LAMAS, GOMPAS AND AN ARID LANDSCAPE
A fascinating journey into the scenic and religious heritage of Ladakh.

The first two days of the visit to Leh has a common itinerary. All visitors can enjoy the beauty of Leh town before moving out on a safari/trek of their choice. This is also acclimatisation period to the rarefied atmosphere of this region. For all the tours you will need to arrive in New Delhi & Hotel accommodation may be required for 1 or 2 nights depending on your flight schedule.

Gompas and Lamas of the central Ladakh Valley

Best Season: May - September / Duration: 8 Days
Cost:
A Class Hotels: € 1120.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual
B Class Hotels: € 880.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual

Day 01: Arrival by Air Ex Delhi. Met on arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Day at Leisure, to acclimatise to the rarefied atmosphere of the high altitude.

Day 02: Full day sight seeing of Leh town: Early morning visit Sabu oracle for Prophecy
Namgyal peak - Crowned by the now ruined fortress, houses Buddha's deity Maitreya. It was here that the bodies of the defeated Mughals were offered to deities in the medieval era.
Leh palace - Stands majestically overlooking the town. Built in the 17th century, it resembles the Potala palace of Lhasa (Tibet) in architecture. At one time, it must have been the highest building in the world.
Shanti Stupa - Built on the legacy of the Japanese Fujii Gurujii of spreading peace through Buddhism, is one of the eight built around in the world.
Stok palace & museum housing her Highness, the queen of Ladakh. On display in the museum are Antique robes, Turquoise Jewellery, Semi precious stones and Old Thankas.
Shankar Gompa - witness evening prayers in colourful surroundings. Over night in the hotel.
Optional activities like religious talks by Lama over dinner, meditation, Cultural video show, Cultural dances over dinner in local house, Pony polo match, Golf, Pony rides for sightseeing etc. can be arranged on request during leisure days spent in Leh town.

Day 03:
Thiksey Gompa - Reach early to participate in the morning prayers. This is a picturesque monastery atop a craggy hill. Houses the statute of Maitreya (The Future Buddha). This 15m tall statue was made to commensurate the visit of the Dalai Lama to the Gompa.
Hemis Gompa - Famous for the spectacular monastic festival in the month of June. World's biggest Thanka (Religious paintings/scrolls) is housed here and is on display every 12 year.
Shey palace - summer residence of the royalty. Strategically located on a spur jutting out in the Indus valley. The palace houses a large statute of The Buddha built by Nepalese artisans.
Back to Leh for overnight in the hotel.

Day 04:
Phey Gompa - Built in the 16th century by the King to seek forgiveness & blessings after he blinded his elder brother, to succeed as heir to the throne.
River rafting - Drive to Nimu, the confluence point of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. The rivers give a calm appearance from the road but as you approach the Indus, the fast currents challenge your adventurous spirit. Fathom thrill of currents of Indus river in a raft. Then drive on to Uley Tokpo, a beautiful deluxe camp on the banks of river Indus for stay in Apricot orchards.

Day 05:
Alchi Choksor - built in 11th century by a Tibetan intellectual Rinchen Zangpo. It is a treasure trove of Buddhist culture in Kashmiri style known for the woodcarvings. Located on low land, contrary to traditional locations of other Gompas.
Lamayuru - legend goes that a lake was emptied to make way for this Gompa. In olden times was known to be a sanctuary ("Yang Yang Tharpa" meaning place of freedom) and was declared a holy site in the 16th century.
Back to Leh for overnight halt in the Hotel.

Day 06:
Khardung La top - The World's highest motor able pass (5602m). In the south, the Zanskar and Stok ranges dominate the horizon. In the North falls the Saser range with the Saser Kangri Peak (7670m), 100m above the mount Everest Base camp.
Sumur - Part of ancient silk route, a pretty village with a small Gompa. Overnight in deluxe tents at Sumur.

Day 07:
Diskit - Participate in morning prayers with a morning walk to the Gompa perched on a rocky spur. Diskit to Hundar - Enjoy a camel safari amidst high altitude Sand dunes.
Drive back to Leh for the final night at the hotel.

Day 08: Departure - transfer Ex Leh by Air.

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The Zanskar Valley.

Best Season: May - September / Duration: 9 Days
Cost:
A Class Hotels: € 1260.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual
B Class Hotels: € 990.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual

Day 01: Arrival by Air Ex Delhi. Met on arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Day at Leisure, to acclimatise to the rarefied atmosphere of the high altitude.

Day 02: Full day sight seeing of Leh town

Day 03: Drive early to Kargil. En route visit Nimu, the confluence point of Zanskar & Indus rivers. This is the gateway of the Chaddar winter expedition when Zanskar River is frozen. Also visit Basgo - A Ruined fortress which houses a statue of Maitreya and Alchi Choksor.
Overnight in hotel at Kargil.

Day 04: - Drive to Rangdum. Visit Gompa perched on a steep sugar loaf hilltop. The walls more Ornate than in Ladakh valley with Buddha reliefs carved in stone with Chortens and Mandalas in the background. Over night, Camp/Guest house.

Day 05: - Drive to Padum - the head quarter of the Zanskar region. Located on the southern part of wide fertile plains and at the confluence point of Tsarap & Stod River. The township clings to hillock. At leisure to explore the area. Overnight camp/Guest house.

