Ladakh Cultural Tour
Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Leh - Kargil - Rangdum - Padum - Alchi - Leh
- Likir Gompa - Dha Hanu - Basg - Leh - Hemis - Chumtahng - Karzok - Tsomoriri
- Tsokar - Sarchu - Jispa - Manali - Amritsar - Delhi
Day 01: Arrive at Delhi
Reach Delhi in the evening and relax at hotel.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Leh
Early morning transfer to domestic airport to connect flight to Leh.
On arrival in Leh, airport transfer by jeeps to hotel.
Leh is the capital of Ladakh, lies nestled among low hills on the north side
of the Indus Valley, between the Stok Mountains to the south and the Ladakh
Range to the north, for centuries it has been a place where travelers of different
nationalities have rested, In the 15th century both Leh and the village of Shey
shared the responsibility of being the capitals of Upper Ladakh, Shey was the
more fortified of the two, while Leh was in the prime position for trade. The
town's growth in importance is relegated by the building of the first royal
residency on top of Namguyal peaks. Leh's prosperity derived from its location
at the foot of the Khardung La, the gateway of the infamous trade route to Yarkand
in Turkistan. the trade involved the people of Leh at all levels, a few undergoing
the rigorous journey over the mountains themselves, some merely setting up as
merchants. Rest of the day will be at leisure to get used to the rarefied air
of Ladakh.
In the evening you can take a small walk in the market.
Overnight will be at hotel.
Day 03: Leh
After breakfast half day excursion to visit Phyang & Spituk Gompa.
Spituk Gompa - On a hilltop above the Indus River and only 8kms from Leh, the
spituk gompa was built in the 15th century under the Gelukpa order.
Phyang - Not far past Spituk, a long roughish track off the main road leads
to the pretty village of Phyang. Mani walls lead to the little - visited gompa,
which was built around the 16th century by king Tashi Namgyal and is today home
to about 45 monks of the Kagyupa order.
Afternoon visit of Stok Gompa - Stok Gompa is where the last king of Ladakh
died in 1974. Built in 1814 it is popular because it is so easy to get to. There
are more than 80 rooms. The museum has a unique display of rare ornaments from
the royal family, traditional clothing and jewellery.
After the visit you will drive back to Leh. Also visit the Tibetan Refugee
Camp & school. Dinner & overnight will be at hotel.
Day 04: Leh - Kargil
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Early morning drive to Kargil over two big passes on the way. Enroute stop to
visit the Lamayuru Monastery & Mulbekh.
Arrive in Kargil by evening.
On arrival, check into hotel for dinner. Overnight will be at hotel in Kargil.
Day 05: Kargil - Rangdum - Padum (By Road 11 hrs drive)
After an early breakfast commence drive 10 - 11 hrs through the Suru valley
passing through numerous villages, The days drive gives excellent view of the
Twin peak s of Nun & Kun.
Arrive at Rangdum in the afternoon to visit Monastery.
After visit continue over the mighty Pensilass pass into Zanskar. The top of
Pesi la pass offers excellent views of the snow covered peaks. Late evening
arrival near Padum a place called Ating where we will set up our camp for the
next three days & make excursions from here.
Dinner & Overnight will be in camp.
Day 06: Padum
Breakfast will be at the camp.
Padum is the administration headquarters of the Zanskar region this has resulted
in the town faining a character similar to road-head everywhere.
This day visit the karcha Monastery in the morning, return to camp for a hotel
lunch. In the afternoon visit Sani Gompa & rest time around Padum Market.
Return to camp in the evening.
Overnight will be at camp.
Day 07: Padum - Kargil (By Road 10 hrs drive)
Early morning drive to Kargil 10 hrs over the PENSILA PASS. En route visit the
image of Maitriya Buddha near the Sanku village.
Arrive late in the evening to the comforts of a hot shower & a hotel bed.
Overnight will be at hotel.
