A Buddhist Journey

Phyang Festival: Phyang Gompa is also known in Ladakh as the Gouon Gompa, meaning "blue peak" for it is beautifully situated on a hilltop above the small village of Chhiwang. Phyang festival, like other monastic festivals has sacred dance-dramas or 'Chhams' that form the core of this festival. But the main attraction for the devotees is the pilgrimages to the huge Thangka of Skyabje Jigten Gombo, founder of the Dringungpa monastic order, which is kept on exhibition during the festival.

Korzok Festival: Korzok, situated at 15,000 feet (4,572 m) with its dozen or so houses and its gompa appearing like a mirage among the barren hills, is the only permanent settlement in Rupshu, and the stage for the region’s only monastic festival.

Tak - Thok Festval: Tak-Thok means “rock-roof” and the festival is held in the only Nyingma-pa‚ monastery of Ladakh. Tak-Thok is built around a cave like many other cave foundations in Ladakh and is associated with Padmasambhava. The tradition of Tak-Thok Tse-chu is held on the 29th day of the 9th Tibetan month. The Lamas, in the guise of various divinities and legendary characters, perform mystic dances. During these days, the votive offerings Stor-ma‚ are consecrated and destroyed on the last day.

Day 1 Arrive Delhi, Transfer to hotel Taj Ambassador.

Day 2 Delhi Breakfast
Independent day to rest. The area surrounding your hotel is a great place for walking to street bazaars, cafes, bookshops. I highly suggest a massage at your hotel to assist in your flight recovery.

Day 3 Fly Delhi/Leh (3506 Mt) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Early morning transfer to domestic airport for flight to Leh. Flying over snow-clad ranges of pristine Himalayan peaks, this is a never-to-be-forgotten travel experience as you arrive in the striking land of Ladakh in the upper Indus Valley. On arrival transfer to hotel. After check-in and brief freshening up, visit the town of Leh, a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The spectacular eight-story Leh Palace, looming above and overlooking the town, was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Overnight at Hotel Lahrimo.

Day 4, Drive Leh - Stok - Matho - Leh (58 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Morning visit to Stok and Matho Monasteries. When the monarchy was abolished in Ladakh, the royal family was compensated by the palace in Stok. The palace, built in 1814, houses rare royal ornaments in its museum. The last king of Ladakh died here in 1974. Matho Monastery, situated on the opposite bank of the Indus across Thiksey, was established in the first half of the 16th century AD and has a valuable collection of very old and beautiful thangkhas, some in the form of mandalas. Afternoon visit to Sankar Monastery belonging to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Sect.

Day 5 Drive Leh-Thisey-Shey-Hemis/Leh (90 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Full day sight visiting Hemis, Thikse & Shey Gompas. Shey was the summer palace of Ladhaki Kings. It has a 36 foot statue of Budha. Thikshy Monastery, situated on a hill top, has several temples and wall paintings of Buddha. Close by is the summer palace of the old raja of Leh. This monastery is 800 years old. Silver and Gold statues are seen in it. Hemis, farthest away from Leh, is the most famous and wealthiest monastery and belongs to the red sect. Evening return to Leh.

Day 6 Leh - Spitok - Phyang - Leh (60 km) - Phyang Festival Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Morning drive to Spituk Monastery which stands on a hillock 8 km from Leh. The proud possessions of this shrine are a number of intriguing thangkas. Higher up the hill is a chamber housing a statue of Goddess Kali with her face covered. It is unveiled once a year. Afterwards drive to Phyang Monastery to attend festival. The monastery is remarkably built on the hiltop, similar to the Likir Monastery. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa order. Enjoy the festival sacred dance dramas or Chhams. The main attraction for the devotees is the pilgrimage to the huge thangka of SkYabje Jigten Gombo, founder of the Drungungpa monastic order, which is kept on exhibit during the festival. In the evening return back to the hotel

Day 7 Leh - Tso Moriri (240 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Morning drive to Chumathang, known for its’ healing hot spring. A short drive up to Maha Bridge is the main check point to enter this new area. From here the road is rough. On the way to Tso Moriri, visit Sumdah village. Another 55 kms brings us to Tso Moriri. The lake is a breeding ground for numerous species of birds. Chief among them is the bar headed goose, crested grebe, the Brahmin ducks (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown headed gull. Overnight in tents.

