Ladakh

Day 1

ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive Delhi International Airport, after meet and greet by local tour manager, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi

Day 2

IN DELHI

After breakfast depart for full day city tour of Delhi. Begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the nation was cremated in 1948. Thereafter drive pass the magnificent Red Fort (closed on Mondays) built of red sandstone, dating from the very peak of the Mughal power. Then, Rickshaw Ride through Chandni Chowk. After that, visit to black and white onion domes and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. After Lunch, drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential Palace) and the Secretariat buildings - the centre of Government activity, down to the impressive Rajpath (the main avenue), to the World War I memorial arch, India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Akshardham Temple' (closed on Monday) means the divine abode of God. It is hailed as an eternal place of devotion, purity and peace. Swaminarayan Akshardham at New Delhi is a Mandir – an abode of God, a Hindu house of worship, and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. Timeless Hindu spiritual messages, vibrant devotional traditions and ancient architecture all are echoed in its art and architecture. The Mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830), the avatars, devas and great sages of Hinduism. The traditionally-styled complex was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 with the blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and through the devoted efforts of skilled artisans and volunteers

Overnight: hotel in Delhi

Day 3

DELHI – LEH FLY

Morning after breakfast transfer to airport and Fly to Leh for the spectacular early morning flight due north over the mountains, the western end of the great Himalayan chain. It is still early when we arrive in Leh (3505m) on arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day relax in the hotel and walk around the local market. Acclimatize to the change in altitude.

LEH - The Capital of Ladakh, has long been a remote and fascinating outpost. At one time it was a major stop on the Asian 'Silk route' and a commercial capital in its own right. Leh is about 10 km. north-east of the Indus at the exit of fertile side valley. From the town down to the Indus, the landscape is almost completely barren. Leh has a population of about 20,000 people within the area of about 11.3 sq.km. And lies at an altitude of 3500 mts. (11483 ft.). There are a number of interesting places to visit in and around this fascinating town but it is equally interesting just to wander around the   back street of the old section. 

Overnight hotel in Leh

Day 4

IN LEH

After breakfast visit

LEH PALACE: Overlooking Leh, Leh Palace is one of the major attractions in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. This 9 storey palace was built in 17th century for King Singge Namgyal. Perched on the edge of a hill, it resembles a miniature version of the Potola in Lhasa, Tibet. Leh Palace was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. Today this palace is a branch of Indian Government"s archaeological conservation organization. There is a Victory Tower above the palace, at the top of the Namgyal hill

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is above the Leh Palace, built in 1430, is open only during the morning puja. The Gompa is placed in a steep hill overseeing the whole city. An amazing statue in gold of the Maitreya Buddha as high as three stories together with many idols and Buddhist scriptures are attractive to visitors. The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa of Ladakh was founded by King Tashi Namgyal and has been named after him only. It boasts of a rich collection of some ancient manuscripts and wall paintings. Namgyal Tsemo Monastery of Leh Ladakh also houses a statue of Avaloketesvara and Manjushri, approximately one story high. Near the monastery is an old fort, which, because of neglect, lies mostly in ruins now.

In evening (at Sunset) visit Shanti Stupa is one of the magnificent Tibetan structures that has ever been built. The architecture and the beauty of this place are unexplainable. Shanti Stupa is a white-dome structure dedicated to Buddhism. This brilliant structure stands atop a steep hilltop at a dizzying height of 11,841 feet above sea level. This dominating altitude of the Stupa allows it to offer picturesque views of its beautiful surroundings.

Constructed in the year 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The construction was jointly done by the Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace. It is a part of peace pagoda mission, which aims to spread peace through the preaching of Buddha. The stupa has various relics of old Buddhism culture including the huge idol of Buddha placed at this base; the idol was enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lam

Overnight: Hotel in Leh

Day 5

IN LEH

After breakfast visit

Stok Palace- built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825, in the present times is the residential palace of the royal descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. The architecture of this palace is a perfect mix of the traditional and the contemporary architectural styles. This palatial property consists of a number of beautiful gardens as well as a library that has around 108 volumes of the Kangyur (a collection of teachings of Lord Buddha).

