Jeep Safari in ladakh

Duration: 10Days / 9 Nights
Places Covered:Kolkatta – Dibrugarh – Pasighat – Along – Daporijo – Ziro – Itanagar – Guwahati - Kolkatta

Day 1:Arrive Kolkatta
You will be received on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the time of your International flight you will have a half-day city tour.
Overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 2: Kolkatta – Dibrugarh – By
Your will be transferred it time to the airport to board your flight for Dibrugarh. You will be assisted on arrival at Dibrugarh Airport and transferred to your hotel. The evening is at leisure for you to get accustomed to this typical town of Assam. Dibrugarh is known as the “Camellia” town of Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its endless stretches of tea gardens.
Overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 3:Dibrugarh – By Surface / 19 Km / Approx 1 Hr - Ferry - Approx 1 Hr - Pasighat (155 M / 512 Ft) – By / Surface / 127 Km / Approx 3 ½ Hrs
From Dibrugarh you drive to the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River from where you take a ferry across the river, which takes about an hour. You re-commence your drive on the far back and then drive to Pasighat. Pasighat is Arunachal’s oldest town & also the district headquarters of East Siang. The turbulent Siang River races across the district heading for the plains, where it is met by the Dihing & Lohit Rivers, and then roars into Assam as the mighty Brahmaputra. The region is home of the Adi tribe who are remembered for their colourful Pinning dance.Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 4: Pasighat - Along (350 M / 1,155 Ft) - By Surface / 124 Km / Approx 6 Hrs
After breakfast you commence your journey in to Arunachal Pradesh. Around 10 km from Pasighat the hill section of the journey begins. On the way you first visit Renging Village (Adi Tribes) which is 21 km from Pasighat. Here you will be able to see there houses and may find some of the village women industriously engaged in cloth weaving. A 20 mins drive further brings you to Yembung Village (Adi Tribes) where once again you get to see the tribal way of life. You will be enjoying a picnic lunch en-route and your next stop will be amidst the fascinating tribal people of Arunachal at Along.
It is the district headquarters of West Siang & home to the Memba and Khemba tribes. The village has a river running through it. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 5: Along - Daporijo (305 M / 1,007 Ft) - By Surface / 165 Km / Approx 6 Hrs
After breakfast you drive out of Along and after a distance of about 25 km you come across a pineapple plantation. Further ahead you stop at Bam Village (Adi Galong Tribe). A walk in the midst of the village will give you the opportunity for closer interaction with its inhabitants. You would next be stopping for a picnic lunch, after which you proceed to Daporijo, which is home to the Tagin and Miri tribes. It is the district head quarters of Upper Subansiri. Daporijo is a visitor's delight with its dazzling landscapes and tribal culture.
Overnight at a Government Inspection Bungalow.

Day 6: Daporijo - Ziro (745 M / 5,756 Ft) - By Surface / 196 Km / Approx 6 ½ Hrs
Having arrived at Daporijo in the evening you first spend some time to explore the place before setting out on your days' journey. Your next halt is at picturesque Ziro which is situated on the Apatani Plateau (in lower Subansiri region) & surrounded by pine-mantled hills all around. It is a spectacular sight.
A visit to an Apatani tribal home is a must. The Apatanis are one of the most advanced & intriguing of Arunachal's tribal people. Both men & women tattoo themselves and the women are distinctive with their great nose plugs (dat) made of bamboo & face tattoos. The Apatanis grow rice by terrace farming; they also have created an indigenous irrigation system that is unique amongst the Arunachal tribes.
The Apatani village comprises of long rows of houses with a fertility totem in front of each one. In their cooking, they use an indigenous herbal salt that is rich in iodine. Living in perfect harmony with nature, for every tree they fell, five fresh saplings are planted. The weaving skills of their women are legendary as can be seen from the wonderful Jikhe pattern, woven jackets & intricately patterned Jilang shawls. The men are skilled in metallurgy & bamboo craft.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 7: In Ziro
Today you have the full day to explore the villages around Zero to interact with the tribals. Around 12 km from your hotel is Hong Village (Apatani Tribe). Besides the homes of the tribals you see ladies with remarkable tattoes and nose rings. You will see how the people work in their fields and others engaged in cloth weaving. There is a museum which gives you a good idea of their history, culture and traditions. In the museum their dresses and jewellery are on display. You get to walk in the midst of their vegetable market before a lunch halt. After lunch you visit a Handicrafts Centre where you may find a few souvenirs worth taking home as mementoes of you sojourn in this remote destination. After your excursion in this tribal village you drive back to your hotel at Ziro. Later in the evening there will be a special cultural programme.
Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 8 Ziro - Itanagar (550 M / 1,815 Ft) - By Surface / 175 Km / Approx 7 ½ Hrs You next journey to the capital of Arunachal, Itanagar, and the biggest town in the state. Here you may stumble upon some of the Nyishi tribes who live around here. You'll recognize them by their forehead. In their headdress they wear feathers of the great Hornbill, Arunachal's signature bird. En-route you would be stopping for lunch at a local restaurant in the market place. On arrival at Itanagar you visit a Buddhist Monastery. In the evening you can shop at the craft emporium for local mementoes. You may also try some local brew Apong, a rice beer that is drunk warm.
Overnight at your hotel.

