Golden Triangle & Ladakh: History, Culture & High Passes
15 days, Delhi to Leh
Itinerary 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.
Itinerary
Day 1Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
Arriving early with a free day in Delhi? Opt to add the "Half Day Culinary Tour of Delhi" extra to your tour.
Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer
Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for local women who once lacked financial opportunities.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Welcome: Welcome-Moment – Lerne CEO und Gruppe kennen.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Half Day Culinary Tour of Delhi
On this half-day adventure that will leave you in food heaven, visit age-old markets and landmark food joints around the city and indulge your tastebuds. Walk with an experienced foodie-guide who will teach you about the intricacies of cuisine from various parts of the country. Highlights on the tour can include; Chandni Chowk, filled with bustling markets and shops, enjoy a steaming cup of Chai tea in an authentic terracotta cup, Kebabs with a recipe that stretches throughout generations, and indulge in local sweets and flatbreads. Perhaps also visit a chaat street chef and stop by Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Sikh Sikh House of Worship which hosts the world's largest community kitchen.
Day 2Delhi/Āgra
Enjoy a youth-led walk through the backstreets of Delhi with G Adventures-supported project, City Walk. Observe a different perspective of Delhi while supporting at-risk youth in the community. Later, explore Old Delhi and travel onward to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.
Your G for Good Moment: City Walk
Explore the streets of Delhi with a youth-led tour guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. As a former at-risk youth, your local guide will have a unique perspective on the city and can provide more information on the life of a child in India. The guided tour helps support the guide's college or university tuition.
Old Delhi Guided Walk
Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 3Āgra
Set eyes on the sparkling Taj Mahal at sunrise before exploring more of this famous landmark. In the afternoon, visit the I'timad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) and the Agra Fort.
Taj Mahal Visit
Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Baby Taj Visit
Visit this mausoleum that looks like a jewel box, built before the Taj Mahal by Queen Nur Jahan for her father. Enjoy the intricate details of the structure; it was the first Mughal building faced with white marble and where "pietra dura" (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used.
Agra Fort Visit
Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.
Day 4Āgra/Dhula Village
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the now-deserted former capital of the Mughals, and a stunningly preserved UNESCO site. Visit the Abhaneri Stepwell and marvel at this uniquely Indian water harvesting system. In the afternoon, travel to Dhula Village and get a closer look at rural life in Rajasthan. Tonight, settle in to your cozy tent then opt to relax by the fire and take in the starry night sky.
At Dhula Village you will have the opportunity to learn about local life, play a fun game of cricket, relax in the peaceful atmosphere, or take a cycle to explore the surroundings.
Tonight's accommodation is in spacious and comfortable tents outfitted with beds, lamps, and simple en suite bathrooms.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Fatehpur Sikri Visit
Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.
Abhaneri Stepwell Visit
Walk around the amazing Chand Baori, a tenth century water tank that's an impressive 6.1m (20 ft) deep. Learn about ancient Indian environmentalism—a "baori" is a unique Indian invention for harvesting rainwater.
Dhula Village Experience
Get a closer look at village life with a stay in rural Dhula. Enjoy opportunities to interact and explore that may include meeting shepherds and their flocks, cycling through hamlets, tea with villagers at the local temple, trekking in the hillocks.
Day 5Dhula Village/Jaipur
Continue to the pink city of Jaipur. Along the way, try your hand at block printing with the women of the Anoothi Project before arriving at your hotel. Built according to Hindu architectural principles, Jaipur utilizes a unique organization unlike anywhere else in India.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Anoothi Block Printing Experience
Women from marginalised communities outside Jaipur came together to create the Anoothi Project. In Hindi, Anoothi means 'unique and extraordinary' and by teaching these women to master the traditionally male handicraft of block printing, the collective shines a light on the unique and extraordinary within each individual. At this G for Good visit, engage in a hands-on block printing activity with the local women as you indulge in some local snacks prepared by your hosts.
Jaipur Orientation Tour
Enjoy an orientation of the Pink City by foot, with a short e-rickshaw ride in the walled city.
Day 6Jaipur
Enjoy a visit to the Amber Fort, famous for its mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. After, visit the City Palace and have a photo opportunity at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).
Opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking a cooking class with a local family.
Amber Fort Visit
Take in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. Wander through the halls and courtyards and admire the intricate details.
City Palace Visit
Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Jaipur Cycle Tour
With its many lanes and organized layout, Jaipur is the perfect location to explore by bicycle. Choosing to cycle through the city on this morning tour will introduce you to sights, sounds and smells that a vehicle just can't match, so grab a helmet and jump on your bike! Navigate the streets of the 'Pink City' with the help of your experienced guide, starting the day with a traditional Indian yoghurt drink of Lassi. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you enter the walled part of the city and stop at the City Palace to visit the Govind Dev temple. Wander through the historical spices and sweets market, stopping for tea and a tasty snack of pakoras before heading towards the majestic Albert Hall Museum where the tour ends. Taxi transfers from the hotel to the starting point and from the finishing point back to the hotel are included in the price of this cycle tour.
Jaipur Cooking Class with a local family
Join a local family in Jaipur as they welcome you into their home and share their recipes and best-loved dishes with you. Get hands-on with the ingredients and learn how to prepare Pakoda (Pakora), vegetable dishes and Indian breads such as chapatis and puris. Once the hard work is done, get to know your hosts over lunch. Savor the flavours of your creations with the additions of other vegtable dishes, daal and raita, and finish the meal with a sweet treat.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
202INR per personEnjoy a visit to the intricately-carved Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds," which is named for the cool breeze that comes through the structure and keeps it comfortable, even in the hot Jaipur summers. Admire this architectural wonder and snap some photos.
