10 Days Luxury Adventures: Indian Himalayas Tour Package
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Priced From: $4,995 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Year Round

Day 1 - Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi this evening. You will be received at the airport by our local guide and taken to your hotel, the Imperial, the legendary art deco masterpeice.

Hotel: The Imperial
Meals: None

Day 2 - Delhi - Kathgodam

After a sumptuos breakfast this morning, enjoy a full day of exploring the contrasts of old and new Delhi. Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes and the Chandni Chowk. Transfer to the train stiton this evening for your overnight train to Kathgodam.

Hotel: Overnight Train
Meaals: BLD

Upgrade Alternative:

Rather than taking an overnight train, why not charter a small plane if you have a group of 6 or more? In this case, you would transfer to the airport for your chartered flight to Pantnagar (1 hour). On arrival you would be driven to the roadhead (4hrs) to begin the village walks. Setting off from the roadhead on the Kasar Devi Ridge, you begin by walking down through various villages. During the walk you will pass the traditional flour mills of the area. On arrival in Alai, you may like to learn some of the culinary skills of the region.

Hotel: Alai Village
Cost: Approximately $7,000 for a 9-passenger charter plane to and from Delhi

Day 3 - Alai

After arriving at the train staiton, you will be met and driven to the Almora region, from where the village walks will begin. Setting off from the roadhead on the Kasar Devi Ridge, you will begin by walking down through various villages. Following meandering streams through the valleys and traversing around the hills of pine (chir) forests. The relatively flat walk continues through this valley past the traditional flour mills of the area. On arrival in Alai, you may like to learn some of the culinary skills of the region as you watch the dinner being prepared by a cook from the village.

Hotel: Alai Village Guesthouse
Meals: BLD

Day 4 - Jwalabanj

The first part of today’s walk takes you through a canyon and forestry, crossing streams and fields as you go. The pace will be as fast or easy as you want, with plenty of chai (tea) stops and a break for a tasty picnic lunch. Taking you further through the hills, the final section takes you to the highest point of the walks. A traditional Kumaon dance will be performed for you this evening – a spectacle enjoyed by all. 

Hotel: Jwalabanj Village Guesthouse
Meals: BLD

Day 5 - Jwalabanj - Leti

On the final day, you set off on a gentle walk down the valley through the cedar forests, passing through terraced fields. Visit the Jageshwar temple complex and the Chitai temple. Jageshwar temple, built between the 8th and 12th Century A.D, provides further insight to the history of the area, while Chittai temple is a famous temple of Golu Devta (the God of Justice and particular to Kumaon). The temple is laden with petitions and bells of all shapes and sizes which have been brought by grateful devotees. You will then be driven 4.5 hrs to Leti, en-route stopping for a picnic lunch at a picturesque spot. On arrival at Leti, you will walk 1 hour to the camp. The camp itself sits high on a precipice offering majestic 360 degree views of lush mountainous landscapes and snow-capped peaks. Built with local materials and age-old techniques, the camp blends aesthetically with its surroundings, creating a harmonious and peaceful environment. It's the height of luxury with an authentic Himalayan feel. 

Hotel: 360° Leti
Meals: BLD

Day 6, 7 & 8 - Leti

Choose to occupy your days here as you see fit. If staying active is your thing, you can fill the days with a variety of guided treks in the mountains or you can descend to the river below for some of the most scenic fly fishing in the world. You can even take along a custom-packed gourmet picnic and enjoy alfresco dining, Himlaya-style. Whether you're an early bird who enjoys a good pre-dawn walk or a more laid-back rambler looking for an afternoon stroll, the lovely staff will make suggestions to cater to all levels of ability. You may want to relax, but some of the walks and the stunning picture opportunities that come with them are worth the effort. The lovely, individual en-suite rooms are built into the mountainside and feature some truly special touches like private decks with fire places. If you want more company, you can relax round the open fire in the communal living room or dine on local gourmet fare accompanied by fine wines. It's the little touches at 360 Leti that really caught our attention: hot water bottles at bedtime and a steaming flask of freshly brewed tea upon waking. 

Hotel: 360° Leti
Meals: BLD 

Day 9 - Leti - Nainital - Train

After breakfast, you will walk back to the roadhead and then be driven to Nainital (5.5 hours). The rest of the day is at leisure, until your transfer to the train station at Kathgodam for your return train trip to Delhi. 

Hotel: Overnight Train
Meals: BLD

Day 10 - Delhi departure

This morning you will be met at the train station and transfered to your day room to freshen up. The rest of the morning is at leisure, then in the afternoon you will explore New Delhi, whose formal splendour is in stark contrast to Old Delhi. It is a city of wide boulevards, which offers ever changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens) and India Gate. Later in the evening, transfer to the International airport for your flight home. 

Meals: BL

Tour Accommodations

The Imperial Hotel, Delhi.

First among the legendary "Four Maidens of the East", The Imperial was the only hotel provided by Sir Edwin Lutyen in his grand design for New Delhi. Built in 1933, the hotel has a somewhat unconventional style and design; a mixture of old colonial and Victorian with a dose of art-deco.
indian village guest houses walking himalayan spa  

Kuoman Village Guesthouses

Each comfortable village house can accommodate 4 people at any one time, but some rooms are adjoining. The rooms are decorated in colourful Himalayan village style decor. The bathing hut has a traditional hot water bucket bath and the adjoining loo is a proper western-style facility. Full Board basis including all meals and drinks (soft and alcohol)
360 leti conde nast hot list lodge india luxury
360 leti western bathroom luxe lodgings india spa  

360°Leti

An innovative language of architecture that combines age-old local building techniques with contemporary design and structural technologies, set in a stunning mountain wilderness at 8,000 feet, 360° Leti is a place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, peace and astonishingly beautiful landscape to work their magic around you.

With only four private guest cottages and a main lounge-dining area, 360° Leti provides an exclusive mountain experience – the first and only place of its kind in the Himalaya. Indoors, there's gourmet cooking and fine wine, as well as beds adorned with pashmina blankets and fluffy duvets. Outdoors there are mountain walks (with private guides), delicious picnics, fabulous views, just chilling out in planter’s chairs – and, if you wish, yoga and meditation sessions by arrangement.

12/09