Best Time : Mid June to Mid September Style of Trip : Hotels & 01 night fixed camp & 01 night Homestay
SOME IMPORTANT FESTIVALS OF SACRED IMPORTANCE DURING SUMMER IN LADAKH ARE, LAMAYURU FEST, HEMIS FEST , PHYANF FEST, TAK TOK FEST AND FOLK FEST LEH.
A tailored tour of Ladakh in the company of expert guides, including an authentic Tibetan Buddhist village festival, a 4 day road journey through the Greater Himalaya, a train journey across the plains of India, a flight over the top of the Himalaya giving views of K2, and an in-depth tour of Leh, the Indus Valley and the famous Buddhist temples at Alchi.
This is a tremendously exciting trip incorporating a fantastic Himalayan road journey on the challenging road link between Manali and Leh. This four-day traverse winds its way right through the Greater Himalaya and offers some grand scenery. You cross many high passes which offer panoramic views of the Himalaya and, in the immersed into the frenetic pace of the life that is India. You will have sampled a tour of New and Old Delhi, stayed in a four star colonial hotel of great Raj Character, experienced a hurly burly of an Indian rail station (Old Delhi railway station is a cultural experience all of its own !!), and travelled by train across the Indian plains to Chandigarh. You then stay one night in a converted fort (Nalagarh Fort) before setting off up into the foothills to arrive at the popular Indian hill station of Manali.
Now, having crossed the Himalaya you arrive in the former Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh and driving up the Indus valley you arrive at the town of Leh. After arriving and resting in Leh after your long drive, you will explore the capital, and visit old palaces and large, thriving Buddhist monasteries in the Indus valley, before attending the Tak Tok festival in a village close to Leh. This annual event is very colourful and atmospheric. Local people come from villages and hamlets all around the region to watch the 'Black Hat' dancers, meet their relatives and friends, gain merit and improve their karma, perhaps look for a bride or a husband, and generally enjoy themselves. These Buddhist festivals are great fun and great photographic opportunities. After the festival we continue the tour by driving out on the road, to visit the fabulous temples at Alchi. It is amazing to think that these incredible temples have survived undamaged for a thousand years! This is followed by a very exciting drive up the Zanskar River gorge to visit-metal working village of Chilling. Here we stay in a local house that has been tastefully renovated as a comfortable Homestay lodge. Time in the village will bring you into contact with local villagers and give you a real view of life in a Himalayan Buddhist hamlet. Returning to Leh you might be curious what lies in store for you in the future and we hope to arrange a meeting with one of the oracles from the area, who are revered for their powers to foretell the future.
The trip finishes with one of the world's most sensational scheduled flights - right over the top of the Greater Himalayas.
THE FORMER KINGDOM OF LADAKH
Ladakh lies embedded in the mountain world of the Karakoram in the north west, the Himalaya in the south west, and the trans Himalaya at its core. Its position at the upper course of the Indus makes it the important connecting point of the trade route from north west India to Tibet and to Turkestan. The main chain of the Himalaya usually ! prevents the Indian summer monsoon from advancing this far. Likewise the extended cold winter has little snow due to the position of the mountains in the rain shadow. Winter is followed by a short, dry and relatively warm summer. All year - round, however, there are great daily changes of temperature, with strong winds blowing in winter. As a result of the dry and harsh climate , only sporadic high steppes are covered with grass, while arid and semi-arid deserts dominate an otherwise grandiose mountain world.
