Himalayan treks & tours from South Africa
Ladakh, Spiti, Manali and Kedarkantha for South African travellers — with prices in ZAR
Johannesburg and Durban connect to Delhi in about 13–14 hours via the Gulf or East Africa. Durban's Indian community and South Africa's Drakensberg hikers are the usual guests.
- Johannesburg / Durban → Delhi
- 13.5 h (1 stop)
- Visa
- e-Visa online
- Treks from
- R920
- Time difference
- 3h 30m ahead
Jump to
Flights from South Africa to Delhi
Delhi is the gateway for every trip: Manali by overnight bus or short flight, Leh by a 1 h 20 m morning flight, Dehradun by train.
| From | To Delhi | Block time | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg / Durban (JNB / DUR) | One stop | ≈ 13.5 h | via Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa or Nairobi |
Delhi → Manali
Overnight Volvo 12–14 h (₹1,200–2,500 ≈ R245–R510) or fly Delhi–Kullu 1 h 20 m + 1.5 h taxi.
Delhi → Leh
Nonstop 1 h 20 m, morning departures, ₹5,000–14,000 (≈ R1,020–R2,855). Land, rest, acclimatise.
Jet lag & altitude
India is 3h 30m ahead. Minimal jet lag; you can continue to the hub the same day.
Visa, permits and paperwork
Indian e-Tourist Visa
South African citizens are eligible for the Indian e-Tourist Visa.
Apply only at indianvisaonline.gov.in (ignore look-alike agencies). Print the ETA; immigration at Delhi stamps it on arrival.
Permits we arrange for foreign nationals
- Ladakh: Protected Area Permit for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri — passport scan 2 weeks ahead.
- Spiti via Kinnaur: Inner Line Permit (same-day at Rekong Peo). Via Manali: none.
- Himachal / Uttarakhand treks: forest permits included.
- Peaks above 6,000 m: IMF registration + X (mountaineering) visa — allow 6–8 weeks.
What it costs in ZAR
Converted at an indicative rate of 1 ZAR ≈ ₹4.9 (late 2026 (rounded; the booking is charged in INR)).
| Trip | Duration | INR | ≈ ZAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parang La Tso Moriri Trek | 8N / 9D | ₹39,999 | R8,165 |
| Pin Parvati Pass Trek | 9N / 10D | ₹38,999 | R7,960 |
| Manali to Leh Tour | 6N / 7D | ₹24,499 | R5,000 |
| Zanskar Valley Tour | 7N / 8D | ₹26,999 | R5,510 |
| Kang La Zanskar Trek | 7N / 8D | ₹36,999 | R7,550 |
| Bara Bhangal Trek | 8N / 9D | ₹34,999 | R7,145 |
| Leh Ladakh Tour | 6N / 7D | ₹34,999 | R7,145 |
| Spiti Valley Tour | 6N / 7D | ₹18,499 | R3,775 |
| Winter Spiti Expedition | 6N / 7D | ₹26,999 | R5,510 |
| Mulkila Expedition | 14N / 15D | ₹68,999 | R14,080 |
Prices are per person, identical for Indian and foreign guests, and include guides, camping or homestays, meals on the trail, permits and trail transport from the pickup hub. Pay by international Visa / Mastercard / Amex through Razorpay; your card issuer sets the final conversion rate.
- Cheapest multi-day trek
- R920
- 7-day Ladakh / Spiti tour
- R3,775–R7,145
- 6,000 m expedition
- R7,550–R14,080
- Typical daily spend
- R305–R610
Best months for South African travellers
The June–July school break is the start of Ladakh and Spiti season; December suits snow treks.
Your holidays: Easter · June–July winter school holidays · December–January summer holidays.
Season map: June–September for Ladakh, Zanskar, Spiti and the Hampta Pass (dry rain-shadow); March–June and September–November for Himachal treks; December–March for snow (Kedarkantha, Manali, Winter Spiti). Month-by-month guide →
Trips most booked by South African travellers
Multi-day treks, road trips and expeditions. Private departures on your own dates are available on every trip.
