacular religious sites, including Sindhu Ghat where you can take a stroll by the bank of the River Indus. From there we move on to Thiksey Monastery, one of Leh’s most architecturally impressive structures clinging to the cliff-face and containing numerous stupas and murals of Lord Buddha.  The former home of the Ladakhi royal family, Shey Palace and Museum is situated on a hillock and houses an impressive 7.5 metre gold statue of Lord Buddha.  Hemis National Park is India’s largest national park, and the only park found in the northern Himalayas. It is home to a number of endangered species and the 400-year old Hemis Monastery.

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Day 11 : Excursion around Leh

After breakfast we will visit the quaint village of Matho and walk down from the Matho Monastery to the Indus River. Enjoy chai and snacks by the river and then head to nearby Thiksey Monastery, one of the most iconic monasteries in Leh, perched on a cliff-face. Afterwards visit the nearby Tibetan Library where monks come to study from all over Ladakh. Drive to Stok village for lunch with the local family. Visit their 300 year-old house, which has now been converted into a museum, and then take a walk around Stok Palace. Return to Leh. 

Overnight in Ladakh Eco Resort, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Constructed in 1430, Thiksey Monastery is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive monasteries in Ladakh, incorporating elements of Ladakh's traditional architectural style. It consists of 12 storeys and holds several stupas, prayer halls and small shrines with exquisite colourful wall paintings. The main prayer hall houses a 15-metre-high seated statue of Buddha, the largest in the region. 

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Day 12 : Leh - Khardung la Pass - Sumur

Early start to the day for your drive to the Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass. At a breathtaking (literally) 5,500m/18,000ft, it's one of the world's highest motorable roads. Despite its altitude and barren mountains, the landscape here is dotted with lush greenery, the winding River Indus, sporadic wildlife and snow-capped peaks. If you are lucky you might spot pikas, marmots, red foxes, wolves and/or golden eagles. Arrive in the village adjoining Sumur, near the banks of the Nubra river, where your eco-retreat, and your lunch awaits.

Rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Lchang Nang Retreat, Sumur

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

The Nubra Valley is full of spectacular landscape contrasts and silver sand dunes are set below snow peaks, with sublime views of Ladakh’s valleys. Here you can cross the highest motorable road in the world at 17,582 feet (5,359 m) and see how Khardung La Pass is literally on top of the world. It is also the home of the shaggy double-humped camel. Not to be confused with the ubiquitous one-humped dromedary, the Bactrian is a fine animal, and - existing only on the cold central Asian plateau - the rarest camel species on Earth.

Little village with eco lodges in the sweeping Nubra Valley.

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Day 13 : Teggar - Hunder - Diskit - Teggar

After breakfast we drive to Hunder, and its white, rolling dunes, meandering river and snow-capped mountains away in the distance. Hunder's sand dunes present an opportunity not only to hone those photography skills, but also to glimpse the rare, Bactrian one-humped camel.

We follow this up with a visit to Diskit's isolated monastery.

Return to the eco-retreat for lunch, and the remainder of your day at leisure. 

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 14 : Sumur - Tak Tok Festival - Leh

After breakfast, leave for the remote village of Sakti, where you will witness masked dancers and rituals at the Tak Tok Buddhist festival. Enjoy lunch and then proceed to Leh. Evening is at leisure. 

Overnight in Grand Dragon Ladakh, Leh

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Tak Tok Festival - taking place once a year, the Tak Tok Festival is one of the most important festivals in Ladakh, which is celebrated in the cave gompa of Tak Tok. The highlight of the celebration is the masked dance of the lamas. Many cultural programmes are organised throughout the day, and a feast is set up in the evening. People dress up in ethnic clothes and observe religious practices. 

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Day 15 : Leh - Delhi

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Lemon Tree Premier Aerocity, Delhi

Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

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Day 16 : Departure

Transfer to airport at appropriate time for your onward flight. Alternatively, you can extend your time elsewhere in India.

Meal plan: Breakfast

Accommodation

Accommodation

All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.

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Taj Ambassador

Delhi (1 night)

Set in the aristocratic heart of New Delhi, Ambassador is a contemporary hotel serving up a slice in time. Just a short drive from the international airport, it ushers leisure and business travellers into a red-brick and pink bougainvillea neighbourhood, surrounded by plush shopping districts, gardens and magnificent monuments.

With its British and Art Deco architectural medley, the Ambassador offers guests a chance to live a refined New Delhi life in its greenest district. The luxury boutique 5 star hotel in Delhi is an INTACH Heritage Building built in 1947, the year that India gained independence and Lutyens, named after the British architect who built most of modern New Delhi, became the epicentre of the city’s intelligentsia. 

Visit hotel's site
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Nadis Hotel

Srinagar (3 nights)

When the day ends and night falls and it’s quiet and you can see the stars. On the foothills of Zabarwan hills and few kilometers from the famous Mughal garden, Nadis is a modern Kashmir House, inspired by the picturesque alpine landscape and rich heritage of Kashmir culture. We are at Harwan Village, just opposite the public gardens.
Contemporary boutique hotel with 18 rooms that gives guests an unparalleled and elevated visit to Kashmir.

