LADAKH LITTLE TIBET

VISITING: LADAKH - THE LITTLE TIBET

Arrive Leh.

Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Check-in time is 12 noon.  Rest of day free for acclimatization.

LADAKH
It is a mysterious land shrouded in myth and legend. Known for centuries as the 'land of passes' (La-pass; Dakh-land). The region of Ladakh spread over to an area of 96,701 Sq. Kms. Ladakh is a paradise for nature lovers, culture travelers and adventure seekers. Visit Ladakh and get enchanted with its beautiful snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, spectacular waterfalls, and accept the challenges of its thrilling trekking routes. Visit the famous palaces, monasteries and gompas of Ladakh including the 17th century Leh Palace, Stok Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Likir Monastery, Hemis Gompa, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa and Shanti Stupa.

Evening walk to Leh Bazaar on slow pace.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning guided half day city sightseeing tour visiting Sankar Gompa, Spituk and Phyang Monastries.

Sankar gompa is 90 years old but it is located on the site of small temple that was built some 500 years ago. Spituk Gompa was built 550 years ago by Gyalpo Bumide, although one temple dedicated to Mahakala was built 900 years ago.Phyang Gompa is also known in Ladakhi as the Gouon gompa, meaning blue peak.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning guided excursion to Shey, Thikse and Hemis Monastries.

Situated at a distance of around 40 km southeast of Leh, Hemis is located in the Ladakh division of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. It takes its name from the world famous Buddhist Gompa situated here.The Hemis monastery was established in 1672 AD by the then king Senge Nampar Gyalva. Hemis, however, it best known to tourists because of its colorful festival held in July. At this time, monks perform their traditional dances to celebrate the birth anniversary of the monastery's founder, Padmasambhava. Its resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances leading to the destruction of the evil forces, & sacrificial offerings.

Thiksey Monastery, an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture, is a glorious Buddhist monastery located nearby Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Thiksey Monastery is the part of Gelukpa order in Buddhism and is beautifully located in the picturesque top of a hillock. It encloses numerous stupas, Thangkas, statues, swords, wonderful wall paintings and a large pillar carved with Buddha’s ideas and preaching, all in a mammoth 12 storied building complex. A marvelous Buddha statue in the seated position is adorning the main prayer hall. Thiksey Festival, a major attraction for tourists and Buddhist devotees, is conducted here with splendor and much pomp.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning excursion to Alchi and Likir Monastries.

The name Likir means "The Naga - Encircled". The reason behind this naming of Likir Gompa of Ladakh is that it stands surrounded by the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas, Nanda and Taksako. The monastery is situated at a distance of approximately 62 km to the west of Leh town. Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, offered the site where the monastery now stands, to Lama Duwang Chosje. The Lama, a great champion of meditation, blessed the site offered to him, after which the construction on the monastery was undertaken.

The Likkir Monastery of Leh Ladakh was founded in the later half of the 11th century, around the year 1605. It belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect, founded by Tsongkhapa. It consists of a number of shrines inside its complex. Presently, it serves as the residence of approximately 120 Buddhist monks. The monastery also has a school, in which almost thirty students study. In the 15th century, Likir Gompa came under the influence of Lodos Sangphu.

Alchi Gompa dates back to the year 1000 AD and was built by the Translator, Rinchen Zangpo. He even made a reference about the monastery in his biographies. It is written that he brought thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir, for the construction of the Alchi Monastery of Leh Ladakh. The monastery is sited at a distance of approximately 67 km to the west of Leh. One can easily see an Indian touch in this monastery, especially in the way its paintings have been made.

Three sacred temples, with the main one being that of Rinchen Lhakhang at Lotsa Lhakhang, make up a major part of the Alchi Gompa of Ladakh. However, there are other temples also, namely Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple), Sumtsag Lhakhang and so on. There are a number of images inside the monastery. However, the main one is that of Vairocana. The other images include the ones of the five Buddha Families, along with their attendant deities.

Later drive back to Ladakh enroute visiting countryside.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning free for independent activities. Check-out time is 12 noon.