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Leh

Leh is the enchanting, laid-back, hassle-free capital of Ladakh. A tiny dot on the valley floor of the vast highland desert, framed by the stark Karakoram mountains and the snow-capped Himalayan range.

Leh is startlingly beautiful and inhabited predominantly by Buddhists, whose extraordinary way of life can be witnessed in the many gompas (Buddhist monasteries) in and around Leh. The Old Town is a fascinating place; intricate and meandering alleys and stairways delve between old crumbling mudbrick Ladakhi houses, stupas are scattered throughout, and the bustling bazaar is alive with restaurants and souvenir shops. Traditional Ladakhi homes feature thick sturdy walls, with flat roofs and ornate wooden window frames, and some of the older buildings have been beautifully restored, particularly the LAMO arts centre, housed in a pair of 17th century mansions whose original features have been painstakingly preserved.

Atop a steep rocky ridge is the imposing Tibetan-style Leh palace, an architectural icon which overlooks the town below. The sturdy fortress was built in the 17th century under the rule of King Singge Namgyal but has been unoccupied since 1846, when the Ladakhi royal family were stripped of their power and relocated to Stok. Today it houses exhibition spaces, but it is worth venturing to the 9th floor rooftop for the breathtaking views.

Just a short drive from Leh is the charming village of Stok at the foot of Stok Kangri, which at 6,120 metres is not Ladakh’s highest mountain, but one of its most beautiful. The village is home to Ladakh’s royal family and their stately three-storey Tibetan-style palace. It was built in 1820 by King Tsepal Namgyal fourteen years before they were exiled from their main palace in Leh. Today it remains their summer home, as well as an exhibition space to display family treasures.

Drive a little further beyond Stok into the Leh district, and you will reach Nimoo, a large village just 36 kilometres west of Leh in the Indus valley. Here, gushing streams and narrow footpaths intertwine, and meet at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers, and it is a great place for hiking trails and rafting. The village is characterised by impressive mountain scenery and is considered exceptionally fertile in Ladakhi terms – a lush green suburban patchwork of barley fields and apricot, apple and walnut orchards abound.

The very best time to visit Leh is during the summer months, but we also recommend any time in the first two weeks of September when the spectacular annual Ladakh Festival takes place: a vibrant display of dancing, sports, ceremonies and cultural exhibitions. Leh sits at a height of 3,500 metres, so we always advise a few days’ acclimatisation before one immerses in the area's adventure activities.

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I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
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Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
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- Leslie Siben, India
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
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We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
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- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
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