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Spend one night bush camping in one of the most remote parts of India, feeling like you are just a mere speck in a place that time forgot, surrounded by breathtaking and awe inspiring mountainous vistas. Travel rugged and bone jarring roads that seem to go on forever. Wander koras with Buddhist pilgrims, be bustled along with hordes of Hindu pilgrims and finish up in Delhi… absolutely teeming with humanity.

Day 1: Meet in Leh
BOA recommends you arrive at least two days before our scheduled start date, for two reasons, A: to acclimatise and B: to explore Leh! We can recommend our joining hotel for your stay.

Altitude approximately 3500m, Leh is nestled in a side valley just to the north of the Indus Valley. Art and craft shops are to be found in the main bazaar, and Leh is dominated by the dilapidated nine-storey Leh Palace (miniature Potala) and the Victory Fort. The old town is a maze of alleyways and the houses are stacked with dry wood and dung to use as fuel in the long winter months. A mosque and important Buddhist carvings and several gompas are all of interest. The first day of the trip, we will explore the surrounding countryside of Leh in the BOA truck, including an excursion to La Khadung Pass, which is allegedly the highest driveable pass in the world. It’s reported to be at an altitude of over 5600m, though many dispute this fact. Over night Leh.

Days 2-3: Leh enroute to Keylong.
When we leave Leh you will see the last of the magnificent gompas, and then begin the steep drive to Tanglang La (5328m). The road then flattens out along the Morey plain, and then descends through a series of gorges to Pang. Lachlung La (5060m) is the second highest pass on this road, and after Sarchu it is a short climb to Baralacha La (4883m) pass. The road then follows the Bhaga and Chandra Rivers in to Keylong.

Somewhere along this stretch of road we will have a bush camp and all of us will spend the night in our tents. We would have already picked up our cook and supplies in Leh and the cook will prepare our food for us until we arrive in Keylong where we drop him off. Many hands make light work and a little bit of help from volunteers would be much appreciated by our cook. Over night Bush camp (day 2) and Keylong (day 3). Total drive time fifteen to seventeen hours (400km).

Day 4: Keylong to Manali.
Keylong is the administrative centre of the region. The road to Manali climbs steadily, and at Sissu there is a waterfall set under spectacular peaks. Rohtang La (3978m) marks the start of the descent in to Manali. We will most probably encounter a severe and frustrating high altitude traffic jam on Rohtang La. Over night Manali. Drive time seven to nine hours (120km).

Day 5: Manali.
A popular resort town for the locals. Mano Maharishi Temple and several after temples are interesting for tourists to visit. Shawl emporiums, and Tibetan Handicraft shops, and thangkas are for sale in the Underground and NAC Markets. Manali used to have a reputation as a bit of a hippy hangout… the countryside produced ‘charas’ which was of quite desirable quality! It now has a reputation for being the gateway for many adventure activities including mountaineering and trekking. Over night Manali.

Day 6: Manali to Shimla.
This area is dominated by a number of tall peaks, and Manali is at the northern end of the Kullu Valley and the road follows the Beas River to Mandi. This town has a large Sikh community with more than 80 temples dotted around the hillside. If we time it right, we’ll stop at Mandi for lunch. At Naldehra there is a golf course, which is one of the oldest and highest in the world; from this area to Shimla there are a number of interesting villages and resorts. Over night Shimla. Drive time seven to nine hours (250km).

Day 7: Shimla 
Shimla almost has a European look and feel about it. At one time it was part of the Nepali Kingdom and received few visitors until it was ‘discovered’ by the British in 1819. In 1864 Shimla became the Summer capital of India. Until 1939 the entire government of India would migrate to Shimla’s cool heights for Summer. Post Independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab, but in 1966 it became capital of Himachal Pradesh. Nestled amongst hills covered with pine trees, sprawling Shimla has stunning views all the way to the Himalaya from where we have come. The Viceregal Lodge and surrounding Botanical Gardens, Christ Church and Jakhu Temple are all worth visiting. The Himachal Emporium has a collection of local handicrafts. The Tibetan Refugee Handloom Shop sells carpets, clothes and other Tibetan crafts. Lahkar Bazaar is Shimla’s main souvenir market. Over night Shimla.

Day 8: Shimla to Rishikesh.
Nahan is a historical town packed with crumbling temples and an interesting bazaar, Paonta Sahib has an impressive Sikh temple on the bank of the holy Yamuna River and Dehra Dun is the capital of Uttarranchal. We pass through all of these cities today. Over night Rishikesh. Drive time seven to nine hours (250km).

Day 9: Rishikesh.
Rishikesh is said to be the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Situated on the banks of the Ganges and surrounded on three sides by hills, it’s conducive to meditation. There are many ashrams in this area with aspiring students and yoga devotees from all over the world converging here. The Lakshman Jhula suspension bridge crossing the Ganges affords views of the huge 13 storey temples of Swarg Niwas and Shri Trayanbakshwar. It is interesting to be at the Triveni Ghat at dawn when people make offerings of milk to the river and feed the fish. At different times of the year, the Hindu pilgrims flock to Rishikesh… though there is always a smattering of them around the place. After sunset priests place floating lamps on the water in the Ganga Aarti ceremony. If one decides to take a dip in the Ganges here… beware, although the river is clean, it flows very fast and many people have gone in and not come back out. Over night Rishikesh.

Day 10: Drive day to Delhi. End of trip.
We finally return to the plains of India today and re-join the masses in Delhi! Before arriving in Delhi, we pass through Hardiwar which is where the Ganges emerges from the Himalayas. Hardiwar is one of the most sacred cities in India for Hindus, pilgrims flock here all year round to bathe in the Ganges which is crystal clear and very cold! We also pass through Meerut, location of the 1857 uprising against the British.

Our drop off point in the late afternoon or early evening is the Good Times Hotel in Karol Bagh. Drive time seven to nine hours (250km).

Included:     

• hassle free overland transportation in a cool Mercedes Benz vehicle
• a western leader/driver
• a really unique itinerary and all logistical support
• drinking water and battery charging facilities
• choice of accommodation: hotel or use our tents
• truck kitchen/cooking facilities available and heaps of personal storage space
• a cook and meals whilst bush camping between Leh and Keylong
• a well stocked library and games locker
• first aid kit with oxygen
• any applicable permits

Not included:

• hotel/guesthouse stays
• entrance fees/guides
• meals or drinks (Apart from drinking water)
• personal expenses
• personal insurance (this is a must guys!!)
• visas
• airport transfers