Leh Ladakh

Your Ladakh tour begins with an arrival into Leh , where you will be met at the airport by a Trans India Holidays representative and transferred to the hotel and assisted with check in formalities. Leh - Leh, the starting point of your Leh Ladakh tour package, is the largest town of the Ladakh region. It is located to the north of the Indus River at an elevation of 3600m above the sea level. The town is dominated by the nine-storey Namgyal Palace and Namgyal Tsemo (victory peak), built by Tashi Namgyal on his victorious in reunification of the Upper and Lower Ladakh. Leh became the capital of Stod (upper Ladakh) during the reign of king Graspa Bum- Lde, who ruled Ladakh from 1400 to 1430 AD. In the later period, Leh became an important center for trade in Central Asia. Leh remained merely a headquarter of Ladakh district until 1974, when Ladakh was opened for foreign tourists. Since that period Leh became the centre for tourism related activities in the region. No activity is scheduled for the first day of your Leh tour, since it takes a bit of time to acclimatize yourself to the low oxygen levels at this altitude. Overnight in Leh.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Indus Valley Monastries. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest: Thiksey Gompa: 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite. Shey Palaca And Gompa: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here. Hemis Gompa: 40 Kms from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years (nest in 2004) Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as “green room” by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist “Wheel Of Life” (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel. Ladakhi House: A typical Ladakhi house is made of mud bricks. The center of the room is the kitchen cum guest room. Sittings are like that of Japanese thus by using low tables and Tibetan carpets where one sits in a meditation posture crossed leg. Ground floor is used during the winters called “Goontsa” and the top floors are used during summer. A visit to a Ladakhi house gives chance to directly interact with local and inside into custom. You can try “Chang” the local beer or salt tea. You may like to dress and photographed in traditional Ladakhi dress. Also enjoy traditional ‘Gurgur Tea” (Ladakhi Salt and butter tea) with the local residents of Stok Village. Drive back to Leh. Overnight in Leh.

After breakfast, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check-out formalities. You will then start your drive to Nubra Valley. Drive past world’s highest motorable road at Khardungla Pass, said to be one of the highlights of any Leh, Ladakh tour. Khardungla Pass : The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away from Leh. There are two checkpoints on the both sides of the pass. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at higher altitude than Deskit and other villages. Nubra Valley - The Nubra means Ldumra (the valley of flowers), situated in the north of Leh. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. The main attraction in this area is Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet.) above sea level. On arrival at Nubra, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check in formalities. Later in the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Nubra Valley. Tour includes visits following places of interest: Deskit Village: Deskit is the main village of headquarter of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop. Spectacular view of the valley can be seen form the monastery. Deskit Gompa: Deskit Gompa was founded by 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 Thikse Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor takes place on 20th and 21st days of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar. Hundar Village:Hundar is a beautiful village to stay with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump bacterian camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two hours is wonderful. Overnight in Nubra.

Morning after breakfast visit Samstanling Monastery then drive back to Leh, once again driving via Khardungla pass the World Highest Motorable road. Samstanling Gompa: Samstanling Monastery was founded by Lama Tsultrim Nima and Monastic community was introduced as Rezong Gompa. About 50-60 monks are residing in this 132 years old monastery. The Gompa has some strict rules and regulations. On arrival at Leh, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check in formalities. Evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenir, visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by foot. Overnight in Leh.

Your Leh Ladakh tour ends with a transfer to Leh airport, where you will be assisted by our representative, to check in for your flight for Delhi.