Have a mystical experience on
the roof of the world!

A Himalayan Yoga Adventure in Ladakh
June 8 – 18, 2024 | $3,295 USD

Have a mystical experience on the roof of the world!

Watch the Cham Dance Festival at Hemis Monastery

Roadtrip over Khardungla, the highest motorable pass in the world

Deepen your yoga practice and learn about Buddhist dharma

Spin Tibetan prayer wheels and sit in meditation with monks

Hike through a high-altitude desert, surrounded with snow-capped peaks and dotted with remote Buddhist temples

Ladakh gallery

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What you’ll experience

The Yoga Adventure in Ladakh is an authentic journey into yoga practice, Buddhist dharma and Ladakhi culture situated in awe-inspiring landscapes where you can relax in pure nature. The tour is open to all levels of practitioner – yoga and Buddhist – and does not require previous experience.

Ladakh is between the highest mountains in the world – the Himalayas in the South and the Karakoram in the North. You will visit impressive Buddhist temples with extraordinary murals and deities, watch a sacred Cham dance at Hemis Monastery, receive blessings and teachings from Rinpoches, a drive over Khardungla, the highest motorable pass at 5,430 m, to explore the high altitude desert in the Numbra Valley surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Karakoram range and a mountain landscape dotted with Buddhist monasteries. Himalaya means ‘abode of snow’. We will wander through small villages, experience the gentle flow of rural life and meet friendly and hospitable local people.

The thread of this unique Himalayan pilgrimage is the Yoga and you will practice daily meditation, pranayama and asana, as well as receive Buddhist teachings continuously as we travel to sacred sites in Ladhak. Buddhist holy places are charged with divine presence. They are the abodes of the Gods. These mysterious power places open up a space within us where we may connect to our own divine essence. Ladakh is an inspiring destination that will leave you feeling nurtured, peaceful and serene.

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Where you’ll stay

We’ll stay in hand-picked, boutique and heritage hotels located in four locations so you will experience different areas of Ladakh. Ule Ethnic Resort is a peaceful place set on the cliffs beside the Indus River in the Sham Valley. In the remote Nubra Valley, Lchang Nang Retreat (House of Trees), is an eco resort, fully solar powered, set amidst an orchard of elm, apricot, and apple trees, further blessed by the continuous flow of the Siachen river.

Fana Resort is located in the picturesque village of Sakti, surrounded by majestic mountains, wildflower meadows, pristine rivulets and blue skies and is a perfect place for visitors looking to relax, unwind and escape from their otherwise hectic and stressful lives. Rabsal House is small charming boutique house in Leh built in a very simple traditional Ladakhi Architecture. In each location you will awaken to the peaceful sound of birdsong and awe-inspiring views of Himalayan peaks in these serene natural environments. We’ll eat delicious local vegetarian cuisine, and dress and behave respectfully in accordance with local custom.

Is this experience for you?

If you have an interest in yoga, Buddhism, Ladakh or mountain culture, this Yoga Adventure is for you! It’s great if you’re interested in spiritual practice and have a regular asana practice, but beginner’s are welcome too. You need to be fit enough to hike a couple of hours each day and to deal with high altitudes. Ladakh is on the roof of the world. Dharma practitioners, artists, sculptors, and photographers are all welcome. This adventure is ideal for yoga teachers who want to integrate yoga philosophy and texture into your teachings, or for academics and scholars who want to embody the theory into a living practice. A curious mind and a desire to experience the wider realms of yoga are essential.

About the yoga practice

Heather Elton and has led international yoga retreats in India and Nepal for over decade. She believes the Himalayas are the most authentic places to practice yoga in that ancient yoga traditions are still alive here. This realisation led to the creation of Himalayan Yoga Adventures in 2014.  Heather began her practice of Modern Postural Yoga in the 1986 and has taught yoga for close to 2 years. She is also a Buddhist practitioner and has travelled extensively in Himalayan regions. Heather is the main teacher on the journey and teaches Pranayama, Meditation and Asana as well as Tools of Tantra. Hatha Vinyasa Yoga is taught in a way that integrates ancient wisdom traditions with contemporary psychology into a mindful practice designed to diminish suffering in our lives.

The ‘Tools of Tantra’ section of the program includes basic techniques of spiritual practice:  How to use a mala, recite a mantra, spin prayer wheels, walk the Kora. Practice Tantric visualisations of prana/nadis/bindu and chakra meditations to deepen your understanding of the subtle energy body. Experience darshan and learn how to enter a temple in a respectful way and what to do inside. Make an offering to the deity. Receive darshan, puja and blessings. Respectful conduct in the presence of realised beings.

For details about Heather see here.

