Monasteries of Ladakh

Day 1 - Arrival and local Sightseeing

Arrive at Leh airport or at Leh bus stand by yourself and check into the Hotel that we have booked for you. You are advised to take complete rest for the day to adapt yourself with the new environment at 11,135 feet altitude. Later, in the evening you can visit the Leh Market, Leh Palace, known as ‘Lachen Palkhar’ or Shanti Stupa, located on a hilltop near Changspa, reaching the top you will see the beauty of whole Leh town.

Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 2 - Central Ladakh Sightseeing.

Total is for visiting some of the main monasteries in central Ladakh.  

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive towards Shey Monastery, Which is just by the Leh-Manali Highway near a beautiful pond. Shey was once the capital of upper Ladakh and is originally called Shel because of the pond below the Palace. Shelmeans Glass or Mirror in local language.

We will then drive to Thiksey Monastery, a little eastward along the Highway. Thiksey Monastery is one of the most monasteries in whole Ladakh belonging to the Gelukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. It is sometimes also called the mini Potala due to its resemblance with Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet.

Further east along the Indus we will drive along the Leh-Srinagar Highway and cross the river Indus to visit the Hemis Monastery- the biggest monastery in the region. Hemis monastery is known to have rare collections of artefacts and arts dating back to hundreds of years and also host one of the biggest religious festival in Ladakh -  Hemis Tseschu.

Later, we will visit the Stok Palace by driving to the other side of the river Indus. Stok Palace is the royal residence of the Royal family of the kingdom of Ladakh and still home to the descendants of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh.

Return back to Leh by evening.

Overnight stay at  Leh.

Day 3 - Leh to Lamayuru, Alchi,Rizong.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will start driving along the Leh - Srinagar Highway to Lamayuru. The road is smooth with fine tarmac and runs alongside the river Indus till Khaltse and then divert towards Lamayuru. Lamayuru is also known as the Moonland due to its landscape resembling the  Lamayuru is also the home for the oldest monastery of Ladakh, perched atop a unique hill, it is one of the most important monuments in the region.

Along the way, we will also visit several monasteries of the Sham valley. We will visit the Alchi Choskor Monastery by crossing the river Indus and following link road to Alchi village. Alchi monastery is considered among the most revered monument in the region known for its rich artefacts and paintings and murals dating back to the Kushan period. The arts and paintings at Alchi are slightly different from those of other monasteries suggesting the involvement of no-local craftsman from neighbouring Kashmir.

Also on the list is the Rizong monastery, a unique monastery known for meditation centres and nunnery.  

Drive further along the Leh- Srinagar Highway to reach Lamayuru by evening.

Overnight stay at Lamayuru.

Day 4 - Lamayuru to Leh, Likir, Basgo

In the morning, visit the Lamayuru monastery, which is built atop a unique hill in Lamayuru village. Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest monastery and still looked after by Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Later we will retrace the same route along the Srinagar-Leh Highway towards Leh.

Along the way, we will divert towards Likir village, a quint village in the Sham valley known for traditional local pottery. The village is also home to a huge monastery which also houses a large statue of the Maitreya Buddha, we will visit the Likir monastery also.

Further along the way, we will visit the Basgo fort, once the royal palace of the Ladakhi kings of the lower Ladakh. The palace is built using rammed earth technique and it has survived the test of the time. Reach Leh by evening.

Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 5 - Khardung-la Day visit

Today we will drive northward from Leh to Nubra valley, which is considered one of the most scenic valleys in the entire trans-Himalayan region. The valley boasts a unique landscape with sand dunes, lush green oasis and snow peaks, along with beautiful monasteries and villages. We will be crossing the Khardungla pass (18,380ft), considered the Highest all weather motorable pass in the world. The Pass has become a dream destination for bikers and adventurous souls from all across the world, we can click some photos, grab a hot tea from the cafeteria. Later we will start driving to Leh by retracing the same route.

Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 6 - Departure from Leh

Early morning our driver will pick you up and transfer to the Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Leh airport to board a flight back to your next destination. The journey ends with lots of memories and adventure stories to be related once back home.