Duration:09 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations:
Delhi - Srinagar - Kargil - Uletokpo - Leh - Delhi
Day
01 - Delhi - Srinagar
On arrival you are met by our executive and accorded a royal welcome and escorted
to the Domestic Airport to take flight to Srinagar, transfer to HAZAR DASTAN
GROUP OF HOUSEBOATS. Afternoon Shikara ride on Dal lake.
Day 02 - Srinagar Morning
visit Shankaracharya Temple. Afternoon visit Moghul Gardens.Srinagar is
located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above
sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes
enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and
the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to
visitors around the year.
Day 03 - Srinagar
A day trip to visit Gulmarg. British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg
in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Originally called 'Gaurimarg'
by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf
Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with
wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once
collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not
merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest
green golf course in the world, and is the country's premier ski resort in
the winter.
Day 04 - Srinagar - Kargil After
break fast we drive to Kargil via Sonemarg. Kargil: About 15,000 sq. kms. in
area, Kargil district has an agrarian population of approximately 120,000
people, who cultivate the land, along the course of the drainage system,
wherever artificial irrigation from mountain streams is possible. About 85 %
are Muslims, mainly of the Shia sect, Islam having been introduced to the
original Buddhist population around the middle of the 16th century by
missionaries from Kashmir and Central Asia. Their descendants, locally
titled Agha, are mostly religious scholars who continue to hold sway over
the population, even as the age-old traditions of Buddhist and animistic
origin are discernible in the culture. Many elements of the ancient
supernatural belief systems, especially many traditions connected with
agricultural practices, are still followed with subdued reverence.
Day
05 - Kargil - Uletokpo Drive to Uletokpo visiting enroute Mulbekh,
and Lamayuru Monastery and passing through Namika La (3718 m) & Faten La
(4094 m). 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) from where the name comes (Yundrung
Tharpaling Gompa), constructed by Rinchen Zangpo one of his 108
constructions. Monastery noted for the sect drigungpa. In the gallery see 35
Buddha painted on the wall. Chapel of Avlokiteshvara - the 2 mtrs high image
of him with 11 heads and 1000 heads.
Day 06 -
Uletokpo - Leh
Morning visit Alchi Monastery. Afternoon drive to Leh visiting en-route Phyang
Monastery. The Alchi Gompa is situated on the bank of the River Indus and is
easily accessible since it is the only Gompa in Ladakh, which is located on
flat ground. Founded by Ringchen Zangpo, the Great Translator, the Alchi Gompa
displays a Kashmiri influence in its art and architecture. Within the monastery
you can see many beautiful images of Buddha. Photography is not permitted within
the Alchi Monastery. Phyang Monastery, 17km. west of Leh is remarkably built
on the hilltop, similar to the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the
Degungpa Order. It was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching
of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in Ladakh that was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga, during
the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in the 16th Century A.D. It has about 50 monks
in residence. Phyang also has a festival called 'Phyang Tseruk' on the 2nd &
3rd of the 6th month of Tibetan Calendar
Day 07 -
Leh Full day visit of Shankar Gompa,
Shanti Stupa, Spituk and Stokh
Palace. Shankar Gompa: Situated 2 Km North of the city center, the Sankar
Gompa houses monks of the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat order. It has a grand image
of Avalokiteshvara (The Buddhist deity of compassion) who is depicted with
1,000 heads and 1,000 arms. The Shanti Stupa is an impressive white-domed
structure in Chandspa that is beautifully illuminated at night. It was built
by a Japanese Buddhist organization to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism
and to promote World Peace. The Shanti Stupa was inaugurated by His Holiness
the Dalai Lama in 1985. You can approach the monastery by a steep flight of
steps or by a 3 Km route from the Fort Road. The views of the sunset and
sunrise from the Shanti Stupa are spectacular. The Spituk Gompa is perched
on a high hill overlooking the Indus river about 18 Km from Leh. Rinchen
Zangpo the Great Translator who helped spread Buddhism in Ladakh named the
monastery. (Spituk means exemplary). The Spituk monastery is known for its
collection of Buddhist artifacts and for the Spituk festival held from the
17th to 19th days of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar. Further up the
hill is a Mahakal Temple, where a fearsome image of Vajrabhairava is
unveiled once a year at its annual festival. The Stokh Palace is located on
a glacial deposit of pebbles and overlooks fields of barley grown on
terraces on the mountains. Standing four storeys tall, the Stok Palace was
the official residence of the royal family of Ladakh and was constructed in
1814 by Ladakh's last ruler. The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing
collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewelry and artifacts, including
thangkas painted with colors derived from crushed precious stones. Also on
display are the ceremonial headdresses or 'peraks' of the erstwhile rulers
of Ladakh. These headdresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli and
coral and gold, making them an exotic sight.
Day
08 - Leh Visit Shey,Thiksey & Hemis Monasteries. Shey Gompa:
Situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, Shey Gompa was previously the
summer palace of the Ladakhi kings. A prince of Ladakh installed the 12 m
tall gold-plated copper statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which can be seen here.
The Shey Gompa celebrates its annual festival on the 30th day of the 1st
month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. The Thiksey monastery located 17 Km
from Leh is 12 storeys high and has many statues of Buddha, a pillar
inscribed with Buddhist teachings, a 15 m high seated Maitreya Buddha in the
main prayer hall, and a vast collection of Buddhist art. Home to monks of
the Gelukpa order the Thiksey monastery is known for its annual festival
held from the 17th to 19th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Buddhist
calendar.
The Hemis Gompa is the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Located
45 Km to the south of Leh. Hemis Gompa was built in 1630 and houses monks of
the Brokpa or Red Hat sect. Tourists can see beautiful frescoes (paintings)
on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, which is over 12 m
in length.
The Hemis Gompa is famous for its annual Tse Chu Festival
held in June-July, which is characterized by colorful masked dances. The
festival commemorates the anniversary of Padmasambhava, the founder of
Tibetan Buddhism. Dancers wearing brightly colored masks that represent good
and evil characters in Mahayana Buddhism, enact an age-old tale of the
victory of good over evil. The Hemis Festival also includes a vibrant bazaar
where craftsmen sell handcrafted items.
Day 09 -
Leh Day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel. Leh, the capital of Ladakh
is a fascinating destination. Age-old monasteries, quaint lanes, colorful
markets and stunning views of the Himalayas make Leh an exotic destination.
Leh is where your adventure in Ladakh begins. You can go trekking through
the mountainous terrain of Ladakh, enjoy a game of polo in a high altitude
arena or watch an archery contest where local residents compete in a contest
that remains unchanged by time.
Mountaineering, white water rafting and
wildlife tours are other adventurous attractions of Leh Ladakh India. Though
the weather can be freezing cold, the smiles on the faces of the Ladakhi
people are sure to warm your heart. Feel on top of the world in Ladakh, on
tours to Ladakh with Leh Ladakh India
Day 10
- Leh - Delhi Transfer to airport to board flight for onward
journey
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