Ladakh the Cold Desert

Day 01: Arrival Delhi

Arrive Delhi international airport by flight, meet & greet with our office representative, assistance and transfer to hotel. (Hotel check in/ out time 1200hrs, early check in subject to room availability)

Afternoon drive past Red Fort & Chandni Chowk Bazar. Visit Jama Masjid (Mosque). Shah Jahan (King of the World) founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Raj Gath: The memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. Qutab Minar: The building complex dated back on the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of Afghan architecture. Himayun’s Tomb: Build by wife of Humayun, the second mughal king. It is an early example of Mughal architecture. India Gate: The 42m high stone "Arch of Triumph", erected in the memory of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War; Drive through Rajpath "Kingsway" a VVIP area of Delhi including Rashtrapati Bhawan. Laxmi Narayan Temple: Garishly colored modern temple is erected by the industrialist Birla. This temple is dedicated to Laxmi - the goddess of wealth and Narayan - Lord Vishnu, husband of Laxmi.  Lotus Temple: In the heart of New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, a lotus-shaped outline has etched itself on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, capturing their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and revolutionising the concept of worship. [Temple is closed on Monday's]. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi – Leh (Flight) 

On arrival at Leh airport, meet with our office representative, assist and transfer you to Hotel. Rest of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. In the evening take a walk to the local bazaar in Leh. Overnight at Hotel in Leh.

Day 03: Leh full day Indus Valley Monastery tour

Breakfast at hotel, full day Indus Valley Monastery tour. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Leh.

Thiksey Gompa: 19Kms 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. Shey Palace and Gompa: Situated on a hillock 15Kms 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 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.

Hemis Gompa: 40Kms 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 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 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.

Stok Palace & Museum: The palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewelry of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Shakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armor, weapons, precious jades and porcelain too can be seen here.

Day 04: Leh – Likir/ Alchi (60Kms/ 2hrs approx)

Morning after breakfast drive to Likir. Enroute visit, Magnetic Hill, Confluence of Zanskar and Indus River and Basgo Fort. Arrive Likir and visit Likir Monastery. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Likir/ Alchi.

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-hill that’s the Believe it or not of Ladakh!
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. Basgo Gompa: 40Kms downstream from Leh, it was the seat of power of branch of a Namgyal family. It was here in 1680 that invading Mongol and Tibetan armies were held in check over a three year old siege. Original 16th century murals and other arts at Basgo are well worth a visit.

Likir Gompa: Founded in the 11th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.

Day 05: Likir/ Alchi – Lamayuru and back (120Kms round trip)

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Lamayuru, en route visiting Alchi, Ridzong and Chulichan Monasteries.

Likir Gompa: Founded in the 11th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.

 Alchi Gompa: 70Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Liker monastery. This is the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is not located on a hilltop.

Lamayuru Gompa: The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match Lamayuru. Ridzong Gompa: Rizong is the most isolated monastery of all the monastery of Ladakh. There is no entry fee in this monastery, you can offer whatever you can. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to meditated here for years. One can still find the small caves where Lamas used to meditate for years cutting themselves from the rest of the world except for an one feet square outlet window from where they accept the one time meal of the day.

Chulichan: Chulichan, the nunnery is around one and half Kms. below the Rizong monastery; around 20 Nuns resides at Chulichan. They provide food and cloths to the monks and perform morning and evening prayers. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Likir – Leh (60Kms/ 2hrs approx) 

After breakfast check out your hotel in Likir and drive to Leh. Enroute visit Gurudwara Patthar Sahib and Spituk monastery. Reach Leh around lunch time. Post lunch day free to stroll around Leh market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Leh.

Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib: The Shrine known as Gurdwara Patthar sahib is situated about 25kms short of Leh town on the Leh-Srinagar road. Built in the everlasting memory of Shri Guru Nanak Deve 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). On the hill features across the road, there used to live a wicked demon that terrorized the people of the area. Their miseries multiplied day by day. As their miseries became unbearable they prayed for divine help. It is said that the Great Guru heard their woes and came to their rescue. The Guru settled down on the bank of the river flowing nearby. The people sought for help and the Guru blessed the people and became very popular in the area. The locals called him as Nanak Lama. The Demon got enraged and started making plans to kill Guru Nanak. One morning, when the Guru was sitting in meditation, he rolled down a big boulder from the hilltop with the aim of killing the Guru. But on the very touch of Guru’s body, the solid rock melted like wax and Guru’s back got embedded on it like a cushion. The Guru kept on sitting in meditation undisturbed. Thinking that the Guru must have been killed, the demon came down but was taken aback on seeing the Guru in meditation, undisturbed. With a rage of anger he tried to push the rock with his right foot but the rock had already became like wax his foot also got embedded into it. On this, he realized his folly and powerlessness as compared to the spiritual power of the Great Guru. He fell on the feet of Guru and humbly prayed to be pardoned. The Guru advised him to get rid of his wickedness and lead the life of a nobel person, in the service of humanity. This changed the life style of demon and he started serving the people. The Guru there after continued his Holy journey towards Srinagar and Kashmir via Kargil.

The boulder having imprint of the Guru’s back is lying in the Gurdwara to this day.

Spituk Gompa: 8Kms from Leh, it stands prominently on the top of hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The Gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakaal. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and is revealed only at the annual function at January every year.

Day 07: Leh - Khardungla Pass – Leh (40kms/ 2hrs approx one way)

After early breakfast, drive to Khardungla Pass (5600m.elevation), the Highest Motor able Pass in the World. The views from the top are spectacular; extending, to the south, across the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar Mountain Range. To the north, the views of the mighty peaks of the Saser Massif are amazing.

Afternoon back to Leh. Rest day free and easy for personal activities relax etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Airport Departure

Leave on time for Leh airport to board your flight to Delhi.