Ladakh, little Tibet

Departure on a regular flight to Delhi. Night on board.

Arrival at Delhi International Airport, customs procedures, luggage collection and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Delhi, capital of the Republic of India, is marked by great historical importance favored by its strategic location in the north of India. Established between the Aravalli Hills and the Yamunā River, its position facilitated control of the trade routes that ran from the northwest to the Gangetic plains. This city of night owls, which never sleeps, never rests, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, is always bustling, full of traffic jams, motorcycles that pass each other clumsily and with difficulty, disconcerting sounds and shocking smells and colors that leave their mark. Delhi is divided into two, Old Delhi and New Delhi, the latter created under the control of the British Empire in order to build a new city where all the government and governors' buildings would be gathered.Accommodation .

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to depart on a local flight to Leh, former capital of the kingdom of Ladakh. Arrival and assistance at the airport for transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Leh, located 3,500 meters above sea level on the banks of the Indus River, surrounded by imposing mountains with the cold desert, is the closest experience to Tibet in India. Leh was developed as a trading and market post , attracting a wide variety of traders from Yarkand, Tibet and northern India. Lunch and dinner included. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Today we will spend the day visiting the villages of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Shey was the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Singe Namgyal built the imposing palace in Leh, the kings continued to consider Shey as their true home. This importance of Shey, situated in the heart of Laddakh, is justified by the enormous number of Chorten over the village, particularly around the palace complex and the barren plain to the north of the road. Thiksey - is one of the largest and most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two-story statue of Buddha who has the main prayer hall around his shoulder. After lunch, we continue towards Hemis, dedicated to Padmasambhava. What we can observe is a series of scenes in which the lamas, dressed in rich, brightly colored brocades and sometimes strangely horrible sporting masks, parade in solemn dance and mimicry around the enormous flagpole in the center of the courtyard at Shawn's plaintive melody. The wail of eleven foot horns, the crash of drums and the crash of Cymbals. Hemis was found in the 1630s by Tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Singe Namgyal, Hemis is the largest and richest of the Gompas in Ladakh. It is located on the slope of the mountain, a little further above a glen in the Zanskar mountains. Return to Leh. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. In the morning, we will leave for Uleytokpo and en route we will visit the Likir Gompa. The Likir monastery, located at the top of the village of the same name, is the seat of Ngri Rimpoche, currently embodied in the younger brother of the Dalai Lama. Alchi Monastery is also a branch of Likir. Lama Durwang Chosje founded this monastery in 1065 AD during the reign of King Lha-chen Gyalpo, which was called 'Klu-Khil-GA-Ladan-Dar-Rgyas-Ling' and a monastic festival is held on the 28th and 29th day, of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar. Later check-in at the camp where we will stay to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, visit Alchi gompa, the most beautiful in Ladakh, also called the jewel among the religious sites of central Ladakh. It is known as Chos-Kor, or religious enclave. It comprises five temples characterized by their enormous Buddha statues and splendid wood carvings and works of art; Its murals date from the 11th to 12th centuries, predating the Tibetan style of painting that is present in all the other Gompas. Return to Uleytokpo camp for dinner. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure to Lamayuru, 55 km from Uleytokpo. The 11th century Lamayuru Monastery is one of the earliest seats of lamaistic learning and the most picturesque and oldest monastery in Ladakh. The Lamayuru “Yangdrung” gompa is built on a rock, about 125km west of Leh, on the road to Srinagar. Lamayuru belongs to the Dringungpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The history of the monastery begins with the visit of Arahat Nimagung to this place , when there was only one lake. Lunch and return to Leh.

Breakfast. Early in the morning, we leave by road towards the Nubra Valley passing through the towns of Horzey and Gangles. The road rises to reach Khardungla (5602 Mts.), the highest road in the world. Picnic lunch in Khardong village. Another route of 35 Kms takes Khalsar to the Shyok Valley, with spectacular scenery. The road after crossing the Khalsar Bridge on the Shyok River, enters the Nubra Valley and then continues along the Nubra River to reach Tegar or Kyegar as it is called locally in the afternoon. Lunch at the camp. In the afternoon, visit the Panamik hot springs, which are rich in sulfur content and believed to have medicinal benefits. Accommodation in the camp.

Breakfast. In the morning, visit Deskit, the headquarters city of the Nubra Valley. After a journey of 30 km we arrive at the Khalsar bridge. Deskit can be reached by driving parallel to the Shyok River. It is famous for the 515-year-old Buddhist monastery, which is magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire valley. Later, we left by road from Deskit to Hunder. In Hunder, you may see some camels, hairies and bactrians. Lunch and return to Leh. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to depart on a local flight to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Breakfast and free time until your transfer to the airport.