Himalayan Horizons: Yoga in Little Tibet

This journey is truly a blend of both! Each day will include yoga practices to anchor our presence and offer reflection—balanced with excursions that immerse us in the spiritual and cultural heart of Little Tibet. We’ll visit ancient monasteries, explore palaces, walk village trails, and connect with the rich traditions of Ladakh, all set against the majestic Himalayas.

Important Note on Altitude: Leh sits at ~11,500 feet (3,500 meters). Our itinerary is designed to allow for gradual acclimatization with built-in rest days. While activities are optional, a spirit of adventure and comfort with high altitude will enrich your experience.

Our curated ten-day itinerary will take you on a journey from Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, and then to the villages of Uletokpo and Saboo. You will also visit Gya, the oldest village in Leh Ladakh. Experienced local guides will be with us the entire time, offering us an insider's perspective on this unique region.

It's important to note that Ladakh is situated at a high altitude. Since it is normal for it to take some time to adjust to the altitude, we have created the itinerary accordingly with rest days factored in. Our first day will include a visit to Tsemo Monastery, at 3800 meters. On day two, our itinerary includes sightseeing at locations with lower altitudes than Leh, ensuring a gentle adjustment to the altitude. Our third day will take us to Uleytokpo, nestled at 3000 meters, where we will have two nights to better acclimatize. 

Altitude affects each person differently and has nothing to do with fitness level or age. How you will feel is difficult to predict unless you have been to altitude before. You may feel no discomfort at all or only slight lightheadedness. Common symptoms of altitude sensitivity include shortness of breath and difficulty with breathing; headaches; nausea; sleeplessness; and loss of appetite. 

Rest assured, your local leader, who will greet you upon arrival at Leh airport, will provide comprehensive briefings tailored to ensure your comfort and safety as you adjust to the altitude. The most important thing you can do upon arrival is to drink plenty of fluids: water, fruit juices, and herbal teas. It is good to stay away from caffeinated beverages or alcohol. Please consult with your physician about any questions or concerns you have about adjusting to high altitude and bringing medication such as Diamox (Acetazolamide) to offset the effects of altitude sickness.

We strongly recommend placing a deposit to secure your space on this trip as soon as possible. Given the complexity of this journey, there are multiple reservations that require significant advanced booking and financial commitments. These are made on your behalf (space permitting) as soon as you place your deposit. These types of reservations include but are not limited to multiple hotel bookings, domestic flights, airport transfers, transportation, and more. We will do everything we can to confirm all necessary reservations and permits however, we can not guarantee these arrangements without advanced booking. For questions please email [email protected].

We will be staying at a combination of 4 and 5 star hotels as well as luxury glamping accommodations chosen for their location, cleanliness, and quality of service throughout Delhi and Ladakh. After booking your spot on this retreat you will be provided with a detailed travel planner that includes further information about each hotel.

In July, Ladakh experiences its peak summer season. The weather during this month is generally warm and pleasant, especially during the daytime (68°F to 86°F). However, it can get quite cold at night (41°F to 50°F), so it's important to be prepared for a significant temperature drop after sunset.

For this program, you would fly into and out of Delhi (airport code: DEL). 

No, there are no group airfares, as we will have people joining us from all over the US, with some arriving early, some arriving late, some using miles, etc. We are happy to provide guidance and review any itineraries you find. Please contact us before purchasing flights, and as always, travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Domestic airfare is NOT included in the price, but we will take care of the booking for you so that we all travel together once we arrive in India. 

Yes, private airport transfers are included in the price of your trip. Whenever you arrive, day or night, you will be met by a private driver and transported to the group hotel. Note: if you arrive early and decide to stay at an alternate location other than our group hotel, you will be responsible for coordinating and paying for your own transportation directly with the hotel where you will be staying.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect both you and your investment. Unexpected events—such as personal emergencies, health issues, political or environmental factors, or weather disruptions—can arise and affect travel plans. 

For the maximum coverage, be sure to purchase your policy within 7–10 days of your initial deposit. Please note that, as we must adhere to our cancellation policy, you will be responsible for any costs if you choose not to have coverage. While we do not advise on specific policies, we recommend exploring options through the reputable travel insurance aggregator, InsureMyTrip. They can help you select a travel insurance provider and policy that best suits your needs.

Yes! The India visa process can often be a confusing and lengthy process, which is why we strongly suggest using a visa-processing service such as Travel Visa Pro, which can assist you in getting your visa in a fraction of the time for a nominal fee. If you prefer to do it on your own, you have a few options, listed in the travel planner which we will provide you when you register.

There are no required vaccinations for travel to India. However, there are some recommended (suggested) vaccinations given by the CDC. To see the complete list of what is recommended, please visit the CDC Website and consult with your primary care physician to make a decision on what is best for you.  

We get hundreds of travelers each year who go on retreat alone. If you are traveling without a friend or partner, but prefer to share your room, we will do our very best to match you with another traveler of the same gender! In the case that we are not able to match you with a roommate, a discounted single supplement fee will be applied to your balance. We will notify you of this and send you an updated invoice approximately 3-4 weeks prior to your departure.

If you are traveling solo and prefer to have your own space, we recommend booking a single room. Note that single rooms for this particular trip are quite limited and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

No, gratuities are not included in the total trip price. Tips are an essential part of the economy in India and are greatly appreciated. We suggest each traveler set aside $15 - $20 per day ($150 to $200 for the week) to divide amongst the housekeeping and restaurant staff as well as your local guides, drivers and your principal guide who will be with you for the entire duration of the trip.

Attendance varies from trip to trip, but 15-20 attendees are expected on this retreat.

Yes, all levels are welcome. You will find that wherever you are in your practice you will get just what you need out of the yoga classes on this retreat. International Yoga works only with experienced and extremely qualified teachers, which ensures that everyone's yoga needs will be met.

Yes, you will need to bring a mat and any props you require for your practice. There are many great travel yoga mats on the market. We recommend one that easily folds up that you can put in the bottom of your suitcase.

A $ 1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot on the trip. The final balance payment is due by March 11, 2026. If you cancel before the final balance deadline, we will refund any payments you have made, minus the non-refundable deposit. If you do not complete the payment on your own by that date, the card on file will be automatically charged your remaining balance. If you register for the trip after March 11, 2026, the full amount is due at the time of sign-up.  All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable after March 11, 2026. International Yoga must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred before the commencement of the retreat. Click here to view the Terms and Conditions to which you agree upon registration. 

If you wish to cancel your participation in this program, you must advise International Yoga in writing to: [email protected].