Jantar Mantar Visit
202INR per personVisit the Jantar Mantar observatory for a guided tour and explore the collection of astronomical instruments housed there, some dating back to 1727.
Movie at Raj Mandir
200-400INR per personVisit this spectacular cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.
Day 7Jaipur/Delhi
If you aren't afraid of heights, opt for a morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur. Return to Delhi in the afternoon and enjoy free time to explore more of the bustling city.
Admire the Pink City from above by pre-booking the morning Jaipur Balloon Ride when booking your tour.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to see more of Delhi.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Jaipur Balloon Ride
Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side.
Available September 1 - April 30.
Day 8Delhi/Leh
Depart Delhi and fly to Leh today. Leh, in the Ladakh region, sits at 3,500m (11,500 ft) above sea level. So take today slow and allow your body to acclimate to the high elevation.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to explore the city of Leh and to acclimate to the high elevation.
Day 9Leh
Dive head first into historic Leh today on a tour of the Old City. Learn about its unique connection to Tibet as you wander the narrow, winding streets. Then continue to the Central Asian Museum to learn about Ladakh's connection to the Silk Road. Enjoy the beauty of the town with an evening visit to Thiksey Monastery and the Shanti Stupa. Tonight, opt to join an astronomy experience with local women of Leh.
Leh Old City Walk
Enjoy a guided heritage walk through Leh’s historic old town, exploring traditional homes, temples, and hidden alleys.
Central Asian Museum Visit
Learn about the importance of Leh on the Silk Road through rare artifacts and architecture at the Central Asian Museum.
Thiksey Monastery Visit
Visit the beautiful hilltop monastery famous for its prayer rituals and see the iconic Maitreya Buddha statue.
Shanti Stupa at Sunset
Visit the peaceful stupa built by Japanese monks. Admire the views of the orange hues as the sunset blankets the city of Leh.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Astronomy Experience
With Ladakh at such a high elevation and away from massive cities, the view of the night sky can be quite impressive here. Visit the Cosmo Museum on a guided monastery tour led by the local women to learn about the confluence of Buddhism and astronomy in Ladakh.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 10Leh/Nubra Valley
Drive across one of the highest motorways in the world as we head to Nubra Valley. On the way, visit the colourful Diskit Monastery, the incredible Sumur Sand Dunes and connect with local Ladakhi culture at the Kyagar House.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Diskit Gompa (Monastery)
Explore the largest and oldest monastery in Nubra and admire the panoramic view of the valley.
Sumur Sand Dunes
Hike through the breathtaking white sand dunes of Sumur. Bring your camera to capture the incredible view of snow capped mountains, double humped camels and lake from the shore of the dunes as your guide shares stories about the ancient silk road.
Your Local Living Moment: Kyagar House Experience
Visit a traditional Ladakhi home where we'll be met with storytelling, refreshments and interesting interactions with the host family. Hear the stories of how this house was once a popular traders' resting point along the Silk Road as you enjoy a local dinner.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Nubra Valley
Explore the breathtaking region of Nubra Valley today. Visit the Ensa Monastery, hike to Yarab Tso Lake, soak in a picturesque hot spring and learn of the Indo-China War at the Col. Rinchen Chewang Museum.
Ensa Monastery
Visit the 400-year-old hilltop monastery to see the peaceful views of the Nubra Valley.
Yarab Tso Lake Hike
Take a 30-minute hike to a sacred, high-altitude lake nestled amidst the rugged Nubra terrain.
Panamic Hot Springs
Soak in the natural sulphur-rich hot springs believed to have healing properties, set against the backdrop of the Himalayas.
Col. Rinchen Chewang Museum
Visit a museum dedicated to a decorated Ladakhi war hero, Col. Rinchen Chewang, showcasing historical artifacts and tales from the Indo-China war.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 12Nubra Valley/Pangong Tso
Join the morning prayer ceremony at Samstanling Monastery. Then drive northwest along the Shayok River to Maan Village on the shores of Pangong Tso Lake (at 4350m in elevation). Check into the homestay then walk alongside your CEO to Pangong Lake for an easy yet rewarding hike! Tonight, join your homestay host for some stargazing in this remote village.
Samstanling Monastery Morning Prayer
Visit the Samstanling Monastery for morning prayer. Witness the peaceful monastery ambiance, with murals and chants that reflect Ladakhi Buddhist heritage.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Pangong Lake Hike
Take a short hike along the beautiful Pangong Lake.
Stargazing in Nubra Valley
In such a remote village, an opportunity like this to stargaze mustn't be missed!
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 13Pangong Tso/Leh
Make the most of your lake time and rise early for a special morning yoga session by the beach for all levels. Afterwards, fill up on breakfast before starting the drive back to Leh. The first stop of the day is to Rezang La Memorial, an important monument from the 1962 War. The next stop brings us to a nomadic settlement where we will learn about the luxurious pashmina cashmere. Then arrive to Leh in the evening for free time.
Early Morning Yoga by the Lake
Rise early for a peaceful yoga session by Pangong Tso Lake.
Rezang La Memorial
Pay homage at the Rezang La Memorial near the Tibet border, a poignant reminder of the 1962 war and a symbol of bravery and sacrifice.
Pashmina Herder Experience
Stop by a remote nomadic settlement for a 1.5-hour immersive session with Pashmina herders, learn about their way of life, traditions and Pashmina making.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Leh
Today is yours to do as you wish in Leh. Want to rest? Chill out in the hotel. If you want to explore, get out on the town! The choice is yours.
Free Time
Enjoy the entire day to explore on your terms!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Leh
Depart at any time.