Day 08: Kargil - Alchi - Leh
Early morning drive to Leh en route visit the famous monastery of Alchi this
is the unique monastery in Ladakh this very well known for its ancient paintings,
it is also termed as the Ajanta of the Himalayas.
Arrive late in the evening at Leh. On arrival, check into hotel for dinner &
overnight.
Day 09: Leh - Likir Gompa - Dha Hanu
After breakfast drive to Dha hanu enroute visit at Likir Gompa, The magnificent
gompa at Likir, known as the Klu-kkhyol Gompa, was founded in the 14th century,
and was the first in Ladakh known to have been built under the direction of
Tibetan monks. After visit continue to Dha hanu.
Overnight will be at the Camp.
Day 10: Dha Hanu
Dha Hanu consists of a handful of villages along the road leading north-west
from Khalsi. The steep bare walls of the Indus give the terraced fields more
light and heat than other pats of Ladakh. The area is probably most famous for
its inhabitants, known as dards or Brokpas, "people of the land ",
an ancient Indo- Iranian people but retain their own Buddhist and beliefs.
Overnight will be at camp.
Day 11: Dha Hanu - Basg - Leh
After breakfast return back to Leh enroute visit at Basgo, Basgo was the capital
of lower Ladakh kingdom was united at Leh. Listed as one of the top 100 endangered
world heritage sites in 2000, the 400 - year old mud- brick gompa is up winding,
steep tracks. The prayer room in the Set zung Temple has great frescoes; another
temple has an enoromus gold & copper statue of the Maitreya Buddha ( Future
Buddha ). After visit continue to Leh.
Overnight will be at the hotel.
Day 12: Leh - Hemis - Chumtahng - Karzok - Tsomoriri
Drive to Hemis Gompa after breakfast, around 35 km from Leh for a short visit.
Hemis Gompa is also known as Chang-Chub-Sam-Ling (or the Lone Place of the Compassionate
Person), Hemis Gompa, 45 km south of Leh belongs to the Brokpa order and was
founded in the early 17th century. Now it is one of the most accessible, famous
and therefore most visited gompas.
Continue drive to Chumthang and then continue to Karzok village. The Karzok
village has single gompa here is quite unusual because it is inhabited predominantly
by women, who often spend their day making beautiful garments for themselves.
The gompa was built in about 1850 replacing one replacing one destroyed
during Dogra invasion.
Tso Moriri is situated at an altitude of 4573m form south east from Leh. It
is like a pearl shape and contains large mineral deposits. The circumference
of the lake is around 36 km. Here you must register and show your permit.
Late evening return the camp for overnight.
Day 13: Karzok
Breakfast will be at the camp.
Enjoy the KARZOK GUSTOR FESTIVAL during the day. This is a very colourful and
famous festival of Ladakh.
Overnight will be at camp.
Day 14: Karzok
Breakfast will be at the camp.
Enjoy the FESTIVAL in the morning.
In the afternoon visit Thukse which is about 7km from Tsomoriri. There is a
small gompa at the village of Thukse. A collection of solid brick huts set up
for the dramatic winters.
Overnight will be at camp.
Day 15: Karzok - Tsokar (By Road 85 km in 5 hrs drive)
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Tsokar.
This is a beautiful valley with yaks and nomads. The journey to this place is
through rugged roads but the destination is really beautiful.
Enjoy the lakes and scenes and relax in the camp while our people take care
of you.
Overnight will be at the TSOKAR CAMP.
Day 16: Tsokar - Sarchu (By Road 118 km in 5 hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Pang. This will be 60 km down hill drive first and
then you will need to cross PANG.
Pang is the tiny migrated markets in Leh-Manali road. The person who run the
shops these are Ladakhi. They are shifted there for few months as mid June till
Sep. Just cross Pang and drive to Sarchu.
En route we cross the wild animals.
Sarchu is the very open place on the bank of the Bhaga River. The evening will
be windy.
