SHEY THIKSEY HEMIS

Season: April to October
Duration: 5 nights / 6 days
Places Covered: Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis - Alchi - Likir - Lamayuru - Khardung-La

Ladakh is at the northern most tip of India and is cradled in the Himalayas. The Leh-Ladakh tour packages take you on an enchanting trip of the Himalayas. The tour itinerary for the Leh - Ladakh tours are drawn up in such a way that not only do you get a view of the picturesque surroundings but also a glimpse of the culture and religion of the region. Book a Leh - Ladakh tour and experience the distinctive natural and cultural environment of Ladakh.

Day 1: Arrive Leh: -
Arrive Leh, transfer to hotel. Late afternoon walking tour of city to get acclimatize. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 2: Visit Shey, Thiksey, Hemis Monastries: -
Full day sightseeing with guide and pack lunch to SHEY / THIKSEY and HEMIS monasteries.
SHEY : Situated on a hillock 15 km. upstream from Leh was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tidetan kings. A 7.5 meter high copper status of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind is installed here.

THIKSEY: Spectacularly sighted, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompa. There are several temples in this gompa, containing images stupas and wall painting of Buddhas which are exquisite.

HEMIS: It is the wealthiest, best known and biggest gompa in Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka, which is unfurled once in 12 years (next in 2004).
Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal. It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty for the royalty favored for Drugkpa Sect, which managed the monastery.

Day 3: Leh - Lamayuru - Alchi: -
Drive to Lamayuru monastery, after visiting the monastery drive to Alchi for overnight stay.

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

ALCHI: On the banks of the Indus is the Alchi gompa, dating a thousand years back. One of its walls feature thousands of miniature-sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made on clay and painted brightly are its focal attraction. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Likir monastery

Day 4: Alchi - Likir - Leh: -
Visit Alchi monastery and drive back to Leh, enroute visit Likir monastery. Overnight stay in hotel at Leh

LIKIR: 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 dates back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved folding wooden tables. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant juniper tree, one of the few survivors of its species stands in the courtyar

Day 5: Leh - Khardungla Pass (18,380 ft) - Leh
After breakfast, start for a full day excursion to Khardungla. The Khardungla pass, which is the highest motorable pass in the world, has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. At the top, you can enjoy the natural beauty of snow-capped mountain. In the evening return to the hotel and spend the night there

Day 6: Leh - Delhi: -
Departure transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi.