Destination:Delhi - Chandigarh - Nalgarh - Manali - Jispa - Sarchu - Leh - Mangu - Lamayuru - Hundra - Nubra Valley - Delhi
Duration :18 nights / 17 days

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival at Delhi’s international airport, we will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 2: IN DELHI
Full day guided city tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi. Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums.
In New Delhi visit the Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory that was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. Within its spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The Humayun’s Tomb - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Also visit India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to President House, which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. In Old Delhi visit the historic Red Fort - Shah Jehan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, which was built as an octagon measuring 900m by 550m and surrounded by a 9-meter deep moat which was at its inception fed by the waters of the Yamuna river. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan. Take an interesting rickshaw ride through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque. Also visit Raj Ghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

DAY 3: DELHI – CHANDIGARH - NALAGARH
In time transfer to railway station to connect your train for Chandigarh (dep: 0730.arr:1040 hrs). Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Nalagarh Fort, which is an interesting drive of 2 hours. Nalagarh is the gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India. The Fort is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills beyond the Sirsa river. The Garh rises above a 20 acre estate of forest and orchard and is built on five levels, three of which have well manicured lawns. Overnight is at the Fort.

DAY 4: NALAGARH - MANALI
After early breakfast drive to Manali –1896 m above see level and situated at the northern end of Kullu valley, is a picturesque little town, and is the most popular place in Himachal Pradesh. It is typical small town bustling with activity during the summer season. Around Manali, nature has lavished the region with forests, waterfalls green slopes rivulets and souring snow-cover mountain peaks. Manali also boots of a Mountaineering Institute, which imparts training in Mountaineering, Skiing and other adventure activities. Located 40 kms. away from Kulu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas River with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is known as the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.

DAY 5: IN MANALI
Morning visit to Naggar – 27 kms from Manali and 22 km from Kullu, Naggar was the capital of Kullu Rajas till A.D. 1660. The ancient castle, now converted into Tourist Bungalow, overlooks the entire Beas valley. Nicholas Roerich, the famous Russian painter and philosopher lived her and his quaint little house has been converted into a small museum. There are two old temples near castle. Afternoon is at leisure to explore down town famous for apple orchards, its old wooden temples and its folk music and dance. For 1400 years Naggar remained the capital of Kullu. Its 16th century stone and wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich . Naggar also has three other old shrines.

DAY 6: JISPA BY SURFACE (147 KM, 6-7 HRS)
After early breakfast drive to Jispa a small village in Lahaul region, crossing enroute Rohtang pass (3980 M) and visiting Keylong village. Teh lofty Shigri Glacier in seen in from in all its grandeur, with high pases standing between them and the civilized world, the people of these valley have developed and intense love for their home and culture, there songs and dances are as chaste and pure as the snow that clothes the mountains around Spiti valley is famous for Yaks and Choru. Overnight is in hotel JISPA.

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DAY 7: JISPA – SARCHU BY SURFACE (98 KM, 5-6 HRS)
Beyond Keylang, the region’s main town, the road follows the Bhaga river up towards its source, it hairpins up to the Baralacha-la (16050 ft/4,892 m), a pass that is perhaps unique in being a tri – junction, with a trail from Spiti coming in from the south-east. Overnight is in camps.

DAY 8: SARCHU – LEH
After breakfast drive to Leh. This day we have the longest drive, which may take anything between 6 to 8 hours. There remains the Zanskar range to be crossed and this takes two more passes, the Lungacha-La (16,600 ft/5,059m) ant the Tanglang-La (17,469 ft/5,325 m). Leh is rapidly growing town, spreading in all directions from its original position beneath the long abandoned Namgyal Palace while the town has come a long way from the days when polo was played on its main street, Leh still retains a pleasant, traditional quality. Evening free to rest and relax. Overnight is in hotel.

DAY 9: LEH
Morning is free to rest and relax. Afternoon enjoy a walking tour. Down in the historic bazaar, the main sites to visit are the Jo-khang, a newly built Buddhist temple, and the imposing historic mosque founded in the late 17th century standing, almost opposite. But the pleasures of Leh are not confined to the visiting of monuments and sites. For locals and visitors alike, a stroll along the main bazaar, observing the varied crowd and looking into the curio shops is an engaging experience. A particularly attractive sight is the line of women from nearby villages sitting along the edge of the footpath with baskets of fresh vegetables brought for sale. Behind the main bazaar, Chang Gali is less bustling but has interesting little shops selling curios and jewellery. Further on are the labyrinthine alleyways and piled-up houses of the old town, clustering around the foot of the palace hill. In the other direction, down the bazaar, are the Tibetan markets where one can bargain for pearls, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli and many other kinds of semi-precious stones and jewellery, as well as carved yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, china or metal bowls, or any of a whole array of curios. When tired of strolling, one can step into any of several restaurants, some of them located in gardens or on the sidewalks and serve local, Tibetan, Indian and Continental cuisine.