Day 06: - Visit Karsha Gompa, the largest and most important Gompa in the Zanskar Valley. Across the Doda river, after 2 to 3 hr. walk, is a treasure trove of Buddhist art, highlighted by the 500 Years old wall frescos in the teaching room. Overnight Camp /Hotel.

Day 07: - Drive to Kargil. Enjoying the scenic beauty En route O/Nt Hotel

Day 08: Kargil - Leh - Visit the Lamayuru Gompa En route the Kargil - Leh road.
Spituk - A 15th century Gompa on the site of an 11th century temple. This is the first Gompa of the Yellow Hat sect (Gelkupas). Good view of Indus Valley. O/Nt Hotel in Leh

Day 09: Departure Transfer Ex Leh by Air.

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The Ruphshu Valley Safari - Pangyong Tso.

Best Season: July - September / Duration: 7 Days
Cost:
A Class Hotels: € 980.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual
B Class Hotels: € 770.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual

Day 01: Arrival by Air Ex Delhi. Met on arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Day at Leisure, to acclimatise to the rarefied atmosphere of the high altitude.

Day 02: Full day sight seeing of Leh town.

Day 03: Drive from Leh to Thangse via Shey Palace - The summer residence of the Royal family and Thiksey Gompa.
Drive over Chang la - The second highest metalled motorable pass (5474m), open in winters despite the elevation. Get a spectacular view of the parallel ranges of Ladakh in North, Lahaul Spiti in the south, Zanskar range in the west.
Thangse (3900m) - Cross to the other side. At base of the pass are ruined temples. See the famous Pashmina goats in the summer grazing grounds. Overnight in camp set up at Thangse village.

Day 04: Drive via Lukung to Pangyong Tso amidst spectacular snow covered mountain peaks. Its an almost 7 Km drive along the lake shore. Overnight camp in the area of the lake.

Day 05: At leisure to explore nature's bounty. Picnic lunch. Overnight Camp.

Day 06: Drive back to Leh, overnight Hotel.

Day 07: Fly to Delhi by Air.

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The Ruphshu Valley Safari - Tsomoriri Lake.

Best Season:July - September / Duration: 7 Days
Cost:
A Class Hotels: € 980.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual
B Class Hotels: € 770.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual

Day 01: Arrival by Air Ex Delhi. Met on arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Day at Leisure, to acclimatise to the rarefied atmosphere of the high altitude.

Day 02: Full day sight seeing of Leh town

Day 03: Drive early to Thiksey Gompa & participate in the morning prayers. Drive via Karu and Upshi, along the Indus riverbank to Chumathang. The region is sparsely populated but rich in wildlife. Red fox, Wild ass and the highly endangered snow leopard inhabit the area. Cross Mahe Bridge to Tsomoriri. Overnight Safari deluxe camp near the lake.

Day 04: Day at leisure to explore the lake nestled in the 6000m high peaks. Reflections of the snow-covered peaks further enhances the beauty of the region. Black necked cranes and wild folk geese use the area as breeding grounds in summers, in winters, the lake is completely frozen. Excursion to Korzok Gompa - 360 yr. old, belonging to Yellow hat Sect.

Day 05: Morning at leisure. After early lunch take a drive to Tsokar Lake. It's called the White Water Lake because of heavy salt deposits. A smaller Water body as compared to Tsomoriri. In olden times, the salt industry of the area used to be based entirely on the salt collected from this lake stream. Apart from the nomadic shepherds, the Changpas, the other inhabitants of this area are bareheaded gooses, great crested grebe, Brahmin duck, and brown headed gull.

Day 06: - Drive over Tanglang La (the second highest motorable pass) & then to Leh town.

Day 07: Fly to Delhi by air.

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The Ancient Silk route.

Best Season: July - September / Duration: 7 Days
Cost:
A Class Hotels: € 980.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual
B Class Hotels: € 770.00 per person + Delhi - Leh - Delhi Flight based on actual

Day 01: Arrival by Air Ex Delhi. Met on arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Day at Leisure, to acclimatise to the rarefied atmosphere of the high altitude.

Day 02: Full day sight seeing of Leh town.

Day 03: Drive from Leh to Khardung La top (5602m), the world's highest motorable pass. Good view of the Zanskar & Stok ranges in the South and of the Saser Kangri in the North. Drive down to Khalsar and then to the Nubra Valley. Overnight in Deluxe tent Camp.

Day 04: Before breakfast visit the 760 yr. old Gompa for morning prayers, a Forty five minutes walk amidst Chortens and flags. Among the various statues, the one holding the arm and head of a Turkish invader is believed to be 500 Yr. old.
After breakfast take a Camel safari from Hundar to Diskit over sand dunes, on double humped Bactrian camel. Also, visit small Gompa of Hundar. PM - Drive back to Sumur, walk in the pretty village to the Gompa. Overnight camp in Deluxe tents.

Day 05: Day trip to Panamik, Ansa, and Smasthaling monasteries. Overnight in the deluxe tent camp.

Day 06: Drive over Khardung La top into Leh town.

Day 07: Fly back to Delhi by air.

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· The Ruphshu Valley Tours and The ancient Silk Rout Tour are on restricted circuits. Government regulations do not allow travelling of less than 4 persons + driver on these routes.
· Personal particulars of the travellers (passport & visa details in case of foreign tourists) are needed a week in advance to seek written permission.