Mesmerising Ladakh Cultural Tour

Our services start with your arrival at Leh airport. Meet & greet and transfer to the Hotel. Welcome drink on arrival. We recommend you completely relax for the rest of the day to enable yourselves to acclimatize to the rarefied air at the high altitude, tourist can explore the Leh market and shanti stupa in the evening only if you feel fine. O/N hotel

After breakfast take a full day excursion to renowned monasteries and palaces of Ladakh region.
Founded in 1433 by Palden Sherab. Thiksey monastery is the most beautiful monastery of Ladakh. This monastery majestically overlooks the valley, a magnificent group of about 80 monks; discovery of the beautiful inner courtyard which distributes access to the various temples. The most amazing is certainly the temple of Maitreya with its gigantic interior statue which covers all floors of the building. To join the next site, we will take the path of school children.

Founded in 1632 by Lama Staktsang Raspa. Visit Hemis Monastery, it is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery houses an amazing collection of the age-old relics such as the idol of Lord Buddha made up of copper gilt, gold and silver stupas It holds the distinction of being the biggest as well as the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in June.

On the way back to Leh visit Shey (Built in 17th century by king Deldan Namgyal) capital of ancient Ladakh, is an interesting complex whose importance is still measured by the quality of the paintings and the astonishing quantity of chortens or other votive monuments that surround it, especially the copper gilt statue of lord Buddha The Rock-carved statue of five Buddha can be seen below the palace on the roadside, which was probably carved during the reign of Singay Namgyal.

Built in 1825th by king Tsespal Tundup Namgyal. the Stok Palace , residence of the present kings of Ladakh. Transformed into a museum , the collections presented evoke a recent past where the royal family ruled over this valley.O/N hotel

After breakfast drive to Lamayouru enroute magnetic hill, Sangam & visit Likir, also known as lu-Khyil gompa, the Likir Monastery was ordered to build by the 5th king of Ladakh Lhachen Gyalpo and was thus founded by Lama Duwang Chosje in 1065. The monastery is of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, visit Alchi temple Renowned as the oldest Buddhist learning centre, the Alchi Gompa is one of the magnificently built monasteries in Ladakh. Located 70 kilometres west of Leh on the banks of the Indus River, it is also the largest and most famous of the gompas built by Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in 11th century , continue drive to visit the mesmerizing Moon landscapes and the Lamayuru monastery renowned as Tharpa Ling which means the ‘place of freedom’; Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. Arahat Nimagon blessed the site and Naropa founded the monastery in the 11th century. (optional) If the weather permits, gear up for river rafting in River Zanskar. O/N hotel

After the Breakfast drive to Leh, visit Rizong, according to popular belief, Guru Padmasambhava along with other lamas used to meditate in the caves around Rizong in isolation, surviving on two times meal a day and avoiding any contact with the outside world. Before building the monastery in 1831, Lama Tsultim Nima started a hermitage at the site to teach monks about Buddhism, visit a nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling), is under the cover of the monastery, where few nuns or the Chomos reside and worship at the temples of the monastery, earlier they used to perform chores like milking, spinning wool and getting oil for the temple lamps. On the way back make a stop at Sangam (confluence of two river). Arrive at Leh by evening. O/N hotel

Start the day getting ready to travel to the Nubra Valley. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Ladakh. The unique landscape has given it the name of ‘desert in sky’ drive through Kharzongla (Highest Motorable road in the World) the spectacular views of the never ending snow-capped mountain ranges around Khardungla, proceed to nubra valley, post lunch we explore Nubra Valley we start with Diskyid (founded in the 14th century by Changsem Sherab Zangpo) Monastery located on a hilltop from where one have the panoramic view of Nubra valley, this is the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra valley and belongs to Gelugpa sect, Then we head to Hunder which is famous for its sand dunes and for (double-humped) Bactrian camels. O/N fixed camp

After breakfast drive to Turtuk, the last village on the road accessible by civilians. As you enter Turtuk, you will know what it means to be “frozen in time”. One of the gateways to Siachen Glacier, this village was captured by Indians Army in war of 1972 with Pakistan. Drive back to Hunder. O/N Nubra Valley. O/N fixed camp

(in July & Aug sometime Shayok road remain closed due to increase of water in the river )
Morning after breakfast at leisure and later drive toward Pangong via shayok route. Evening free at pangong lake, enjoy changing colors of Lake during sunset & rise. Pangong is also the highest salt water lake in the world shared by Ladakh and Tibet. The views around the lake are extremely enchanting and soothing. Spot colorful birds on the banks of Pangong. Do visit the local village in the vicinity to know about the local culture. O/N fixed camp

Start the day early before the sun is up. The mesmerizing sun rising over the lake and changing colour of lake is definitely one you would love to capture in your camera. Marvel at the blessed view. After having breakfast drive towards leh via Changla road and also visit Takthok monastery. The monastery came into existence when Guru Padma Sambhava visited this place and blessed it in the 8th century. The Gonpa was a meditation cave of Guru Padma Sambhava with footprints and many other signs, until the reign of King Tsewang Namgail, When Kunga Phunstog introduced monastic community . O/N hotel

After breakfast, proceed to Tsomoriri Lake via Mahe Bridge. Then long wonderful drive from Leh to Tsomoriri gives us tremendous opportunities for photography. The changes in landscape are difficult to imagine. We pass through many typical Ladakhi villages. One stop at Chumathang for the picnic and visit the medicinal hot springs, continue drive to Tsomoriri lake which is breeding grounds for numerous species of birds. The Lake is 8Kms wide & 28kms long., Korzok is one of the most high altitude settlements in Ladakh. O/N fixed camp or hotel

In the morning visit Korzok monastery (found in 1861 by Lama Kunga Lodos Nyingbo village with its houses and its gompa appearing like a “Mirage”. The few barley fields at Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world and today you will visit the Korzok monastery and this is village where nomad people has concrete house, explore the village and walk around the lake or Possibility of a walk on the heights to embrace the landscape and increase the chances of seeing wildlife. O/N fixed camp or hotel

Morning after breakfast, drive to leh en route visit Nomadic residential school in Puga . Hot spring of Puga is very famous among the Ladakhi and believes to be cure many diseases. In this valley you can see lots sulphur mines. Drive to Polokongka la (4950M) and then going down towards Tsokar. In this valley you might see wild animal like wild Ass, blue ship, Argali, and Marmots , drive continue through Taklangla , 2nd Highest motorable road in the world. Arrival at Leh by evening. O/N hotel

Free time for personal activities. O/N hotel

Early morning transfer to Leh airport to board flight back to destination. tour ends with sweets memories.

For the more adventurous a drive to either Manali or Srinagar can also be arranged on request. The road journey is covered in two or more days with an overnight halt at either Serchu or Jispa, which lies on the Leh-Manali highway, or Kargil, which lies on the Leh-Srinagar highway.