ITINERARY:

Day 01 : Arrival Leh.
Arrival Leh, Wisdom representative will meet, greet, assist and transfer you to Hotel in Leh. Traditional welcome at the hotel with traditional 'Gurgur Tea" (Ladakhi Salt and butter tea) Post lunch visit Leh Palace and later visit Shanti Stupa for the spectacular sunset view over Leh Valley. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Leh.

Shanti Stupa:
Loated on the hilltop at Changspa. It can be reached quite easily from the Fort Road. The Stupa was constructed by a Japanese Buddhist organization, known as 'The Japanese for World Peace'. The aim behind the construction of the Stupa was to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote World Peace. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama inaugurated the Shanti Stupa in the year 1985. A magnificent white-domed structure, the Shanti Stupa of Leh Ladakh offers spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. The Stupa looks best at night, when it is beautifully illuminated with glittering lights. A large number of tourists come to Ladakh every year to visit this amazing Stupa.

Leh Palace:
The most captivating architectural ruins that attract the attention of the tourists almost immediately with its majestic setting at the edge of the Namgyal hill and overlooking the town. Built in the 17th century, it was built as the residential palace for the King Singge Namgyal. Much smaller but resembling the Potala in Lhasa, Leh Palace is now in ruins. It has nine storeys and has been deserted since the royal family shifted to the Stok Palace in 1830s. nine storey, but it is now dilapidated and deserted. It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. The Victory Tower set above the palace was built to commemorate the victory of brave Ladakhi soldiers over the invading armies of Balti Kashmiris in the early 16th century. Today, Leh Palace serves as an office for the Indian Government's archaeological conservation organization

Day 02: Monastery Tour with Prayer Ceremony, Village walk with lunch at Ladakhi house.
Early in the morning leave for Thiksey monastery for early morning prayers. After the Prayer ceremony have your packed breakfast near the monastery. Start the beautiful village walk till Shey village. Visit Shey Palace and Gompa. Lunch will be prepared and served at a traditional village house. Post lunch drive to Hemis monastery. After the visit, drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Leh.

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.

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.

LADAKHI HOUSE:
A typical Ladakhi house is made of mud bricks. The center of the room is the kitchen cum guest room. Sitting are like that of Japanese thus by using low tables and Tibetan carpets where one sits in a meditation posture crossed leg. Ground floor is used during the winters called "Goontsa" and the top floors are used during summer. A visit to a Ladakhi house gives chance to directly interect with local and inside into custom. You can try "Chang" the local bear or salt tea. You may like to dress and photographed in traditional Ladakhi dress.

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.

Day 03: Drive to Alchi with visit to Oracle at Sabu village.
After breakfast visit the Oracle of Sabu. The oracle exists in most villages in Ladakh and practices faith healing. Locals as well as tourists visit her to seek solace from ailments and distress. Later continue drive to Alchi, enroute visiting Likir monastery. Arrive Alchi, visit Alchi monastery and check in hotel at Alchi for dinner and overnight stay.

ORACL OF SABU:
The Oracle of Sabu known as Ayu Lamo is famous for her healing and prediction. Every day the Ayu Lamo goes into Trans to perform this. People from all the religion and cast from different professions visit her for consoling. She was one of the India's first women to join the World Oracle Conference in Europe.

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.

Day 04: Drive to Lamayuru and back to Leh.
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Lamayuru monastery. Visit the monastery and start driving back to Leh. Enroute visit Rizong Monastery and Basgo Fort. Arrive Leh in the evening. Retire at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

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.

BASGO GOMPA:
40 Kms downstream from Leh, it was the seat of power of branch of a Namgyal family. It was here in 1680 that invading Mongol and Tibetan armies were held in check over a three year old siege. Original 16th century murals and other arts at Basgo are well worth a visit.

