Day 1 : Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Assistance on arrival, transferred to your hotel . Rest of the day is a leisure to recover from the flight.

Day 2 : Fly Delhi – Leh

Early this morning, you will be transferred to the domestic airport in Delhi for your trans-Himalayan flight to Leh. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Guide and transferred to your hotel. We recommend you relax and undergo minimal exertion to enable yourself to acclimatize to rarefied air of this remote region ensconced in the high Himalayan plateau.

Day 3 : Leh - Half day tour

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you as you explore the ancient town of Leh on foot. After a couple of hours, return to your hotel for lunch. After lunch you are driven west to visit the Shanti Stupa, inaugurated in 1983 by H.H.Dalai Lama, the peace Pagoda, whose sides are decorated with gilt panels depicting episodes from the life of Buddha, is one of the several monuments erected around India by peace sect of Japanese Buddhists. Following that, you are driven to Sankar Monastery nestled amid the shimmering coppices & terraced fields of Barley. Sankar monastery: The Gompa (Monestry in local language), contains a formidable collection of miniature statues of pure gold and ancient paintings (called Thangkas) also done with gold. We return to our hotel in the evening.

Day 4 : Leh -Hemis - Thiksey – Shey

After breakfast, we visit the Hemis monastery, the biggest and the wealthiest in Ladakh. You walk past the Chortens and the Mani walls to enter the complex through the east gate. From Hemis, you are driven westwards to Thiksey monastry, located on a hilltop with formidable views of the Indus valley. After visiting the interiors of the monestry the tour continues to Shey the former summer palace of the King of Ladakh. Finally we drive back to Leh to our hotel.

 

Day 5 : Leh – Alchi

After breakfast, we start our drive to Alchi, 70 kms west of Leh, south of the village of Saspol. On arrival at Uletokpo camp, we check-in and followed with lunch. After lunch, we drive back to visit Alchi village & the monestry. Alchi's large temple complex founded in the 11th century is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist centres in Ladakh and a jewel of monastic skill. You will also have an opportunity to witness villagers using primitive methods to grind the wheat along the road side. After our visit to the Alchi monastery, we drive back to our campsite.

Day 6 : Alchi - Lamayuru – Alchi

After early breakfast, we drive towards west to Lamayuru. We visit the Lamayuru Monastery founded in the 11th century perched on a spur high above the valley bottom just off the main road, it is one of the most spectacularly picturesque gompas (Gompa means Monastery in local language) in central ladakh, as you descends from the Fatula pass and is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh. It has been the holy place of the Bon-chos before the advent of Buddhism. Afternoon picnic lunch at the Lamayuru village. Then drive to the valley of Temisgang where you will enjoy tea and the hospitality of a Ladakhi family in the small and picturesque village of Tia. Visit the house and its private temple and get a demonstration of preparing Gur Gur tea (Local tea mixed with milk, butter & salt). Take some time to explore the maze of narrow alleys in the village.

Day 7 : Uletokpo Camp - Leh en route Likir Monastry

After a early tea/coffee, we drive to visit Ridzong Monestry. The track to Ridzong leaves the main road along the Indus at Uletokpo, between Saspol and Nurla and follow the valley of a tributary stream, we leave the vehicle and set on foot a kilometer up the valley to Ridzong Monestry. Ridzong is is the only Nunnery Monastry in Ladakh. After that we descend, to drive back to our campsite, followed with breakfast. After breakfast we start our drive to Leh, en route visit the Likir Monastery set up on a hill top of a low hill, it was re-founded in the 15th century by the Gelupa Sect (Yellow Sect). After that we continue our drive on the left bank of the Indus river to Leh.. Time permitting stop at Basgo to discover the ruins of the old palace and its temple graced with impressive murals. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the way.

Day 8 : Leh - Stok - Tibetan Handicraft

After breakfast, we drive to visit the Stok palace, the former residence of the Royal family of Ladakh. We visit the museum in which the family's heirlooms and relics are displayed, a poignant evocation of Ladakh's vanished past as an independent kingdom. Then proceed to the monastery of Matho, famous for its oracle and affords stunning view of the Indus valley.. We visit the Tibetan Handicraft Centre / Tibetan school. After that we continue our drive to Leh. We then drive to Choglamsar, which is the largest settlement of Tibetan refugee, Village in Afternoon free to explore/at leisure.

Day 9 : Leh

Day at leisure in Leh to relax and do some last minute shopping in the market and curio shops.

Day 10 : Fly, Leh – Delhi

After early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Leh for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to a hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 11 : Delhi

Sightseeing tour of Delhi.

 

Day 12 : Depart