HISTORY AND RELIGION
Following its demise, the first Tibetan Empire was divided among three brothers in 1020. One of them moved to Ladakh and founded the first royal dynasty there. In the following centuries, the Ladakhi kings extended their ruling territory. Lhachen Utpala (1080-1110) expanded his kingdom up to the realm of the related dynasties of Purang and Mustang (in present day Nepal). New importance was attached to the culture of the Ladakhi monks when the reform sect of the Gelugpa created by Tsongkhapa led to the re establishment of monasteries in the 15th century. Family feuds had ended at the beginning of the 15th century with the division of the empire. Lhachen Bhagan unified Ladakh in 1470 and founded a new dynasty, Namgyal. His successor was able to stand ground against an invasion from East Turkestan. Yet over the years Ladakh was to be plagued repeatedly by plundering, ravaging armies. During the reign of the powerful kings Sengge Namgyal (c. 1570-1620) and Deldan Namgyal (c.1620-1660) the empire was not only further extended but blossomed anew culturally in Ladakh. It came to an end when the great fifth Dali Lama of Tibet (Nawang Lobsang Gyatso, 1617 -82) convinced the Mongolians, whom he had converted to Lamaism, to enter a military campaign against west Tibet and Ladakh. The Ladakh king, Delegs Namgyal, turned to Kashmir for help. In the Battle of Basgo (c.1685) the Tibetan - Mongolian army was stopped. Yet from then on Ladakh remained under the influence of the Islamic empire of the great Moguls. Finally it was invaded by a Kashmir general, Zowara Singh in 1837. The king was shelled in his palace in Leh, and finally ceded rule to Kashmir. Its history remained unalterably tied with the history of Jammu and Kashmir, but the country did not forfeit its Lamaistic tradition.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive New Delhi
On arrival in Delhi about midnight local time you will met with traditional garland welcome and transferred to your hotel for a chance to rest after a long flight.
Day 02: Morning At leisure, afternoon sightseeing of New & Old Delhi.
The morning is free to get up late, and to adjust to the time difference and change of cultures. The hotel we normally use has a very nice swimming pool in a garden. In the afternoon an English speaking guide will take you on a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. The heat, dust, sights and sounds of India's frenetic capital are quite an initial culture shock!
Day 03: Travel by train to Chandigarh, 3 hrs, drive to Nalagarh.
You make an early morning transfer to the station for the train to Chandigarh, arriving just before lunch. The Indian rail experience is essence of India; from the chaos, noise and heat of Old Delhi railway station to just sitting back and enjoying watching the Indian countryside flow past your window. Chandigarh is a purpose built city constructed in the 1950s as the new capital of the Punjab after Lahore was handed over to Pakistan. It was largely designed by Swiss born Le Corbusier. The result is a fascinating view of 1950's utopian town planning.
Later you begin the drive, through flat farming country, to Manali, stopping after about two hours at Nalagarh, the gateway to Himachal Pradesh, where you will stay tonight. This fort on a hillock was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand and stands amid acres of greenery with a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills. It is now a homely, converted palace hotel, with air conditioned rooms; facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court and health club.
Overnight at the Nalagarh Fort Resort
Day 04 : Continue drive to Manali (1960m / 6430 ft), about 08hrs
The road journey should take about 8 hrs from Nalagarh, it is 33 slow km on a busy but exciting winding road over a pass to Swarghat to join the main Chandigarh to Manali road. The route now follows the Beas River, a monsoon rain filled valley, on the left. Lunch will be at a restaurant with, after 40km before arriving at bustling Manali, that well known Indian hill station and former hippie place to hang out.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 05 : Morning free in Manali, drive to Keylong (3050m / 10006 ft), 10hrs
A 10 min walk to Hadimba Temple is followed by a short drive to two monasteries in the town after which you can make a visit to the hot spring baths at Vashist. The drive towards Leh begins by jeep, crossing over the Rohtang L, (3,978 / 13,051 ft). This pass featured heavily in the early exploration of the western Himalaya and gives excellent panoramic views of glaciers and the high peaks. A picnic lunch is usually taken at Mahli (3.405m / 11,171 ft), 17km before the pass, but where you have lunch depends on whether there are any delays on the mountain road. The road is narrow and exciting, following the mighty River Chandra for the last 60 km; from here you drop into the region of Lahoul before reaching Keylong.
Overnight Guesthouse in Keylong
Day 06: Acclimatization walk to Monasteries in Keylong area, drive to Jispa (3,141 / 10,300 ft), 1hr
Today is kept aside as an acclimatization day. There are a number of different temples and monasteries that can be visited. We suggest two short walks in the Keylong area so that you become more accustomed to the rare air of the Himalaya before crossing the highest passes. You may also have the chance to visit the capital of the Lahoul region; Keylong (3,349m / 10,978 ft). Lahoul is still quite green, with barley and potato fields lined with poplar and willow trees, but already the high peaks are screening out the monsoon rains and it feels now like high mountain country. The first walk is after a 6 km drive for a slow 30 min up (150m / 492ft climb) to the 11th century Khardong Gompa, the oldest in the region, returning to the transport to drive 20km, crossing the Bagrha River for an hour walk up, (350m / 1,148 ft) above Keylong to the 16th century Sashur Gompa. Each gompa can be seen across the valley from the other.