Day 05: Rafting, Cultural Show and Bar-be-que dinner with bon fire.
Morning after breakfast drive to Phey to start rafting on the Indus river. Raft till Nimo, have lunch near the river and drive back to Hotel to spend spectacular evening. Cultural show would be organized exclusively for the group followed by Bon Fire, Bar-be-que snacks and dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Rafting from Phey to Nimo : The Indus river flowing through the Leh valley in the high altitude desert region of Ladakh, is by far one of the most scenic white water runs anywhere in the Himalayas. The river offers a wide spectrum of trips. The most popular day trip from Phey to Nimmu is worth taking. Small but exciting rapids take you through this magical moon-land with majestic peaks and quaint monasteries dotting the horizon. While in Leh, one must take time to run this river.

Ladakhi Cultural Show : In Ladakh each happy event or a cultural show starts with 'Lharna' or auspicious time heralding symbol of good omen and ends with the 'Taluspa' dance praying for long happy life of guests and peace and progress in the world. Generally the performers moves in a circle in a single file. It has three stages. At the start the movement is very slow. It develop faster in the second stage until it attains climax and make the performers brisk and lively. The performers offer salutation to the guests and audience in the start and in the end.

Day 06: Leh to Nubra with Lungtha Ceremony and walk to Khardung village.
After breakfast we drive 170 kilometers or 106 miles in about 6 hours to Nubra Valley over the world's highest motorable road at Khardungla Pass. At the pass perform 'Lungtha' (Prayer Flag) Ceremony There are two checkpoints on either side of the Pass. Khardong is the first and highest village of the Nubra Valley we will get down at this checkpoint and walk alongside the stream to reach Khardong village. Khardong has a primary school which we will visit to meet the students and local teachers. Packed lunch will be organized near the stream. After lunch we will continue our drive to Hunder village. Arrive Nubra and check in camps for dinner and overnight stay.

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.

Lung Ta prayer flags are of square or rectangular shape and are connected along their top edges to a long string or thread. They are commonly hung on a diagonal line from high to low between two objects (e.g., a rock and the top of a pole) in high places such as the tops of temples, monasteries, stupas or mountain passes. Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. Buddhists believe the prayers and mantras will be blown upward as offerings to their deities and will bring benefits (such as happiness and good health) to all who hang them, as well as their families, loved ones, neighbors, and all people throughout the world including even enemies.

Day 07: Monastery tour, Camel Safari and drive back to Leh.
Early morning visit Diskit and Hunder monasteries. Drive to Hunder sand dunes for Double Humped Camel safari in the dunes. Post lunch drive back to Leh. Arrive Leh in the evening and retire at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

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.

Day 08: Excursion to Pangong.
Morning after breakfast drive to Pangong Lake on the Indo China border with packed lunch. Evening drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

THE PANGONG LAKE:
This route takes the visitor past the picturesque villages of Shey and Thikse, and turns off the Indus valley by the side valley of Chemrey and Sakti. The Ladakh rang is crossed by the Chang-la (18,000 feet / 5,475 M) which despite its great elevation is one of the easier passes, remaining open for much of the year even in winter, apart from periods of actual snowfall. Tangse, just beyond the foot of the pass, has an ancient temple.

But the main attraction of this circuit is the Pangong Lake, situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 M). A long narrow basin of inland drainage, hardly six to seven kilometers at its widest point to which foreigners are permitted, is only some seven km along the southern shore from the head of the lake, but it affords spectacular views of the mountains of the Changchenmo range to the north, their reflection shimmering in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lakes brackish water. Above Spangmik are the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range.

Spangmik and a scattering of other tiny villages along the lakes southern shore are the summer homes of a scanty population of Chang-pa the nomadic herds' people of Tibet and south east Ladakh. The Pangong Chang-pa cultivates sparse crops of barley and peas in summer. It is in winter that they unfold their tents (Rebo) and take their flocks of sheep and pashmina goats out to the distant pastures.

Day 09: Day free at Leh. Farewell dinner at Ladakhi House.
Today is a day to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Leh town. You may want to walk down to the local bazaar to buy souvenirs which will remind you of your small rendezvous with Ladakh. Farewell dinner would be organized at Local house in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh.

Day 10: Airport Departure.
Leave on time for Leh airport to board your flight to Delhi.