Best of Ladakh Himalayas

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi

Upon arrival in Delhi, meet Wind Horse representative at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Check into Hotel. Take rest for the day.

Day 02: Delhi/flight to Leh (B/L/D)

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Leh. Jet Airways/Indian Airlines 0540 0655. The flight takes us over the Greater Himalaya and on a clear day, the great peaks of the Karakoram are visible to the north. Assistance upon arrival and drive to your hotel. Leh is at an altitude of 3505 meters and you can expect to feel the effects of the rarefied atmosphere. Rest of the day in the hotel for proper acclimatizing. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Sightseeing of Leh and around (B/L/D)

Full day sightseeing visit to Shankar, Stok, Stakna

The Sankar Gonpa is a relatively new Gonpa located in the town. It belongs to the Gelukpa School of Tibetan Buddhism. It is closely associated with Spituk monastry and is the residence of the head priest - Kushak Bakula.

At 10 kilometers from Leh is a palace built in the year 1825 by King Tshespal Namgyal which is the present residence of the local Royal Family. The Palace was built after Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh. The royal family resides here since Ladakh lost to Zorawar Singh. A part of the Palace has been converted into a museum, which displays fabulous period customs and jewelry of the Royalty along with exquisite artifacts representing the life of Sakya Muni. Historical objects like coins, seals, armor, etc can also be seen.

25 kilometers south of Leh lies Stakna Monastery founded during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in 1580 by Saint Chosje Jamyang Palkhar. This belongs to the Drukpa Kargyud sect of Buddhism and houses some beautiful paintings and statues.

Return back to Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 04: Hemis/Thiksey/Shey Monastery Tour (B/L/D)

Full day sightseeing visit to Hemis, Thiksey and Shey.

Hemis is the wealthiest, best known and biggest of all the Monasteries in Ladakh. At 45 kilometers from Leh, Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso built Hemis in 1630 during the reign of King Sengge Namgyal. The main attraction of the temple is its summer festival called the Hemis Festival held annually to honor Guru Padmasandhava's birth anniversary and also it unfurls the Thanka, which is the largest in Ladakh, once in 12 years (Next is on 2016). 17 kilometers from Leh is Thiskey Monastery, perhaps the most beautiful of all the Monasteries in Ladakh. It belongs to the Gelukpa order. Sherab Zangpo first built the Gonpa at Stakmo. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiskey Gonpa on a hilltop to the north of Indus River. The Thiskey festival (Thiskey Gustor) is held in the month of October- November. Around 80 Monks resides here at present. Dukhang Karmo is a huge long assembly hall, which consists of the image of Shakyamuni and Maitriya Buddha statues. Chamkhang at the top near the courtyard contains the three storey Maitriya Buddha's statue, constructed in recent years. Dukhang at the top consists of thousand armed Avaloketesvara, Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattavas, Gonkhang contains the statues of Vajra Bhairava, Mahakala & Dharmakaya, the goddess Paldan Lhamo and Cham-sring.

Around 15 kilometers from south of Leh is Shey Palace. It was the seat of power of the first King of Ladakh, Lhachen Spalgigon, who constructed the hill top fortress. It is dotted with Chortens (stupas) and is under the patronage of Thiksey Monastery.

King Deldan Namgyal built Shey Palace in the beginning of the 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery is the three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper guilt, which was made by Deldan Namgyal in the memory of his father Singay Namgyal. The statue is the only of its kind in the region. Dresthang Gonpa near the palace was built during the reign of King Singay Namgyal, with a three-storey statue of Buddha. The Rock-carved statue of five Buddha can be seen below the palace on the roadside, which was probably carved during the reign of Singay Namgyal.

In the evening, we will visit Shanti Stupa, located on the hilltop over looking the Leh town; to have a beautiful sun set view of the town.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Rafting in Indus River (B/L/D)

After breakfast we take a lovely one hour drive to Nemo, starting point of our 03 hours rafting. Nemo is also the confluence Point of Indus River and Zanskar River. The rafting is an experience in itself as we come across rapids on Grade II and Grade III along the villages and scenic view of the countryside. Return back to Leh. Rest of the time at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Leh: Excursion to Pangong Tso

The Pangong Lake is 160 km from Leh with spectacular view colorful mountains and Changla pass. The scenic view of colorful mountains throughout the journey makes your trip memorable.

The drive begins with photogenic view of Thiksey monastery and village, famous for its architectural similarities with Potala palace of Lhasa. Beyond this village, you will drive towards Changla pass with a long and easy ascent through its winding roads through the village of Shakti. We will cross many small villages before we reach Pangong Lake. The lake is dramatic, surrounded by colorful mountains and its reflection makes the lake beautiful. The color of the lake changes into different colors throughout the day.

After spending time in this special wonder, we will return back to Leh for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 07/08/09: Nubra Valley Tour (B/L/D)

After breakfast we will drive to the beautiful Nubra Valley.

The Nubra Valley (the valley of flowers) is situated in the north of Leh at an average altitude of about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. The journey to the valley of flowers is through Khardongla (the highest motor able road in the world at 18,380 ft.), 50 kilometers from Leh. After crossing the pass, we pass through the village of Khardong, Khalser and Diskit (the main villages of Nubra valley).

The attraction of the area includes Bactarian Camels (double hump camel) around sand dunes, Diskit & Samstanling monasteries, Khardung la Pass (18,380 ft.) and Hundar monastery.

Day 10/11: Dah Hanu Tour (B/L/D)

Dah Hanu is situated to the south west of Leh (165 kilometers from Leh) passing through the beautiful villages of Kaltsey, Domkhar, Skurbuchan and Achinathang. There are many small villages but only two villages of Dha and Hanu are open for tourist. Being on lower altitude Dha hanu is warmer than Leh. The main attraction of this tour is Drokpa Community considered being as last race of Aryans confined to the valley. Their feature is pure Indo-Aryan and they have preserved their racial purity down the centuries. Their culture and religious practices are very similar to ancient pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon-Chos

Day 12: Dah Hanu – Alchi 95 kilometers.(B/L/D)

After breakfast we will drive back and stay overnight at Alchi. En route we will visit Likir Gonpa.

Likir Gonpa is founded in the 11th century AD and rededicated to different monastic order in the 15th century AD, its earlier gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent artifacts, earthenware pots and carved, folding wooden stools live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant jumper tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard. After the visit we will drive further to reach Alchi.

Alchi is a small town situated on the bank of Indus. Alchi boasts of the very different and beautiful Alchi Monastery. This temple is 1000 years old and on one of the Monastery walls, it has 1000s of miniature sized pictures of Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attention. It is no longer active religious center and is presently looked after by the monks from Likir Monastery.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Alchi – Leh 70 kilometers (B/L/D)

After breakfast we will depart for Leh. Enjoy the beautiful drive back to Leh. Rest of the time at leisure or souvenir shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Leh to Delhi (B/L/D)

After another spectacular flight we return to Delhi.

Jet Airways/Indian Airlines 0735 0850

Day 15: Delhi – Onward Journey (B/L/D)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to onward destination.

Or extend the tour by visiting Taj Mahal in Agra or the pink city in Jaipur.