DAY 10: LEH
Visit the SPITUK GOMPA today, 7 kms to southwest of Leh on the hilltop near Indus. It was founded in 11th century by Od-De the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od, the Gompa named Spituk (exemplary) when Rinchen Zangpo translator came to that place and said that exemplary religious community would rise. Initially it belonged to the Kadampa school. Then during the lifetime of king Gragspa Bumide made it Gayluk Pa order. The Spituk festival held every year from 17th to 19th days of the 11th month. It houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and numerous thankas. Higher up the hill is the Mahakal Temple, containing the shrine of Vajrabhairava. This terrifying face is unveiled only at the annual festival in January.
About 20 kms from Leh, THIKSEY is an imposing monastery and one of the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. This Gompa is situated on the top of the hill and part of Gelukpa order, the disciple of Jangon Tsongkhapa. Sherab Zangpo of stok first built the temple of Stagmo Lakchung at the top of the Thiksey valley. Then Paldan Sherab nephew of Sherb Zangpo, founded Thiksey monastery. The 12 storey monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thankas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's teachings, there are sacred shrines and a many precious objects to be seen. The successive reincarnation of the Skyabje Khampo Ringpoche acts as in charge of the monastery. Thiksey gustor (festival) held from 17th to 19th day of the 12th month. The main prayer hall has a 15-mt high seated Buddha figure. There are chance to see prayer in the early morning.

DAY 11: LEH – ULETOPKO BY SURFACE (65 KM, 3 HRS).
After breakfast drive to Uletopko, the beautiful campsite near LAMAYURU. Enroute visit LIKIR MONASTERY. Located around 52 Kms from Leh, it was founded in the 11th century AD and was rededicated to another monastic order (the yellow sect) in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in fire. The present Gompa dates back to the 18th century. It contains huge clay images of Buddha's (past, present & future) and various old manuscripts. It also houses an interesting collection of thankas, old religious and domestic costumes and implements etc. The site of the monastery was encircled by the bodies of two great spent spirits. Therefore, name became widely renowned as Likir. In the 15th century the disciple of Khasdubje, now a lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa school. Every year from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month the Likir festival is held.

Arrive at your camp around lunchtime. Afternoon enjoy a 1 hour (one way) pleasant walk through a wooded, close valley to RIDZONG MONISTERY, one of the less frequented monastery of Ladakh. Ridzong is one of the most impressive monasteries of Ladakh. Relatively new (1840), it is perched on a beautiful spot in a side valley and has a wonderful collection of Thankas. It is beautifully set in a valley, deep inside a gorge and the most isolated monastery in Ladakh. About 137 years ago Lama Tsultim Nima founded this Gonpa and monastic community was introduced with strict rules and regulations. Chulichan the Nunnery place is around one & half kms. further down the monastery, around 20 nuns reside at Chulichan, they provide food and clothes to the monks. Apart from above activities they perform prayers in the morning and evening. Return to your camp in the evening. Overnight is at the camp.

DAY 12: ULETOPKO – MANGU – ULETOPKO pleasant trek
Enjoy a day out today walking by the river stream up to MANGU, a beautiful small village tucked in the mountains and housing a small monastery. Carry your packed lunch and water as there will not be any shop or restaurant on the way. Mangu is situated to the south of Uleytokpo and west of Alchi, which is around 2 hours walk from Uleytokpo and 5 hours from Alchi. Taking this track one crosses the Indus through small bridge and passing by Gera village, one enters into a deep gorge. Ascending from the right bank of the stream, a half way and cross to the left, after a sharp turn. After around 2.30 hours of walk the mangu village picturesquely stands on the foothill over the ravine. The Mangu monastery is also constructed on a flat land like Alchi and Tabo monasteries. This monastery was probably founded during the same period, as the Alchin Choskor by the great translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. The monastery comprises of four Chapels. The smaller temple, on either side of the main temple has a statue of Avaloktehvara and Maitraya in the standing posture. The right side temple has a statue of four-headed Varocana, as main image. The wall has murals of mandala. Return to hotel in the evening and spend time relaxing at the camp.

DAY 13: ULETPOKO – LAMAYURU - ALCHI – LEH BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to LAMAYRU. The central area of Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or gompas. Of the twelve situated on or near the Indus, the oldest monastery is that of Lamayuru, which is believed to have been a sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. The oldest site in Ladakh, Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a Lama after which, as legend goes the water of the lake receded upto the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the ‘free zone’ of Ladkh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins only the main hall exists today and houses numbers ‘Tankhyas’.

