Cultural Tour of Ladakh

07 Nights/08 Days

Delhi/Leh/Shey-Thiksey-Hemis/Shri Patthar Sahib/Khardungla Pass/Leh/Delhi

This package emphasizes on the culture of Ladakh. You visit the key monasteries of Ladakh and beautiful petit villages and people of the region. Off and on, you will walk through the remote village to have a closer look at the life style and culture of the region. The flight to Leh is a breathtaking experience, flying over the mighty mountain ranges of Himalayas and Zanskar to reach the World's highest airfield at an altitude of 11500 fts. One always wish if the flight was longer…

DAY 01 - DELHI

On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel, where we will be holding the rooms on ready occupancy basis. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02 - DELHI

In the morning, take a city tour covering Laxmi Narayan Temple - The Place of Gods, India Gate - The memorial of martyrs, Parliament House - The Government headquarters. In the afternoon take a city tour of Old Delhi covering Jama Masjid - The largest mosque in Asia, Red Fort - The red stone magic, Gandhi memorial - The memoir of father of the nation. Also enjoy the sound & light show in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 03 - LEH

In the morning departure to airport. Board a connecting flight for Leh. Arrive at Leh airport.

Transfer to hotel. Day is free for relaxation. In the evening visit Shanti Stupa and Sankar village. Overnight stay at hotel.

SHANTI STUPA (Japanese Peace Pagoda): Shanti Stupa/Japanese peace pagoda is build by a Japanese religious organization headed by Head monk Nakamura with the help from the organization and local people. It is situated at a hilltop in Cahngspa village providing a bird eye view of the Leh town and the surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the Japanese touch with small clean rooms on the side for meditators and the main Japanese shrine at the entrance.

SANKAR GOMPA & VILLAGE: 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.

DAY 04 - LEH

A day sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries with packed lunch. Overnight stay at hotel.

SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 kms 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 kinds. A 7.5 m high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.

THIKSEY GOMPA: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.

HEMIS GOMPA: 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 in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava's birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh, which is unfurled once in 12 years (nest in 2004). Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed by the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as "green room" by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist "Wheel Of Life" (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters besides the prayer wheel.

DAY 05 - LEH

LADAKH HALL OF FAME: The Hall of Fame is a glorious museum constructed by the Indian Army. It is worth a visit for every citizen. You can see the memorabilia, eminent defense personalities with biographies, images and weapons used during the Kargil and other key strategic battles fought in Ladakh and belongings of the enemy soldiers found at war site. All the martyr and the gallantry awards are also mentioned there.

MAGNETIC HILL: Defying the Law of gravity. This place is close to the Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up.

GURDWARA SHRI PATTHAR SAHIB: The Shrine known as Gurdwara Patthar sahib is situated about 25 kms. Short of Leh town on the Leh-Srinagar road. Built in the everlasting memory of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the great prophet who sanctified the place by his sacred visit during the year 1517 while on his second missionary tour (2nd Udassi 1515-1518). The Guru reached here via Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, Yarkand and Leh after having spiritual discourses with the Sidhas at Mount Sumer (Central Himalayas).

CONFLUENCE OF THE ZANSKAR & INDUS: On way to Sham Valley before Nimu village, one can have this magnificent view of two rivers in wed-lock! In seasons they have different colors and flow and wildness.

DAY 06 - LEH

Morning excursion to Khardung La Pass. Evening free to explore Leh town or shopping. Overnight stay at the hotel.

KHARDUNGLA PASS: The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La Pass (The highest motorable road in the world). Situated at a height of 18,390 ft, Khardung La Pass is around 39 kms away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of Khardung La pass. Khardung is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.

DAY 07 - LEH / DELHI

Departure to Leh airport. Board a flight for Delhi. On arrival met with and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure and independent activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 08 - DEPARTURE

Today we take you to International airport. Board a connecting flight for way back home.