Cultural Ladakh Tour

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Day 01: Arrival at Leh airport. Transfer to hotel. Day rest to acclimatize. Evening walk to Leh bazaar in a slow pace. )Do not run/climb or exert) Over at hotel at Leh.

Day 02: Sightseeing of Shanti Stupa, Sankar village and Spituk monasteries. Overnight hotel at Leh.

SHANTI STUPA: Shanti Stupa/Japanese peace pagoda is build by a Japanese religious organization headed by Head monk Nakamura with the help from the organization and local people. It is situated at a hill top in Cahngspa village providing a bird eye view of the Leh town and the surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the Japanese touch with small clean rooms on the side for meditators and the main Japanese shrine at the entrance.

SANKAR GOMPA: 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.

SPITUK GOMPA: 8 Kms from Leh, it stands prominently on the top of hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The Gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakaal. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and is revealed only at the annual function at January every year.

Day 03: Sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey, Hemis. Overnight hotel at Leh.

SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms 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 kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.

THIKSEY GOMPA: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.

HEMIS GOMPA: 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 in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years (nest in 2004) Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as “green room” by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist “Wheel Of Life” (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel.

Day 04: Drive towards Sham valley, visit Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, and the confluence of the Zanskar & Indus river. Overnight hotel at Leh.

GURDWARA SHRI PATTHAR SAHIB: The Shrine known as Gurdwara Patthar sahib is situated about 25 kms. Short of Leh town on the Leh-Srinagar road. Built in the everlasting memory of Shri Guru Nanak Deve Ji the great prophet who sanctified the place by his sacred visit during the year 1517 while on his second missionary tour (2nd Udassi 1515-1518). The Guru reached here via Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet Yarkand and Leh after having spiritual discourses with the sidhas at Mount Sumer (Central Himalayas). The boulder having imprint of the Guru’s back is lying in the Gurdwara to this day.

MAGNETIC HILL: Defying the Law of gravity. This place is close to the Gurdwara Shri Patthar Sahib. It has been noticed that when a vehicle is parked on neutral gear on this metallic road the vehicle slides up-hill that’s the Believe it or not of Ladakh!

CONFLENCE OF THE ZANSKAR & INDUS: On way to Sham Valley before Nimu village one can have this magnificent view of two rivers in wed-lock! In seasons they have different colors and flow and wildness.

Day 05: Morning excursion to the World’s Highest Motorable road: Khardung-la pass. Afternoon free for shopping etc. Overnight hotel at Leh.

khardungla pass: The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.

Day 06: Departure transfer to Leh airport. Fly Leh-Delhi

Tour Ends.

Tour Cost (Standard Package)

* The above Costs are valid till 30 September 2009.

 Cost Includes:

1. All accommodation on twin sharing basis in A category hotels.

2. All meals during the stay at the Hotel.

3. All road transport by Non A/C car as per the program.

4. Services of local English speaking guide for two days in Leh.

5. Luxury taxes on the hotel.

6. All Inner Line Permits.

Cost Excludes:

1. Any thing of personal nature like phone calls, laundry, mineral water, tips etc.

2. Any kind of airfare.

3. Entry fees for the monasteries or any other entry fees .

4. Any expenses occurring due to unforeseen circumstances like flight delay / cancellation / hike in fare, strike or any other natural calamities or any emergency evacuation expenses.

5. Medical expenses (apart from first aid) and insurance of any kind.

6. Transportation is not on disposal basis. It is strictly as per the programme, any extra running will be charges extra.

7. All the arrangements for the tour are preplanned and prepaid. In case of not completion of the tour due to any reason whatsoever there will not be any refund for any unutilized services. Any extra expense due to the same has to be paid extra. 

8. Any thing that is not included in the cost.