After visiting Lamayuru, continue your drive back to Leh and stop en route at ALCHI, which is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground. The monastery comprises of Dukhang (Assembly Hall) visit the Alchi monastery and its surrounding areas. Alchi Choskor "Religious Enclave" is 69 km. west of Leh, the most famous and largest of all the Gonpa built by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. He appointed four families to look after Choskor, as there was no monastic community introduced. Then in the 15th century Choskor was taken over by the Lekir Monastery and ever since Choskor is being taken care of by Lekir Monastery. The monastery comprises of Dukhang (Assembly Hall), Sumtsek Lhakhang (three tier) the Lhakhang Soma (New Temple), Jamyang Lhakhang (Munjushri Temple), Lotsava Lhakhang (Translator Temple) and Kangur Lhakhang. The Sculptors and Wood carvers are said to be brought from Kashmir around in 11th Century.

DAY 14: IN LEH
Visit HEMIS MONASTERY in the morning, around 45 km. south of Leh. Leave after early breakfast one and half hours drive (45 Kms) will take you to the famous monastery Hemis that is one of the most famous monastery of the Ladakh region. Hemis is one of the most famous and largest of all monasteries in Ladakh founded in 17th century belongs to the Drukpa order. Stagsang Raschegn who was invited to Ladakh by King Singee Namgyal founded the monastery. The king offered him religious estates and attended him as his principal guru. Hemis Tsche (festival) assemble annually from 9th to 11th day of the 5th Tibetan month. 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 Drugpa order, of which Hemis is the leading establishment in region. The gompa has well preserved Thankas and copper gild statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver and many auspicious objects.

Also visit CHEMREY MONASTERY, not far away from Hemis. Chemrey is situated to one side of a tributary valley of the Indus, just off the road leading to the Chang-la, about forty-five kilometers from Leh. Though most of the books, including the Ldakh Chronicle, tell us that it was founded by the great lama Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the patronage of Sengge Namgyal, Professor Luciano Petech has shown that it was actually founded after Sengge's death as a funeral act of merit for him. The building was started in March 1644 and completed in 1645 or 1646. Overlooking fields and houses, the monastery is perched picturesquely atop a small hill, down one side of which spill the monks' dwellings. A motorable road winds round up the back of the hill almost to the main entrance. The main du-khang, a large rather bare temple, has images of Stag-tsang-ras-pa and other Drug-pa lamas, together with a fine silver chorten about fifty years old made at Chiling. The murals are mainly of manifestations of Sakyamuni, as is common in Drug-pa temples; there are also fine mandalas of Kalchakra and Akshobya. Twenty-nine volumes of the scriptures have title pages whose lettering is in solid silver of exquisite craftsmanship, the text is pure gold. A smaller temple upstairs houses a nondescript collection of images of Drug-pa lamas

On the way back to Leh visit SHEY PALACE, which was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon and of successive kings. Around 12 feet Shakyamuni Buddha’s statue made by cooper guilt is the largest in the region. Situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, SHEY, once the residence of the royal family, was constructed by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Palgyigon and the successive kings. Around 12 feet Shakyamuni Buddha’s statue made by cooper guilt is the largest in the region. There is another statue of the Buddha three stories in height at dresthang down the castle. Stone carving and many chortens are scattered around the Dresthang Gompa. On the 30th day of the 1st Tibetan month celebrates shey rul-lo and on the 10th day of the 7th Tibetan month the festival of Shey Surb-lo is held.

DAY 15: LEH – HUNDER (HT 4350 MTRS)- OVER KHARDONG LA (5260 MTRS)
The road journey to NUBRA VALLEY leads through KHARDUNG-LA-PASS (the highest motorable road in the world) at 18,390 ft, around 39kms from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Sase massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as Ldorma or the valley of flowers. It is situated to the North of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. Nubra lies at and altitude of about 10,000 – ft. above the sea level and is drained largely by the Shiyok river. The Siachen river forms its single largest tributary.
First visit SUMUR, another pretty village on the other side of the river’; SAMSTANLING GOMPA here was founded by Lama Tsultims Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gonpa. About 50 monks are residing at this 132 years old Monastery. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations like not allowing women in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise, no smoking etc.
Our tented camp is situated in a beautiful village called HUNDAR with lot of trees. There is nothing more to see here except a small monastery and ruined fort above the village however the site for the camp is so beautiful that it will invite you to explore the village on own.

DAY 16: IN HUNDAR; NUBRA VALLEY (VISIT DISKIT)
After your breakfast at the camp, visit the SAND DUNES to enjoy a camel safari. In second half of the day enjoy a visit to DISKIT MONASTERY perched on the rock overhanging the steam which is the source of the energy used by the mills. The monastery is rich, full of tangkas (skill paintings) and above all of magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences.. DISKIT is the main village or headquarter of Nubra Valley, which has small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. DESKIT GOMPA was founded y 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 Thiksey Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar

DAY 17: HUNDER – LEH BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung La. Afternoon rest and relax or take a walk to the local market. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 18: LEH – DELHI
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi. Afternoon is free to rest and relax. You will be given a room for wash and change. Later there will be a transfer to airport in the evening for onward flight. End of our services…..