Festivals of Ladakh

Morning assisted transfer to the domestic airport for connect flight to Leh. On arrival at Leh, assisted transfer to your hotel. There will be no activity on your first day of arrival as it is recommend for tourists to relax and undergo minimal exertion to enable them to get acclimatized to rarefied oxygen level in this high-altitude region ensconced in the high Himalayan plateau.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh

Morning, embark on a walk through the village to explore the Himalayan way of life along the cultivated fields, streams and between the alleys and then visit a local home to discover the Kitchen.

Proceed on a gentle orientation tour of Leh. Visit the popular landmarks which include the magnificent Leh Palace. Built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century, the palace has nine storeys’ part of which is in ruins. Some of the sections display some fine traces of Ladakhi architecture. From the palace continue by foot to the Lamo [Ladakh Arts & Media Organisation] Centre on a short walking tour passing some amazing old houses.

The centre is housed in one of the most important heritage houses, Munshi (Togoche) House situated at the foot of the Leh Palace. Enjoy an overview of the old city from the terrace of the Munshi House. The Heritage exploration continues from the Munshi House through the old city ending in the bazaar.

Overnight at the hotel 

Morning, we drive on the highway, along the bank of River Indus, connecting Leh to Manali. We travel through lush green fields, monasteries, and schools etc. of Shey, Thiksey, Karu and Upshi villages. Our journey continues along the left bank of river Indus as it snakes its way through a gorge between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges and crossing small settlements to reach Chumathang village.

We come across different landscapes with colourful mountains as our backdrop and driving among the Nomadic tented camps situated along the Thatsang Karu Lake. There we get a unique chance to mingle with the nomadic crowd to learn more about the Ladakhi gypsy tribe.

As we approach closer to the Lake, we take a brief halt on a ridge for photo stop, where one gets the first glimpse of the turquoise-colored lake. Then we continue driving for 20-25 minutes along the lake before reaching our campsite.

Rest of the day a walk to Korzok village, is situated on a hill top at a elevation of (4530 meters) with very few settlements among the barren hills, it is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu valley, or else is inhabited by Nomads, who keep moving in accordance with an old established annual routine between the pastures that exist. Korzok is also the highest cultivated land in the land, but there is no guarantee that the crops will ripen the same year.

Followed with a walk along the lake strolling by the lakeside and to witness the migratory birds, which flock here during summers to make their nests. Black-necked crane, which travels all the way from Siberia, is the major attraction. It is believed that the bird is on the verge of extinction and there are only two pairs remaining alive. Brahmani Ducks, Brown headed Gull and other numerous species can also be seen nesting. A naturalist's paradise .

Next day we attend the Korzok Festival at the Korzok Monastery. Rest of the day to walk along the lake side.

Overnight at the tented camp in Tsomoriri

Today we drive to visit the Nomadic Camps with herds of Yaks & Pashmina sheeps and then brief halt at the Korzok Monastery. After that we continue our drive to Leh.

On arrival at Leh, check in and overnight at the hotel

Morning, we depart for Alchi. En route visit Basgo monastery, situated on   hilltop along the Srinagar highway; we pass through Spituk monastery, which will be visited on our return. Basgo monastery is among the endangered sites of World monument fund, built of mud brick and rammed earth, during the 16^th and 17^th century A.D. The fortress has three temples, erected in celebration of Great Maitreya (The fifth Buddha). The largest of all statues is the 14-meter high gilded earthen statue of the Maitreya Buddha, surrounded by murals depicting scenes from his life and portraits of the patrons who underwrote the construction of the temple complex. After that, we continue our drive to visit Likir monastery followed with the drive to Alchi and visit the world's famous monastery built in the 11^th century. Alchi monastery is very different from the rest as it has a fusion of Tibetan and Kashmiri Art.

Later in the afternoon, drive to visit Ridzong Nunnery; the only nunnery in Ladakh also known as Chomoling. Continue drive uphill to visit Ridzong monastery beautifully situated in a gorge.

Overnight at the Camp / Hotel.

Morning drive on Srinagar-Leh highway and then continue to drive to Lamayuru. Here we visit the Lamayuru Monastery followed by a brief visit to Lamayuru village situated on a foot of the Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery, founded in 11^th century perched on a spur high above the valley bottom just off the main road; it is one of the most spectacularly picturesque monastery in central Ladakh and is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh and to have been the holy place of the Bon-chos the advent of Buddhism. Later continue drive to Leh.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning we depart towards Northwards across the Khardong La the highest motorable road in the world, after a brief halt at the pass, we continue our drive to a different landscape. We arrive at the village of Hundar Nubra Valley, check-in to Hotel / Fixed Tented Camp.

Hundar village, this is the most amazing drive along the sand dunes and the Shyok River, which are very rare to see a combination of a river and the sand dunes. Upon arrival at Hundar, we visit the Double Hump Camel Breeding Center. This camel is the principal animal of inner Asia used especially on the Northern part of the route beyond Karakoram Pass. Later drive to Deskit village, which is the largest village in Nubra Valley. Here we visit the Deskit Monastery, which is situated on a hilltop and offers a grand view of the Nubra Valley towards the North. Later drive downhill to visit the Deskit Village.

Overnight at the Hundar Village in Fixed Tented camp/ Hotels 

Full day visit to Sumoor village to visit the Samstanling monastery, followed with a drive to visit Antsa monastery situated on a hilltop, which also requires a 45 minutes' walk.

Overnight at the Hundar Village in Fixed Tented camp/ Hotels 

Full day Takthok Festival

Daktok (rock roofed cave) monastery also celebrates two-days mask dance festivals to commemorating the great deeds of Guru Padamasambhava, the Tantric Master. There is cave inside the monastery   where Guru Padamasambhava is said to have meditated for a month in the 8th century during his arduous journey to Tibet. Ladakh's masked dance or Cham festivals are called Tsechu/Gustor/Kapgyat/Nagrang/Dosmochey in the local language.

Early morning witness the prayer ceremony at Thiksey followed with breakfast at Thiksey restaurant and then drive to attend the Daktok Festival once again.


Overnight stay at the hotel

Early morning, assisted departure transfer to domestic airport to connect your flight to New Delhi. On arrival assisted transfer to the hotel. Day free at leisure. Later this evening, departure transfer to International airport for connect flight to home destination.