Heritage hotel
A quiet heritage property within walking distance of the old town.
All rides2027 · Dates to be announced
Hemis Festival & the Indus Monasteries
Twin sharing · Festival days included · GST extra. Private and tailor-made versions on request.
Overview
Masks, music and monasteries
Each summer, on the tenth day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar, Hemis Monastery honours Guru Padmasambhava with two days of masked dances in its great courtyard. Monks in brocade robes and painted masks re-enact old stories to the sound of long horns, cymbals and drums.
We plan the week around the festival dates — arriving early enough to acclimatise and staying on to explore the monasteries of the Indus valley with a local guide who can explain what you're seeing.
Day by day
The itinerary
7 days, Leh → Leh. Open a day for the route, travel time, stay and meals.
ArriveDays 1 – 2
Rest and Leh.
Day 1Arrive in LehRest
Route Leh airport → hotel
Travel 15 min
Stay Leh
Meals Dinner
Altitude 3,500 m
Rest and acclimatise.
Day 2Old LehPalace and stupa
Route Leh old town · Leh Palace · Shanti Stupa
Travel Short transfers
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,600 m
Walk the lanes of the old town, visit the palace and watch the sun set from Shanti Stupa.
The festivalDays 3 – 4
Two days at Hemis.
Day 3Hemis festival, day oneThe masked dances
Route Leh → Hemis → Leh
Travel 1 hr each way
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,650 m
Arrive early for a good spot in the courtyard and spend the day watching the dances unfold.
Day 4Hemis festival, day two & ThikseyDances and prayers
Route Leh → Hemis → Thiksey → Leh
Travel 2–3 hrs in total
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,650 m
A morning at the festival's second day, then on to Thiksey for its views and evening prayers.
The Indus valleyDays 5 – 7
Alchi, Lamayuru and home.
Day 5Likir & AlchiMurals and orchards
Route Leh → Basgo → Likir → Alchi
Travel 3 hrs
Stay Alchi
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,100 m
Basgo's ruined fort, Likir's great Buddha and a night among the apricot orchards of Alchi.
Day 6LamayuruThe moonland
Route Alchi → Lamayuru → Leh
Travel 5–6 hrs
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,500 m
Drive west to Lamayuru, one of Ladakh's oldest monasteries, set above strange eroded hills, then return to Leh.
Day 7Depart LehMorning flight
Route Hotel → Leh airport
Travel 15 min
Stay —
Meals Breakfast
Altitude 3,500 m
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Where you'll stay
Stays along the route
Chosen for warmth, cleanliness and character. Exact properties are confirmed when you book.
Orchard guesthouse
A family guesthouse among apricot trees by the Indus.
Dates & prices
Departures and prices
Prices are per person. Private journeys can start on any date in season.
| Departure | Type | Status | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemis festival 2027 | Small group · dates follow the Tibetan calendar | Dates awaited | Enquire |
| Festival dates, private | Private journey | Dates awaited | Enquire |
| Option | Indian residents | International |
|---|---|---|
| Small group, twin sharing | ₹54,000 | USD 920 |
| Private · 2 travellers | ₹78,000 | USD 1,320 |
Twin sharing · Festival days included · GST extra. Single rooms, upgrades and extra nights on request.
What's included
- 6 nights in Leh and Alchi
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- All transport in a private vehicle
- Local guide for monasteries and the festival
- Protected-area permits if required
- Oxygen and first-aid kit in the vehicle
Not included
- Flights to and from Leh
- Lunches and drinks
- Monastery entry and camera fees
- Travel and medical insurance (required)
- GST at 5%
Before you go
Good to know
Practical notes on altitude, kit, permits and connectivity for this journey.
Altitude and acclimatisation
Leh sits at about 3,500 m. Every Ladakh journey begins with at least two easy days there, and we gain height gradually after that. Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol for the first few days and tell your guide about any headache or breathlessness straight away.
Fitness
You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking for an hour or two on uneven ground at altitude. If you have a heart or lung condition, please speak to your doctor before booking.
Permits
Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle and other border areas need protected-area permits. We apply for them once we have copies of your ID — passport for foreign nationals, any government photo ID for Indian citizens.
Phones and connectivity
Most Indian prepaid SIMs don't work in Ladakh; postpaid connections on BSNL, Jio and Airtel usually do. Expect patchy signal outside Leh and limited Wi-Fi in remote areas.
Journey essentialsLeh → Hemis → Thiksey → Alchi → Lamayuru · Jun / Jul
Route notes: getting there & permits
Along the way
Photographs from the route
A few of the places you'll pass through.
Before you book
Questions we're often asked
When is the festival?
On the 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar, usually in late June or July. We confirm dates as soon as they're announced and open bookings then.
Will the great thangka be displayed?
The monastery's giant thangka is unrolled only once every twelve years, in the Tibetan Year of the Monkey — the next is expected in 2028.
Can I take photographs?
Usually yes in the courtyard, sometimes for a fee. No flash, and never step into the dance area.
Can I join as a solo traveller?
Yes. On small-group departures we pair solo travellers of the same gender in twin rooms, or you can pay a supplement for a room of your own.
How do I pay?
A 25% advance confirms your booking and the balance is due 30 days before you travel. We accept bank transfer, UPI and cards.
What if I need to cancel?
Our cancellation terms are set out on the booking terms page — the earlier you let us know, the more we can refund. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and high-altitude evacuation.
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Start planning
Ready for Hemis Festival Journey?
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll confirm availability, answer your questions and send a detailed quote.
