14 June 2024 Friday
Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel
Overnight at Hotel.
15 June 2024 Saturday
Delhi / Leh (Altitude -1730M)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Leh.
Upon arrival meeting assistance and transfer to Hotel
Day free for Acclimatize. (Due to the altitude gain, it is mandatory to rest and acclimatize. The height is approximately 10,500 Feet) (As acclimatization is an important factor towards successful completion of the whole journey, we have designed tours specifically keeping this in mind.)
In the evening short walk around Leh Bazaar.
Overnight at Hotel
16 June 2024, Sunday
Leh / Hemis / Leh
After breakfast, drive to Leh, enroute visiting Sankar, Spituk and Phyang.
After breakfast, full day excursion to visit Hemis Festival, Hemis Festival Tour Ladakh, a rare blend of exquisite works of art, culture and a spectacular view of snow-clad Himalayan beauty is our treat in Leh-Ladakh Cultural Festival Tour package. The colorful Hemis Festival Ladakh marks the birth of Guru Padmasambhava popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world. The annual two-day Hemis festival Ladakh is held at Hemis Gompa, one of the wealthiest, well-known, incredible and biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, an illustrious monarch of Ladakh. It holds the distinction of being the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh.
Hemis Gompa is about 47 kms away from the Leh city. The local monks or Lamas called ‘Chhams’, dressed up in their finest traditional garb, perform splendid masked dances and sacred plays to the blasting tunes of cymbals, drums and long horns. A mesmerizing environment of color and art, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, makes the Hemis festival an important destination in our Leh – Ladakh Cultural Festival tour packages. Hemis Festival Ladakh is generally held in Leh city every year in September 1-15. Our Leh Ladakh Festival Tour will take you to the inauguration ceremony place in Leh, where the inauguration ceremony starts with the procession of different cultural troupes from various parts of Leh & Ladakh
Rest of the day free to explore Leh Bazaar.
Overnight at the Hotel.
17 June 2024, Monday
Leh / Alchi / Likir / Uleytokpo (110 Kms / 03 hrs.)
After breakfast drive to Uleytokpo enroute visiting Alchi & Likir
Alchi Gompa : Alchi Gompa dates back to the year 1000 AD and was built by the Translator, Rinchen Zangpo. He even made a reference about the monastery in his biographies. It is written that he brought thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir, for the construction of the Alchi Monastery of Leh Ladakh. The monastery is sited at a distance of approximately 67 km to the west of Leh. Especially in the way its paintings have been made.Three sacred temples, with the main one being that of Rinchen Lhakhang at Lotsa Lhakhang, make up a major part of the Alchi Gompa of Ladakh.
However, there are other temples also, namely Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple), Sumtsag Lhakhang and so on. There are a number of images inside the monastery. However, the main one is that of Vairocana. The other images include the ones of the five Buddha Families, along with their attendant deities.
Likir Monastery: Located around 52 Kms from Leh know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits) founded in the 11th century AD and was rededicated to another monastic order (the yellow sect) in the 15th century, its earlier gompa was destroyed in fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th century. It contains huge clay images of Buddha and various old manuscripts. It also houses an interesting collection of thankas, old religious and domestic costumes and implements etc. In the 15th century lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa School.
Overnight at the Hotel.
18 June 2024, Tuesday
Uletokpo / Ridzong / Lamayuru / Uleytokpo (Approx. 140 Kms. / 4 Hrs around)
After breakfast, day excursion to visit Ridzong Monastery and Lamayuru.
Ridzong Monastery: The Rizong Gompa of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 73 km from the town of Leh. Built by the great Lama Tsultim Nima, it dates back to the year 1831. Approximately 40 monks reside in the Rizong Gompa of Ladakh, which belongs to the Tsongkhapa Order. The successive reincarnations of Lama Tsultim Nima and his son, Sras Rinpoche, serve as the incumbents of the monastery. The inmates of the Rizdong Monastery of Leh Ladakh are permitted to have only religious robes and books with them.
The monastery comprises of a number of shrines within itself. Also, it boasts of a collection of the painting blocks of Lama Tsultim Nima’s biography, many objects made and books composed by the 1st Sras Rinpoche. At a distance of approximately 2 km from the Rizong Monastery of Ladakh is a nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling). It comprises of about 20 nuns and is run by the governing body of Rizong Monastery only.