Overnight will be at the tent.
Day 17: Sarchu - Jispa (By Road 142 km in 5 hrs drive)
Enjoy your breakfast at the camp and drive to Jispa.
The drive is very beautiful as the vegetation and the mountains slowly change
colours.
Pass through the Darcha village. This place is the gateway for the trekker's
to Lamayuru via Zanskar valley. We stop there for checking, because this is
the last check post in the Himachal. After verifying the passports and another
documents, cross the Barlacha Pass (4650m).
Reach Jispa in the afternoon. Enjoy the village walk in the evening and relax.
Overnight will be at Jispa.
Day 18: Jispa - Manali (By Road 117 km in 5 hrs drive)
Drive to Keylong after breakfast and visit the KHARDUNG MONASTERY - the most
celebrated monastery of Lahaul.
Keylong at an elevation of 3350 m. is situated on the Manali-Leh road is the
headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti. It is the only place in Lahaul, which has
a regular bazaar. It is ideally situated in the heart of the Himalayas in the
lonely corner with high cliffs in the front covered with snow. This place is
lush green. The climate of this place is dry and bracing but winters are very
severe. Keylong located above Bhaga River the district headquarters of Lahaul
Spiti has been described as oasis of green field. Three well known monasteries
Tayul, Khardong, Gemur and Sha-Shur are within a few kilometers. The people
of this valley are mainly Buddhists & the local society still follows the
ancient culture of polygamy
Continue drive to Manali through the Rohatang Pass 13,060 ft. around 51 km climb
up to the Rohatang along a rough bridle path and once on top, enjoy the stunning
panoramas of the array of snow peaks and glaciers. En route stop off at snow
point a static point as it shifts with the snow.
Reach Manali in the late afternoon. Spend time at the local markets.
Overnight will be at Manali.
Day 19: Manali
Proceed for a Full Day excursion of the hill queen.
The white peaks send a cheerful welcome to the Land of Snowballs and Skiing
as a matter of fact Manali is the first choice of many people who want to
see and touch snow for the first time. First times trippers to Manali will
invariably want to sues out old favorites such as the 16th century Hadimba
Temple, the Hot spring at Vashisht and even speculate anout the life and
times Old Manali - the hippy enclave. But the lure of the playing fields
of the Solang Valley. Naggar 28 km from the Manali, a picturesque tiny village
set on a hill, Naggar is the starting points for the treks over the Chandrakhani
pass. The town is host to the Roerich Art Gallery that used to be the home
of artist Nicholas Roerich and his wife Devika Rani. Amongst the ancient
temples in the area are the 12th century Gauri Shankar temple and the Chatar
Bhuj Temple.
Return to the hotel or explore the local markets.
Overnight will be at Manali.
Day 20: Manali - Amritsar (By Road 250 km in 5 hrs drive )
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Drive to Amritsar.
Reach and during the day visit the GOLDEN TEMPLE. This is one of the best maintained
shrines in India and would take a bit of time visiting the place and taking
a round of the pious lake.
In the evening enjoy the Punjabi Cuisine and roam in the old market of the city.
Overnight will be in Amritsar.
Day 21: Amritsar - Delhi (By Train 6 hr)
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Visit the INDIA PAKISTAN BORDER for a dress parade. (GATE OPENING CEREMONY)
In the late afternoon take SHATABDI deluxe train to Delhi.
Reach and stay overnight at Delhi.
Day 22: Delhi - Home
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Relax in the morning. In the afternoon proceed for a sightseeing tour of DELHI
visiting HANUMAN MANDIR, JANTAR MANTAR, BANGLA SAHIB GURDWARA, LODHI GARDENS
AND CRAFTS MUSEUM.
Walk around Connaught Place in the free time.
In the evening return to the hotel and proceed for FAREWELL DINNER. Proceed
to the airport in time for flight home.
Tour End
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