ladakh kashmir trip notes 2018-2019...welcome to incredible indian tours’ top of the world -...

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS

Top of the World -

Ladakh & Kashmir

Trip Notes

Welcome to Incredible Indian Tours’ Top of the World - Ladakh & Kashmir Tour. This is a very exotic adventure throughout the Indian Himalayas. First we journey to Ladakh through Himachal Pradesh, visiting Shimla and Manali before driving the spectacular Manali - Leh road. In and around Leh we explore the Nubra Valley, and also experience the Hemis Festival. Heading west we drive through the upper Himalayas along one of the most stunning drives in the world to Kashmir, and Srinagar, holiday mecca of India.

Trip Notes: 2018 - 2019

Highlights

• the splendour and contrast of the 7 cities of Delhi

• the historic toy train ride up the mountain to Shimla

• witness the remnants of the British Raj in Shimla

• see the mountain views from the beautiful green Beas River valley in Manali

• experience the spectacular Manali - Leh Highway

• be part of the energetic and colourful Hemis Festival

• drive the highest motorable pass in the world - the Khardong La - at over 5600m

• explore the amazing Nubra Valley in Ladakh

• drive the amazingly scenic Leh - Srinagar Highway

• discover the monastery villages of Uleytokpo & Basgo

• soak up the relaxing ambience of Dal Lake in Srinagar

INCREDIBLE INDIAN TOURS Top of the World - Ladakh & Kashmir

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www.incredibleindiatours.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Ph: +91 95490 02876

supplement payment of USD905 (or equivalent) will be

payable.

transport

Train, private vehicles, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, flight.

Train travel in India is essential considering it is such an

efficient and extensive network, and is also such a part of India’s culture and heritage. On this journey we enjoy a trip

on the UNESCO World Heritage Shimla Toy Train.

We have one domestic flight and will be taking private

vehicles (Awd - 3 person maximum per vehicle) for all other

journeys.

activities included

The following is a list of included activities on this trip. Other

activities are optional and will be at your own expense.

Humayans Tomb, Rajpath, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Delhi)

Toy Train ride, Vice-regal Lodge, Jakhoo Temple (Shimla)

Village hike, Hidimba Devi Temple (Manali)

Hemis Festival and Monastery, Shey Palace, Thiksey

Monastery, Shanti Stupa (Leh) Diskit Monastery, Village hike (Nubra Valley)

Bagso, Alchi and Lamayuru Monasteries (Leh-Kargil Rd)

Shikara Rides, Floating vegetable market, Moghal gardens,

Pari Mahal (Srinagar)

meals

Traveling with Incredible Indian Tours we ensure that you will

experience a vast array of the gustatory treats available in

India. Generally, meals are not included in the trip price

when there is a choice of eating options. This allows you to

choose where, and what to eat. More often than not

however we eat together as a group. Your leader will offer

suggestions for favourite restaurants throughout the trip.

meal inclusions

21 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 9 Dinners

group size minimum 4, maximum 10

days 22 days 21 nights

starts and finishes in Delhi

price includes

Arrival and departure transfers

All accommodation as specified

All transportation between overnight stops and to and

from included sightseeing

Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

Meals as specified

Tips & Gratuities

price does not include

Visa costs

Meals other than those listed

Drinks, meal tips, laundry and other items of a personal

nature

International flights

accommodation

Guesthouses/hotels (15 nights), Houseboat (3 nights),

Tented Camp (3 nights)

This tour uses a variety of accommodation. From guesthouses to heritage hotels to tented camps, we

experience a wide range of accommodation styles. Hotel

rooms are twin share with private bathrooms with western

style toilets. Although a few rooms may be air-conditioned,

most will be fan-cooled. The tents are all en-suite.

single supplement

If you are a single traveller we do not charge a single

supplement and will pair you with other travelers of the

same sex, often rotating room-mates at each stop so you

get to share with different group members. However if you

do not wish to share accommodation, but would like to

guarantee your own room throughout the tour a single

general tour information


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culture shock rating

Conditions in India are not always as

comfortable as in

other countries. You

may need to deal with squat toilets, or no toilets (especially

on mountain drives), cold showers or power failure.

travel insurance

Travel Insurance is highly recommended whilst traveling to

India and is compulsory for any group tour with Incredible

Indian Tours. Please read the small print of your insurance

policy to ensure it provides cover for travel to areas where

your state department may be advising against all but

essential travel.

visas

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. Most

nationalities can apply for an e-Tourist visa. The Indian

Government is in the process of extending this e-Tourist

facility to more countries so check this website to find out the

latest eligibility details.