Lamayuru – According to the legend, during the time of Sakya Muni Buddha there used to be a crystal clear lake where the monastery today stands, with the blessing of the Lama the water of the lake receded leaving place for the monastery. The complex was founded in the 11th century and houses a library, thought to be the oldest in region. The present monastery dates back to the 16th century and has the 11 headed image of the Avalokiteshwara Buddha, mainly in ruins it also has some murals and thankas. Considered the free zone of Ladakh, not even a criminal can be apprehended here. There are legends associated with the Lamayuru Monastery.
Situated in the most scenic locale, it is a hot spot for tourist attractions. The monastery is house to 150 monks and follows the Red-Hat sect of Buddhism.
Lamayuru Monastery is also known as Yung Drung or Swastika monastery. It has many shrines and a rich collection of thangkas and wall paintings. Originally the monastery had five buildings but today there exists only the central building. Annual festivals on the 17th and 18th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar are held in Lamayuru Monastery where masked dances are performed. Monks from the other monasteries also participate in the celebrations. Overnight at the Hotel.
19 June 2024, Wednesday
Uleytokpo / Phyang/ Spituk / Leh (Approx 80 Kms. / 3 Hrs) (Altitudes 3800 m)
After breakfast, drive to Leh, enroute visiting and Phyang & Spituk.
Phyang : Built by kind Lkra-Shis_namgyal, founder of Namgyal Dynasty, in 1500 after defeating the last of the Lah-Chen King and is the home of the Sri Khing Pa sect (Red Capped). On approaching the monastery entrance, on the grounds, is a long flagstaff on an elaborate pedestal put up by the king after he had won the throne. Several temples have scenes from the eight members of happiness painted on the walls. Suddenly the recd waters of the Indus disappears in the sand, ahead lies vast stretch of desert, the horizon while the mountains appear to form two straight parallel lines running alongside the road.
Spituk : 14 kms from Leh, the 15th century monastery, which tumbles down the sides of a steep knoll to a tight cluster of farmhouses and well-watered fields, is altogether more picturesque. Approached by road from the north, or from the south along a footpath that winds through Spitok village, its spacious rooftops command superb views. There is the grave of a very high reincarnation at the Gompa and the Spitok head Lama is also the head Lama of the Sankar Gompa in Leh. He also represents Ladakh as a member of the Indian Parliament.
Gurphug in Stok and Pashi Gephel in Sabu are also under monasteries of Spitok. The Gompa has three chapels of which the highest, the Paldan Lumo temple (Kali Mater), is the most impressive. The temple Gonkhang is approximately a thousand years old, from Paldan Lumo temple, on the peak of the mountain, a small path leads past a red Latho to the monastery proper. The built in Dukhang is well worth seeing. The shrine to Vajra Bhairava, a Tantric guardian deity of the Gelug-pa order, is distinctly spooky. Overnight at the Hotel.
20 June 2024, Thrusday
Leh / Nubra Valley (Approx. 120 Kms. / 4 Hrs )
After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley, Cross Khardung La Pass, located 40 Km north of Leh links the capital of Ladakh with the road to the Siachen Glacier. It said to be the world’s highest motorable pass at 18,380 ft or 5,602 m. The spectacular view and a cup of tea from the tea-stall at Khardung La, will make you feel you’re on top of the world.
Upon arrival check in Camp. Afternoon visit of Sumur Monastery and Panamik : Built in 1841, the Gompa is home to over a hundred Gelugpa monks, aged between seven and seventy. Action centres on the large Du-khang, which is hung with Thangkas and dominated by a huge gilded statue of Shakyamuni, accompanied by Maitreya and the protector deity Mahakala. Across the courtyard, the long, low Gon-Khang is guarded by statues of fierce protector deities strung wit wide-eyed skulls and figurines of the 84 Mahasiddhas, venerated Tantric saints. Samstem ling is linked to the Gompa of Rhizdong in the Indus valley west of Leh. Panamik: 20 kms down the road from Sumur is the village of Panamik, famous for 250 year old Ensa Gompa and hot water springs. This is also the last point tourists are allowed.
