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Ladakh Travel

Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Leh - Lamayuru - Alchi - Nubra Valley -Leh- Pangong Lake - Leh- Delhi

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Begin your tour
Arrive into Delhi
Welcome to Vardhman's "Ladakh Tour"!
On arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's representative to your hotel. Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 02: Delhi Sightseeing
After breakfast a full day tour of Old and New Delhi discovering it's ancient rich past reflected in its many old forts and monuments scattered all over this historic city. Drive through the well planned newer quarters which house the presidential palace, the parliament building and other rambling remnants from the British Raaj.

Visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's tomb, Lakshminarayan Temple, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, one of the largest Mosque of India, Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, shopping centre of Old Delhi.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Delhi - Leh
After breakfast transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for Leh. Leh the capital city of Ladakh since the 17th century was at one time a flourishing market town on the silk route to China. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our representative. Complete day for the acclimatization which is 3500 meters above sea level. In the evening take a short walk around Leh bazaar at your own.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Leh Sightseeing
Visit Shanti stupa and Leh palace.
Shanti Stupa (Japanese Peace Pagoda) : Shanti Stupa/Japanese peace pagoda is build by a Japanese religious organization headed by Head monk Nakamura with the help from the organization and local people. It is situated at a hill top in Cahngspa village providing a bird eye view of the Leh town and the surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the Japanese touch with small clean rooms on the side for mediators and the main Japanese shrine at the entrance.
Stok Palace & Museum : The palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewelry of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Shakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armor, weapons, precious jades and porcelain too can be seen here.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 05: Leh - Lamayuru - Alchi
Leave early morning for Alchi. Enroute visit Lamayuru, Ladakh's oldest monastery.
Lamayuru Monastery: It is situated at a distance of approximately 127 km to the west of Leh. The legend associated with this monastery goes that at the time of Sakyamuni (the Historical Buddha), nags (holy serpents) used to live in a Lake at the present day Lamayuru's valley. It was the prediction of the Bodhisattva Madhyantaka that the lake would get drained out, making the place for the construction of a monastery. It is further believed that in 11th century, Mahasiddhacharya Naropa,

Indian Buddhist scholar, meditated for many years in a cave in Dukhang, still seen today.
drive back to Khalatse crossing the bridge over the Indus river and make a detour to visit the Drokpa village of Bema, home of the unique tribe of Indo-Aryan origin that has preserved not only its racial purity, but also its language, religious practices and cultural traditions. Overnight in a lodge in Alchi.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 06: Alchi -Likir- Leh
Visit the 11th century Alchi monastery famed for its religious wall frescoes. Continue along the Leh highway stopping en route to visit the Likir monastery situated on a hilltop. On the way also visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, revered both by the Sikhs as well as by Buddhists alike. Further on visit Phyang monastery before driving back to Leh(Ladakh).

Likir Gompa : Founded in the 11th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.

Alchi Gompa : 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Liker monastery. This is the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is not located on a hilltop.
Pith/Pathar Sahib: Built by Buddhist Lamas nearly five centuries ago to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, to Ladakh, the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is visited by Hindu and Sikh devotees, besides tourists.
Upon arrival in Leh, check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 07: Leh
In the morning visit the Spituk Monastery located about 8kms south west of Leh(Ladakh) perched on a small hillock and overlooking the Indus river. The most interesting aspect of Spituk, unique in all of Ladakh is the chapel of Tara with superbly crafted images of her 21 manifestations.

Spituk Monastery: The Spituk Monastery of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 8 km from the town of Leh. Towering over a conical, the 3-chapel monastery dates back to the 11th century, when it was founded century by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od. He was the one to introduce a monastic community here. When a translator, Rinchen Zangpo, came to this place, he said that an exemplary religious community would develop there. This statement led to the naming of the monastery as Spituk, meaning Exemplary.
Afternoon is free for leisure activities.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 08: Leh - Nubra Valley
Early morning leave for Nubra valley crossing Khardong-la pass (5605m), the highest motorable pass in the world. Enjoy panoramic views of the Indus valley and Zanskar mountains from the pass.
Khardungla Pass : The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.
Visit Sumur village and the picturesque Samstaling monastery. Overnight stay will be in a camp near Tegar village.
Overnight: Camp

Day 09: Nubra Valley - Leh
After breakfast drive to Deskit, the main village of Nubra valley. Visit the monastery that is located high up on the mountain face. Optionally, you may take a camel safari on the back of the double-humped Bactrian camels to Hundar (at extra cost and subject to prior booking only). Drive back to Leh (Ladakh). Overnight at your hotel
Overnight: Hotel

Day 10: Leh - Pangong Lake
Leave Leh(Ladakh) after breakfast and drive over the Chang-la pass (5297m), visiting Tak-Thok the only Nyingmapa monastery of Ladakh en route. Drive on to Pangong Tso lake. Stop by this beautiful lake for a picnic lunch. Drive about 40kms to Tangtse a small village with a few shops and lodges. There is also an old gompa with inscriptions 1000 yrs old. Overnight stay in a Camp here for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 11: Pangong Lake - Leh
Leave Tangtse after breakfast driving back over the Chang-la pass, then take the diversion from Karu village to the well known Hemis monastery. This monastery belongs to the Brokpa order and is from the 17th century. The gompa has well preserved frescoes sharing the Kashmiri influence, a three storey statue of Padmasambhava and the largest thangka in Ladakh over 12m long.

En route to Leh visit Thiksey monastery which has excellent artwork and great views of the valley and village. This Gelugpa gompa houses the two storey Maitreya Buddha in a separate temple. Visit also the Shey palace the former summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. The 12m Sakyamuni Buddha's statue made of gold plated copper is the largest in the region.
Check into your hotel upon arrival for an overnight rest.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 12: Leh
Full day at leisure in Leh(Ladakh) exploring its bazaars, visiting various handicraft showrooms, catching up on last-minute shopping etc.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 13: Leh - Delhi flight
This morning after a leisurely breakfast transfer to Leh(Ladakh) airport to catch flight to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel by our representative. Rest of day free.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 14: Delhi
Full day at leisure in Delhi to explore or go on a shopping spree.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 15: Delhi
On the last day of your tour transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for your onward destination with sweet and unforgettable memories of your "Ladakh Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
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