Archive for the ‘Himalayas’ Category
Last post, I was excited to announce our newest women-only tour: Colors of India. Just a few days ago, we also added a new Featured Tour: Legacy of Leh/Ladakh. Ladakh is a remote region in Northern India, located between the Himalayan and Kunlin mountain ranges. Historically a Buddhist kingdom, Ladakh was strategically placed at the crossroads of major trading routes. The region is commonly called “Little Tibet” and many travelers have discovered this destination as an alternative to visiting the disputed territory of Tibet.
Lamayuru Monastery
Start your 8-day journey in Delhi, visiting the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, and Humayun’s Tomb . Then, fly to Leh and experience one of the few remaining abodes of Buddhism in South Asia. Here are just a few highlights:
- Hemis, the largest monastery in Ladakh
- Leh Palace, modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa
- Thiksey, an 800 year old gompa with panoramic views of the Indus Valley
- Lamayuru Monastery, currently housing 150 resident monks
To spotlight this spectacular region, reserve Legacy of Leh/Ladakh during the month of February and receive $50 off registration. For more information on Leh, check out our February edition of The Sodha Traveler.
Tibetan Prayer Flags in Leh
Our June Featured Tour is the popular Ganges River Rafting and Elephant Safari! Spend 9 days/8 nights on an adventure itinerary that also incorporates bonfires, cliff jumping, and hiking an ancient pilgrim route to Badrinath.
Ganges Rafting
Originating in the Himalayas, the Ganges is an ideal river for rafting in India. Its many tributaries add to the volume of water while its step and pool make it one of the safest expeditions. Additionally, the Ganges is considered the most sacred river in India, worshipped by Hindus as Mother Ganga. Together with an elephant safari in Corbett National Park, one of India’s legendary wildlife reserves, enjoy an extraordinary journey through the foothills of Northern India. Reserve this package in the month of June and receive $100 off per person! Please note: the Grades are II, III, IV and the rafting season is September – May.
On November 11, 2011 at 11:11 am, a field of Bhutanese and international runners will participate in the inaugural Bhutan Himalayan Marathon. This event offers athletes a unique opportunity to experience the Kingdom of Bhutan on a 26.2 mile course in the shadows of the highest mountains in the world. The country fiercely regulates inbound tourism in an effort to protect its culture and environment, and international registration is only open to 150 runners.
Tiger's Nest. Photo Courtesy of Susan Anderson.
Here are the course details, as posted on the official marathon website:
The marathon begins and ends in the heart of Thimphu at Changlimithag Stadium, the scene of a battle in the early 20thcentury that lead to the rule of King Ugyen Wangchuck and the establishment of the current monarchy.
The route circles Thimphu, passing the Memorial Chorten, honoring the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Tashichhoedzong, a combination Buddhist monastery, government center and fortress, India House and the royal residences.
Leaving the city, runners head north along the Thimphu River toward the Himalayas, with water prayer wheels and prayer flags sprinkled throughout the Blue Pine forest. At the base of the high Himalayas and with a stunning view of the Chargi Monastery, the route turns back toward Thimphu. The return portion of the route is on trails and passes through several small villages. Returning to Thimphu, the route circles the town again and ends back at Changlimithag Stadium.
Interested in joining this inaugural event? Our Bhutan tour packages can include the marathon registration, based on availability, so please contact us to register!
Thank you to all who participated in voting for our newest tour! The winner – by only one vote – is Splendors of Leh/Ladakh.
Recently,I wrote about Leh/Ladakh being awarded the #1 Destination in India in the Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. Why the popularity? Many travelers are now choosing Leh/Ladakh as an alternate destination to Tibet. One of our clients, Lauren R., explains why she selected Leh for her recent vacation:
I was always fascinated by Tibetan culture and had planned a trip to Tibet. However, the constant border closures made me nervous. I read an article on Ladakh in a travel magazine and was instantly intrigued. There were no additional visas, no border concerns, and it was an easy flight from Delhi. It was so different than any other part of India I had visited. The extensive history and religion mirrored that of Tibet and I am so glad to have made the trip.
As a thank you, Sodha Travel will be sending each voting participant an exclusive discount toward any future tour to Leh/Ladakh. We appreciate your contribution!
Recently, Trip Advisor posted the Traveler’s Choice Awards Top 25 Destinations in India. I particularly love reviewing an award list when selected by everyday travelers. Admittedly, I expected to see a few of the destinations, including #2 Varanasi, #9 Jaipur, #12 Udaipur, and #16 Goa. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see #3 Manali, #11 Hampi, #15 Shimla, and #25 Kodaikanal.
The #1 destination was Leh, the capital of Ladakh. And so it seems this hidden treasure is now becoming a popular haven for travelers! Back in 2009, I wrote about Leh’s untouched splendor in Destination: Ladakh. Over the past couple years, we have seen quite a surge in the interest to experience this remote region in Jammu and Kashmir.
I was also happy to see Darjeeling awarded as the #4 destination. Many travelers are quite familiar with the Darjeeling tea varieties but seldom include a visit to this Himalayan region that blends Indian, Tibetan, Nepali, and Bengali traditions. I have discussed the attractions of Darjeeling in many of our posts, and our Eastern Odyssey tour is featured in our most recent video, An Indian Experience.
One year from now, I will be interested to review the 2012 awarded destinations and compare the trends of travelers worldwide!