Overnight at the Hotel.
21 June 2024, Friday
Nubra / Hunder / Diskit / Nubra (80Kms. / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast, full day visit Diskit and Hunder Village: The Diskit Village is located slightly off the little hamlet of Khalsar. Dotted with apricot plantations, Diskit is amongst the larger villages in the region, and home to the 350 year-old Diskit Gompa – the oldest, and the largest monastery in the Nubra Valley. Both the Diskit Gompa as well as the Hundur Gompa are situated in the Nubra Valley of the Ladakh region. Situated quite near the monasteries, at a slightly higher altitude, is Lachung Temple.
One of the oldest temples of this area, the temple has a huge idol of Tsong-kha-pa, crowned with a Gelugpa yellow hat. Hundur Monastery of Leh Ladakh is situated just below the main road, near the bridge and Diskit Monastery is situated nearby.The Diskit Gompa of Leh Ladakh dates back to the 14th century and owes its inception to Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong-kha-pa. At the heart of Diskit Monastery is an elevated cupola, which stands adorned with a beautiful fresco that illustrates the Tashilhunpo Gompa of Tibet. There are a number of shrines inside the monastery’s complex, like Kangyu-lang, Tsangyu-lang, etc. Also, hundreds of Mongolian and Tibetan texts have found their storehouse inside these temples.
Diskit Gompa has quite an interesting legend attached to it. It is believed that a Mongol demon once lived here and was considered to be a sworn enemy of Buddhism. He was annihilated near the monastery. However, even after his death, his body kept coming back to the monastery again and again. It is said that even today the wrinkled head and hand of the demon lie inside a temple of the monastery, which is filled with fierce Gods and Goddesses.
Overnight at Camp
22 June 2024, Saturday
Nubra / Leh (120 Kms. / 4 Hrs. around)
After breakfast, drive to Leh, on arrival check in at Hotel
Afternoon free for independent activities.
Overnight at the Hotel.
23 June 2024, Sunday
Leh / Shey / Thiksey / Stok Palace / Leh
After breakfast, full day excursion to visit Shey ,Thikshey and Stok palace
Shey – Until the 16th century it was the royal residence, Kings of Leh were supposed to be born in the monasteries. This Palace Monastery has the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha (Buddha to come) in Ladakh. Erected in the mid 17th century, worked out of gold and gilded copper sheets with blue hair, it stands 17.5 metres high.
Thiksey Monastery: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly most impressive gompas. As a showcase of the finest architecture in the state, the Thiksey Monastery is in reality a truly mammoth complex containing twelve stories. There is a huge statue of a seated Buddha in the main prayer hall and the numerous Stupas, prayer halls and other entities in the complex are very well preserved.
Stok Palace and Museum: Visible in the distance, at the top of a huge moraine of pebbles swept down from the mountains, the elegant four-storey Stok Palace stands above barley terraces studded with threshing circles and whitewashed farmhouses. Built early in the nineteenth century by the last ruler of independent Ladakh, it has been the official residence of the Ladakhi royal family since they were ousted from Leh and Shey two hundred years ago, A former member of parliament, still lives here during the summer.
One of the room is converted into Museum. The fascinating collection comprises some of the family’s most precious heirlooms, including antique ritual objects, ceremonial tea paraphernalia, and exquisite sixteenth-century thangkas illuminated with paint made from crushed rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The pieces de resistance, however, are the Gyalmo’s peraks. Still worn on important occasions, the ancient headdresses, thought to have originated in Tibet, are encrusted with slabs of flawless turquoise, polished coral, lapis lazuli and nuggets of pure gold. Also of interest are a couple of swords whose blades were allegedly tied in knots as a demonstration of strength by king Tashi Namgyal Phugtal Gompa.
Overnight at the Hotel.
24 June 2024, Monday
Leh – Delhi (By flight)
After breakfast drive airport and take the connecting flight to Delhi, upon arrival combined tour of visit Old and New Delhi.
Overnight at the Hotel.
25 June 2024, Tuesday
Delhi / Departure (By flight)
After breakfast transfer to Delhi international airport to the flight for onwards journey.
Tour Ends but Memories Remains – Always