LADAKH MONASTERIES TOUR

14 DAYS
Trek + Lake Safari + Monastery Tour
June to October

In Ladakh these have always been the centre of religious, social, economic and even political functions. They are a living institution, especially because of their ecological position in a country where the barren mountainous character of the landscape forces the economy to function on a collective basis. Most of the gompas lie on majr ancient trading routes extending from Tibet to Ladakh, among them Hemis, Thiksey, Alchi, Lamayuru, Ringdom, Karsha, etc.

Almost all the gompas follow a code of architecture.
Ever thought of trekking on a frozen river? A part of the Zanskar River freezes during the winter and is used as trekking route by many seasoned trekking enthusiasts. The trek is one of its kinds in Leh Ladakh. If you are a novice when it comes to climbing mountains and negotiating treacherous treks, it is better to hire a seasoned mountaineer or trekker. A guide with experience and with fairly good knowledge of the area is of great help.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrival to Delhi and check in the hotel for overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi - Manali :
Morning drive to Manali(505 km/ 8 hrs). Arrive late evening overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 3: Manali :
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 4 & 5: Manali - Leh (Jeep Safari)
Two days drive towards Leh on Day 5.

Considered as one of the highest roads in the world, Manali-Leh highway is the most popular and spectacular approach to Ladakh. From the months of end June to October this highway is open. It’s a very scenic route, full of adventure and rugged beauty. The road was closed for the civilian use till 1990, but now the adventure and nature lovers worship it, for this road gives closest contact with nature and thrill of being on the top of the world is enormous.

Day 4 : Sarchu
First day we cross Rohtang Pass (3978 m), Keylong (3350 m), Baralacha Pass (4890m) with overnight stopover at Sarchu (4253 m), border of the states of Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh). In Sarchu, we stay overnight in tented campsite.

Day 5 : Leh
On Day 5, the road from Sarchu crosses high mountain Passes of Namika La and Lachalung La to reach the army camp in the Pang valley. The dry barren mountains around Pang are eroded in very spectacular way. They look like giant fortress like structures with spires, pinnacles and windows. From Pang, the road climbs up and reaches a different world altogether. Here is the flat high desert of More Plains, 50-60 km of road bisecting it. This is Rupshu, an extension of Changthang plateau of Tibet. The road then climbs for Tanglang Pass (5415 m), the second highest mountain Pass in Ladakh and then finally reaches Leh. This 475 km Himalayan journey is a visual delight with not one moment of boredom en route.

Overnight stay in the hotel at Leh.

Day 6: Leh:
After breakfast proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Then we visit Thiksey Gompa, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall.

Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world. Later we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence of the King of Stok & the Museum that has a rich collection of Ancient Ladakhi artefacts including old Thangkas, precious stones, arms and armoury, the Queen’s necklace and the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Day 07 : Leh - Likir - Yangthang
After breakfast drive from Leh to Likir for 2 hours. At Likir you will meet all your trekking staff and ponies. One can visit Likir monastery situated on a hill towards the village (Trek 5 hrs). Start your trek through a barley field to cross a small stream and then to village Sumdo. Then gradually trek to village Yangthang to camp overnight.

Day 08 : Yangthang - Hemis Shukpachan
Trek to Wulle valley and then ascent for one hour to Shemchan La and then descent towards Hemis Shukpachan, the highest village in this route. It’s a big village and is famous for Cedar trees found in plenty here, hence the name of village. We will visit a family house and have some butter tea and Ladakhi chang (the local beer) There is a small but beautiful monastery just outside the village that we can visit. Camp for overnight stay.

Day 09 : Hemis Shukpachan - Timosgam - Khalse - Lamayuru
We trek 5to 6hrs through the Apricot rich village of Ang and reach Timosgam, the historical village, where one can visit the monastery and the Palace. This valley has warm weather as compared to Indus valley and hence conducive to thick vegetation and hence there are plenty of apricots, apples and nuts making it one of the richest valleys in Ladakh. Since people are rich they have beautiful houses with wonderful interior.

From Timosgam we drive to Khasltse and Lamayuru.

Lamayuru monastery was founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This gompa is located amidst the massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this gompa and its renowned collection of carpets, thangkas and frescoes has been attracting many people over a long time. It is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh. Overnight stay in tented camp in Lamayuru.

Day 10 : Lamayuru - Alchi - Leh
In the morning we visit the Lamayuru monastery to be part of the morning religious ceremony. It’s a very soothing and spiritual experience to be there among these warm and friendly monks.

Then we drive for Alchi and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden.

We also have an option to visit the impressive Ridzong Gompa near Alchi, reached from the road head after a 30-minute uphill walk. It’s an impressive monastery well hidden in the lap of the mountains until you’re face to face with it. It is situated on the mountainside wedged in between 2 ends of a ridge. It is about 100 years old and the name means 'mountain fort' aptly describing this isolated gompa. It also has a nunnery of female monks also.

On our way to Leh we can visit the Basgo monastery also, famous for its Buddha statue. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 11: Leh - Upshi - Tso Moriri (Karzok Gompa)
After early breakfast, we drive to Karzok (4,572 m) the only village near Tso Moriri Lake. From Leh we reach Upshi on Leh-Manali road and then we turn to another valley and drive along the Indus River. It is one of the most interesting areas and goes through narrow valleys, sandy deserts, rocky paths, and our vehicle crosses number of mountain streams. Little before Tso-Moriri Lake we drive past a small green valley of wild Marmots locally known as Phya. Arrive at Korzok village and check in at the camps (9Hrs). Situated at 15,000 ft (4,572 m), it is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu region with an approximate population of 500 people. The few barley fields at Karzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world. In the evening we visit Karzok monastery. Overnight stay in the tented camp.

Day 12: Tso Moriri Lake (Karzok gompa):
Day free to explore the Lake area and the village. The clear blue Tso Moriri Lake is one of the most breathtaking lakes in Ladakh. This brackish water lake is considered sacred by the locals. The Lake is surrounded by beautiful. The Lake is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds like Great Crested Grebe, the Brahmini duck, Bar Headed Geese, etc. This region also has large number of Kiangs, Tibetan wild ass and it’s not difficult to spot them.
Overnight stay in the tented camp.

Day 13: Tso Moriri Lake - Tso Khar Lake - Tanglang La Pass - Leh:
In the morning we drive to reach Tsokar via Puga by covering 75 km in 3-4 hours. Tso Khar Lake (4485 m) is also called White Lake because of salt deposits around it. It is approx 45 km northwest of the Tso Moriri Lake. Tso Khar is so salty that salt extracted from its margins are still sold all over Ladakh. We continue to drive and reach Manali-Leh highway and drive down towards Leh via Tanglang-la (5415 m) the 2nd highest motorable road in Ladakh. En route, drive pass beautiful villages of Rumtse, Gya, Miru and Lato. Arrive Leh and check into hotel for overnight stay.

Day 14: Leh - Delhi (Fly)
In the morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi. Transfer and check in the hotel in Delhi.