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DAY 1 ARRIVE DELHI
You will be assisted on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Morning is at
leisure. In the afternoon drive to visit Humayun’s Tomb built in the Indo
Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra; India Gate - A War
Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan,
Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the
heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center. Overnight in a hotel.
DAY 2 DELHI - LEH (HT 3500 MTS)
BY 9W 609 - DEP AT 0630HRS / ARR AT 0745 HRS
After an early breakfast you are transferred to the domestic airport for your
flight to Ladakh. This must be one of the most sensational flights in the world.
On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the
peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so
close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. You would take a little time
to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation
in New Delhi to over 11,000 feet! During the afternoon, you can walk through the
old town, beneath the Leh Palace, to allow you to get oriented to this
fascinating city. Overnight in a hotel.
DAY 3 LEH - HEMIS FESTIVAL
You have a full day to witness the HEMIS FESTIVAL. You drive upstream along the
Indus River on a broad well-mettled road to HEMIS GOMPA, crossing over the Indus
River at the village of Karu. The most famous of Ladakh’s monasteries, Hemis or
Changchub Samstanling (The love palace of the compassionate person), dates back
to the 17th century and was built over a period of 40 years (1602 – 1642 A.D.).
Today Hemis is well known for its festival or Hemis Tsechu commemorating the
birthday of Guru Padmasambhava. In the year of the Monkey (every 12 years) a
giant thangka depicting Guru Padmasambhava is unfurled from the terrace draping
the five-storey facade. Delicately wrought in pearls and appliqué, it is one of
the most famous art treasures of Ladakh. The central courtyard forms the focus
for the masked dances held every year in summer. In the dukhang, remnants of the
original 17th century murals can be seen. The gompa boasts of an excellent
library, well preserved frescoes and murals, silver gilt chortens and a Kashmiri
lacquered wood throne.
During the festival, the monastery is ablaze with light, in the courtyard the
blare of long brass trumpets signals the beginning of the fight between good and
evil. Dancing and prancing, leering and scowling, the demons – monks beneath
grotesque masks – enter the arena. Between them two skeletons ease the tension
with antics. The forces of good, representing legendry heroes and saints strive
to overcome the demons as stately dance steps and graceful mystic gestures are
pitted against frenzy and madness. Slowly the demons are driven back – only to
surge forward again in swirling dance, flinging themselves against the Masters
of Virtue – but their violence cannot overcome the superiority of virtue on
wisdom. They are driven from the arena.
In the evening you return to your hotel in Leh for an overnight stay.
DAY 4 LEH – RAFTING FROM PHEY TO NIMOO – LIKIR
After breakfast drive to the start point for RAFTING down the Indus River. Your
rafting run will start at Phey (14 km from Leh) and culminate at Nimoo, the
confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers. The rafting trip would provide a
different perspective in your experience of the natural beauty of the
spectacular landscape with deep gorges, towering snow capped peaks hilltop
monasteries & hillside villages besides being an adrenalin boost. From Nimoo you
drive to Likir. On arrival check in at your tented accommodation.
Later in the afternoon visit the LIKIR MONASTERY, which is situated at the head
of the village by the same name? The name Likir derives from the word Lukhgil
(coiled snake) as the site appears to be encircled by two great serpent spirits
– Nanda and Taksako. The gompa is believed to date back to the 11th century. In
the 15th century Lama Lhawag Lhotos established the Gelug-pa order here. Likir
is one of the most active monasteries in the region. The gompa has a fine
collection of thangkas some of which are now housed in its museum. As you drive
up to the monastery a recently installed colossal gilded image of the Maitreya
out in the open is one of the most impressive sights in Ladakh.
Overnight in your tented camp.
DAY 5 LIKIR – APPROX 1 HR DRIVE - HEMIS SHUKPATHAN - APPROX 2 HRS TREK - ANG -
TINGSMOGANG - HOMESTAY
After breakfast an hour’s drive across three passes, ranging in altitude between
3580 M to 3750 M, will get you to Hemis Shukpathan. It is a major village, which
gets its name from the cedars, found in the valley, and which also boasts a
beautiful gompa. You commence your trek from here. Crossing the village, a short
uphill climb brings you to an ill-defined pass. From here there is a steep
descent across the mountainside. On reaching the bottom of this valley you will
be climbing a rather steep slope to the summit of the Mebtek-La (3720 M).
However, on reaching the top, your efforts are rewarded with a bird’s eye view
of the next valley. The trek from here to the picturesque village of Ang is an
easy half-hour descent. A short walk will bring you to Tingmosgang. This is
considered to be the richest valley in Ladakh with apricots, apples, nuts and
beautiful houses.
At Tingmosgang you will experience warm traditional Ladakhi hospitality during
your HOMESTAY for the night.
DAY 6 TINGMOSGANG - LAMAYURU
APPROX 30 KM / 1 HR
Tingmosgang served as one of the capitals of Ladakh in the 15th century. Though
most of the castle is in ruins, three temples remain and continue to be in use.
On the day marking the three important events in the life of Buddha i.e. birth,
enlightenment and parinirvana, people from all over Ladakh including Zanskar
gather here making offerings of butter for the lamps, incense and flowers. Your
drive from Tingmosgang descends to Nurla from where you turn right for Lamayuru
along the main highway.