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

For the e-Tourist visa, you need to apply within 120 days of

travel 60 days validity. The visa is issued online and takes up

to 3 days.

Regular tourist visas (issued by the Indian Embassy or

Consulate) for those nationalities who do not yet have availability of the e-Tourist facility, or for those who require a

visa longer than 60 days, are usually issued for 6 or 12

months and are either Single, Double or Multiple Entry. As the

validity begins from date of issue, be sure you do not apply

for your visa too early. For information, or assistance with

obtaining a visa, check out the following websites.

Australia http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/australia/

visa_services/index.html

New Zealand https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/Registration

USA https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa/

UK https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/Registration

Canada http://www.blsindia-canada.com/touristvisa.php

health

We recommend that you consult your doctor for current

medical travel information about before departure. Your

leader will be carrying a basic first aid kit, but we suggest you

bring along your own as well as any personal medical

requirements .

money exchange As at October 2017

AUD1 = 49 INR

CAD1 = 50 INR

EUR1 = 75 INR

GBP1 = 85 INR

NZD1 = 44 INR

USD1 = 65 INR

There are many ATM machines (which accept both Cirrus/Maestro debit cards and Visa and MasterCard) throughout

India. This is a safe and convenient way to access money

in India, however we suggest that you bring some money

in cash for the times that ATMs are not available or

working, as is sometimes the case in Ladakh. The major

currencies, including AUD and CAD are no problem in

general to exchange. Travellers cheques are no longer

commonly accepted. Visa & MasterCard credit cards are

accepted in major shops and restaurants in the bigger

cities.

spending money

Although entrance fees to specified sites are included in

the tour price, there are additional sights that you may like to visit. Many sites levy camera fees.

Spending money requirements will differ from one person

to the next. You will need to take into consideration your

spending habits when allowing for drinks, shopping, and

optional activities.

You will need to allow enough money for the following:

Meals – USD350 (or equivalent)

Optional Activities – USD100 (or equivalent)

Money for drinks, shopping and incidentals.

Tipping is an integral part of Indian life and is essential to a smooth trip. To make things easier, we cover tips for hotel

room boys, local guides and for drivers of private transport

we use. We do NOT cover restaurant tips. You will need to

allow approximately 10% on top of your restaurant bill.

physical rating

There will be plenty

of walking around

towns or sites with

many steps, which

due to the warm weather and the altitude of many

locations on this tour will make general sightseeing more

strenuous. There will also be long days of travel on rough

and bumpy roads.


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joining hotel

Claridges Hotel 12, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road,

New Delhi, 110011

Ph: +91 11 3955 5000

transfer/joining instructions

Your airport transfer pickup will await you holding a sign with

your name when you exit the baggage claim area of the

arrivals hall. There may be large crowds here so please look

carefully for your transfer.

arriving early

The elegant Claridges Hotel is one of Delhi’s premium 5 star

hotels. Built in 1952, Claridges is a short walk from the trendy

Khan Market area and is just two kilometres from India Gate.

The refined rooms feature wood floors and a mix of colonial

and contemporary decor, plus flat-screen TVs and minibars.

Dining options include 4 restaurants, a cafe and a bakery. There’s also a fitness room, an outdoor pool and a spa, plus

garden cabanas and a modern Indian art gallery.

early arrival information

If you are arriving earlier than day 1, extra accommodation in Delhi is available at TBA Single/Double (or equivalent) per

night per room. Please notify us as early as possible if you

require extra accommodation as hotels in Delhi tend to be

heavily booked up well in advance.

staying on

If you are staying on in Delhi after the tour, extra

accommodation in Delhi is available at TBA Single/Double (or

equivalent) per night per room. Again, if you will require extra accommodation in Delhi, please advise us as early as

possible as rooms tend to get booked out quickly at peak

season times.



