Berkeley, CA – September 22, 2025 – As part of its series of 2026 trip launches, Wilderness Travel – the leader in small-group adventures since 1978 – is expanding its presence in the Himalayas with two new itineraries. From remote, mountainous Ladakh to the ancient monasteries of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, these journeys blend breathtaking trekking routes with meaningful cultural immersion, offering guests the chance to experience the region’s towering landscapes and living traditions.
The 12-day Hiker’s Journey to Ladakh is a high-altitude adventure in one of India’s most dramatic landscapes, while the 15-day Treasures of Himalayas: Tibet, Nepal & Bhutan trip weaves together three mountain kingdoms and their religious traditions, bazaars, and cuisine.
“Many travelers look for deeper connections to the places they visit,” says Scott Abbott, managing director of Wilderness Travel. “These new trips weave together spectacular Himalayan scenery with cultural experiences that bring you closer to the heart of each destination – whether it’s walking the pilgrimage trails of Bhutan or watching pashmina wool dying in Ladakh.”
Explore the wonders of the Himalayas in 2026 (Wilderness Travel)
Awe-inspiring Ladakh is a vast moonscape of 20,000-foot peaks that surround stone-built villages and an ancient cultural heritage. In this Buddhist realm hidden in the Western Himalayas, this small-group guided adventure features hikes to traditional villages, visits to the grand hilltop monasteries of the Indus Valley (including the lovely Hemis Monastery, built in 1630), and explorations of the once forbidden Nubra Valley. Guests will also watch the sun set atop a massive statue of the Maitreya Buddha and witness the vibrant Phyang Tsedup Festival and its pilgrimage.
This 12-day journey is well-suited to culturally curious and active travelers who are prepared for moderate to strenuous daily activity. Elevations on this trip range from 10,680 to 17,580 feet, and average hiking/walking times each day are between two to four hours and on moderate trails that can be rocky and rugged.
- Departure: July 7-18, 2026
- Priced from $7,995 per person
Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Former Dalai Lama residence, now is a museum and World Heritage Site (Wilderness Travel)
Treasures of the Himalayas: Tibet, Nepal & Bhutan
From the chanting of maroon-robed monks at Buddhist temples to snow plumes trailing from high peaks to the vibrant traditions of Kathmandu Valley, this extraordinary 15-day cultural hiking journey brings you up-close with the sacred cultural heritages of these Himalayan mountain kingdoms.
Starting in Chengdu, China with a visit to the famous panda breeding center, guests then head to Lhasa, Tibet’s holy city, to walk alongside pilgrims. Next, the itinerary takes you to Nepal to explore Kathmandu’s narrow lanes, and then on to Bhutan to visit its iconic sites, including the famed monastic retreat called the “Tiger’s Nest,” one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world.
This trip is rated easy to moderate and while it’s not physically strenuous, elevations range from 4,000 to 13,700 feet and some travel days can be long and demanding.
- Departure: October 11-25, 2026
- Priced from $11,295 per person
For more information on the above trips, and to view Wilderness Travel’s full catalog of adventures, including its many new trips for 2026, please visit WildernessTravel.com.