Day 9 Itanagar - Guwahati - By Surface / 319 Km / Approx 8 - 9 Hrs Departing from the state of Arunachal Pradesh you reach Guwahati where you drive up Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya Temple. With its tantric rites & animal sacrifices, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with the exterior.
Finally you check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.



Day 10: Leh
Visit the SPITUK GOMPA today, 7 kms to southwest of Leh on the hilltop near Indus. It was founded in 11th century by Od-De the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od, the Gompa named Spituk (exemplary) when Rinchen Zangpo translator came to that place and said that exemplary religious community would rise. Initially it belonged to the Kadampa school. Then during the lifetime of king Gragspa Bumide made it Gayluk Pa order. The Spituk festival held every year from 17th to 19th days of the 11th month. It houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and numerous thankas. Higher up the hill is the Mahakal Temple, containing the shrine of Vajrabhairava. This terrifying face is unveiled only at the annual festival in January.
About 20 kms from Leh, THIKSEY is an imposing monastery and one of the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is situated on the top of the hill and part of Gelukpa order, the disciple of Jangon Tsongkhapa. Sherab Zangpo of stok first built the temple of Stagmo Lakchung at the top of the Thiksey valley. Then Paldan Sherab nephew of Sherb Zangpo, founded Thiksey monastery. The 12 storey monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thankas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's teachings, there are sacred shrines and a many precious objects to be seen. The successive reincarnation of the Skyabje Khampo Ringpoche acts as in charge of the monastery. Thiksey gustor (festival) held from 17th to 19th day of the 12th month. The main prayer hall has a 15-mt high seated Buddha figure. There are chance to see prayer in the early morning.

Day 11: leh - uletopko
by surface (65 km, 3 hrs). After breakfast drive to Uletopko, the beautiful campsite near LAMAYURU.
Enroute visit LIKIR MONASTERY. Located around 52 Kms from Leh, it was founded in the 11th century AD and was rededicated to another monastic order (the yellow sect) in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in fire. The present Gompa dates back to the 18th century. It contains huge clay images of Buddha's (past, present & future) and various old manuscripts. It also houses an interesting collection of thankas, old religious and domestic costumes and implements etc. The site of the monastery was encircled by the bodies of two great spent spirits. Therefore, name became widely renowned as Likir. In the 15th century the disciple of Khasdubje, now a lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa school. Every year from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month the Likir festival is held.
Arrive at your camp around lunchtime. Afternoon enjoy a 1 hour (one way) pleasant walk through a wooded, close valley to RIDZONG MONISTERY, one of the less frequented monastery of Ladakh. Ridzong is one of the most impressive monasteries of Ladakh. Relatively new (1840), it is perched on a beautiful spot in a side valley and has a wonderful collection of Thankas. It is beautifully set in a valley, deep inside a gorge and the most isolated monastery in Ladakh. About 137 years ago Lama Tsultim Nima founded this Gonpa and monastic community was introduced with strict rules and regulations. Chulichan the Nunnery place is around one & half kms. further down the monastery, around 20 nuns reside at Chulichan, they provide food and clothes to the monks. Apart from above activities they perform prayers in the morning and evening. Return to your camp in the evening. Overnight is at the camp.

Day 12: uletopko - mangu - uletopko
pleasant trek Enjoy a day out today walking by the river stream up to MANGU, a beautiful small village tucked in the mountains and housing a small monastery. Carry your packed lunch and water as there will not be any shop or restaurant on the way. Mangu is situated to the south of Uleytokpo and west of Alchi, which is around 2 hours walk from Uleytokpo and 5 hours from Alchi. Taking this track one crosses the Indus through small bridge and passing by Gera village, one enters into a deep gorge. Ascending from the right bank of the stream, a half way and cross to the left, after a sharp turn. After around 2.30 hours of walk the mangu village picturesquely stands on the foothill over the ravine. The Mangu monastery is also constructed on a flat land like Alchi and Tabo monasteries. This monastery was probably founded during the same period, as the Alchin Choskor by the great translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. The monastery comprises of four Chapels. The smaller temple, on either side of the main temple has a statue of Avaloktehvara and Maitraya in the standing posture. The right side temple has a statue of four-headed Varocana, as main image. The wall has murals of mandala. Return to hotel in the evening and spend time relaxing at the camp.

