Faces of Ladakh
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrival to Delhi and check in the hotel for overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi - Leh: Fly
Rest of the day free and for acclimatisation.
Day 3: Leh
After breakfast proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start
with a visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery
here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large
silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Then we visit Thiksey
Gompa, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above
the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated
statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further
to visit the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa
under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall. Hemis is one of the
largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic
dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly
high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly
known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in
the Tibetan world. Later we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence
of the King of Stok & the Museum that has a rich collection
of Ancient Ladakhi artefacts including old Thangkas, precious stones,
arms and armoury, the Queen’s necklace and the crown of the
King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.
Day 4: Leh - Likir - Alchi - Lamayuru
After breakfast we drive to Likir and visit Likir gompa situated
atop a windy cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir.
It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction
dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed
by fire. In its courtyard is a yellow-coloured 3 storey high mammoth
statue of the Lord Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk.
The top floor has an impressive museum containing old thangkas and
weapons used many centuries back.
Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach
Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall
paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti,
Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries which are usually on
a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level
and is nestled in the shade of a garden.
After Alchi we have an option to visit the impressive
Ridzong Gompa, reached from the road head after a 30-minute uphill
walk. It’s an impressive monastery well hidden in the lap
of the mountains until you’re face to face with it. It is
situated on the mountainside wedged in between 2 ends of a ridge.
It is about 100 years old and the name means 'mountain fort' aptly
describing this isolated gompa. It also has a nunnery of female
monks also.
Finally we reach Lamayuru monastery, founded by
Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This gompa is located amidst
the massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this gompa and
its renowned collection of carpets, thangkas and frescoes has been
attracting many people over a long time. It is believed to be the
oldest in central Ladakh. Overnight stay in Lamayuru.
Day 5: Lamayuru - Kargil: 107 km / 6 hrs
In the morning we visit the Lamayuru monastery to be part of the
morning religious ceremony. It’s a very soothing and spiritual
experience to be there among these warm and friendly monks. Then
drive to Kargil and overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 6: Kargil - Rangdum: 130 km / 6-7 hrs
In the morning after breakfast we drive towards Suru valley along
Suru River. Enroute we see the mighty twin peaks of Nun & Kun
that are among the most challenging peaks in Ladakh. By evening
we arrive at Rangdum plains in Zanskar region. Overnight stay in
the tents in the picturesque campsite.
Day 7: Rangdum - Padum: 110 km / 6 hrs
In the morning we start and visit the famous Rangdum Monastery perched
on a solitary rock in the middle of the valley. After that we drive
to Padum, the capital of Zanskar region. By late afternoon we reach
Padum and check in at the hotel for the overnight stay.
Day 8 & Day 9: Padum
Visit various monasteries & villages for 2 days. Stay overnight
at the hotel in Padum. Places that can be visited in and around
Padum:
Karsha
We visit the important Monastery of Karsha. Karsha is the largest
Gelug-pa monastery in Zanskar which is believed to be founded by
the great translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo in 10-11th century AD.
In the many halls of Karsha one can find some of the best specimens
of Mural art. Later drive back to Padum enroute we stop to visit
the Kalachakra Gompa where His Holiness Dalai Lama performed Kalachakra
initiations.
Sani -Zongkhul
We can drive to Sani village and then to Ating located on the banks
of river Zanskar. The jeep is abandoned at Ating and after crossing
the bridge start the steady trek to Zongkhul Cave Monastery the
founding of which is ascribed to Naropa. Later on the return journey
visit the village of Sani then drive back to Padum.
Thongde
We can explore the Monastery of Thongde situated on rocky outcrop.
One of the main attractions is the Gon Khang " the chambers
of the protectors" of the monastery. Explore the other prayer
halls of the Gompa. Later explore the village of Thongde.
Zangla
Drive to northern part of Zanskar valley, Zangla is believed to
being ruled still by the king whose Palace stands on hill top Visit
the one of the last remaining suspension bridges a remarkable example
of primitive engineering. After visit to the Palace, drive further
5-10 minutes to visit the Zangla Nunnery monastery.
Bardan - Pibting
Visit the villages of Bardan, 15 km from Padum, and then visit the
Pibiting village. Pibiting village can also be walked down from
Padum, which is a short distance. Pibiting is considered to be one
of the most interesting villages to be explored for the village
life.
Day 10: Padum - Rangdum
Morning drive back to Rangdum. Overnight stay in tented camp.
Day 11: Rangdum - Kargil
Morning we drive back to Kargil, on arrival check in the hotel.
Later proceed for a short visit of the town, which has some of the
finest examples of Turkish style houses. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: Kargil - Leh: 231 km
On our way back to Leh we can visit the Basgo monastery, famous
for its Buddha statue. In Leh overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 13: Leh
Day at leisure or option of visiting more monasteries. Overnight
stay at Leh.
Day 14: Leh - Delhi: Fly
In the morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi.
Transfer and check in the hotel in Delhi.
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