The drive continues for 25km to the guesthouse where you will spend the night.
Day 07 : Drive Sarchu, (4,220m / 13,845ft), 6hrs
After Jispa you cross the formidable Baralacha La (4,891m / 16,046ft), source of the Bagrha River, and enter a much more arid, sparsely populated stretch. There are one or two lakes and impressive canyons and huge plains. Some stretches of the road beyond Lahoul until the Indus valley are non metalled and, in parts, are quite bumpy. Stay at Sarchu fixed camp. The camps that you use on this drive are semi-permanent to cater for traders / travelers on this important highway and have been set up by enterprising locals. They have large walk-in sleeping tents. Camp beds, with adjacent bathroom / toilet facilities, a big mess tent and plenty of good food.
Overnight fixed camp.
Day 08 : Drive to Leh (3,505m / 11,500ft), 8 hrs
An early start to go over the highest passes today; the 21 loops with hair pin bends and a 477m / 1,565ft climb to Nakella La (4,739m / 15,547ft). the Lachulang La (5,065m / 16,616 ft) and 90km and 4hour later, (including crossing 48km of the More Plains), the Taglung La (5,441m / 17,852ft)- this has a sign stating it to be the second highest motorable pass in the world. The drive has wonderful views, canyons, pinnacles with boulders balanced on the tops and other geological wonders. You join the Indus at Upshi (3,384m / 11,102ft), before following the river down stream, passing the monasteries, for 50km to Leh, the ancient capital of Ladakh.
The kings once commanded a huge civilization stretching from Baltistan in the west, almost as far as Lhasa in Tibet. Leh is full of interest with the semi ruined Potala-like palace. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, filled with shops, one or two temples, a mosque and bazaars, and is a great place to explore. Within about an hour's walk you can reach outlaying villages and other Buddhist monasteries; the Tsemo Gompa (3,780 / 12,410ft), with a 30 minute walk and a 200m / 660ft climb of steps, dominates the town. During your stay there should be time enough to look around the bazaars to bargain for a Tibetan carpet / bronze statue / gem stones.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 9 : AM Sightseeing in Leh. PM : At Leisure
In the morning a knowledgeable English - speaking Guide will pick you up and take you on a walking tour of the town. This will include the Royal Palace which dominates the town, nearby temples, back streets & bazaars, and the ecological centre. In 1837 Ladakh was invaded by the Kashmiri General, Zorawar Singh, who, eventually arriving in Leh, shelled the palace until the King of Ladakh capitulated. Up until recent years the same Royal family owned the palace but it was fast collapsing and so they sold it to the Archaeological Society of India, who have done a good job of saving this impressive building from disaster. It is said that when the palace was first built the king of Ladakh used the same architect who had been employed on the Potala in Lhasa. After the job was finished the king had the architects' hands cut off, and history is not sure whether this was to prevent the architect from selling his skills to other nearby rulers, or because he had been having an affair with one of the king's wives. The tour will give you a real sense of the mediaeval character of Leh town before the advent of the modern age.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 10 : Sightseeing in the Indus Valley
Today spent visiting three or four important places in the wide Indus valley. Thikse monastery, 18km 30 minutes drive, consider the best of all Indus valley gompa, contains a three storey high statue of Chamba, Buddha of the future, with marvelous views of the valley from the roof. Retracing your steps, after driving 8 km you will visit Shey Palace, the palace of the old Ladakhi kings. In the early afternoon, there should be time to drive 13km south, over the holy bridge over the Indus, to Stok Palace , built in the 1840's to house the Ladakhi royal family after exile, and the museum which has a remarkable display of ornaments from the royal family, thangkas (Buddhist religious paintings), traditional clothing and jewellery. You will also visit Stakna Gompa before you return to Leh if time allows.
Overnight Hotel.
Stok Palace
The king of Ladakh was allowed by the Kashmir's to move here after they invaded in 1837. Today it is part museum and part residence for the royal family. It contains some absolutely fabulous treasures!