Matho Monastery or Matho Gompa is one of the attractive monasteries in the lap of Himalaya.  This monastery was constructed by Lama Tugpa Dorjay in the 16th century. This Gompa is the one and only reprehensive of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in the district of Ladakh. This picturesque monastery was structured 1410 century and is still very famous among the travellers for its 600 years old thangkas and Matho rang nag festival.

Stakna Gompa or Stakna monastery is a popular Buddhist monastery among the travellers across the globe. This place shares a distance of 25 km from the main city of Leh. The monastery was enshrined by a Bhutanese saint and scholar named Chose Jamyang. He constructed the monastery in the 16th century. This Stakna Gompa stands as a visual display of the cultural and religious heritage of Buddhism. One cannot deny the spectacular landscapes offered by Ladakh. The Stakna monastery is situated on a hilltop that resembles a nose of a tiger. At the Stakna monastery houses, 30 monks and the monastery belongs to the Dugpa order. There is an image of sacred Arya Avalokitesvara at the central position of the temple. This is one of the significant idols than the other idols in the monastery. The literary meaning of the word ‘Stakna’ is “the nose of a tiger”.

Thiksy - one of the most imposing monasteries in the Indus valley, Thiksy was part of the original Delgupta order in the 15th century. The monk's quarters stretch right the way along the hillside beneath the main assembly hall. The library at Thiksy is supposedly one of the finest in Ladakh and a multi - denominations gompa has recently been constructed - proof indeed of the continuing vitality of Buddhism in Ladakh. 

Overnight: Hotel in Leh

Day 6

LEH / DISKET / SUMUR ( Nubra Valley) Drive200 km. (Full day)

After an early breakfast leave for Nubra valley. From Leh the route ascends gradually through various picturesque villages to one of the highest motor able passes, the Khardungla 5606 m. journey up and down to this pass command fantastic panoramic view of StokhKangri and other surrounding peaks. On the way down into Nubra valley, the first village we pass through is Khardang, further down, we come to Khalsar, little further we reach to confluence of Shayok and Nubra rivers, here we turn left, continue  along the river Shayok till Disket the sub divisional head quarter. A short drive from Disket will bring us to Hunder, last point one is allowed go on this route. After visiting the small monastery and the village of Hunder, we return to Disket, en-route stop at sand dunes to enjoy a brief camel ride (double hump camels). In Disket, we will explore the monastery and walk around the market. Later in the evening, we will return to Khalsar, drive a short distance along the river Nubra to our camp at Sumur.

Overnight: Camps in Diskit / Sumur

Day 7

IN SUMUR

After breakfast we visit Ensa Monastery, (250 years old) and Hot springs, return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon walk to Samthaling, largest monastery of Panamik, home to over 100 lamas, established in 1841. Rest of the day for walk around this beautiful valley.

Overnight: Camps in Nubra / Sumur

Day 8

NUBRA – PANGONG TSO DRIVE 230KM

After an early breakfast leave for Pangong Lake,the longest high altitude lakes, the Pangong at the height of 4350m. This endorheic lake is 12 kilometres long and extends from India to Tibet, with two-thirds of it lying in the latter. Owing to its altitude, the temperature here ranges from -5°C to 10°C as a result of which the lake freezes completely during winters in spite of its salinity. A unique feature of the lake is that it does not remain blue throughout the year or even the day, rather it changes colours from azure to light blue to green and grey too!

This lakes only about 40% is in India, other part in Tibet (China).

Overnight: Camps in Pangong Lake

Day 9

PANGONG – LEH Drive 230KM

Morning after breakfast depart and drive to Leh on the way back visit

Hemis - the position of Hemis monastery, lying in a small isolated valley south of the Indus, belies its importance. As headquarters of the Drukpa (old Buddhist) order, it administers monasteries throughout the whole of Ladakh - from the Indus to the Zanskar valley and from the Markha to the Sumdah valley. Hemis was established at the behest of Senge Namgyal in the early 17th century and since than has enjoyed the patronage of the royal family of Ladakh. It provides monks as  caretaker for royal monasteries at the Basgo, Leh and Shey palaces

Overnight: hotel in Leh

Day 10

LEH – DELHI        FLY     

After breakfast, transfer to airport and fly to Delhi. Arrive Delhi on arrival transfer to hotel, day at leisure for personal activities.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi

Day 11

DEPARTURE       FLY     

Transfer to airport for homeward flight.