Ceder wood flooring, amazing ceiling carvings, simple but elegant decor using locally sourced materials. Designed to feel like your own Kashmir House with all comfort you need. They feature a custom cedar queen-sized bed fitted with the finest linens, spa rain shower. The ART of living.

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Chicago Houseboats

Srinagar - Dal Lake (1 night)

We are a group of enthusiastic local people who are adding a charm to the Kashmir tour with a comfortable houseboat stay and a magical Shikara ride for every traveler. The legacy of these ancient houseboats and Shikara is passed on to 10 generations. We have been in this business since the end of 18th century and till date we dedicate our utmost efforts to give the most valuable service to our customers.

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Hotel The Kargil

Kargil (2 nights)

Located next to Hussaini Park and the Suru River, The Kargil offers a comfortable, modern stay. The hotel's 33 rooms and suites feature a stylish decor, en-suite bathrooms, mountain views, and all modern amenities including a free laptop rental service. Guests may enjoy buffet dining in the hotel restaurant, or spend time exploring the town or surrounding landscape, which is as beautiful as it is rugged.

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Ule Ethnic Resort

Uleytokpo (1 night)

Set at the cliff bank of river Indus, 55 Kilometers into Sham valley is the village of Ule Tokpo. The village is home to the family running Ule Ethnic resorts since 1974. A premier property, Ule Ethnic resort with 15 ensuite deluxe cottages and 15 ensuite huts.
Ule Ethnic Luxury Hotel, Resort is the first fully solar powered tourism project in Ladakh, taking ahead the local sustainable tourism initiative.

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Ladakh Eco Resort

Leh (3 nights)

​A boutique hotel nestled in the lap of the Great Himalayas. Accessible, yet set slightly away in the upper reaches of the Leh valley, the hotel offers unparalleled access to rural life in the traditional Ladakhi way while also enjoying the comforts and luxuries of the modern world. Whether its engagement, activities or relaxation you seek, Gangles has plenty to offer. 
 

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Lchang Nang Retreat

Sumur (1 night)

Lchang Nang is a destination created for travellers in search of peace and tranquility. Combining comfort and simplicity, it pays homage to its local heritage via its links to the local community and the local culture. Our library, still at a budding stage, offers a unique collection of archives on the local fauna, wildlife, Buddhist culture and Silk Route history.

Lchang Nang aims to play a role in reducing Ladakh’s carbon footprint. The retreat is fully solar powered and plastic containers are kept to a minimum. In the coming years we plan to grow and source most of our operational needs locally. Lchang Nang also maintains a vision for a sustainable future through eco-conscious initiatives. For example, the property is primarily powered through solar energy, which is plentiful in sunny Ladakh. We also offer our guests filtered glacial snowmelt for both drinking and bathing purposes, reducing our reliance on single use plastics.

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Grand Dragon Ladakh

Leh (1 night)

This is one of the first luxury hotels in Ladakh with a host of state of the art amenities in addition to handmade paintings by Gulam Mustafa (First modern Artist of Ladakh) around every corner, and fixtures that are reminiscent of royalty.

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Lemon Tree Premier Aerocity

Delhi (1 night)

Located 4kms away from Indira Gandhi International Airport and 5kms away from the domestic airport, the Lemon Tree Premier hotel has spacious and comfortable rooms, as well as award winning restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool.

Visit hotel's site
Extensions

Nubra Valley Extension (5 days)

Remote villages & jaw-dropping scenery

On The Tiger Trail (9 days)

On the tiger trail through Bandhavgarh and Kanha

The Golden Triangle (5 days)

Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces

Kolkata & Sunderbans (6 days)

Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve

Wildlife of Tadoba & Pench (9 days)

A real life Jungle Book.

Kolkata & Darjeeling Snapshot (7 days)

Ideal extension to Bhutan

Himalayan Extension: Ladakh to Kashmir (5 days)

Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway

Beaches (1-7 days)

After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches

Treks & Walks (1-12 days)

Himalayan treks, village walks and more

Hill Stations & Mountains

Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.

City Extensions (1-4 days)

Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.

