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Day 01: Arrival
-Leh – Airport:
Arrive Leh &
transfer to Hotel.Rest of the day free at leisure to acclimatize to
the high altitude. Leh: Located in the side valley to the North of the
Indus Valley, Leh has had close trading relations with Central Asia.
It is encircled by awe-inspiring mountains with the cold desert beyond
and is dominated by the nine-storey Leh Palace. Buddhism has a
significant presence in this region. Overnight at the hotel in leh.
Day 02:
Leh – Hemis /Shey /Thiksey:
Full day visiting
Shey, Thiksey & Stok Palace. After breakfast, proceed to Shey – it was
the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Singge Namgyal built the
more imposing palace at Leh, the kings continued to regard Shey, as
their real home. The importance which was attached to Shey - the seat
of Ladakh's heartland - is attested by the enormous number of Chorten
about the village, particularly around the palace complex and barren
plain to the north of the road. Thiksey – is one of the largest and
most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompa
containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses
a two - storied statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around
its shoulder. On return proceed to Spituk – 8 Kms from Leh, which
stands majestically atop a hillock overlooking the Indus valley for
miles. Many icons and fine "Tangkhas" are to be found in this 15th
century monastery. It also houses a collection of ancient masks,
antique arms and is inspiring image of "Mahakala". The face of the
Kali image is kept covered and revealed only at the annual function in
January every two years. Overnight at hotel in leh.
Day
03:
Leh – Khardungla Pass: Day excursion to Khardongla pass, which
is the highest motorable pass in the world 5600 Mtrs and has been
recorded in the Gunnies Book of World Records. At the top enjoy the
nature beauty of snow-capped mountains. In the late afternoon return
back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in leh.
Day 04:
Leh – Kargil:
Drive to Kargil via
Khalse, Lamayuru, over Namiki-la (12,200 ft.), Mulbekh where there is
a Chamba statue carved out of a single rock about 144 ft. high, over
Fatu-la (13,489 ft.) which i s the highest pass on Leh - Srinagar road
and visit Lamayuru monastery which is the unique and oldest monastery
in Ladakh. After viewing fascinating view of granite colour soil rocks
drive down through kangaroo curves to Kargil. Overnight in hotel at
Kargil
Day
05:
Kargil – Rangdom:
Drive to Ringdom
via Panikhar. A total distance of 98 kms will be covered in about 4
hrs Ringdom is a small village harbouring the Ringdom Gompa. The drive
along Suru River provides magnificent view of mountains and glaciers
and later Leave for Padam over Pansi-la (4406 Mts.).Overnight in
Tents.
Day 06:
Rangdom – Padum:
Morning
visit Rangdom
monastery and Proceed to Padam Padam Once the capital of the ancient
kingdom of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is the present day administrative
headquarters of the region. With a population of nearly 1500, Padum
can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar. Several
places of tourist interest in the vicinity of the township can be
visited in the course of entertaining walks. The nearest monument is a
set of ancient rock carving on a huge boulder near the river bank,
just below the old township. Overnight in Tents.
Day
07
In Padum :
Morning visit to
Sani Monastery and Karsha MonestriesHome to 15th century Karsha
monastery, the largest foundation of Geluks-pa with more than 100
resident Lamas, it offers excellent views of the steep mountainsides
and the village of Karsha, 12 kms from Padum, in the valley of
Zanskar. Looked after by the monks of Likir monastery, it is the
biggest monastery. The Chamba Ling temple also found at Karsha dates
back to 11th century. Sani is related to a saint named Naropa, who is
believed to have been meditated here for sometimes under the Kanika
Stupa. A veiled bronze image of Naropa can be found here. This image
is unveiled once in a year during July, and a two day festival is held
on this occasion. Overnight in Tents.
Day
08:
In Padam:
Morning
vist to Thongde and
Zangla monsateries. The Monastery of Thongde situated on rocky
outcrop. One of the main attractions is the Gon Khang " the chambers
of the protectors" of the monastery. Explore the other prayer halls of
the Gompa. Later explore the village of Thongde.
Zangla :
Drive to northern part of Zanskar valley, Zangla is believed to being
ruled still by the king whose Palace stands on hill top Visit the one
of the last remaining suspension bridges a remarkable example of
primitive engineering. After visit to the Palace, drive further 5-10
minutes to visit the Zangla Nunnery monastery. Overnight in Tents.
Day
09:
Padam –
Kargil:
Morning transfer to Kargil Via Padam.Overnight in Hotel at Kargil.
Day
10:
Kargil – Srinagar :
Early
morning leave Kargil for Srinagar enroute seeing the village of Drass
and it is said to be the 2nd coldest inhabited place in the world. And
cross Zojila pass 11,200 ft high and which remains closed for more
than 6 month because of the heavy snow fall in that area arrive
Sonamarg and stop for Tea. After tea proceed towards Srinagar and
there you will be transferred to Houseboat. Rest of the day free for
rest. Evening relaxing shikara ride on dal lake. Overnight at
Houseboat in Dal lake.
Day
11:
Srinagar – Departure:
Transfer
in time to the airport to connect onwards destination flight.
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