The following websites have up-to-date information about

health requirements.

Australia https://www.travelvax.com.au/

New Zealand http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-

living/travelling

USA https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

UK http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/

Canada https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/vaccines

communications

Many of our hotels have Wifi, but do not rely on it being

available or fast.

You can purchase a local prepaid sim card (for unlocked

cell phones) and data sticks (for mobile internet on your

laptop) inexpensively in India, although they will not work in

Ladakh and Kashmir, where only post-paid sim cards work. Recommended are Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance. You will

need extra passport photos for this as well as photocopies of

your photo and visa page from your passport.

your tour manager

Your tour manager is there to organise and streamline your

travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Whilst

they are not a guide per se, they will share their local

knowledge, give you suggestions for your free time and

manage the day to day running of the tour. They will

introduce you to their local friends and recommend great

local restaurants and experiences. They will have a broad

general knowledge of India, so do feel free to tap into their

wisdom. On this tour, we also have local guides for Ladakh and Kashmir who have unparalleled knowledge of their

regions and will add to the enjoyment of the places we are

visiting.

responsible travel

We believe strongly in responsible travel. This includes being

respectful to the local culture (ie dressing appropriately, and

learning a few basic cultural do’s and don’ts), being mindful

of the environment, and leaving a positive image behind.

Remember we are ambassadors for our country. Bringing a

few photos of your family and home with you is a great way

to interact with the locals by giving them a glimpse of your

world whilst you visit theirs.

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sunblock and a hat are essentials.

checklist

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (don’t

forget your emergency insurance contact details), air tickets.

Photocopy of above documents

Day pack

Health vaccinations/medication

First aid kit

Money: ATM card (widely available and easy to access);

credit cards (widely accepted in big cities); cash (for when

atms or credit cards cannot be used/accessed) Money pouch

Alarm clock and torch/flashlight

Mosquito repellent

Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper

Lock for your bag or suitcase

Good hiking or walking shoes for optional walks in and

around the mountains.

We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt to

store your passport, air tickets, credit cards and cash. Avoid bringing valuable jewellery with you. Some hotels we use

have safety deposit boxes.

Updated on: 13th November 2017



what to take

We will be on the move a lot, so try to pack as lightly as possible. The smaller your bag in India the better, as the

various modes of transport we use tend to have limited

storage space.

India is very conservative and we ask that you dress

accordingly. As a guideline, shoulders and knees should

always be covered. The wearing of shorts is looked upon

by locals as akin to wearing your underwear and will limit

your entry into mosques, temples and other places of

worship. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool. Singlets, tank tops and shorts are not suitable

attire for India. We will be visiting some high altitude

regions on this trip, which despite it being summer can be

quite cold, particularly our overnight camping stop at

Sarchu, where the overnight temperature can get as low

as 0C (32F). Thermals and a warm windproof jacket are

recommended as are layers to keep warm.

Note that some Indian domestic airlines have recently

reduced their check-in baggage allowance to 15kg. If you have heavier luggage, you may need to pay the

excess at the airport for your internal flights. Excess

luggage charges range from around Rs300 (USD5) per

kilo.

laundry

Inexpensive laundry facilities are offered by most hotels we

use and are generally available wherever we have a two

night stop.

weather

The weather during our journey should be great. Daytime

temperatures will be warm, in the range 20-30 in the

mountains (hotter in Delhi). Night time temperatures will be

comfortable, and you will need to bring a jacket and

layers for the cooler evenings in the mountains and our

excursions to the high altitude passes. Rain is always a

possibility at this time of year, so bring an umbrella, and

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Ph: +91 95490 02876

ladakh kashmir trip notes 2018-2019...welcome to incredible indian tours’ top of the world -...

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