Participants’ experience

“Only one problem! It was so good gotta go back.“
“I have never before witnessed such a beautiful country. The Bhutanese people shine with the energy coming from the nature all around them. 10 days with Heather was a fantastic way to experience this nature, cultural heritage and religion, with clear perception from practicing yoga and meditation all the way.”

– Pete Lausberg

“Bhutan with Heather was the ultimate life experience!”
“I felt fully immersed and it sunk deep into my heart to take back home. Heather and Sacred Himalayan Travel put on the most memorable visits and incredible picnic lunches… Bhutan is an exceptionally beautiful and unspoiled country, and Heather’s knowledge and passion brings out the best it has to offer, as well as guiding you into a deeper practice of yoga, meditation and Buddhism. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Heather for organising such a magical and memorable trip.”

– Varvara Dranidis-Morgan

“The perfect balance of asana and philosophy”
“Heather is an outstanding yoga teacher. She is authentic with a strong approach and style of teaching. Our group was a mixed level group and Heather excelled at teaching to all levels. I’m a yoga teacher and am very impressed with how Heather handled the group. By the end of the week, everyone’s practice had evolved and deepened. She is open and friendly. Heather provided the perfect balance of asana and philosophy. Every thing she taught was relevant and interesting. Heather is an excellent instructor and she very quickly became familiar with each of us, our abilities, limitations and levels of expertise. She understands alignment principles and her adjustments were spot on. I really enjoyed the way she conducted each class and I particularly enjoyed the
sequencing. She is concise, competent, and supportive yet firm. She created an atmosphere of trust and we all bonded as a group from the first day. It was truly a memorable week.”

– Connie Muradyan

“She speaks truth to what is.”
My yoga teacher from Nepal has created an authentic yoga journey in Bhutan. Go if you are called to exploring the roots of Buddhism, yoga and meditation. Go if you are curious about where you are capable of reaching in this life. Go if you are seeking exploration outside of this modern, West, consumerist, white supremacist, patriarchal worldview. She is a true yogi, has dedicated her life to study and practice with gurus; she is the real deal when it comes to teachers who can facilitate spiritual growth and curiosity because she has first faced herself, she has looked inward and done the work for decades. She speaks truth to what is.

“A life-changing journey”
“I feel like this is the beginning of the rest of my life. I’ve taken that first, very difficult step, on a very long road. I’ll be eternally grateful for the support and guidance you’ve shown me in making a life-changing journey.”

– Sarah Osborne

Your investment

Dates: June 8 – 18, 2024

Cost: $3,295

Single Supplement: $500 USD

The Yoga Adventure in Ladakh is produced in partnership with Mantra Himalaya in Leh. Jigmet Wangchuk is happy to arrange your international flights and further travels in Ladakh.

Inclusions and exclusions

Trip includes

  • 10 nights in handpicked heritage and boutique hotels; twin sharing room.
  • Three vegetarian meals per day
  • Assistance from arrival until departure
  • Welcome by your travel representative upon your arrival at the airport.
  • Daily meditation and yoga classes with Heather Elton (Please note that there are no proper yoga studios in Ladakh. We will do the best we can given the circumstances in each location.)
  • English speaking senior travel guide to accompany tour leader
  • Transfers from airports to hotels in Leh
  • Transport by min-bus in Ladakh
  • Entry fees for temples, monuments and museums in Ladakh
  • Heritage Walk of Leh Old Town
  • Alchi specialist
  • Chemrey scholar
  • Government taxes and service taxes
  • Environmental fee
  • Oxygen cylinder in car
  • GST as applicable

Trip excludes

  • India Tourist Visa
  • International airport taxes
  • International flight
  • Domestic flights (Domestic flight schedules may be delayed or changed without notice.) Also, note that domestic flights do not include the same baggage allowance as your international flight. Any extra baggage will be at your expense.
  • Medical or Travel Insurance (we always recommend)
  • Costs towards evacuation of customers for medical or any other reason
  • Expenses arising from unexpected fuel hikes, and any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
  • Any meals/services not mentioned above
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Optional excursions or spa treatments
  • Personal expenses (telephone calls, laundry, shopping, massage etc.)
  • Personal items or souvenirs
  • Tips. Tipping is part of Ladakhi culture and are appreciated by Rinpoches, scholars, guides, drivers, waiters, etc.
  • Please note that it’s recommended to spend three nights in Delhi. One on arrival day with a flight to Leh the following day, and two nights at the end of the tour. Two nights are recommended on the return trip in case your Leh to Delhi flight is cancelled due to weather. We will send you a list of recommended hotels.

Mantra Himalayan and Heather Elton Yoga reserve the right to change, alter or cancel a trip due to any reason which might not be in the best interest of your safety, like dangerous water levels, landslides and extreme weather conditions etc.