Duration: 12 Nights / 14 Days
Highlights: Delhi / Amritsar / Dharmashala / Manali / Jispa / Sarchu / Leh / Alchi / Lamayuru / Leh / Delhi
Cost: On Request - [Escorted Group or Private Journey]
The centuries-old culture of Ladakh has found expression in its monuments; monasteries, pral literature, art forms,fairs and festivals, Mystique of Leh & Ladakh covers the most ancient monasteries of Ladakh where you will see the rituals and way of life of Lamas and monastic instituations. Explore the nautal beautry of the barren landscape in the capital city of Leh and experience the spirit of Budhism in the gompas of Hemis, Alichi and Lamayuru.
Day 01: Delhi
Arrive Delhi, assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel
Day 02: Delhi - Leh (By flight)
Early morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Leh, Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to acclimatize, Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 03: Leh
Morning visit to Spituk Monastery: 14 kms from Leh. The Spituk Monastery has a collection of 21 gold staties of Goddess Tara and a number of scroll paintings. Also visit the temple of Kali which has an interesting collection of masks.
Afternoon visit to Sankar : 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 the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 04: Leh
Full day visit of Shey : Situated on a hillock 15 km upstream from Leh. It was once the residence of the Royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings. A 7.5 metre high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold, and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
Thikshey : 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly most impressive gompas. There are several temples in the gompa containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha which are exquisite. Hemis : 40 kms from Leh. It is the wealthiest, best known and biggest gompa of Ladakh Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is also has the largest thanka in Ladakh which is unfirled once in 12 years.
Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 05 : Leh
Full day visit of Alchi, 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus river, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature- sized pictures of the Buddha.
Likir : Founded in the 11th century AD and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century AD, its earlier gompa was destroyed in a fire.
Lamayuru Monastery : Situated at the altitude of 3800 meters between Fotu-la and Khalsi. As per the legend, in ancient times a lake covered this site.
Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 06: Leh
Full day visit of Stock Palace : The last king died in 1974 but his widow continues to live here, their son continues the royal line and ascended the throne in July 1993. Also visit MATHO MONASTERY.
Overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 07 : Leh - Sarchu ( 253 Kms/8 Hrs)
Morning drive to Sarchu, enroute stop for photography and admire the natural beauty. Upon arrival check in to the camp, Overnight in Tents (B,L,D)
Day 08 : Sarchu - Jispa ( 125 Kms. / 5 Hrs.)
Morning drive to for Jispa, Afternoon visit to Monestary and Jispa Museem, Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 09 : Jispa - Manali ( 141 Kms. / 6 Hrs.)
Morning drive to Manali, Upon arrival, check at hotel, Overnight at hotel (B,L,D)
Day 10 : Manali - Dharamshala ( 253 Kms. / 8 Hrs. )
Morning drive to Dharamshala, Upon arrival, check in to hotel, Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 11: Dharamshala - Amritsar ( 199 Kms. / 6 Hrs. )
Morning visit to the Mcleod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj which retain the British flavour so peculiar to the towns of Himachal Pradesh. The residence of H.H. THE DALAI LAMA next to the monastery. The library at the school of Tibetan studies is treasure trove of manuscripts and texts on Tibet and its culture.
Afternoon, drive to Amritsar, upon arrival, check in to hotel, Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 12: Amritsar - Delhi (Train)
Morning visit to the GOLDEN TEMPLE and the Jalianwalan Bagh, Afternoon visit Golden Temple. Later in the afternoon, transfer to railway station
Dep Amritsar : 1705 Hrs / Arr Delhi : 2250 Hrs
Meeting upon arrival and transfer to hotel, overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 13: Delhi
Morning proceed for the tour of Old Delhi, an ancient walled city Red Fort, Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city.
Afternoon visit of New Delhi, Humayun's Tomb and QutubMinar then your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Return to hotel for farewell dinner and wash & change where few rooms will be available. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Delhi
Later transfer to airport for flight to Paris