Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – Keylong – Sarchu – Leh – Delhi
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- Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
- Overview: Attached
OVERVIEW
See towering mountains reach up to a clear blue sky. Hear the rhythmic chant of Buddhist monks in an ancient monastery where time stands still. See the rushing waters of an icy river surge down from a glacial height. Ladakh – the Land of Passes and the Roof of the World awaits you. Leh Ladakh India offers tours to Ladakh, an exotic region in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. From age-old Buddhist monasteries to exciting adventure tours, Leh Ladakh India has a lot to offer.
ITINERARY DETAILS
Upon arrival into India’s capital Delhi by Flight, clear customs and immigration. At arrival hall, you will be met by our representative – who will be holding a placard displaying your name.
Our representative will then direct you to You Vehicle waiting outside the airport for your private transfer to your hotel.
Once hotel check-in is done, Travel Threads representative will hand over you the travel documents and will inform you your tour arrangements.
Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Having been the capital of several empires in ancient India, Delhi was a major city in the old trade routes from northwest India to the Gangetic Plains. Many ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance have been erected in its history. The Mughals built a section of the city (now known as Old City or Old Delhi) that served as the capital of Mughal Empire for a long period. During the British Raj, New Delhi was built as an administrative quarter of the city. New Delhi was declared the capital of India after India gained independence from British rule in 1947. As the seat of the Government of India, New Delhi houses important offices of the federal government, including the Parliament of India.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Buffet breakfast at hotel and proceeds for sightseeing of Old & New Delhi.
Old Delhi to visit the 17th century Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. See Chandni Chowk, the shopping center of old Delhi and drive past the Red Fort for a photo stop. Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Later visit the New Delhi covering orientation tour of Government buildings, President House, India Gate and the Qutub Minar- 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD
Later drive to Chandigarh by surface.
On arrival in Chandigarh, check-in at your Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Buffet breakfast at hotel and proceeds to Manali which is blessed with several gifts like a beautiful landscape, dense thick pine and deodar forests, ice-capped peaks, steep cliffs, rolling valleys, adventure and mystery and lush meadows of wild flowers and fragrant fruit orchard in full bloom. Besides, the Beas River with clear water meanders through the town, making Manali truly a paradise on earth.
Arrive and check in to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast you will proceed for the sight of Manali. Visit HADIMBA TEMPLE: Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hadimba, the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. This temple located amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms. from the tourist office. It is a pleasant experience to stroll in the temple complex which was built in 1533 A.D. A large festival is held here in May.
TIBETAN MONASTERIES: There are 3 newly constructed colorful monasteries, where visitors can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts. Two are located in the town and one at Aleo on the left bank of Beas river.
VASHIST HOT WATER SPRINGS AND TEMPLE (3 kms): Vashist, a small village located on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang pass is worth a visit. It is renowned for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. There is another Temple of Lord Ram here. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been built nearby. Hot water from the nearby spring is provided for bathing. And you will visit Roerich Art Gallery as well.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Today morning after breakfast you will drive to Leh via ROHTANG PASS (3979 m): Rohtang pass is 51 km from Manali on highway to Keylong/Leh. It offers a panorama and spectacular mountain view. It is a gateway to Lahaul Spiti, Pangi and Leh valley just as Zojila pass is a gateway to Ladakh. There are beautiful sight of glaciers, peaks and Chandra river flows down in the Lahaul valley. Slightly to the left are the twin peaks of the Geypan.
Arrive Keylong and check in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Camp.
Today morning after breakfast, you will drive to Sarchu en route visit Darcha
Darcha (3360m) is along the Manali-Leh Highway. The Rough Guide to India describes it as "a lonely cluster of dry-stone huts and dingy tent camps". The village has 65 households and a total population of 298, of which 152 are male and 146 are female.The village is the endpoint of a popular trek beginning in Padum, Zanskar.
Later continue drive to Sarchu. These are high mountain passes. Watch out for the panoramic view of mountains rising above the sky. It is really fascinating to see the seamless merging of the valley and mountains here.
Arrive and check in to the Camp or Hotel.
Morning, after sightseeing of Sarchu, we drive to Leh. You now get to cross the Zanskar range and travel through two more passes – the Lungacha – La (16,600 ft / 5,059 m) and the Tagland - La (17,496 ft / 5,325 m). It is really breadth taking to be at such a great height of the Himalayan region.
