LADAKH TOUR

(09 NIGHTS/10 DAYS)
Delhi - Leh - Uletopko - Leh - Delhi
Season of operation: June to September

Day 1:  Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Later in the afternoon proceed for a sightseeing of New and Old Delhi. In New Delhi, visit the Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, drive past India Gate, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings. In Old Delhi, see the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid and Drive fast Chandni Chowk. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 2:  Delhi-Leh by air
In time transfer to the airport to board flight for Leh. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Day free for acclimatization. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 3:  In Leh
Morning proceed for a visit of Shankar Gompa and also visit Phiyang Monastery. Afternoon is at leisure.  Overnight is at the hotel

Day 4:  In Leh
Today you will proceed for a full day visit to Thiksey, Hemis, Chemrey and Trak-Trok. THIKSEY: The 500-year-old Thiksey monastery, perched on a hill high above the Indus, has about 100 yellow cap monks. The outside of the gompa is painted red and is visible from far away. If you get to the gompa by 6.30 am, you can witness the daily prayer, preceded by long mournful sounds from the horns on the roof. HEMIS: The Hemis gompa (45km from Leh) is famous far beyond the borders of Ladakh for its festival (Hemis Setchu or Mela of the Hemis gompa). Hemis gompa is the largest and one of the most important in Ladakh, quite apart from its annual festival. It was founded about 360 years ago by Stagtshang Raspa, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singe Namgyal who also established the monasteries of Chemre, Hanle and Themisgam. CHEMREY: The monastry of Chemrey was founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty. Hemis monastery was established at the instance of King Singge Namgyal, while his widow founded Chemrey as a posthumous act of merit for him. Both these belong to the Red Hat (Kargyud- Pa) sect of Tibetan monasticism. TRAK-THOK: Trak-thok gompa represents the smaller but much older Nyingma- pa and Saskya-pa monastic sects respectively. Trak-thok, situated at the foot of the Chang-la pass, incorporates one of the many caves in the Himalayas where the Indian Buddhist apostle Padmasambhava is said to have rested and meditated on his journey to Tibet. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 5:  Leh-Likir-Uletopko
(70 kms. / 2-3 Hrs)
Leave Leh by Jeep for Uletopko en-route visiting Likir monastery. On arrival, check in at the Camp. Overnight is at the Camp.

Day 6:  In Uletopko
Today you will proceed for an excursion to Lamayuru Monastery. Founded by the Indian scholar Mahasiddhacarya Naropa in the 11th century (allegedly on the site of a dried-up lake) after spending many years meditating, Lamayuru is the one of the largest and also one of the oldest gompa in Ladakh with a population of around 150 permanent monks resident. It has, in the past, housed up to 400 monks, many of which are now based in gompas in surrounding villages.  Overnight is at the Camp.

Day 7:  Uletopko-Alchi-Leh
(93 kms / 3-4 Hrs)
Leave Uletopko by jeep for Leh en-route visiting Alchi monstery. one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh (a national heritage), mainly known for its 1st century wall paintings. The monastery was built by the great translator Rinchen Zangpo. The wall paintings in Alchi Monastery are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh and reflect artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir on arrival, check in at hotel.  Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 8:  Leh-Delhi by air
In time transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 9:  In Delhi
Full day is at leisure.
Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 10:  Departure Delhi
In time transfer to the airport to board flight for onward destination.