Ladakh Travel India

Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi, Leh, Pangong, Lamayuru, Alchi, Khardungla

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive late evening at New Delhi International airport. Upon arrival at International Airport, you will be met by our representative, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Indian welcome consisting of Aarti-Tikka and garlands) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for two nights.Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you. Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!

DAY 02: Delhi to Leh (By Air)
Early morning transfer to Delhi Airport to catch the flight to Leh.Upon arrival at Leh Airport you will met by our local representative and Welcome in traditional Ladakhi style and transfer to hotel The Kaal, rest of the day at leisure to acclimatize. Overnight stay at hotel

Leh City : The capital of Ladakh, at one time was a major stop on the Asian "Silk Route". A stroll along the main bazar, observing the varied crowd and peering into the curio shops, is an entrancing experience. Chang Gali, behind the main bazar is less bustling but has intriguing little shops selling curios and jewelry like pearls, turquoise, coral, malachite, lapis and many other kinds of semi-precious stones, as well as curiously carved Yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, china or metal bowls etc.

DAY 03: Leh
Excursion to Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Today we 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 in the evening we drive back to hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

DAY 04: Leh
AM: Excursion to Phyang & Spituk
PM: Excursion to Sankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa

Post breakfast we depart for AM Sightseeing tour to Phyang & Spituk Phyang, Located 22 Kms from Leh. The monastery is remarkably built on the hilltop, similar to the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa order. On the way back visit to Spituk monastery which was founded by Od Lde, in the 11th century AD. In those days the gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum ilde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery. Later we drive back to hotel on time for lunch

Later in the afternoon, guided sightseeing tour visiting the Sanker Gompa, which is towards the north of the Town, it has an impressive). Later visit Shanti Stupa, The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. From there one can see the nice spectacular view of Leh town. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 05: Leh – Pangong – Leh
Leave early morning at 5AM to Pangong Lake through Changla pass 5486 Mtrs. While ascending Changla pass 5486 Mtrs. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the villages below the pass. After crossing the pass h alt for picnic lunch at Tsoltak, the summer pastureland of the yaks.

Arrive Durbuk and from there a short drive takes you to the western shore of the lake. Enjoy the landscape in the back drop of the Lake. This famous blue brackish Lake of Pangong is 5/6 Kms wide and over 144 Kms long with half of its running the other side of the "INDO CHINA BORDER". One rarely feels so close to nature and environment and the scenery is unforgettable. In the late afternoon drive back to Leh. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 06: Leh – Lamayuru – Rizong – Alchi
After break fast start early morning drive to Lamayuru, and Rizong back to Alchi.Lamayuru lower ladakh its also called as sham. 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.

After visit at lamayuru Gonpa the drive to Ridzong Gompa: There is no road to Rizong Gompa hence one has to walk to the monastery which is deep into the mountains. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to editated 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 a one feet square outlet window from where they accept the one time meal of the day.

After Ridzong vsit drive back to Alchi and clients like to visit alchi monastery then walk to Alchi gonpa just near the camp Alchi Gonpa: an active religious center, Alchi Gompa: 70 Kms 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 have monks looked it after from the Liker monastery.

Day 07: Alchi – Likir –Leh
Drive back to Leh via Likir, Likir Gompa: Founded in the 11th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlie r 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. Upon arrival we check in at our pre-arranged hotel for overnight stay

DAY 08: Leh – Khardungla – Leh
After breakfast drive to Khardung la (45 Kms), the highest motorable road in the world at 5600 meters ASL. The views from the top of the pass are amazing. This road carries on to the Nubra Valley (optional). Return to the hotel for hot lunch. Later in the afternoon at leisure for last day shopping and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09: Leh – Delhi
In the morning transfer to the airport to catch the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival you will met by our representative and driver & Enjoy full day sightseeing of New & Old Delhi.(Including the Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Lutyen's buildings, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk) Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan – the builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve center), the hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all around you and chattering voices.

Note: The Red Fort is closed on Mondays

New Delhi stands in formal splendour, like a lone sentry guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city of wide boulevards, which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city rich with formal parks and you will see the magnificent Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys and now the Presidential Palace, India Gate (a majestic 42-mts high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutub Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating back to 13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic Culture), Humanyun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal Architecture at its graceful best).After finishing the sightseeing tour we drive back to our hotel for Overnight stay

Day 10: Depart Delhi
Tour concludes. T4U thank you for your patronage and ensure a punctual transfer to International Airport to catch the flight back home