Ladakh - Hemis Festival Package

Day 1: Arrive Delhi - Capital City of India.

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to YOUR PRE BOOKED Hotel (Room Check-in 1400 hrs onwards)

Afternoon proceed for a half day guided city tour of Old Delhi. Explore the living legacy of the Mughals.
Drive past the Red Fort. Visit the Jama Masjid, (The great Mosque) followed by a short walking tour of
Chandni Chowk, the market of yesteryear's where the great Mughal Emperors, nobles and their ladies once shopped. End your tour visiting Raj Ghat, the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Meals : None

Day 2: At Delhi

Morning after breakfast, proceed for half day guided city sightseeing tour of New Delhi. The buildings designed by Edward Lutyens, architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic. The Presidential Palace, The Parliament House and India Gate are reminiscent of the British “Raj”. Also visit a modern Hindu Temple before we drive through Delhi’s beautiful tree - lined avenues and the Diplomatic Enclave en route to the 12th century, 234 foot high fluted minaret of Qutab Minar. Finish your tour visiting the Tomb of second Mughal emperor Humayun (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Overnight stay in hotel.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 3: Delhi – Leh (flight)

Early Morning after quick breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board flight to Leh. On arrival meeting, assistance & transfer to your pre booked hotel. Leh is the capital city of Ladakh and is the main Center of Ladakh and is located at an altitude of 3500 Mts. ASL in small valley to the north of Indus valley. Ladakh is far too kaleidoscopic to be dismissed with a string of platitudes. Its people, even the meanest peasant, are imbued with a culture handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. It is the most interesting destination to visit that one could possible imagine. It fulfills almost all the expectations of the traveler who is prepared to see it through his own eyes, to experience it through his own emotions, to comprehend it through his own sensibility.

Balance day is at leisure to acclimatize to the weather conditions. This is important and the tourists are advised to take complete rest for proper acclimatization to the high altitude atmosphere. Evening stroll down to visit the local bazaar. Overnight stay in hotel.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 4: Leh – Alchi – Uletokpo

Morning after breakfast, drive 75 Kms to Uleytokpo located at the bank of Indus River in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir. En-route we will halt to visit Spituk monastery which is in the vicinity of Leh town. Continue your drive to Alchi monastery, the only monastery in Ladakh built on flat grounds. Alchi monastery is famous for it's1000-year old wall painting, which make visiting this more than worthwhile. While the Rizong monastery lies 6 Kms along a steep, rocky track of the main road.

Later reach Uleytokpo around noon time. On arrival, check into your pre booked Resort. Uleytokpo is the central hub for nearby cities of Ladakh and world famous for outdoor activities, like camping and trekking, as it offers a perfect blend of vast terrains and ultimate natural beauty. Afternoon is free time for own activities.

Evening, if you like enjoy an easy and gradual walk up to Ridzong Gompa which is the only nunnery monastery in the region. Overnight stay in the Resort.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 5: Uletokpo – Khaltsi - Lamayuru – Leh (180 Kms)

Morning after breakfast, depart for Lamayuru village, where you find the oldest and spectacularly set monastery. En –route we break for Tea & Snacks at Khaltsi. The Lamayuru Gompa completely overshadows the village and is the most famous monastery in Ladakh. Dating back to the 11th century, Lamayuru monastery was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa and belongs to Red-Hat sect of Buddhism. Also known as Yung- Drung, this monastery is home to more than 150 monks and houses a rich collection of artifacts, wall paintings, thankas, statues, carpets and an impressive 11-headed, 1000 eyed image of Chenzing.

Visit and spend time at the monastery. Late afternoon, drive 107 Kms back to Leh. It is a 4 to 5 hours’ drive. On our way we will take a break at Magnetic hill, known for its wonderful magnetic properties. Once here, you can see for yourself vehicles moving uphill at a speed of 20 km/ hour with their engines off. On reaching Leh, check into your hotel for overnight stay

Meals : Breakfast

Day 6: Leh – Hemis – Leh

Morning after breakfasts proceed to visit Hemis Monastery to witness the festival Festivities. Hemis situated 49 Kms to south of Leh, on the southern bank of river Indus, a little off the main Leh- Manali road was built in the 17th century by Chapgon Gyalshas and has ever since enjoyed the patronage of the royal family and is one of the wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh. Hemis belongs to the Kagyupa Brugpa sect of Buddhism, the sect which is dominant in present kingdom of Bhutan. Spend the day at the Monastery soaking in the color & spirit of this vibrant festival. Return to Leh for overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 7: Leh – Thiksey - Hemis- Shey - Leh

Morning after early breakfast, drive to Thiksey Monastery to witness the praying ceremony. Thiksey is an imposing monastery and showcases one of the finest examples of Ladakhis architecture. After visit continue your drive to Hemis. Today being the last day of the festival all activities are at its peak. Spend the morning participating or just soaking in the color & spirit of the festivities. Afternoon return to Leh. En –route halting to visit Shey Palace & Gompa. Situated on top of a hillock 15km, upstream from Leh it is an imposing structure providing a panoramic view of the green Indus valley from its vantage point Balance day is at leisure for personal activities. Overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 8: At Leh

Morning after breakfast, go shopping and discover some interesting things about Ladakhi art and culture by visiting Choklamsar a Tibetan refugee’s handicraft center. Later visit Stok Palace built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825, in the present times is the presidential palace of the royal descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. The architecture of this palace is a perfect mix of the traditional and the contemporary architectural styles. This palatial property consists of a number of beautiful gardens as well as a library that has around 108 volumes of the Kangyur (a collection of teachings of Lord Buddha). Return to hotel.

Afternoon visit the King’s or Leh Palace. Built in the 17th century by King Singe Namgyal, as the royal residence, it was deserted in the mid-19th century after the family shifted to Stok. Even though this nine storied fortification is in ruins now, it still retains an old worldly charm about it and provides wonderful views of the snow capped mountains and landscape. The temple architecture is basically medieval Tibetan architecture. The main features of this style of architecture are massive buttressed walls and overhanging wooden balconies. Visit the Gompa situated above Leh Palace, built in1430 AD and containing a 13.7 meters High statue of Buddha, which the Ladakhis call "Chamba". According to Lama Legends, this splendid statue is the future Buddha. Butter burns day & night in front of the statue.

Next visit Shankar Gompa. This Gompa belonging to the reformist Gelukpa sect, is a pleasant 2 km walk north of Leh. It is a subordinate monastery of Spituk and is the residence of the Kushak Bakula, the erstwhile abbot of the Spituk Monastery. The Kushak Bakulas residence is to the north of the complex. The monastery is well-known for its traditional architectural style. This monastery has a formidable collection of miniatures of pure gold and a number of exciting Tanka paintings. It is lit inside and is recommended to visit in the evening. Visit the local women shops & vegetable market before returning back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 9: Leh - Delhi

Morning after breakfast, transfer to Leh airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival, meeting, assistance and transfer to your pre booked hotel. (Room check in 1400 hrs onwards)

Afternoon is free to explore the exotic markets, boutiques and art galleries of Delhi. (Vehicle with driver will be at disposal). Return to your hotel for overnight stay.

Meals : Breakfast

Day 10: Depart Delhi

On time, transfer to Indira Gandhi International airport to connect flight for onward journey (Rooms Check out 12 Noon)

END OF OUR SERVICES - We sincerely hope that you had an “incredible” experience while in India and take this opportunity to wish you a happy & memorable journey back home.

Meals : Breakfast