Ladakh Monastery Tour Exploring Flamboyant India

DELHI > LADAKH > DELHI(14 Days)
Safari to remote Padum area in Zanskar + Monastery tour

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Arrival to Delhi and check in the hotel for overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi - Leh: Fly

Rest of the day free and for acclimatisation.

Day 3: Leh

After breakfast proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Then we visit Thiksey Gompa, an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa, founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall. Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world. Later we visit the Stok Palace, the Royal residence of the King of Stok & the Museum that has a rich collection of Ancient Ladakhi artefacts including old Thangkas, precious stones, arms and armoury, the Queen’s necklace and the crown of the King of Ladakh among others. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Day 4: Leh - Likir - Alchi - Lamayuru

After breakfast we drive to Likir and visit Likir gompa situated atop a windy cliff top overlooking the beautiful village of Likir. It was founded in the 12th Century although the present construction dates back to the 18th century as the original one was destroyed by fire. In its courtyard is a yellow-coloured 3 storey high mammoth statue of the Lord Buddha, which was constructed by a resident monk. The top floor has an impressive museum containing old thangkas and weapons used many centuries back.

Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden.

After Alchi we have an option to visit the impressive Ridzong Gompa, reached from the road head after a 30-minute uphill walk. It’s an impressive monastery well hidden in the lap of the mountains until you’re face to face with it. It is situated on the mountainside wedged in between 2 ends of a ridge. It is about 100 years old and the name means 'mountain fort' aptly describing this isolated gompa. It also has a nunnery of female monks also.

Finally we reach Lamayuru monastery, founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century. This gompa is located amidst the massive mountains. The spectacular setting of this gompa and its renowned collection of carpets, thangkas and frescoes has been attracting many people over a long time. It is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh.

Overnight stay in Lamayuru.

Day 5: Lamayuru - Kargil: 107 km / 6 hrs

In the morning we visit the Lamayuru monastery to be part of the morning religious ceremony. It’s a very soothing and spiritual experience to be there among these warm and friendly monks. Then drive to Kargil and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 6: Kargil - Rangdum: 130 km / 6-7 hrs

In the morning after breakfast we drive towards Suru valley along Suru River. Enroute we see the mighty twin peaks of Nun & Kun that are among the most challenging peaks in Ladakh. By evening we arrive at Rangdum plains in Zanskar region. Overnight stay in the tents in the picturesque campsite.

Day 7: Rangdum - Padum: 110 km / 6 hrs

In the morning we start and visit the famous Rangdum Monastery perched on a solitary rock in the middle of the valley. After that we drive to Padum, the capital of Zanskar region. By late afternoon we reach Padum and check in at the hotel for the overnight stay.

Day 8 & Day 9: Padum

Visit various monasteries & villages for 2 days. Stay overnight at the hotel in Padum.

Places that can be visited in and around Padum:

Karsha

We visit the important Monastery of Karsha. Karsha is the largest Gelug-pa monastery in Zanskar which is believed to be founded by the great translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo in 10-11th century AD. In the many halls of Karsha one can find some of the best specimens of Mural art. Later drive back to Padum enroute we stop to visit the Kalachakra Gompa where His Holiness Dalai Lama performed Kalachakra initiations.

Sani -Zongkhul

We can drive to Sani village and then to Ating located on the banks of river Zanskar. The jeep is abandoned at Ating and after crossing the bridge start the steady trek to Zongkhul Cave Monastery the founding of which is ascribed to Naropa. Later on the return journey visit the village of Sani then drive back to Padum.

Thongde

We can explore the Monastery of Thongde situated on rocky outcrop. One of the main attractions is the Gon Khang " the chambers of the protectors" of the monastery. Explore the other prayer halls of the Gompa. Later explore the village of Thongde.

Zangla

Drive to northern part of Zanskar valley, Zangla is believed to being ruled still by the king whose Palace stands on hill top Visit the one of the last remaining suspension bridges a remarkable example of primitive engineering. After visit to the Palace, drive further 5-10 minutes to visit the Zangla Nunnery monastery.

Bardan - Pibting

Visit the villages of Bardan, 15 km from Padum, and then visit the Pibiting village. Pibiting village can also be walked down from Padum, which is a short distance. Pibiting is considered to be one of the most interesting villages to be explored for the village life.

Day 10: Padum - Rangdum

Morning drive back to Rangdum. Overnight stay in tented camp.

Day 11: Rangdum - Kargil

Morning we drive back to Kargil, on arrival check in the hotel. Later proceed for a short visit of the town, which has some of the finest examples of Turkish style houses. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Kargil - Leh: 231 km

On our way back to Leh we can visit the Basgo monastery, famous for its Buddha statue. In Leh overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 13: Leh

Day at leisure or option of visiting more monasteries. Overnight stay at Leh.

Day 14: Leh - Delhi: Fly

In the morning transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi. Transfer and check in the hotel in Delhi.