Ladakh, the land of many passes, in the northern-most province of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in India.Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, it is a land like no other. A high-altitude desert with barren mountains, lush-green riverval-leys, deep-blue skies and numerous lakes full of bird-life, the average altitude varies from about 9000 ft. in Kargil to about 12,000 ft. in leh,above sea level. Peopled by a race related to Tibetian stock in culture,religion, language and features, it is also called "little Tibet"..Ladakh has become one of the most popular summer destinations for for-eigntourists to India. Ladakh is one of the more popular summer destina-tions.It remains monsoon-free due to the great barrier of the Himalayas. This makes the period from June to October the ideal holiday season. It is a land not only for the leisure and luxury-loving tourist but for any one who loves challenge and adventure. Other places to see are Leh Khar Palace, Leh Monastery, The Leh Mosque, Tsemo Gompa, Shankar Gompa, Spituk Monastery,Shey Palace and Monastery, Tiksey Monastery, Fiang Gompa, Hemis Gompa,lamayuru, Alchi and likir Gompas.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi airport the representative of Max Holidays will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel for check in and night stay.
Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing
After breakfast a full day guided tour of Old and New Delhi (Delhi, the capital of India comprises of conspicuously contrasting Old and New Delhi.Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries and one can find mosques, monuments and forts related to Muslim history. New Delhi is the imperial city created as India's capital by the British, intricately planned and comprises of imposing buildings displaying various modern style of architecture) will take you to Red Fort (Built by the builder of the Taj Mahal - Shah Jehan, famous for its delicately carved inlaid and Royal chambers), Raj Ghat (The creamation Ground of the father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi), Humayun's Tomb (Humayun's tomb is believed to have been designed in 1565 AD by the widow of Mughal emperor Himayun. It' splan, based on the description of Islamic paradise gardens, is known to have inspired the Taj Mahal and many later Mughal tombs. This type of garden is known as a charbagh and is based on a grid), Safdarjung's Tomb (Representing the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture, Safdarjang's Tomb stands in the centre of an extensive garden), Qutab Minar (73 meters high which tapers from a 15 m diameter base to just 2.5 m at the top. The walls consistintricately carved quotations from Koran and is one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world) Drive through India Gate (The war memorial) and President's Palace. Night stay in your hotel.
Day 03 : Delhi - Leh (Flight)
You are met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to acclimatize to the high altitude and rarefied air. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 04 : Leh (Monastery visit, Shankar + Shanti + Phyang + Palace)
After breakfast half day sightseeing of Sankar Gompa: Located on a valley floor and is the home to Lamas who belong to yellow sect and worship his Holiness - The Dalai Lama. Visit Shanti Stupa : a Buddhist religious monument built by Indian based Japanese Monk whose intention was to spread Buddhism by building such stupas through out the world & Leh Palace : the17th. Century looking for the entire world like a miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa. SINDHU DARSHAN at Choglomsar. The rest of the day is free for personal activities. Meals and overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 : Tak Tak & Hemis
An excursion to Tak Tak and hemis. Hemis Gompa is one of the most important in Ladakh, the largest and also the wealthiest. It was built in 1620 by theking-architect Singe Namgyal, a great patron of Buddhism. He filled Hemis with golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thangkhas broughtfrom many places, including Tibet. Back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 : Shey, Thiksey
After breakfast explore some of Ladakh's ancient gompas. A picnic lunch is provided.
Shey Palace was built in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older ruined fortress. In 1655, in memory of his father, this same king built the two-storey Shey gompa adjacent to the palace. Hundreds of chortens of all shapes and sizes stand below the palace and gompa. These chortens demonstrate the interest taken in Shey by the Ladakhi kings and queens who succeeded Shey's original builder.
Thiksey Gompa is the most picturesquely situated monastery in Ladakh,perched high on a hill above the Indus. Its buildings are arranged at various levels, leading up to the private apartments of the incarnate lamason the summit. From here one commands a magnificent view of the valley.
Day 07 : Leh - Alchi
After an early breakfast drive to Alchi Gompa which is located near the small village of Saspol. Alchi which is one of the earliest monasteries built in Ladakh, dating from the 11th century. Because it was built before the invading wars began in the 15th century, Alchi was built on lowlands,rather than on a hilltop as others were, in order to protect them from marauding armies. Overnight in camp/ hotel
Day 08 : Alchi/Lamayuru/Leh
After breakfast drive to Lamayuru Gompa which lies 15 km east of the FatuLa on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, with its medieval village seemingly growing out of the rocky hillside below it. In the past, Lamayuru has housed up to 400 lamas, but presently there are only 30 to 50 lamas living here, although about 150 lamas belong to the gompa.
Lamayuru's valley was a clear lake where nagas (holy serpents) lived. The Bodhisattva Madhyantaka foretold that the lake would be emptied and amonastery built there. The legends continue by saying that Naropa, an 11th century Indian Buddhist scholar, came to Lamayuru and spent many years meditating in a cave, which can still be seen in the main Dukhang or assembly hall. Naropa then caused a split in the surrounding hillside and the lake emptied through this opening. After the lake emptied, Naropa founda dead lion previously covered by the waters of the lake. On this spot, Naropa built the first temple at Lamayuru, the Singhe Ghang (Lion Mound).
Afternoon drive back to Leh for 7 hours. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Drive STOK TO DISKIT over KHARDUNG LA - 7 hours
The Nubra Valley lies north of Leh and is accessible over the Khardung la(18,380 feet/5,600 m), one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The Nubra Valley was on the caravan route from Leh to Kashgar via the Sasir and Karakoram passes. Apart from unparalleled trekking opportunities, the valley houses several Buddhist monasteries such as Sumur and the 350 year-old Diskit gompa, famous for its murals. From Khardung La descend to the village of Khardung and drive through starkly beautiful country to the TCP at Khalsar where permits have to be registered. From here turn left from the Shyok river and drive for 23 km over a narrow steep road to the campsite at Diskit.
Day 10 : DISKIT to SUMUR
Early in the morning walk up to Diskit monastery to witness the morning prayer ceremony. It takes about 45 minutes through a long row of scattered chortens to reach the gompa which is set on the highest point near the village.
Visit the 150 years old Samsthanling gompa at Sumur. Walk through the village and explore its beautiful surroundings near the jungle and a small lake. Overnight in camp.
Day 11 : Drive SUMUR to LEH via KHARDUNG LA - 6 hoursRetrace the route to the Ladakh Sarai via Khalsar and the Khardung La.
Day 12 : Leh - Delhi (flight)Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Delhi. In Delhi transferto hotel. Rest of the day free. Night stay at hotel.
Day 13 : Leave DelhiIntime you will be transferred to the airport to board onward flight.
The above packege can be tailored as per your specification.
