Duration: 9 Days 8 Nights
Description : LEH and the Monasteries
LADAKH – THE INTRODUCTION
(LADAKH – Situated on the western end of Himalayas, Ladakh has four major mountain ranges – the great Himalayan, Zanskar, Ladakh and the Karakoram, passing through it. A maze of enormously high snowcapped peaks and the largest glaciers outside the polar region, dominate the terrain where valley heights range from a mere 8000 ft. to 15000 ft. while passes of up to 20000 ft. and peaks reaching above 25000 ft. can be seen all around. The world’s largest glacier outside the polar region, Siechen is here. Such daunting heights no wonder determine the land’s temperature)
Day 01: LEH
Arrive LEH ex Delhi.
Meet and Greet at LEH Airport.
Transfer to Hotel.
Rest of the Day FREE for acclimatization.
EVENING: Walk up to SHANTI STUPA – Shanti Stupa (means ‘World Peace’ in Japanese) was built by a Japanese who harboured the ambition of spreading Buddhism across the world, in 1985 with aid from the Japanese Government. It is located at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 02: SHEY, THIKSEY & HEMIS
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Visit the following Monasteries:
SHEY.
Situated on a hillock 15 km up streams from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. A 7.5 m high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold, and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
THIKSEY.
19 km from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompas. There are several temples in this gompa, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha which are exquisite.
HEMIS.
40 km from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the mojor annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thankha in Ladakh, which is unfurled, once in 12 years (next in 2004) Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Leh.
Day 03:LEH-ALCHI (75 Km)
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Leave by Car for Alchi via Magnetic Hill – it defies the Law of gravity. In proximity to Gurudwara Shri Patthar Sahib. it is believed that any vehicle parked here in neutral gear will slide upwards. Driving further down, you will come across confluence of River Zanskar and Indus. Nimmu village is the best place to view the confluence, with different colors. Visit the 15th Century Bagso Fort. Further drive down to Likir Monastery of 11th Century rededicated to different monastic order. The earlier Gompa was destroyed by Fire. The present Gompa dates back to 18th Century. Majestically situated, the Monastery commands a spectacular view. Don’t miss the Thankas, Pots and covered wooden folding stools.
You will eventually settle down in LIKIR.
Overnight stay at the Hotel/Camps in Likir.
04: ALCHI-LAMAYURU-ALCHI
Breakfast in the Hotel/Camps.
Morning you will be driven to Lamayuru.
En-route visiting Alchi- Alchi Monastery-70 Km from Leh, on the banks of the Indus, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Liker monastery. This is the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is not located on a hilltop.
Ridzong – It is the most isolated monastery out of all the monasteries of Ladakh. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to meditated here for years.
Chulichan Monasteries- The nunnery is around one and half Kms., below the Rizong monastery. Around 20 Nuns resides at Chulichan. They provide food and cloths to the monks and perform morning and evening prayers.
On arrival in Lamayuru, you will visit, Lamayuru Gompa : The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley.
Evening you will return to Alchi / Uletokpo.
Overnight, stay at hotel Hotel/Camp in Alchi.
05: LAMAYURU-LEH (70Km – 2,30hrs)
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Leave by Car for LEH via Spituk monastery. Spituk Gompa : Situated 8 Kms from Leh, it stands prominently on the top of hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The Gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakaal.
LATE AFTERNOON – Arrive LEH & Check-in at the Hotel.
Rest of the Day FREE.
Overnight stay at Hotel in LEH.
Day 06:LEH – NUBRA VALLEY (124 Km – 5 Hrs)
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. Arrive Nubra by noon and check in at Camp. Evening at leisure.
DINNER&OVERNIGHT: VALLEY FLOWER CAMPS.
KHARDUNGLA PASS: The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.
Day 07: NUBRA SIGHT SEEING.
Breakfast in the Tents and visit the following Monasteries:
DESKIT VILLAGE:
Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular view of the valley can be seen from the monastery.
HUNDAR VILLAGE:
Hundar is a beautiful village to stay with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The
walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump Bactrian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two hours is wonderful (On Own).
SAMSTANLING GOMPA:
Samstanling Monastery was founded by Lama Tsultrim Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gompa. About 50-60 monks are residing at this 132 years old monastery.
Overnight stay at the Hotel/Camp.
Day 08: NUBRA – LEH
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Drive to Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass the World Highest motorable road. Evening explore Leh bazaar.
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Leh.
Day 09: LEH TO DELHI BY AIR.
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Transfer to Airport.
Leave for Delhi.
