Ladakh Moonscape
9 nights / 10 days
SKETCH ITNERARY
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
DAY 02: IN DELHI
DAY 03: DELHI – LEH BY: DOMESTIC FLIGHT
DAY 04: IN LEH
DAY 05: LEH – ULEY TOKPO BY: SURFACE
DAY 06: IN ULEY TOKPO
DAY 07: ULEY TOKPO – LEH BY: SURFACE
DAY 08: IN LEH
DAY 09: LEH – DELHI BY: DOMESTIC FLIGHT
DAY 10: DEPART DELHI BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
DETAILED ITINERARY
Delhi * Leh * Uley Tokpo * Leh * Delhi
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will arrive in the evening at New Delhi’s International Airport. Following Customs/Immigration formalities and baggage collection, a Representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building after which you would be transferred to your hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed for check-in at the hotel.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.
DAY 02: IN DELHI
In the morning proceed for Full day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi had been the capital of Mughal India between the 12th and 19th centuries. See the 17th century Jama Masjid and walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. You have the option of taking a rickshaw ride through these bazaars. Also visit the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort.
Afternoon proceed for New Delhi. Visit Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
DAY 03: DELHI – LEH [By Flight]
Today morning you will be transferred to the Domestic Airport by a representative to board your flight to Leh .
Upon arrival in Leh, you will be received by a representative and will be transferred from the Airport to your hotel for check in.
Full day is free for you to get acclimatized to the high altitude.
In the evening walk to Sankar Monastery located in Leh town. It houses monks of the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat order. It has a grand image of Avalokiteshvara (The Buddhist deity of compassion) who is depicted with 1000 heads and 1000 arms.
DAY 04: IN LEH
In the morning proceed to visit 02 Monasteries - Spituk monastery and Phyang monastery.
Return to Leh for lunch at the hotel.
The Spituk Gompa is perched on a high hill overlooking the Indus river about 18 Km from Leh. Rinchen Zangpo the Great Translator who helped spread Buddhism in Ladakh named the monastery. (Spituk means exemplary). The Spituk monastery is known for its collection of Buddhist artifacts and for the Spituk festival held from the 17th to 19th days of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar.
Phyang monastery contains numerous sacred shrines inside the monastery, frescoes dating from the royal period, and a 900 year old museum which has an extensive collection of idols including a number of fine Kashmiri bronzes probably dating to the 14th century, thangkas, Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian firearms and weapons
In the afternoon visit village of Choglamsar, a Tibetan refugee settlement located in the outskirts of Leh. Visit the Children's Village, a Handicrafts Center devoted largely to carpet weaving and the Dalai Lama's prayer ground - Jivatsal.
Later visit Gurphuk monastery. Return to Leh in the evening
DAY 05: LEH – ULEY TOKPO (70 kms / 4h00 drive )
In the morning drive to Uley Tokpo.
Enroute stop at Nimmu for a photo-stop. This is the meeting point of 02 rivers – Indus and Zanskar. Both have a very distinct colour of water before merging at this point. Later drive to Saspol for Tea and at Bagso Fort for a photo-stop. Then drive to Lamayuru.
In the afternoon visit the Lamayuru Monastery – It is located on a high rocky outcrop, which overlooks a valley and the village of Lamayuru, 125 kms west of Leh. It is also called the Yung Drung or Swastika monastery and its stunning location makes this monastery a must visit on a tour to Ladakh.
Later continue drive to Uleytokpo and check-in at the Camp.
DAY 06: IN ULEY TOKPO
In the morning drive to Likir monastery.
The Likir Monastery is also called the Klu-Kkhjil or "water spirits" Gompa and is situated 52 Km from Leh. Built over an earlier Gompa burnt down in the 15th century, the present Gompa is an 18th century construction and houses monks of the Gyalukpa sect. The Likir monastery has a rich collection of paintings, robes and artifacts.
Return to the camp in the afternoon, which will be free to relax at the Camp.
DAY 07: ULEY TOKPO – LEH (70 kms / 4h00 drive)
Morning drive to Leh.
Enroute stop at Alchi monastery for a visit. The Alchi Gompa is situated on the bank of the River Indus and is easily accessible since it is the only Gompa in Ladakh, which is located on flat ground. Founded by Ringchen Zangpo, the Great Translator, the Alchi Gompa displays a Kashmiri influence in its art and architecture. Within the monastery you can see many beautiful images of Buddha.
Later continue your drive to Leh. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon proceed for a visit to Stok Palace.
The Stok Palace is located on a glacial deposit of pebbles and overlooks fields of barley grown on terraces on the mountains. Standing four storeys tall, the Stok Palace was the official residence of the royal family of Ladakh and was constructed in 1814 by Ladakh's last ruler. The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewelry and artifacts, including thangkas painted with colors derived from crushed precious stones. Also on display are the ceremonial headdresses or 'peraks' of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These headdresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral and gold, making them an exotic sight.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
DAY 08: IN LEH
Today full day is reserved for visiting 03 Monasteries located Southwest of Leh – Shey, Hemis, Thiksey.
Carry Packed Lunch from the hotel in the morning.
Situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, Shey Gompa was previously the summer palace of the Ladakhi kings. A prince of Ladakh installed the 12 m tall gold-plated copper statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which can be seen here.
The Hemis Gompa is the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Located 45 kms south of Leh, Hemis Gompa was built in 1630 CE and houses monks of the Brokpa or Red Hat sect. Tourists can see beautiful frescoes (paintings) on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, which is over 12 m in length. The Hemis Gompa is famous for its annual Tse Chu Festival held in June-July, which is characterized by colorful masked dances.
The Thiksey monastery located 17 kms from Leh is 12 storeys high and has many statues of Buddha, a pillar inscribed with Buddhist teachings, a 15 mts high seated Maitreya Buddha in the main prayer hall, and a vast collection of Buddhist art. Home to monks of the Gelukpa order.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
DAY 09: LEH – DELHI [By Flight]
Today morning you will be transferred to the Domestic Airport by a representative to board your flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check in.
In the afternoon Orientation tour of Delhi. Visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Connaught Place and other local markets.
Late night departure transfer to the International Airport to board flight for onward journey.
DAY 10: DEPART DELHI By an International Flight
Board the flight for onward journey.
*** End of Tour ***