|
|
 |
|
Visit two of Ladakh's most famous festivals |
|
 India
Tours main page
Ladakh Tours main page |
|
|
|
Tour highlights |
|
The tour
offers two of Ladak's most visited festivals, as well as visits to the monasteries of Matho,
Thikse, Shey, Likir and Alchi. The focal point of the tour is the Tse-Chu festival at Hemis.
Hemis Tse Chu, a two-day festival, is the biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals. It is
dedicated to Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Tibetan Buddhism and the one who
brought Buddhism from India to Tibet. The taming, conversion and eventual
integration of the pre-Buddhist Bon-po gods and demons into the Buddhist
pantheon as guardian divinities are reverently attributed to him. Tse-chu refers
to the 10th day of every Tibetan lunar month and Tse-chu of the fifth month and
the tenth month are celebrated as the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava. The
Hemis dance-drama depicts the magical feats of Padmasmbhava, also known as Guru
Rimpoche, in his eight different manifestations to vanquish the enemies of
Buddhism and for its propagation.
The festival takes an auspicious turn every 12 years in the Tibetan Year of the
Monkey, when the two-storey high 'Thankga' depicting Padmasambhava is displayed.
This famous Thankga, richly embroidered with pearls and and semi-precious
stones, is due to be displayed next in AD 2004.
Lamayuru Yuru Kab-gyat festival, the second festival that is part of this
tour, takes place at the Lamayuru monastery,
considered to be the oldest monastery in Ladakh and thus a major religious
landmark. The two-day festival of sacred dances and other rituals is performed
by the resident lamas wearing masks representing guardian divinities from the
Dri-gung-pa monastic order pantheon and concludes as most monastic dances with
the destruction of the sacrificial offerings. The festival is an unforgettable
event no less for its own unique character than for the spectacular, picturesque
moon-land surroundings of the remote village high above which the Lamayuru Gompa
is mounted precariously atop a steep hill. |
Itinerary:
|
Day 1 |
Early
morning flight Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest.
|
|
Day 2
|
Morning
sightseeing - Shanti Stupa, Sangkar and Tsemo Gompas; afternoon rest.
|
|
Day
3
|
Going to
Hemis gompa, with stops to see Matho, Stakna and Takhtok monasteries.
|
|
Day
4 |
Hemis
Tse-chu
|
|
Day
5
|
Hemis
Tse-chu and short hike and sightseeing around Hemis
|
|
Day
6
|
Return to Leh by jeep,
on the way visit Chemde, Thikse and Shey monasteries. Overnight
in Leh.
|
|
Day
7
|
Day trip to Likir and Alchi monasteries;
overnight in Uletokpo.
|
|
Day
8
|
Morning visit Ridzong Gompa, afternoon
continue to Lamayuru. Overnight in Lamayuru.
|
|
Day
9 |
Day sightseeing at Lamayuru. Overnight in Lamayuru.
|
|
Day
10 |
Lamayuru Kab-gyat
|
|
Day
11
|
Brief visit back at Lamayuru
Kag-gyat, then return
to Leh, on the way stop at Bazgo or Phyang monastery.
|
|
Day
12 |
Full day at your own leisure.
|
|
Day
13 |
Return flight to Delhi;
depart India.
|
|
|
What's included & What is not: |
Included
in Land Cost:
-Accommodation on twin sharing basis
-breakfasts & dinners while in Leh
-All meals while away from Leh.
-All transfers per itinerary
-Services of knowledgeable English speaking guide
-Full support on the trek (sleeping bag not
included)
-Monument entrance fees
Excluded
from Land Cost:
-International ticketing
-India domestic airfare
-Airport tax & Excess baggage charges
-Personal expenses - laundry, room service, phone
calls, etc.
-Medical, Evacuation and Trip Cancellation
Insurance.
-Any
or all other services not mentioned above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 25-26, 2007
Private Tours
|
If you'd like to customize
this itinerary & run it as
your own Private Tour on
dates you select, email us! |
|
| Land
Costs |
|
Quote on Request
2 pax from:
$720 Per Pax
13 days / 12 nights
Specializing in itineraries for
couples!
|
|
Difficulty Level |
|
Overall rating on a scale of easy, moderate, strenuous, very
strenuous: easy |
|
|
|
|