Day 8 Tso Moriri (4300 mtrs) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Korzok Festival
Morning visit Korzok village, walking distance from the camp, to enjoy the festival. The few barley fields of Korzok must be among the highest cultivation in the world. Afternoon visit to the lake. Overnight in tents.

Day 9 Tso Moriri - Tsokar Lake - Leh (250 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Drive to Mahe village via Puga valley. The village is an unforgettable scene of shooting fountain and white clouds hanging upon it. This is butan gas for which Puga valley is famous. Continue drive to Tsokar via Polokongka Pass (13500 ft) and visit Tsokar (small salted lake). The place is known for wild asses generally seen here grazing and moving in flocks. From here short drive on National Highway route (Leh- Manali) to Leh via Tanglangla Pass (5350 mtrs) which is the second highest motorable pass in the world. Arrive Leh in the evening. Overnight at Spic N Spice or Lotus.

Day 10 Leh-Alchi (60 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Visit Alchi Monastery, famous for its massive statues of Buddha, its wood carving and cashmere wall paintings. Overnight at Alchi Resort.

Day 11 Alchi - Ridzong - Lamayuru (50 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Morning visit Alchi Gompa. Afterwards drive to Lamayuru, en route, visit Ridzong Monastery, set into stunning surroundings and hidden among the hills. We continue to Lamayuru and visit it’s monastery perched at hill side - if time permits. Overnight at Hotel Niranjana.

Day 12 Lamayuru - Biama - Dah Hanu (120 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Morning visit Lamayuru Monastry and drive to Dah Hanu. Enroute stop at some interesting villages of this region, reaching Biama in the afternoon. In Dah we visit the Aryan village. It is quite interesting to spend some time with the inhabitants of this region. Camp in Bima.

Day 13 Biama - Likir - Leh (160 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Drive to Leh en route, visit Likir Monastery, one of the oldest in Ladakh. After an hour walk through an arid and bare land, the trail comes across Basgo, dominated by impressive ruined fortresses. A quite striking succession of chortens, sanctuaries and a palace line the path. Overnight at Spic N Spice

Day 14 Leh - Tak Thok - Leh (80 km) Tak Thok Festival Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Drive to Tak Thok Monastery to attend the colorful annual Tsechu (festival). The Tak Thok Festival is held in honour of Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche, the precious teacher. This Indian saint contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism throughout the Himalaya around AD 800. Taktak means ‘rock roof’ and this interesting little monastery is built around a cave where it is believed Padmasambhava lived and meditated for a while.

At these annual festivals, monks and laymen, wearing spectacular costumes and masks, perform elaborate traditional dances, watched by men, women and children who have come from miles around dressed in all their finery. This gompa is the only gompa in Ladakh of the Nyingmapa sect, the oldest Tibetan order. Return to leh late afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Spic N Spice or Lotus.

Day 15 Leh - Diskit (118 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Early morning drive to Nubra (7 hours drive). The Nubra Valley lies in the north of Leh and is accessible over the Khardung-la (18,380 ft) the highest motorable road in the world. The valley was a trade route from Leh and Khasgar via Saser and Karakoram passes. Apart from unparalleled trekking opportunities the valley has several Buddhist monasteries namely Sumoor, Tigar and 350 years old Diskit monastery famous for its murals. From Khardung-la drive to Khardung village through starkly beautiful country side to the Traffic Check Post (TCP) at Khalsar where permits have be registered and checked. From here we turn to the left side of the Shayok River and drive for 24 kms over a narrow steep road to Diskit for overnight camp.

Day 16 Diskit-Hundar (46 km) Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
After early breakfast walk up to Diskit monastery to witness the morning prayer ceremony. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the monastery through a long row of scattered chortens. The monastery is one the highest points near the villages belonging to yellow sect. The monastery has 120 resident monks. The Prayer Hall (Dukhang) has many statues one of which holds the head and left arm of Turkish invader believed to be about 5000 years old. Afterwards, drive to Hundar village through the desert valley and visit. Drive to Leh (118 km) Overnight at Hotel Spic N Spice or Lotus.

Day 17 Leh/Delhi
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi, 9W 610 dep. 0735 arr 0850 to Delhi.. At arrival transfer to hotel for wash/change and after farewell dinner transfer to International airport for flight home.