Ladakh
Tour Packages
Explore Ladakh
Day
1: Arrive Delhi
Arrival to Delhi and check in the hotel for overnight stay in Delhi.
Day
2: Delhi - Leh: Fly
Rest of the day free and for acclimatisation.
Day
3: Leh
After breakfast proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with
a visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has
a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp
burning in front of the statue. Then we visit Thiksey Gompa, an impressive
complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery
has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the
Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa,
founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of
Sengge Namgyall. Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh.
The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation
of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava,
popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism
in the Tibetan world. Later we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence
of the King of Stok & the Museum that has a rich collection of Ancient
Ladakhi artefacts including old Thangkas, precious stones, arms and
armoury, the Queen’s necklace and the crown of the King of Ladakh
among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.
Day
4: Leh - Likir - Alchi - Lamayuru
After breakfast we drive to Likir and visit Likir gompa situated atop
a windy cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. It was
founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates
back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire.
In its courtyard is a yellow-coloured 3 storey high mammoth statue of
the Lord Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk. The top floor
has an impressive museum containing old thangkas and weapons used many
centuries back.
Then
we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved
monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to
those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries
which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is
at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden.
After
Alchi we have an option to visit the impressive Ridzong Gompa, reached
from the road head after a 30-minute uphill walk. It’s an impressive
monastery well hidden in the lap of the mountains until you’re
face to face with it. It is situated on the mountainside wedged in between
2 ends of a ridge. It is about 100 years old and the name means 'mountain
fort' aptly describing this isolated gompa. It also has a nunnery of
female monks also.
Finally
we reach Lamayuru monastery, founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th
century. This gompa is located amidst the massive mountains. The spectacular
setting of this gompa and its renowned collection of carpets, thangkas
and frescoes has been attracting many people over a long time. It
is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh. Overnight
stay in Lamayuru.
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Day
5: Lamayuru - Kargil: 107 km / 6 hrs
In the morning we visit the Lamayuru monastery to be part of the morning
religious ceremony. It’s a very soothing and spiritual experience
to be there among these warm and friendly monks. Then drive to Kargil
and overnight stay in the hotel.
Day
6: Kargil - Rangdum: 130
km / 6-7 hrs
In the morning after breakfast we drive towards Suru valley along
Suru River. Enroute we see the mighty twin peaks of Nun & Kun
that are among the most challenging peaks in Ladakh. By evening we
arrive at Rangdum plains in Zanskar region. Overnight stay in the
tents in the picturesque campsite.
Day
7: Rangdum - Padum: 110
km / 6 hrs
In the morning we start and visit the famous Rangdum Monastery perched
on a solitary rock in the middle of the valley. After that we drive
to Padum, the capital of Zanskar region. By late afternoon we reach
Padum and check in at the hotel for the overnight stay.
Day
8 & Day 9: Padum
Visit various monasteries & villages for 2 days. Stay overnight
at the hotel in Padum. Places
that can be visited in and around Padum:
Karsha
We visit the important Monastery of Karsha. Karsha is the largest Gelug-pa
monastery in Zanskar which is believed to be founded by the great translator
Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo in 10-11th century AD. In the many halls of Karsha
one can find some of the best specimens of Mural art. Later drive back
to Padum enroute we stop to visit the Kalachakra Gompa where His Holiness
Dalai Lama performed Kalachakra initiations.
Sani
-Zongkhul
We
can drive to Sani village and then to Ating located on the banks of
river Zanskar. The jeep is abandoned at Ating and after crossing the
bridge start the steady trek to Zongkhul Cave Monastery the founding
of which is ascribed to Naropa. Later on the return journey visit the
village of Sani then drive back to Padum.
Thongde
We
can explore the Monastery of Thongde situated on rocky outcrop. One
of the main attractions is the Gon Khang " the chambers of the
protectors" of the monastery. Explore the other prayer halls of
the Gompa. Later explore the village of Thongde.
Zangla
Drive
to northern part of Zanskar valley, Zangla is believed to being ruled
still by the king whose Palace stands on hill top Visit the one of the
last remaining suspension bridges a remarkable example of primitive
engineering. After visit to the Palace, drive further 5-10 minutes to
visit the Zangla Nunnery monastery.
Bardan
- Pibting
Visit
the villages of Bardan, 15 km from Padum, and then visit the Pibiting
village. Pibiting village can also be walked down from Padum, which
is a short distance. Pibiting is considered to be one of the most
interesting villages to be explored for the village life.
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Day
10: Padum - Rangdum
Morning drive back to Rangdum. Overnight stay in tented camp.
Day
11: Rangdum - Kargil
Morning we drive back to Kargil, on arrival check in the hotel. Later
proceed for a short visit of the town, which has some of the finest
examples of Turkish style houses. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day
12: Kargil - Leh: 231 km
On our way back to Leh we can visit the Basgo monastery, famous for
its Buddha statue. In Leh overnight stay in the hotel.
Day
13: Leh
Day at leisure or option of visiting more monasteries. Overnight stay
at Leh.
Day
14: Leh - Delhi: Fly
In the morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi.
Transfer and check in the hotel in Delhi.