This is a beautiful and
interesting trek where we will come across some of the oldest and most
famous monasteries in Ladakh, founded around 11th century by Lotsawa Rinche
Sangpo. Lamayuru, Wanla, and Alchi are too important to be missed because of
their historical value. This trek is unique in that it offers an opportunity
to see not only the many natural beauties of Ladakh, but also some of its
most famous monasteries.
The Journey begins Now!!! Day
01 Arrive Delhi You arrive in Delhi by International flight. After
a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the
airport and to your hotel
Enjoy a sightseeing of Old Delhi in the morning.
(Including the Red
Fort, Jama Masjid and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk)
Old Delhi
Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of
thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn
between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the
Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort
surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan - the
builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering minarets and
wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve center),
the hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all around you and chattering
voices.
Enjoy a sightseeing of New Delhi in the afternoon.
(Including the Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Lutyen's buildings)
New Delhi New Delhi stands in formal splendour, like a lone sentry
guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city of wide boulevards,
which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a
city rich with formal parks and you will see the magnificent Parliament
Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President
of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens), once
the awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys and now the Presidential
Palace, India Gate (a majestic 42-mts high arch, built as a memorial to the
Indian Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutab Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower
dating back to 13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic
Culture), Humayun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the
fore runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal Architecture at its graceful best).
Day 02: Delhi - Leh (By 9W-609) Dep 0540hrs / Arr
0655hrs Early morning transfer to Domestic Airport to connect the
flight for Leh, The main Centre of Ladakh. With the inhabitants of 50,000,
Leh is located in small valley just the north of Indus valley. The tourists
are advised to take complete rest for the proper acclimatization to the high
altitude atmosphere.
Later in the afternoon a walk around Leh
town (3500mtr) includes a visit to Leh Market, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa &
Leh Gompa - This walk shall help us in a getting acclimatize at this height.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Leh -
Lamayuru (3-4hrs drive) - Wanla 3250 m (3-4 hrs) We drive from Leh
in the morning towards Lamayuru (3 hrs) along the Indus River through Sham
valley. Lamayuru monastery, was founded by Rinche 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. After visiting the Lamayuru Monastery, we
pack our backpacks, watch the horses get ready and set off for our first
day's trek. After following the stream for sometime, we will gradually move
up to the small Pass of Prinkti La (3750m). We will the walk down a narrow
gorge to the small village of Shilla, and the last 3 km will take us to
Wanla (3250m).
Day 04: Wanla - Base of Tarla 4200
m (8 hrs) Today we will follow the dusty road along the river's
left bank and arrive at the small village of Phenjilla (3410 m). From
Phenjilla, we will follow the left side of the valley along a small stream
for around a hour and arrive at the scattered Ursi village .We will walk a
little further to arrive at our campsite.
Day 05:
Base of Tarla -Tar (6-7 hrs) The trail from the camp is clear but
challenging, as we will have to trek up and down a few times before reaching
the Tarla (5250 m). Our hard labor will be rewarded with the splendid view
of the mountains around. Climbing down is difficult due to a mass of fallen
rocks strewn about. It takes 3-4 hrs for us to reach our campsite at the
village of Tar.
Day 06: Tar -Mang Gyu (4-5 hrs)
From Tar, the path heads up along the mountainside to a small
Pass. We will have a easy descent to Mang Gyu village, where there are
traditional Ladakhi houses and a Ancient monastery worth visiting. It is
believed that the monasteries of the Mang Gyu and Alchi were built on the
same day.
Day 07: Mang Gyu - Alchi (4/5 hrs trek)
- Leh (3hrs drive) We will end our last day by walking down a very
beautiful arrow valley covered with rosebushes all along the path. We will
reach the village of Gera, where we'll find our vehicle waiting to take us
back to Leh. But before that we will visit the beautiful and famous
monasteries of Alchi and Likir.
Alchi, is 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. Later we drive to Likir and visit Likir gompa situated atop a windy
cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the
12th Century although the preset construction dates back to the 18th century
as the original one was destroyed by fire. In its courtyard is
yellow-coloured 3-storey high mammoth statue of the Lord Buddha, which was
constructed by a resident monk. The top floor has an impressive museum
containing old thangkas and weapons used many centuries back. We reach Leh
by evening. Upon arrival in Leh we check in at our pre-arranged hotel for an
over night stay.
Day 08: Leh Today we
proceed for an 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-plate statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive
further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in the 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 artifacts including
old Thangkas, precious stones, arms and armory, the Queen' s necklace and
the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in
Leh.
Day 09: Leh - Delhi (By 9W610) Dep 0735hrs
/Arr 0850hrs Transfer to the Airport to catch the flight for
Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi we assist you to check in at our Hotel.
Complete day at leisure to explore the destination on your own. Overnight
stay at the hotel
Day 10: Delhi - Agra - Delhi
(220 Kms.-04hrs - One way)- Optional Tour After an early breakfast,
we drive at 0730 hrs to Agra, the erstwhile capital of India under the great
Mughals and known for The Taj Mahal. It has always fascinate Indians and
foreigners alike. On the way we visit Sikandra (Tomb of Emperor Akbar). At
Agra after lunch (own lunch) We visit the incredible architectural
excellence of Taj Mahal, built by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his
beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Next we visit Agra Fort. Built principally as a
military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was
partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the
principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his
grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the
predecessor of the Delhi Red Fort. After visiting the fort we drive back to
Delhi at 1700 hrs. Upon arrival in Delhi we will have farewell Dinner and
later we transfer you to the International airport.
Our
Services end 