Day 13: Uletpoko - Lamayuru - Alchi - Leh
By Surface After breakfast drive to LAMAYRU. The central area of Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or gompas. Of the twelve situated on or near the Indus, the oldest monastery is that of Lamayuru, which is believed to have been a sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. The oldest site in Ladakh, Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a Lama after which, as legend goes the water of the lake receded upto the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the 'free zone' of Ladkh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins only the main hall exists today and houses numbers 'Tankhyas'.
After visiting Lamayuru, continue your drive back to Leh and stop en route at ALCHI, which is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground. The monastery comprises of Dukhang (Assembly Hall) visit the Alchi monastery and its surrounding areas. Alchi Choskor "Religious Enclave" is 69 km. west of Leh, the most famous and largest of all the Gonpa built by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. He appointed four families to look after Choskor, as there was no monastic community introduced. Then in the 15th century Choskor was taken over by the Lekir Monastery and ever since Choskor is being taken care of by Lekir Monastery. The monastery comprises of Dukhang (Assembly Hall), Sumtsek Lhakhang (three tier) the Lhakhang Soma (New Temple), Jamyang Lhakhang (Munjushri Temple), Lotsava Lhakhang (Translator Temple) and Kangur Lhakhang. The Sculptors and Wood carvers are said to be brought from Kashmir around in 11th Century.

Day 14: In Leh
Visit HEMIS MONASTERY in the morning, around 45 km. south of Leh. 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 to 11th 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.

Also visit CHEMREY MONASTERY, not far away from Hemis. Chemrey is situated to one side of a tributary valley of the Indus, just off the road leading to the Chang-la, about forty-five kilometers from Leh. Though most of the books, including the Ldakh Chronicle, tell us that it was founded by the great lama Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the patronage of Sengge Namgyal, Professor Luciano Petech has shown that it was actually founded after Sengge's death as a funeral act of merit for him. The building was started in March 1644 and completed in 1645 or 1646. Overlooking fields and houses, the monastery is perched picturesquely atop a small hill, down one side of which spill the monks' dwellings. A motorable road winds round up the back of the hill almost to the main entrance. The main du-khang, a large rather bare temple, has images of Stag-tsang-ras-pa and other Drug-pa lamas, together with a fine silver chorten about fifty years old made at Chiling. The murals are mainly of manifestations of Sakyamuni, as is common in Drug-pa temples; there are also fine mandalas of Kalchakra and Akshobya. Twenty-nine volumes of the scriptures have title pages whose lettering is in solid silver of exquisite craftsmanship, the text is pure gold. A smaller temple upstairs houses a nondescript collection of images of Drug-pa lamas

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. Situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, SHEY, once the residence of the royal family, was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon and the successive kings. Around 12 feet Shakyamuni Buddha's statue made by cooper guilt is the largest in the region. There is another statue of the Buddha three stories in height at dresthang down the castle. Stone carving and many chortens are scattered around the Dresthang Gompa. On the 30th day of the 1st Tibetan month celebrates shey rul-lo and on the 10th day of the 7th Tibetan month the festival of Shey Surb-lo is held.

Day 15: Leh - Hunder (Ht 4350 Mtrs)- Over Khardong La (5260 Mtrs)
The road journey to NUBRA VALLEY leads through KHARDUNG-LA-PASS (the highest motorable road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Sase massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers. It is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. Nubra lies at and altitude of about 10,000 - ft. above the sea level and is drained largely by the Shiyok river. The Siachen river forms its single largest tributary.
First visit SUMUR, another pretty village on the other side of the river'; SAMSTANLING GOMPA here was founded by Lama Tsultims Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gonpa. About 50 monks are residing at this 132 years old Monastery. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations like not allowing women in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise, no smoking etc.

Our tented camp is situated in a beautiful village called HUNDAR with lot of trees. There is nothing more to see here except a small monastery and ruined fort above the village however the site for the camp is so beautiful that it will invite you to explore the village on own.

Day 16: In Hundar; Nubra Valley (Visit Diskit)
After your breakfast at the camp, visit the SAND DUNES to enjoy a camel safari.
In second half of the day enjoy a visit to DISKIT MONASTERY perched on the rock overhanging the steam which is the source of the energy used by the mills. The monastery is rich, full of tangkas (skill paintings) and above all of magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences.. DISKIT is the main village or headquarter of Nubra Valley, which has small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. DESKIT GOMPA was founded y Lama Sherab Zangpo of stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thiksey Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar

Day 17: Hunder - Leh
By Surface After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18: Leh - Delhi
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi. Transfer & check-in at Hotel. Afternoon is free to rest and relax. Later there will be a transfer to airport in the evening / night for onward flight.
END OF TOUR.