| Ladakh
Highlight Tour This
journey will take us on the ancient silk road, through the Ladakh and the Nubra
valleys, a crossroad for commercial activities between India, Tibet and Central
Asia. In the ancient kingdom of Sham, we will discover the main Ladakhi monasteries
and the wonderful sites surrounding them: Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spitok, Phyang,
Lamayuru and Alchi… The second valley was an important stage for caravans
following the Silk Road , which where swapping their mules for the famous camels
of Bactriane. It is only since 1995 that the restricted area of the Nubra opened
its doors to foreigners. Lying approximately 400m lower than Leh, Nubra sports
a much milder climate, which enables its inhabitants to cultivate more extensively,
as compared to their counterparts in the main Indus valley. The highlights of
this tour are the crossing of the Khardong La pass (5400 m), on the highest motorable
roads in the world and a Bactriane camel safari Kathmandu-Delhi-
Ladakh or Delhi-Ladakh DAY
01 DELHI Arrive Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to
the hotel. Overnight at the hotel (check in time is 1200 noon) Day
02 DELHI / LEH (By flight) Early morning transfer to airport to
connect flight 9W 609 for Leh. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure to acclimatize. Overnight at the hotel. Day 03
LEH Full day visit of :- Spituk :– Monastery 14 kms from Leh.
The Spituk Monastery has a collection of 21 gold staties of Goddess Tara and a
number of scroll paintings. Also visit the temple of Kali which has an interesting
collection of masks. Sankar:-
A relatively modern monastery. It is closely associated with the Spituk monastery
and serves as the residence of the head priest – Kushak Bakula. A number
of gold icons are to be found here. Overnight at the hotel. Day
04 LEH Full day visit of :- Shey:- Situated on a hillock 15 km upstream
from Leh. It was once the residence of the Royal family. According to tradition,
it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings. A 7.5 metre high copper statue
of Buddha, plated with gold, and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
Thikshey:-19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly most impressive gompas. There are several
temples in the gompa containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha which
are exquisite. Hemis:- 40 kms from Leh. It is the wealthiest, best known
and biggest gompa of Ladakh Its popularity stems from the major annual festival
held here in summer. The festival is also has the largest thanka in Ladakh which
is unfirled once in 12 years. Overnight at the hotel. Day
05 LEH Full day visit of : Alchi:-70 Kms from Leh, on the banks
of the Indus river, 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 attraction. No longer
a active religions center, it is looked after by monks from Likir. Likir:-
Founded in the 11th century AD and rededicated to a different monastic order in
the 15th century AD, its earlier gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa
dates back to the18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent thankas,
earthern pots and carved folding wooden stools, liver here in the village. Majestically
situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. Lamayuru Monastery:-Situated
at the altitude of 3800 meters between Fotu-la and Khalsi. As per the legend,
in ancient times a lake covered this site. One day a Hermit predicted that there
will be a monastery one day and he throws the grainof rice on the earth which
automatically forms the shape of Swastika (Yundrung) from where the name comes
(Yundrung Tharpaling Gompa), constructed by Rinchen Zangpo one of his 108 constructions.
Monastery noted for the sect drigungpa. In the gallery see 35 Buddha painted on
the wall. Chapel of Avlokiteshvara – the 2 mtrs high image of him with 11
heads and 1000 heads. Overnight at the hotel Day 06 LEH Full
day visit of :- Stock Palace:-The last king died in 1974 but his
widow continues to live here, their son continues the royal line and ascended
the throne in July 1993. The palace is a rumbling building where only a dozen
of the 80 rooms are used. The small palace museum is worth visiting. It is a showpiece
for the royal Thangkas (many 400 years old), the crown, jewels, dresses, coins,
pearls encrusted with turcoise and lapis lazulli as well as religious objects.
Overnight at the hotel. Day 07 LEH / SARCHU (253 Kms. / 8 Hrs.)
Leave by road for Sarchu, enroute stop for photography and admire
the natural beauty Upon arrival check in to the camp Overnight in Tents.
Day 08 SARCHU / JISPA (125 Kms. / 5 Hrs.) Overnight hotel.
Day 09 JISPA / MANALI ( 141 Kms. / 6 Hrs.) Drive to
Manali Manali. Overnight at hotel. Day 10 MANALI Full
day visit of :- Manali:- Situated at the northern
end of Kullu valley, Manali has spectacular views of snow capped peaks and wooded
slopes. Manali offers marvellous walks through dappled orchards and fairy tale
forests of Deodar. You will visit the Hidimbha Temple, standing tall among the
stately Deodars. This ancient temple with its three level roofs looks like a pagoda
and its lintel and door frame are of intricately carved wood. The market is crowded
with interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts. The village of Manali
is 2 kms away across scented meadows and a quaint bridge over the sparking stream.
Overnight at hotel. Day 11 MANALI / DHARAMSHALA ( 253 Kms. /
8 Hrs. ) Drive to Dharamshala. check in to hotel Overnight at the
hotel Day
12 DHARAMSHALA /AMRITSAR (199 Kms. / 6 Hrs.) AM
Visit: Dharamshala:- The principal township of Kangra is a fascinating
place. It is spread over a height difference of over 450 metres. Here you can
see the Mcleod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj which retain the British flavour so peculiar
to the towns of Himachal Pradesh. Here is also the residence of H.H. THE DALAI
LAMA next to the monastery. The library at the school of Tibetan studies is treasure
trove of manuscripts and texts on Tibet and its culture. There are several picuresque
picnic spots here. PM: Leave for Amritsar Upon arrival
check in to hotel and Overnight. Day 13 AMRITSAR / DELHI (Train)
AM: Visit Amritsar :- The city was founded by the fourth Sikh Guru
– Ram Das. While excavating the holy tank called the “Pool of Immortality”.
This city is famous for the GOLDEN TEMPLE. The most sacred shrine of the Sikhs.
Guru Arjun Dev built the temple and RanjitSingh, the Sikh ruler, enshrined the
shrine and covered the doms with copper, overlaid with gold foil. The exterior
walls are inlaid with precious stones and inside contains fine fillgree and gold
inlay works. Also visit the Jalianwalan Bagh, Rambagh Gardens, Khalsa College,
The Durgiana temple and Kashmir Emporium. PM: visit Golden Temple. Later in the
afternoon, transfer to railway station Meeting upon arrival and transfer to hotel
Overnight at the hotel Day 14 DELHI Visit Old delhi
and New Delhi. Overnight at the hotel. Day 15 LEAVE DELHI Book
This Tour/Trek |