Learn more

Back to Itineraries
From $ 5,464 per person

Journey into Ladakh

India
14 days (13 nights)
Leaving the well-worn tourist trail behind, you’ll venture deep into the Himalayan north of India in Ladakh. Boasting a landscape of high-altitude desert, rust-hued mountainsides, crystalline rivers and distinctive wildlife. Ladakh’s warm, time-honoured culture fuses deep spirituality with vibrant traditions.

This sample itinerary shows how one trip can combine engaging with remote mountain communities, attending prayers at hilltop Buddhist gompas and crossing high mountain passes.

Inspired? Tell us what you most want to see or do, and we’ll design a bespoke itinerary built around your own highlights.

On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met by a private driver and driven through the vibrant bustle of the city to your hotel. If time allows, visit the nearby war memorial of India Gate and towering minaret of Qutub Minar.
See
  • India Gate, Qutub Minar
An early morning flight north sees you soaring over the Himalayas and touching down amidst ochre-hued mountains and verdant valleys. Your private driver will take you to your hotel, where you can rest and acclimatise to the high altitude
Once your body has gently adjusted, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the unique Tibetan culture in the old town of Leh, wandering the former royal palace and soaking in the panoramic views over the town from the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery.
See
  • Leh old town walking tour, Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

Experience close-knit Ladakhi life in two Himalayan villages today. Have your camera ready as Nimoo is known for its stunning beauty as the confluence point of two majestic Himalayan rivers, the Indus and the Zanskar, which dramatically merge colours between rust-coloured mountains.

See
  • Guided village walk, Nimoo
A deep dive into some of the most ancient sites of Ladakh today, from isolated, rock-cut meditation spaces to mud-carved temple complexes, Kashmiri influenced monasteries adorned with historic paintings to 25-foot-tall Buddha statues; plus, a gastronomic Ladakhi feast at a local kitchen.
See
  • Basgo Fort, Saspol Caves, Likir Monastery, Alchi Monastery, Alchi Kitchen
Today you’ll experience the extraordinary eponymous serenity of Chilling Sumdo Village, an oasis of verdant green in the Zanskar valley, bordered by barren biscuit-coloured mountains. You’ll be free to wander the village before enjoying a packed picnic beside the Zanskar.
See
  • Chilling Sumdo Village, Zanskar picnic
Welcome to the ancestral home of the Ladakh royal family. You’ll tour the 19th century palace with its Tibetan and Ladakhi architectural influences, before heading to Stok Gompa’s stunning murals and spending the afternoon immersing yourself in village culture.
See
  • Stok Palace, Stok Monastery, Stok Village culture walk
Today, en route to Nubra, you’ll cross one of the highest driveable mountain passes in the world, Khardung La Pass. The summit views are awe-inspiring, spanning the tips of the Ladakh and Karakoram ranges and down over the endlessly zig-zagging road.
See
  • Khardung La Pass
Verdant fertile pastures, scattered traditional villages, rolling dunes of cold-desert sand and plenty of Bactarian camels await you in the Nubra Valley today. Ahead of a visit to the 14th century Diskit Monastery, with its 32m Maitreya Buddha statue
See
  • Nubra Valley tour, Diskit Monastery
Today you’ll visit the most northerly village in India, Turtuk. You’ll have the day to immerse yourself in the unique history and traditions of the Balti people who live in this remote outpost and share an authentic, local lunch.
See
  • Turtuk Village
Crossing Wari-La Pass, reputedly the most beautiful in Ladakh, you’ll pause at Shayok Village, a traditional settlement on the banks of the Shayok River, before continuing to Shey for an evening riverside amble beneath summits ablaze with a sunset glow.
See
  • Shayok Village, Shey riverside walk
An early start and a sensorial feast, sharing prayers at Thiksey Monastery where chanting reverberates through the ancient walls and incense wafts on the cold mountain air. Later, you’ll visit the opulent Hemis Monastery and the vast Buddha statue of Shey Monastery.
See
  • Thiksey Monastery morning prayers, Hemis Monastery, Shey Monastery
A contemplative day to absorb all you have seen. Wander the village, revisit the Shay Gompa or simple sink into the spirituality and beauty of this Himalayan village, which was once the official ‘summer capital’ of Ladakh.
Today you’ll take your return flight to Delhi where you can connect to your onward flight home. Time to write up your travel journal and decide where to explore next.

Does this sound like the ideal adventure for you?

