Hemis is the name of the biggest monastery in Ladakh and the courtyard of Hemis Gompa is the stage for famous Hemis Festival which is celebrated on the 10th day (Tses- Chu) of the Tibetan lunar month as the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism as the local people celebrates the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism this day.This 200 years old tradition introduced by Ladakh's ruling family in 18th century, is a two days colourful festival when the resident Lamas of Ladakhper form sacred masked dance leading to the destruction of the sacrificial offerings. These masks represent various guardian divinities of the Dugpaorder, of which Hemis is the leading establishment in the region. As the Hemis festival is held during the peak summer season. It attracts the largest number of people from with in and outside Ladakh.
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 carvedinlaid 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 - Agra - Delhi (205 kms / 4 hrs one way)
Breakfast in the hotel and then drive to Agra (Agra attained its magnificence under the Emperor Akbar The Great. Once the capital of Mughal India, it is famous for the world renowned Taj Mahal). Enroute visit Sikandra Fort. Afternoon visit Agra Fort ((In Akbar's time the fort was principally a military structure but by Shah Jahan's time it had partially become a palace. This fort serves as vantage location to have the fabulous glimpse of The Taj Mahal) and the most beautiful monument Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah jahan in the swet memories of his wife Mumtaj. The Taj complex took 22 years and 20,000 workforce, including specialised craftsmen, to get completed and is today counted as one of the Wonders of the World. This white Marble wonder is extra ordinarily luminescent and even on the dull days one can find it glowing. De facto theTaj is believed to change its glow depending on the intensity and direction of the sunrays falling on it). Evening drive back to Delhi for night stay.
Day 04 : Delhi - Leh (Flight)
After breakfast transfer to Delhi airport to board flight to Leh. Onarrival at Leh airport, the representative at the airport and escort you to Hotel, which is just 15 minutes, drive from the airport will meet you.Complete day for the acclimatization, which is 3500 Mtrs above sea level. In the evening short walk around Leh bazaar. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 : Leh - Hemis
Leave after early breakfast one and half hours drive (45 Kms) will take you to the famous monastery Hemis that is one of the most famous monastery of the Ladakh region. Hemis is one of the most famous and largest of all monasteries in Ladakh founded in 17th century belongs to the Drukpa order.Stagsang Raschegn who was invited to Ladakh by King Singee Namgyal founded the monastery. The king offered him religious estates and attended him as his principal guru. Hemis Tsche (festival) assemble annually from 9th to11th day of the 5th Tibetan month. Its resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances leading to the destruction of the sacrificial offerings. Masks worn by the Lamas represent various guardian divinities of the Drugpa order, of which Hemis is the leading establishment in region. The gompa has well preserved Thankas and copper gild statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver and many auspicious objects. Afternoon drive backs to Leh and hot lunch at Hotel. Afternoon short drive to Saboo which is the famous for the Oracles. In the evening return back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 : Leh - Hemis - Shey - Thiksey
Leave after breakfast and continue drive to Hemis. Enjoy the second day festival at the monastery. Leave afternoon and drive to Thiksey gompa which is situated on the top of the hill and part of Gelukpa order the disciple of Jangson Tsongkhapa, Sherab Zangpo of stod, first built the temple of Stagmo Lakchung at the top of Stagmo Lakchung at the top of Thiksey. On the way back to Leh visit Shey Palace which was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon and of successive kings. Around 12 feet Shakyamuni Buddha's statue made by cooper guilt is the largest in the region. In the evening return back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 : Leh - Khardongla Top - Nubra
Leave after breakfast 5/6 hours drive (120 Kms) will take you to Nubra Valley, passing through Gangles villages the road than rises to reach Khardongla pass ( 5600 Mtrs) the worlds highest motorable road. The road then passes through a bridge laid on Glacier, which finds its way in Guiness book of world records. Check in at Camping and lunch at Camp. Afternoon short drive will take you to Panamic, which is famous for its hot sulphur spring. In the evening return back to the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 08 : Nubra Valley
After breakfast leave and visit interesting places of the Nubra valley visiting Sumur monastery, which is 265 years old. Diskit is the headquarterof the present administration set up of Nubra Valley but from the historical and tourist point of view diskit is famous for its 515 years old Buddhist monastery situated on a hill top giving panoramic view of the valley. Shortdrive will take you to Hunder to enjoy the sand dunes and bacterian camels.One can have Camel ride on the availability of the camels. In the evening return back to the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 09 : Nubra Valley - Leh
Leave after breakfast and drive back to Leh by the lunchtime you will reach into the hotel. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon free for personal activities.
Day 10 : Leh - Dah Hanu - Uletokpo
Same as per program 1 Leave early in the morning and three hours drive will take you to Khaltsi. The area along the Indus between Khaltse and the Shayok Indus confluence, live people known as Drokhpa belongs to the purest of Purefrom Aryan race. They are tall, handsome and hospitable. Drokhpas are believed to have migrated to this area via Gilgit around 1000 year ago from central Asia. They are different with large, beautiful eyes, sharp aquilinenoses. They are culturally distinct from the rest of the Ladakh is. The greatest attraction in this area are the villages of Biama and Dah. Theroute follows the Indus down from Khaltsi which is just 66 Kms passing the village of Domkhar, Skurbuchan and Achinathang, along a fairly good road. In the gorge of the Indus the sun's heat, reflected off bare rocks and cliff isa frequently nit. The same heat makes it possible to take two crops every year from the fields, fruit is also grown apricots and apples. The special interest of this region is less the landscape than its Drokhpa inhabitants,their features are pure Indo Aryan, and they appear to have preserved their racial purity down the centuries. Camp at Biama which is the beautiful place for the camping. Afternoon visit to Dah to see the real Aryan village. It is quite interesting to spend some time with the inhabitants of this region. In the evening return back to the camp.
Day 11 : Uletekpo - Lamayuru - Uletekpo
Leave after breakfast and two hours drive will take you to the Lamayuru.The view on the way to Lamayuru is the most spectacular view known as Moon Land. The history of the monastery begins with the visit of Arahat Nimagungto this place, when there was merely lake here. It is said that Arahat made a prophecy that the monastery will come up at this spot and he made offerings (Prayer with grains of corn) to the Nagaserpent spirits. The cornsmixed with the earth and formed in the shape of Swastika (Yungdrung) laterit came to be known as Yungdrung monastery. The great translator Rinchen Zangpo constructed a temple here in eleventh century. Visit the monastery and enjoy the festival, which is celebrated for two days but the first day is the most interesting and enjoyable. In the evening return back to theUletokpo. Overnight at Camping.
Day 12 : Uletekpo - Alchi - Likir - Leh
Leave after breakfast and short drive will take you to Alchi monastery, which is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground. Largest and most famous of all of them temple and built by the particularly Kashmir influences. The monastery comprises of Dukhang (Assembly Hall) visit the Alchi monastery and its surrounding areas. Continue drive to Likir monastery belongs to the Gelukspa Order. The Alchi monastery is also a branch of Likir. This monastery was founded in 1065 AD by Lama Duwang Chosje duringthe reign of king Lhachen Gylapo, which was named Klu Khil Ga Ldan Dar Rgyas Ling and a monastic community was introduced. Another 53 Kms drive will take you to Leh, which will take nearly 2 hours, drive from Likir. By the lunch time you will reach Leh. Afternoon free for personal activities. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 13 : Leh - Delhi (Flight)
After early breakfast, transfer in time to the airport to connect flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport you will be transferred to a hotel forrest and night stay.
Day 14 : Leave Delhi
After breakfast transfer to the airport to board flight to onward destination