Shey Palace (15km from Leh)
The old 'summer palace' of the kings of Ladakh was built about 550 years ago by Lhachen Palgyigon, the first king of Ladakh. It stands next to the remains of a large construction on the east side of a hill, which runs south east towards the Indus. From the palace you can see over the fertile Indus plain north east to Tikse Gompa and over the Indus to the Zanskar mountain range. The old Shey Palace has the largest golden Buddha statue in Ladakh in its gompa. The statue worked out of gold and gilded copper sheets, stands 12 meters high and has blue hair. It was erected by King Dalden Namgyal in the middle of the 17th century. The most important moment in the construction of such a figure as when the eyes are painted in and the statue can 'see' . No artist or monk would dare to look the Buddha in the eye so the pupils are painted over the artist's shoulder, with his back to the idol, using a mirror.
Thikse Gompa (17km from Leh)
The 500 year old Thiksey monastery, perched on a hill high above the Indus, has the largest contingent of monks in Ladakh. On the right of the entrance to the main courtyard a new chapel houses an enoromous 15 metre high figure Chama, Buddha of the Future. About 100 yellow - cap monks belong to the gompa. If you get there by 6.30am you can witness the daily morning prayers but there are also prayers closer to noon, preceded by long mournful sounds from the horns on the roof.
Stakna Gompa
Stakna, meaning 'Tigers Nose', sits on the top of a sharp hill beside the Indus river. It was one of the Drukpa (red Hat) monasteries built at the instigation of the first ruler of Bhutan, Nawang Namgyal. He held an alliance with ladakh's most important king, Senge Namgyal in the early sixteen hundreds. In the main temple there is a fire idol of Nawang Namgyal, recognized by his black beard. The Rinopache (re-incarnate lama) lives in Leh
Day 11 : Attend Tak Tok Festival, return to Leh.
Today offers a chance to attend the annual Tak Tok Festival to see some traditional dancing and festivities. This is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist annual events in Ladakh and it will be great fun to attend Tak Thok's Buddhist festival. You can expect large crowds of local Ladakh is to be there in all their finery. There'll be time to have a wander around the nearby village before the return drive to Leh.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 12 : Drive to Alchi, visit Basgo en route.
The temple of Alchi are really very special ! They are 1,000 years old and have remained untouched by war or earthquake.
Overnight hotel
Alchi
The temple here are among the most important in the whole of Ladakh. They were built by the great translator, Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055AD), The wall paintings are some of the oldest surviving in Ladakh, and it also has some massive statues of Buddha, which show Kashmiri influence in their artistic style. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is quite fantastic to think that these incredible temples have survived a thousand years and escaped destruction by ravaging armies and the occasional Himalayan earthquake.
Day 13 : Drive to Chilling (3350m/ 10,990ft)
After breakfast you pack your bags into the vehicles and head out back on the road towards Leh, turning off to the right near the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
You then cross the river and follow the winding road beneath steep cliffs up the river valley toward Chilling. Below Chilling you leave the vehicles and climb up the narrow footpath into the village itself where you meet your homestay hosts. Your guide will be on-hand to ensure that you are comfortably settled into your homestay and have everything you need.
Chilling is famous for its metalworking. The people have a high reputation for making ornate stoves in particular, and all manner of metal handicrafts and you will have a chance to visit one of the home industries. There are some nice day walks around Chilling and the gorge scenery is awesome. Overnight homestay
Day 14 : Drive to Leh, visit oracle
We cannot guarantee this proposed audience with an oracle who foretells the future, but if possible we will arrange for you to meet her in Leh. She has not a reputation that local people are afraid to talk to her for fear she will tell them things they would rather not hear. The rest of the day is free, and no doubt you will need sometime to shop for presents, souvenirs and handicrafts in the back streets and Tibetan bazaars.
Overnight Hotel
Day 15 : Fly to Delhi over the Great Himalaya
An early start for the short drive to the airport (3,256m / 10,682ft), for one of the most sensational flights in the world! Within minutes the aircraft flies over a sea ice-cold peaks and glaciers as it crosses the greater Himalaya range. On one side can be seen in the distance the peaks of possibly K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif. On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel nearer the airport this time as time is short and it will be more convenient to be close to the new airport. The afternoon is free to relax and for independent visits.
Late night transfer to airport to board your flight back home.