After checking in to your accommodation you proceed to visit the 11th century
LAMAYURU MONASTERY, which is spectacularly located along the valley plain and
surrounded by mountains on all sides. According to legend, the arhat Madhyantika,
a disciple of Buddha offered “torma’ (sacred food) and water to the spirits
inhabiting the site to satisfy them. A handful of rain spilled on the soil which
caused barley plants to sprout in the shape of Yung-drung (swastika), hence its
name Yung-Drung. The great yogi Naropa meditated in a cave, which today forms
part of the monastery. The monastery has gradually expanded over the years and
newer structures have been built around a large courtyard. The antiquity of this
site is evident from the large number of chortens, similar to those at Alchi.
You spend the night at Lamayuru.
DAY 7 LAMAYURU - LEH – 126 KM / APPROX 4 HRS
Finally, you drive back to Leh in time for lunch at the hotel. The afternoon is
free to explore the town on your own. Leh is very Tibetan: the national dress,
‘stove-pipe’ hats and felt boots with turned-up toes are much in evidence. The
16th century Royal Palace, which dominates the town, is very reminiscent of the
Potala in Lhasa and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, large chortens, prayer flags
and mud brick houses with flat roofs have a dramatic effect on the landscape.
DAY 8 LEH - OVER KHARDUNG LA (HT 5602 M) - HUNDER (HT 4350 M) (NUBRA VALLEY) –
APPROX 5 HRS
The road journey from Leh to NUBRA VALLEY passes over KHARDUNG LA (the highest
motorable road in the world) at 5602 M / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh. From
the Pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly
endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the
Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of
flowers. It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh
ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above
sea level. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers drain Nubra. The flat part of the river
is sandy & occupied by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty with
greenery, willow & poplar trees. Till partition Nubra Valley was one of the
trade centers, the ancient famous Silk Route passed through this area.
Before proceeding to your camp at Hunder, stop to visit DISKIT MONASTERY perched
on a rock overhanging next to a stream, which provides the source of energy used
by mills in the area. The monastery is rich, full of thangkas, magnificent giant
statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a
multitude of influences. It was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod around
1420 A.D. Diskit is the main village or headquarters of Nubra Valley, which has
a small market consisting of a row of shops.
After your visit to the monastery and shortly after leaving Diskit you will
comes across sand dunes on the right of the road. Seen in isolation you could
well be amongst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. It is indeed
strange sights since immediately on the left of the road are Rocky Mountains
that characterize the Ladakh landscape and in the distance can be seen
snow-capped mountains. Overnight in your camp at Hunder.
DAY 9 IN NUBRA VALLEY – BACTERIAN CAMEL SAFARI AT HUNDER - PANAMIK – APPROX 1 ½
HRS - SAMSTANLING GOMPA IN SUMOOR – APPROX ½ HR – HUNDER – APPROX 1 HRS
After breakfast you will get the unique opportunity to ride on a bacterian camel
(double humped) amidst the sand dunes of this high altitude desert with snow
capped mountains on the horizon. Thereafter, crossing over the Shayok River you
will be driving upstream long the Saichen River to Panamik. The place has a
number of hot springs on the right of the road just before entering the village.
Panamik is literally the end of the road for this trip, as one has to return
from this spot. On the return journey you stop by to visit SAMSTANLING GOMPA
founded by Lama Tsultims Nima. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations
like not allowing women in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise, no
smoking etc. From here you will drive back to Hunder for dinner and an overnight
stay.
DAY 10 HUNDER - LEH – APPROX 3 HRS
After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon rest and relax or take
a walk to the local market. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 11 LEH – ACROSS CHANAG LA (5320 M / 17,800 Ft) - PANGONG TSO – LEH – 160 KM
ONE WAY / 9 HRS RETURN TRIP
An all encompassing trip on the BEST OF LADAKH will not be considered complete
without experiencing the majestic as well as serene ambience of at least one of
its three high altitude lakes. Today’s drive takes you to Pangong Tso.
You start early heading out on the Leh – Upshi road driving upstream along the
Indus River. From Karu you turn left to ascend through the Sakti valley. As you
drive up the amazing sight of CHEMREY GOMPA rising majestically on a hill to the
left with the residences of the lamas spilling along its contours greets you. As
you negotiate a number of hairpin bends climbing higher towards the pass, green
cultivated fields dotted with village houses in typical Ladakhi architecture
continue along the base of the valley. Finally you cross over Chang La (5320 M /
17,800 Ft), a signboard proclaims it to be the third highest motorable pass in
the world.
On reaching Pangong Tso, the largest brackish water lake in Asia, an absolutely
amazing and captivating sight is laid out in front of you. One third of the lake
is in India while the rest two thirds of the lake is in Tibet. Most of the
streams feeding the lake are on the Tibetan side.
It seems never ending. The crystal clear water of the lake, the desert sand
mountains in the background, some herons swimming around, and above all, its’
absolute virginity not being disturbed by any human settlements gives it an
ambience of total serenity. The turquoise blue to dark blue color of the water
depending on the sky conditions, the hazy reflection of the mountains, and the
glittering of sunlight in the water of the lake is a picture of a lifetime. One
can drive up to some 300 meters from the beginning of the lake. After that,
there is no proper road. One of the few types of the birds that may be seen here
is the Black Necked Heron, a rare species. They are usually to be seen at around
the beginning of the lake.
After having thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the lake, you drive back to Leh
for an overnight stay.
DAY 12 LEH - DELHI
BY FLIGHT 9W 610 DEP AT 0735 / ARR AT 0850 HRS
In time transfer to the Leh airport to board your flight back to Delhi. You are
met upon arrival at Delhi airport and transferred to your hotel. In the
afternoon you have the option to relax after your stay in high altitude or
pursue an independent activity. Overnight in your hotel.
DAY 13 DEPARTURE FROM DELHI /INDIA
In time transfer to the international airport to board your flight back home.
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