Highlights of the Subcontinent (22 days)

Discover iconic sights of India, Nepal & Bhutan

Journey through the Indian Himalayas (20 days)

Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh

Monks, Tribes & Rhinos (20 days)

Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife

Classic Bhutan & Assam Cruise (18 days)

Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam

Himalayan Silk Road & Tak Tok Festival (16 days)

Travel India's forgotten Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh

Glimpse of India & Nepal (16 days)

Golden Triangle and the Himalayas

Textile Tour of India (16 days)

Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival

Big Six of India (15 days)

Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants

Treasures of Maharashtra (15 days)

Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations

Best of Bhutan & Bengal (15 days)

Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan

Nagaland: Festival of the Headhunters (15 days)

Aoling Festival, wildlife in Assam & natural beauty of Manipur

Taste of South India (15 days)

Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India

Journey Through Rajasthan (15 days)

Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages

Kerala & Karnataka Explorer (14 days)

Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns

Spirit of South India (14 days)

Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala

Himalayan Wildlife of Ladakh (14 days)

Track the Himalayan brown bear & snow leopard on a once-in-a-lifetime trip

Roof of the World - Ladakh to Kashmir (14 days)

Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures

Best of Assam & Meghalaya (14 days)

Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India

Birds & Wildlife of Rajasthan (14 days)

Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan

Heart of India (14 days)

Take in the highlights of central India

Glories of Gujarat (14 days)

Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions

Hampi and Beyond (14 days)

Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms

Tribes & Temples of Eastern India (14 days)

Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh

Taj, Tigers & Temples (14 days)

Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India

Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival (14 days)

Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland

Kerala Calling (14 days)

Charming towns, spice plantations & idyllic backwaters

Best of Bengal & Sikkim (14 days)

Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism

Tribes of North East India (14 days)

Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland

Delicacies of North India (14 days)

Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine

Wildlife of North East India (14 days)

Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans

Kerala - Trekking the Western Ghats (13 days)

Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot

Hidden Rajasthan (13 days)

Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife

Big Cats of India (13 days)

Track India's tigers, leopards & lions

Gujarat's Tribes & Wildlife (13 days)

Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages

Maha Kumbh Mela Festival (13 days)

Once in 12 years - the largest gathering of humanity on earth

The Himalayan Silk Road with Sophie Ibbotson (13 days)

Expert-led trip through Kashmir and Ladakh

High Indus Valley of Ladakh (12 days)

Attain lofty heights over soul-soothing Ladakh

Glimpse of India (12 days)

Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala

Markha Valley Trek (12 days)

Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys

Essential Rajasthan (10 days)

Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan

Living Bridges of Meghalaya (7 days)

Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India

Classic Kerala

Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches

Reviews

Thanks for organising such a great trip to NE India Rahul - everything went seamlessly! We loved the fact that we could book an individual tour but still have flexibility with our itinerary once we were there, enabling us to take in the Si Donyi Festival at Daporijo and also be the first guests to stay overnight in a local village hut with our hosts in Papi, which was fantastic. Our guide was super. He had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour! It’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole trip was both fascinating and at times, humbling. We’ll never forget the amazing people, scenery & culture we experienced whilst there and are glad we had the opportunity to visit such an intriguing part of the world. We would certainly consider travelling with you again in the future.

Hazel Fairall , Tribes of North East India, India

I`m very pleased with the way the trip was arranged for me, it was well organised and went very well. The itinerary was just the right pace to enjoy everything without rushing too much. It was never going to be cheap for 1 person travelling alone but I thought it was very reasonably priced.

Dewi Evans , Tailormade North East India

This trip was very well put together and ticked all the boxes that we had requested. The accommodation throughout the tour was of a high standard and our experiences in the national parks was wonderful spotting many different animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, lions, jungle cat plus countless number of birds. Thank you Rahul for tailoring this trip to our requirements.

Nigel & Margaret Turner , Tailormade India Wildlife & Birding tour

We went on the Spirit of South India Tour and had a great time on our honeymoon. There was a good variety of places visited and the hotels, drivers and guides were all very good. We would definitely recommend this tour.

Rachel , Spirit of South India, India

I would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.

Tracey & Gary , Tailormade India

This was my first experience of using Travel the Unknown having enjoyed small group adventure holidays for many years. I was attracted to the company because it seeks out the more unusual and lesser known areas of a country and I was not disappointed by my visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a clear contrast between the people and the scenery of these two regions and we saw very few western tourists particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The tour was well organised with plenty to see and do.

Keith Lewis , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, India

This was a very varied and interesting trip to a forgotten part of India. If you like off the beaten track travel it is definitely worth the effort but go with an open mind and keep a smile on your face.

Richard Williams , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, India

Thank you for organising our holiday in Kerala. I certainly wouldn`t have had the time or the knowledge to put together such a trip. Munnar was my favourite and the accommodation throughout was excellent.

Vik , Kerala Calling, India

A really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.

Ann Holgate , Tailormade India

What an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.

Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, India

The tour was an amazing experience for our first visit to India. The country, its people and its cuisine were friendly,delightful, colourful and exceeded all our expectations. Travel the Unknown have put together a superb unique package that we have no hesitation in recommending to anyone with an interest in food and culture.

Elaine & Neil Smith , Delicacies of North India, India

I`m sure I could not have found a better operator for the type of complicated Indian tour I wanted to undertake on a limited budget. India is an intimidating country to visit, and I suspect that some operators look down on the first time visitor, or disparage their requirements. Travel the Unknown, by contrast, helped me all the way, and their local guides were superb.

Andrew Martin , Tailormade North East India
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