ITINERARY:

The 10th day (Tse-Chu) of the Tibetan lunar month is celebrated as the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The Hemis Monastery celebrates this event in the form of a 2-day festival. Its resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances leading to the destruction of the sacrificial offerings. Masks worn by the lamas represent various guardian divinities of the Dugpa order, of which Hemis is the leading establishment in Ladakh. This 200 year-old tradition was introduced by a member of Ladakh's ruling family who was reincarnated in the 18th century as the monastery's Head Lama, "Sras Rimpoche". The Hemis dances are a re-enactment of the magical feasts of Padmasambhava, in his services to the cause of Buddhism in his eight different manifestations.

The festival takes an auspicious turn every 12 years in the Tibetan Year of the Monkey, when the two-storey high Thanka' depicting Padmasambhava is displayed. This famous Thanka, richly embroidered with pearls and semi-precious stones, is due to be displayed nest in AD 2016. As the Hemis festival is held during the peak summer season, it attracts the largest number of people from within and outside Ladakh.

01 July: Arrival Leh
Arrival Leh, Wisdom representative will meet, greet, assist and transfer you to Hotel in Leh. Rest of the day free to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh. Overnight at Hotel in Leh.

02 July: Hemis Festival
Witness the inaugural day of the annual monastic festival at Hemis monastery. Packed lunch will be served at the festival. Comeback to hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

03 July: Hemis Festival
Witness the closing day with mask dances at Hemis monastery. Packed lunch will be served at the festival. Comeback to hotel in Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

HEMIS GOMPA:
40 Kms from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava's birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years (nest in 2004) Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as "green room" by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist "Wheel Of Life" (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel.

04 July: Leh - Nubra Via Khardungla Pass
Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass. Arrive Nubra by noon and check in at Camps. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the camp.

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.

05 July: Nubra Sight seeing
Morning after breakfast proceed for a visit to the White Sand Dunes at Hunder. You can enjoy the camel ride (On Own). Visit Hunder and Diskit monasteries. Evening visit Samstaling Monestry. Overnight at Camp.

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.

HUNDAR VILLAGE:
Hundar is a beautiful village to stay with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump bacterian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two hours is wonderful.

SAMSTANLING GOMPA:
Samstanling Monastery was founded by Lama Tsultrim Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gompa. About 50-60 monks are residing at this 132 years old monastery. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations.

• Women are not allowed in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise.
• No smoking is allowed (not even bringing cigarettes packets) in the monastery.
• Alcohol and non-veg. Food are strictly prohibited.
• Do not enter in sleeveless shirts and Pants.

06 July: Nubra - Leh
Morning after Breakfast proceed for Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass the World Highest Motorable road. Evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenir, visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by foot. Overnight at the hotel.

07 July: Leh Sight seeing.
Morning after breakfast visit Shey Monastery, proceed to visit Thiksey and Stok Palace. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA:
Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.

THIKSEY GOMPA:
19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.

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.

08 July: Leh to Uletokpo / Alchi
Drive from Leh to Uleytokpo. Enroute visit Alchi monastery. Post lunch walk to the beautiful village of Mangyu. Overnight at Uleytokpo camps / Alchi Resort.

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.

VILLAGE OF MANGYU:The most beautiful village of Ladakh lies off the Leh-Srinagar Highway into the mountains at an altitude of 13860 Ft. This petit village has few houses and nearest accommodation is at Uleytokpo and Alchi. The village is approachable by walk from the Mangyu bridge.

09 July: Excursion to Lamayuru
Morning excursion to Lamayuru monastery. Afternoon visit the Rizong monastery and Chulichan nunnery. Overnight Uleytokpo camps

LAMAYURU GOMPA:
The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match Lamayuru.

RIDZONG GOMPA:
Rizong is the most isolated monastery of all the monastery of Ladakh. There is no entry fee in this monastery, you can offer whatever you can. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to meditated here for years. One can still find the small caves where Lamas used to meditate for years cutting themselves from the rest of the world except for an one feet square outlet window from where they accept the one time meal of the day.

CHULICHAN:
Chulichan, the nunnery is around one and half Kms. Below the Rizong monastery; around 20 Nuns resides at Chulichan. They provide food and cloths to the monks and perform morning and evening prayers.

10 July: Uletokpo / Alchi to Leh
Morning drive back to Leh, enroute visit Likir and Spituk monastery. Evening free at leisure. Overnight hotel at Leh.

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.

SPITUK GOMPA:
8 Kms from Leh, it stands prominently on the top of hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The Gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe-inspiring image of Mahakaal. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and is revealed only at the annual function at January every year.

11 July: Departure
In-time transfer to Leh airport to board flight for Delhi.

 

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