Tailor-made holidays designed for adventure, relaxation, and memories that last

Let's get planning

What our travellers say

If Red Dot ever ceased to exist and I wanted to return to Sri Lanka I would probably go somewhere else instead. They were, in every way shape and form, impeccable. From Samanthie who created the itinerary to Wicky who drove us here, there and everywhere I cannot imagine anybody doing it better. Impeccable. I need say no more except it doesn’t get any better.
Stuart (March 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
We chose this company as we wanted our money to benefit the people of Sri Lanka rather than international companies. Their work supports smaller businesses, projects and communities as well as the environment
Jessica E (August 2025) London, UK Read the whole review here Feefo
Our 11th visit to this magical Island with always something new to discover and see. This time we made it up north to Jaffna, via Mannar Island, after beginning in the tea country and acclimatising to the heat, after leaving a very cold UK in January. We had total confidence that RedDot would organise everything to perfection, having used them many times before
Roy L (March 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Feefo
We had a fantastic holiday. The itinerary and choice of hotels was spot on, and seamlessly organised.
Charlotte (August 2024) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Exceptional tour of Sri Lanka with Dami. We cannot recommend Dami at Red dot tours highly enough. As our guide over 9 days he made sure that our trip to Sri Lanka was unforgettable- always going above & beyond to impart his knowledge, show us things off the beaten track, looking after us, getting us to try many local delicacies & making us laugh .. a LOT. Cannot imagine anyone doing a better job- if we could take him with us on every holiday we would!
Sarah (July 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Feefo
Dulmini did a great job listening to our wishes and arranged an itinerary that was very busy but met all our needs. Sisira, our guide, was outstanding, providing us with great local knowledge and suggesting other activities on our travels. He was a great driver on the busy Sri Lankan roads, was always punctual but above all added colour to the whole trip.
Malcolm (April 2024) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
I cannot recommend Red Dot Tours more highly. Thank you so much to Samanthie for her patience with me and all her hard work at putting together the perfect itinerary for my family. I had done a lot of research before I contacted Red Dot and Samanthie created a tour that fitted in all the activities we wanted to do and secured the hotels I told her we would like to stay in (not easy to do in high season).
Nina (July 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Wow what can I say, from start to finish we have had a wonderful holiday with Red Dot Tours. Dulmini was so helpful in putting an itinerary together for us as a family of 6 and catering to all of our needs. We have ticked off so many of Sri Lanka’s beautiful sights during our trip. Dulmini and Dhanu were a great help to us while we were out on our travels too.
Anupa (July 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here TripAdvisor
We spent 13 days on a Bawa tour with wonderful driver and guide Manjula, including Kandalama Heritance, The Kandy House, The Last House, Jetwing Yala, Jetwing Lighthouse and Club Villa hotels. We are 3 friends, one of them in the wheelchair. Dulmini Ekanayake from Red Dot Tours was very helpful and very patient and found solutions to all our special demands.
Rene (March 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
The itinerary was absolutely perfect and the hotels wonderful, especially Thotalagala, The Warden’s House and 41 Lighthouse Street. Our driver, Indika, was a delight-charming, knowledgeable, considerate and always punctual; he showed us more of this amazing country than we could have hoped for!
Karen - United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Wanted to take a moment to thank RedDot Tours, and specifically Jayandi for helping book a wonderful family vacation for my family and I. First time for my family and Jayandi took care of every detail, was so courteous and professional, and genuinely cared about our experience in SL. I would also like to mention Pradeep, our kind and understanding guide/chauffeur who took such good care of us while we were out and about. I cannot recommend RedDot enough!
Bob (November 2024) United States Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
We used Red Dot for the first time for our holiday in Sri Lanka. Dulmini put together such a wonderful experience for us, creating an itinerary she drew up after many discussions about what we like and also gave us suggestions for excursions and activities. It was totally bespoke and we were able to make changes throughout this process.
Gill (March 2025) Kent, United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
This is an excellent tour company. They planned our Sri Lankan holiday from start to finish. The trip was initially planned for 2022 but due to Covid and other issues we didn’t manage to undertake the trip until this year. Throughout all this time we had the same travel advisor Lahiru who responded quickly to my emails and rearranged and adjusted our holiday each year!
Anne (January 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
As a group of 8 we have had the most fabulous tour of Sri Lanka organised by Dulmini from RedDot who totally understood my brief of "some" culture, agriculture, nature, trekking and relaxation. The hotels chosen were a wonderful mixture of homestay, tented and pure luxury (Ceylon Tea Trails). The experiences to local villages, trekking the Pekoe Trail and climbing Pidurangala were memorable and our wonderful guide, Ananda, was so informative and knowledgeable and adapted to our needs admirable (not easy with a group of 8)
Anna (February 2025) United Kingdom Read the whole review here Tripadvisor
Red Dot Testimonial

How it works

Booking with us is simple

Contact Us
Drop us a line through our website or give us a call - just let us know how you'd prefer to connect. Video call over coffee? A telephone conversation? Or maybe just a quick WhatsApp? Whatever works best for you.
Our Conversation
We'll ideally have a detailed chat to get to know how you love to travel. What gets you excited? Where have you already explored? We'll share some ideas and start crafting something that's perfectly you.
Itinerary Planning
This is where the magic happens - we'll put together your bespoke itinerary and send it over to you by email. Every detail tailored to make your heart sing.
Place a Deposit
Love what you see? Brilliant! Just a small deposit and we'll get everything confirmed for you.
Final Documents and Tips
As your adventure gets closer, we'll send you everything you need - through our handy app or by email, whatever you prefer. You'll be all set.
Return
Come home feeling absolutely inspired and wonderfully restored. And when you're ready for your next adventure? We'll be here, probably already bursting with ideas for you.
Cherylle, Travel Consultant

Meet our experts

Speak to our India experts to help you plan your trip

Ready to experience the real India? Our specialists have travelled from the bustling streets of Jaipur to the backwaters of Kerala, uncovering experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist trail. They'll understand what draws you to India and craft something that's entirely your own. Ready to start planning? Get in touch and let's design your incredible Indian journey.

Choose your adventure

Speak to one of our team to get started. After all, your travel journal won’t write itself.

Let's get planning