Arrive Leh and check in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day at leisure to acclimatization.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Today morning after breakfast you will proceed for the sightseeing around Leh.
Hemis Gompa: Nearly 50km south-east of Leh off the Leh-Manali road, this monastery hosts the best known of all the monastic festivals in Ladakh. Held in late June/early July, The Hemis Thangka is reputed to be the largest in the world, and this gains the monastery its fame. Although Hemis Monastery was founded in the early 17th Century, it follows the older "red-hat" order, rather than the reformist "yellow-hat" order that was founded during the 14th Century.
Thikse Gompa: Although built earlier than Hemis and Phyang Gompas, Thikse Monastery was founded in the late 15th Century for one of the breakaway groups of monks following the newer, and reforming, yellow-hat order. Situated roughly 20km from Leh off the main Leh-Manali road, Thikse is best known for its 12m tall ornate statue of the Maitreya – the future Buddha.
Takthok Gompa: of Ladakh is situated in Sakti Village, at a distance of approximately 46 km from the town of Leh. The site where the monastery is now situated, once served as the meditation cave of Mahasidhas "Kunga Phuntsog". Now it’s serves as the residence of approximately 55 lamas. It is the probably the only Gompa in Ladakh that follows this order. Every year a festival is held at the Tak Thok Gompa of Leh Ladakh, on the 9th and 10th day of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar. Celebrations of the festival include sacred dances and the ceremony of hurling a votive offering.
After sightseeing drive back to Leh and check in to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Today morning after breakfast you will drive to Alchi via Lamayuru
Lamayuru: The oldest monastery is that of Lamayuru, believed to have been a sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. The main image is a large Vairocana (the Teaching Buddha) seated on a lion throne with a garuda (mythical bird) and sea monsters surrounding his head. Twice a year, all the lamas gather for prayers, accompanied by three days of masked dancing. These gatherings occur in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan calendar (corresponding usually to March and July). Lamayuru is 125 kms west of Leh at an altitude of 3510 m / 11600 feet. Continue drive to Alchi.
Arrive Alchi and check in the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Today morning after breakfast you will proceed for the sightseeing of Alchi .
Alchi (3500 m / 11500 feet) is a small village in the Indus Valley, 67 kms west of Leh. Abandoned centuries ago the gompa or monastery is known as Chos-kor, or religious enclave and comprises of five temples. The richest in paintings and images are in the Du-khang (assembly hall) and the three-storey Sum-tsek. Its murals, dating from the 11th century, pre-date the Tibetan style of painting seen in all the other gompas of the region. 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 of the day continue drive to Leh en route you will visit Likir Gompa, west of Leh between Basgo and Ridzong, was established in the 15th century and is set on an isolated ridge. The road approaching the gompa makes a wide semi-circle around its base, affording beautiful views of the gompa from different vantage points. In the main Dukhang or main assembly hall, at the front on the left are two large chortens. Inside the chorten on the left is a statue of Avalokitesvara, a Bodhisattva whose name means "Lord of All He Surveys" and who is believed to be incarnated in the Dalai Lama. Numerous thankas hang from the columns and walls in the Dukhang. Arrive Leh and check in the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Today morning we will drive to Nubra Valley through KHARDUNG-LA-PASS (the highest motorable road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers. It is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. Arrive Hunder by afternoon and rest of the day at leisure to explore Hunder & Diskit Village.
Overnight at hotel / Camp.
Today morning after breakfast we will proceed for the sightseeing of Hundar and Deskit The main attraction in this area is Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet.) above sea level.
Deskit village: Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular view of the valley can be seen form the monastery.
Deskit Gompa: Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King Dragspa. About 100 monks are residing in the Gompa, which is a branch of Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar.
Overnight at hotel / Camp.
Toady morning after Breakfast we will drive back to Leh. Arrive and check in your hotel. Day is free to get relax.
Overnight at hotel
Today after breakfast you will be transfer to Leh Airport to board your flight for Delhi.
Meeting and assistance on arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Arrive and check in the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Today in time transfer to Delhi International airport to board flight for your onwards journey.
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