Duration: 07 Nights / 08 Days
Highlights: Delhi / Leh / Alchi / Lamayuru / Leh / Delhi
Cost: On Request - [Escorted Group or Private Journey]
Explore the natural beauty of the barren landscape in the capital city of Leh and experience the spirit of Budhism in the gompas of Hemis, Alchi 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 – KushakBakula. 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. On these days hundreds of pilgrims will gather at hemis to pay their tribute and homage. Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengg Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh.
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. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attraction. No longer a active religions center, it is looked after by monks from Likir.
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. The present Gompa dates back to the18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent thankas, earthern pots and carved folding wooden stools, liver here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view.
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. One day a Hermit predicted that there will be a monastery one day and he throws the grainof rice on the earth which automatically forms the shape of Swastika (Yundrung.
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. The palace is a rumbling building where only a dozen of the 80 rooms are used. The small palace museum is worth visiting. Also visit MATHO MONASTERY.
Overnight at the hotel (B,L,D)
Day 07 : Leh – Delhi (flight)
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Delhi, Upon arrival, transfer to city for visiting the Old and New Delhi, 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)
Later transfer to airport for flight to Paris.
Day 08 : Departure Delhi (flight)
Departure Delhi