DELHI-SHIMLA-NAGGAR-MANALI-JISPA-SARCHU-LEH-DELHI
Day
01 : Abroad - Delhi
Delhi
Transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
02 : Delh
Morning
sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting the Raj
Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest
mosque in India; and the Red Fort
- once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul
Empire. Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi
visiting the Humayun's Tomb, the
Qutub Minar. Drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India
Gate, Parliament House
and the President's Residence and end the tour with
a drive through Diplomatic Enclave.
Overnight ati hotel.
Day 03 : Delhi - Shimla
Transfer
from hotel to the airport for Delhi / Shimla
flight (0900/1000 hrs).
Upon arrival
transfer from airport to hotel.
Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Shimla visiting, Tara
Devi Temple - situated 8 kms from
Shimla are two temples dedicated to Mata Tara Devi
and lord Shiva. The military dairy farm and Shimla
boy scout head quarters are also located near by.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
04 : Shimla - Naggar
Drive
to Naggar.
On arrival
check-in at : camp.
Overnight at Camp.
Day
05 : Naggar- Manali
Drive
to Manali.
On arrival
check-in at : hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
06 : Manali - Jispa
Drive
to Jispa (145 kms / 7 - 8 hrs). This high altitude
road beyond the great Himalayan range, connects
the densely fertile and green Kullu valley
to the stark barren region of Ladakh.
The drive starts at Manali slowly
winding up mountain roads till Rohtang Pass
at 3,950 Mts. which connects the Kullu to the Lahaul
valley. On entering the Lahaul valley
we see a distinct change with the Hindu influence
being replaced with the Buddhist religion. We reach
Jispa by late afternoon.
Overnight
in deluxe tents.
Day
07 : Jispa - Sarchu
Leisurely
start to drive over the scenic Baralacha
Pass (4880 Mts.). Plenty of stops to capture
the scenic grandeur of this majestic landscape dotted
with snow capped peaks and high altitude lakes.
After crossing the pass drop down to the vast Sarchu
plains at an altitude of 4200 Mts.
Overnight in deluxe tents.
Day 08 : Sarchu - Leh
Drive
to Leh. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
09 : Leh
Full
day visit of Shanti Stupa, Sankar,
Leh Palace.
Sankar Gompa : A relatively
modern monastery, it is closely associated with
the Spituk monastery and serves as the residence
of the head priest - Kushak Bakula. A number of
gold icons are to be found here.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
10 : Leh
Full
day visit of Shey, Thiksey, Taktak, Chimde.
Thikshy Monastery : It is
situated on a hill top. There are several temples
and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer
palace of the old raja of Leh. This monastery is
800 years old, Silver and Gold statues are seen
in it. Shey Monastery: This monastery has a 7.5m
copper statue of Buddha plated with gold, the largest
of its kind.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
11 : Leh
Visit
Hemis, Stakna, Matho.
Hemis Gompa : 40 kms from
Leh, built in 1630, is the biggest monastery
in Ladakh. It is not visible from the road
as it is located in a side valley. Hemis has the
largest thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once
in 12 year. It celebrates a colourful Hemis festival
on June 24th and 25th attended by people from all
over the provinces who come to join in the celebrated
mask dances.
Matho Monastery : situated
on the opposite bank of the Indus across Thiksey,
Matho was established in the first half of the 16th
century AD and has valuable collection of very old
and beautiful Thankhas, some in the form of Mandalas.
Its annual festival of Oracles in early march is
an important event in Ladakhi religious calendar.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
12 : Leh
Visit
Stok, Spituk, Phiyang.
Stok Monastery : The Palace
of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum
which displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery
of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing
the life style of Sakya Muni. Interesting historical
objects like coins, armour, weapons, precious jade
and porcelain too can be seen here.
Spituk Monastery : stands on a
hillock 8 km from Leh. The proud possessions of
this shrine are a number of intriguing Thankas.
Higher up the hill is a chamber housing a statue
of Goddess Kali with her face covered: it is unveiled
once a year.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
13 : Leh
Alchi
was built in the 11th century. Its sheltered position
in the Indus valley, off the main trails to Leh,
is probably the major reason why it survived wars
and abandonment to the elements. It is the best
surviving example of the era and is notable because
it was built down in a valley instead of on a hill
top or mountainside.
Rinchen
Zangpo under the patronage of a local Tibetan King
was responsible for founding Alchi. The Tibetans,
ability to construct and decorate the temples, consequently
artists and monks from Kashmir and north west India
were employed, resulting in a typically Indo Buddhist
style.
At
the same time as Spituk and Thiksey, Likir is recognised
as the foremost Delugpa monastery in Ladakh region.
It is found near saspol on the Srinagar - Leh road.
It houses a great deal of gigantic clay statues
of the Buddha in various forms, the primary attraction
of this monastery is its 1000 year old wall paintings
which make a visit more than worth while.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Leh-Delhi
Transfer
from airport to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
15 : Delhi-Aboard
Early
morning transfer to the airport to connect flight
for onward destination.