Ladakh is known as the land of many passes one of the most amazing places to visit in India. The Sky-touching Mountains, Amazing Monasteries, beautiful lakes, and pleasant climate which are the features that represent Ladakh.
Lapped in the snow-covered fringes of the Himalayas, The land has wonderful Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. One can have the best experience of visiting Ladakh at the time of Hemis Monastery Festival. The Hemis festival is one of the biggest and the most famous religious festival of Ladakh.
This festival is falling on the 10th day (called Tse-Chu in the local language) of the Tibetan lunar month. The Two-day festival marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.
On this day, Hemis Monastery is adorned beautifully to host the ceremony. The colorful festival showcases the beautiful handicrafts of the area.
Natives also dress up in lovely traditional attires and gather in the courtyard of Hemis Monastery, which is the biggest Buddhist Monastery of Ladakh.
Monks dance around central flagpole with the tunes of drums, cymbals and long horns. It is the time when the cold-barren desert comes to life.
Highlights
Cultural tour of Ladakh - Hemis festival.
Witness Chham Dance ,Devil Dance.
The magnificent views of snow capped mountains.
Explore the beautiful Himalayan monasteries & thangka paintings.
Indus valley tour.
Drive on the world’s highest Motorabale pass- Khardongla.
Local village tour at Nubra.
Double hump camel ride at Nubra.
Silk route overview.
itinerary
Welcome to the Colourful Hemis Festival 2020!!
Board one of the most exciting trans-himalayan flights into Leh 3500m, the capital of Ladakh- a high altitude Himalayan Kingdom. On arrival at Leh KBR Airport, you will be greeted by our Travelogy India representative and transferred to your hotel. Complete all your check-in formalities at the hotel and take time to get acclimatize.
Leh is a beautiful little town which is encompassed between hills and is 3500 meters above the sea level. Leh has beautiful monasteries and historical monuments.
Take a day off for your body to get acclimatized in the high altitude and the atmosphere.
Enjoy the view that the hotel has to offer you. In the afternoon around 1500hrs you may visit Shanti Stupa, a beautiful spot to enjoy the evening and take a panoramic view of Leh town and the 16th century formidable Lehchen Palkhar or Leh Palace and explore the local market and the surrounding areas of Leh.
Overnight stay in Leh.
After having a healthy breakfast you will visit lower Indus valley monasteries, on Leh – Srinagar Highway. While on the way stop at the confluence (Sangam) of Indus & Zanskar rivers which are the two major rivers in Ladakh, Magnetic Hill and Basgo castle for photo.
Later arrive alchi village 68 Km from Leh and you can visit 1000 year old miniature paintings of Alchi monastery which is among the top 7 national heritage monuments in India. Alchi temple is considered to be the only monastery that is on the plains.
After exploring Alchi monastery you will explore Likir Monastery and its great statue of Maitreya Buddha . This monastery is home to Gelugpa sect or Yellow Hat sect. The Gelug sect is considered to be the newest schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Je Tsongkhapa. This monastery was founded in the year 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje. Likir Monastery is an extremely colorful building that offers a breathtaking view of the mountains and above.
After exploring the monastery, you will drive back towards Leh and enroute you can also visit the Spituk monastery which will fall on your way. A lot of ancient masks, antique arms and fine thangkas reside in this gompa. Continue your drive back to Leh.
Overnight stay in Leh.
After having your breakfast, take a morning drive to Hemis to witness the famous Hemis Festival. The hub of activities during the festival is the Hemis Gompa. The gompa is considered to be the wealthiest and the biggest in Ladakh. It also is house to the largest thangka.
The monastery contains quite a few gold statue and stupas decorated with precious stones. This Buddhist Gompa has two main parts. One is the assembly hall and the temple.
The famous and sacred masked dance which is performed by lamas and monks, and special music performances are done in these halls and it is also the major highlight of the Hemis Festival which happens in Ladakh. During this festival, after the morning prayers, the celebrations begin.
The masked dance is said to be dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava. The dance commemorates the celebration of good over evil. During the Hemis festival the local people come out and socialize with one another.
En route you can also visit the mini potala like Monastery in Ladakh i.e. Thiksey Monastery which also enshrines the most beautiful statue of Maitrey Buddha. Thiksey monastery is a most imposing structure providing a panoramic view of the green Indus valley. Later drive back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Leh.
This morning after breakfast, leave for Nubra valley, we drive up north of Leh , across the Khardongla pass into Nubra valley 130km, the erstwhile trade center on Turkmanistan - Nubra - Ladakh silk Route trade.
After 2 hrs of drive we cross the world’s highest motorable pass at 18380 ft. i.e. the Khardongla pass.
Arrive hundar villages and perhaps a camel safari on the double humped camles which are found only in Nubra as far as India is concerned. Nubra valley is also called the Orchard of Ladakh because it has a lot of farmlands.
While you are at the Nubra valley you can visit the Hunder Monastery which is on a small hill, It is made keeping the true Tibetan style in mind.
Overnight stay in Nubra.
Morning after breakfast, enjoy the atmosphere in Nubra valley and later drive back to Leh enroute visit 14th Diskit Monastery. The monastery belongs to Gelugpa order or the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, the disciple of Tsong Khapa, in 14th century.
The impressive 106 foot giant statue of Maitreya Buddha is another tourist attraction at Diskit.
After visit monastery then drive back to Leh via Khardongla pass. Evening you have leisure time to explore Leh market on your own. Explore the markets and get some last minute souvenirs.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Today early morning after breakfast, board your flight for New Delhi/Mumbai International airport for your onward destination. Tour ends with sweet memories.
What's Included
Meeting and assistance upon arrival / departure by Travelogy India representative.
Welcome tea /biscuits upon arrival at hotel.
Accommodation in standard category of rooms at all hotels/camps.
Breakfast & Dinner in the respected Hotel/Camps during the tour.
English speaking guide during the city tour of Leh.
All Transfers & sightseeing by Private Non A/C Innova/similar car as per the itinerary including fuel.
Monument Entrances included as per the above itinerary.
Ladakh Government Environment fees
Inner line permit as per itinerary.
All Road tax, toll tax, NGT tax included.
All applicable Hotel Taxes & Service Taxes.
What's Excluded
Any Airfare & train fare.
Meals other then specified.
Any up gradation such as route change in Airline class or hotel room category etc. Incurred. due to the unforeseen, unavoidable forced majeure circumstances during the tour.
Cost of Pre/Post tour hotel accommodation.
VISA/Medical Insurance.
Camera fees that has to be paid directly at time of arrival at Monuments.
Any Adventure activities.
Porterage (coolie charges), laundry, telephone charges, shopping, wines & alcoholic. beverages, mineral water, items of personal nature and food or drink which is not part of a set group menu.
Any extra cost incurred on behalf of an individual due to illness, accident, hospitalisation, or any personal emergency.
Any other thing that has not been mentioned in the "Cost Inclusions".
