Ladakh with the Hemis and Phyang Festivals
(Duration: 10 Nights and 11 Days)
Delhi – Leh – Alchi – Leh – Nubra – Leh – Delhi
DAY 1 – DELHI
Arrival in Delhi. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2 – Delhi – LEH (FLIGHT – 1:30 HOURS)
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Leh. Arrival in Leh and transfer to the hotel. Full day for acclimatization. In the afternoon, a short walk through the Leh bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3 – LEH
Morning visit to Stok Palace, Stok Monastery, or Stok Gompa, a Buddhist monastery founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus in the 14th century with a remarkable library. After lunch, visit Spituk Monastery and Phyang Monastery. Overnight at the hotel in Leh.
DAY 04 – LEH
Breakfast at the hotel and then visit Thiksay Monastery, located on a hill with an impressive statue of Maitreya. Then visit Hemis Monastery, the richest monastery in India, famous for its copper Buddha statues and gold and silver stupas, and Shey Monastery, which used to be the summer capital of Ladakh. Overnight at the hotel in Leh.
DAY 05 – LEH – INDUS RIVER – ALCHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to Alchi with lunch included, visiting the Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, and the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers en route. Arrive in Alchi and visit Alchi Monastery. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06 – ALCHI – LAMAYURU – LEH
Day four of the Ladakh tour, driving from Alchi to Lamayuru, famous for its ancient monastery and landscapes resembling the lunar surface. Visit Rizong Monastery and Chulichan Nunnery, and return to Leh. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.
DAY 07 – LEH – FULL DAY FESTIVAL (PHYANG/HEMIS)
HEMIS FESTIVAL
The Hemis Festival, the largest and richest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, celebrates the birth of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. During the festival, locals dress in traditional costumes and lamas perform ritual masked dances accompanied by drums and cymbals.
PHYANG FESTIVAL
The Phyang Festival is a monastic festival featuring sacred dance dramas, highlighting the display of a huge Skyabje Jigten Gombo thangka. The festival culminates with the ritual burning of votive offerings.
DAY 08 – LEH – NUBRA VALLEY
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Nubra Valley, stopping at Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world at 5,600 meters. Arrive in the Nubra Valley and check in at the camps. In the afternoon, visit Diskit Monastery and stroll through Diskit town. Dinner and overnight stay at the camps.
DAY 09 – NUBRA VALLEY
Breakfast at the camp. Later, visit the White Sand Dunes in Hunder, with the possibility of camel riding. Visit the Hunder and Diskit monasteries. In the afternoon, hike to Samstaling Monastery.
DAY 10 – NUBRA VALLEY – LEH
After breakfast, visit Sumoor and the Panamic sulfur hot springs. Return to Leh after lunch. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11 – LEH / DELHI (FLIGHT – 1:30 HOURS) DEPARTURE FROM DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of Old Delhi, including the Red Fort (pass), Jama Masjid, and Rajghat. Then, visit New Delhi, including the Qutub Minar, India Gate, and government buildings. Transfer to the international airport for your departure flight.
……..End of Tour……..