Day 01: Abroad-Delhi Ar: Delhi Transfer from airport to
hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting the Raj
Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama
Masjid - the largest mosque in India; and the Red
Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul
Empire. Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun's
Tomb, the Qutub Minar.
Drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India
Gate, Parliament House
and the President's Residence
and end the tour with a drive through Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 03:Delhi-Shimla Transfer from
hotel to the airport for Delhi/Shimla flight (0900/1000 hrs)
Upon
arrival transfer from airport to hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Shimla visiting, Tara Devi Temple-
situated 8 kms from Shimla are two temples dedicated to Mata Tara Devi and
lord Shiva. The military dairy farm and Shimla boy scout head quarters are
also located near by. Overnight at hotel.
Day
04:Shimla-Naggar Drive to Naggar. On arrival check-in at:camp.
Overnight at Camp. Day 05:Naggar- Manali Drive to Manali. On arrival check-in
at: hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06:Manali -Jispa
Drive to Jispa (145 kms / 7 - 8 hrs) This high altitude road beyond the
great Himalayan range, connects the densely fertile and green Kullu valley
to the stark barren region of Ladakh. The drive starts at Manali slowly
winding up mountain roads till Rohtang Pass at 3,950 Mts. which connects the
Kullu to the Lahaul valley. On entering the Lahaul valley we see a distinct
change with the Hindu influence being replaced with the Buddhist religion.
We reach Jispa by late afternoon. Overnight in deluxe tents.
Day 07:Jispa-Sarchu Leisurely start to drive over the scenic
Baralacha Pass (4880 Mts.). Plenty of stops to capture the scenic grandeur
of this majestic landscape dotted with snow capped peaks and high altitude
lakes. After crossing the pass drop down to the vast Sarchu plains at an
altitude of 4200 Mts. (80 KMS/4 HRS) Overnight in deluxe tents. Day08:Sarchu-Leh Drive to Leh. On arrival check-in at hotel.
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL.
Day 09:Leh Full day visit of
Shanti Stupa, Sankar, Leh Palace. Sankar
Gompa: A relatively modern monastery, it is closely
associated with the Spituk monastery and serves as the residence of the head
priest - Kushak Bakula. A number of gold icons are to be found here.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10:Leh Full day visit of
Shey, Thiksey, Taktak, Chimde. Thikshy
Monastery: It is situated on a hill top. There are several
temples and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer palace of the
old raja of Leh. This monastery is 800 years old, Silver and Gold statues
are seen in it. Shey Monastery:
This monastery has a 7.5m copper statue of Buddha plated with gold, the
largest of its kind. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11:Leh
Visit Hemis, Stakna, Matho. Hemis
Gompa: 40 kms from Leh, built in 1630, is the biggest
monastery in Ladakh. It is not visible from the road as it is located in a
side valley. Hemis has the largest thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once
in 12 year. It celebrates a colourful Hemis festival on June 24th and 25th
attended by people from all over the provinces who come to join in the
celebrated mask dances. Matho
Monastery: situated on the opposite bank of the Indus across
Thiksey, Matho was established in the first half of the 16th century AD and
has valuable collection of very old and beautiful Thankhas, some in the form
of Mandalas. Its annual festival of Oracles in early march is an important
event in Ladakhi religious calendar. Overnight at hotel. Day 12:Leh Visit Stok, Spituk, Phiyang. Stok
Monastery: The Palace of the banished royal family, Stok has
a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery of the
royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Sakya
Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armour, weapons, precious
jade and porcelain too can be seen here. Spituk
Monastery : stands on a hillock 8 km from Leh. The proud
possessions of this shrine are a number of intriguing Thankas. Higher up the
hill is a chamber housing a statue of Goddess Kali with her face covered: it
is unveiled once a year. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13:Leh
Alchi was built in the 11th century. Its sheltered position in the Indus
valley, off the main trails to Leh, is probably the major reason why it
survived wars and abandonment to the elements. It is the best surviving
example of the era and is notable because it was built down in a valley
instead of on a hill top or mountainside.
Rinchen Zangpo under
the patronage of a local Tibetan King was responsible for founding Alchi.
The Tibetans, ability to construct and decorate the temples, consequently
artists and monks from Kashmir and north west India were employed, resulting
in a typically Indo Buddhist style.
At the same time as Spituk
and Thiksey, Likir is recognised as the foremost Delugpa monastery in Ladakh
region. It is found near saspol on the Srinagar - Leh road. It houses a
great deal of gigantic clay statues of the Buddha in various forms, the
primary attraction of this monastery is its 1000 year old wall paintings
which make a visit more than worth while. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
14:Leh-Delhi Transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 15 Delhi-Aboard Early morning transfer
to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.