Abroad-Delhi

This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the ‘rickshaw ride’ for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Tour of New Delhi drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar. Overnight at hotel.

Delhi-Shimla

Early morning drive for Shimla (343 km). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel. .

Shimla

Morning sightseeing tour of Shimla visiting, Tara Devi Temple- situated 8 kms from Shimla are two temples dedicated to Mata Tara Devi and lord Shiva. The military dairy farm and Shimla boy scout head quarters are also located near by. Afternoon free at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel.

Shimla- Manali

Early morning drive for Shimla (343 km). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Manali - is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, deodar and pine trees, tiny fields, fruit orchards and the Beas River with its clear water meanders through the town.

Excursion to Vashist hot water springs and temple (3 kms): Vashist, a small village located on the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang pass. It is renowned for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashist Muni. Natural hot sulphur springs with two separate bathing tanks for gents and ladies are always full of tourists. Turkish style showers fitted baths have also been built nearby which provide Hot water from the nearby spring for bathing. Overnight at hotel. .

Manali –Jispa

Morning drive to Jispa (145 kms). This high altitude road beyond the great Himalayan range, connects the densely fertile and green Kullu valley to the stark barren region of Ladakh. The drive starts at Manali slowly winding up mountain roads till Rohtang Pass at 3,950 Mts. which connects the Kullu to the Lahaul valley. On entering the Lahaul valley we see a distinct change with the Hindu influence being replaced with the Buddhist religion.Overnight in deluxe tents. .

Jispa-Sarchu

Leisurely start to drive over the scenic Baralacha Pass (4880 Mts.). Plenty of stops to capture the scenic grandeur of this majestic landscape dotted with snow capped peaks and high altitude lakes. After crossing the pass drop down to the vast Sarchu plains at an altitude of 4200 Mts. (80 kms) Overnight in deluxe tents. .

Sarchu-Leh

After early breakfast, start drive to Leh (170 Km). The route takes you through the Lachlang La Pass. Further drive over the Keyang Shu Plains, it is a great drive of 40 kms flat along the Tibetan Plateau. Average altitude over 4000 mts is truly unbelievable. At the top of the Pass, there is a temple and friendly Indian Army post, which offers free tea & coffee. Thereafter we drive along the Indus valley up to Leh.
Upon arrival in Leh - check in at hotel.
Leh is the administrative capital of Ladakh which is an autonomous region of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Strategically this region is very important as it is bordered by Pakistan, Sinkiang province of China and Chinese occupied Tibet.
Overnight at hotel

Leh – Stok Palace – Leh city

After breakfast drive to Stok palace and also visit Leh City.

Stok Palace Museum: 17 Km, 1 Hour drive from Leh. The Palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and Jewellery of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Sakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armour, weapons, precious jade and porcelain too can be seen here.

Leh City: The capital of Ladakh, at one time was a major stop on the Asian “Silk Route”. A stroll along the main bazaar, observing the varied crowd and peering into the curio shops, is an entrancing experience. Chang Gali, behind the main bazaar is less bustling but has intriguing little shops selling curios and jewellery like pearls, turquoise, coral, malachite, lapis and many other kinds of semi-precious stones, as well as curiously carved Yak-horn boxes, quaint brass locks, china or metal bowls etc. Overnight at hotel

Leh – Shey – Thikshey – Hemis – Leh

Shey Palace: Shey is a small town in comparison to Leh. It is located around 15km to the south on the main highway heading in the Manali direction. Shey Palace was built in early 17th century AD by Deldan Namgyal as a memorial for his father, Singay Namgyal. The palace houses a three storey copper statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Overlooking the Shey palace are the ruins of the fort built by the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Spalgigon. Shey also has a very large scattering of stupas all across it's landscape.
Thiksey Gompa: This monastery is located 17km on the main highway from Leh in the direction of Manali. The present day monastery founded by Paldan Sherab, overlooking the village below, was not the original location. It was originally built at Stakmo. This monastery hosts the festival of Thiksey Gustor.
Hemis Gompa: is the most important & the richest Gompa in the whole of Ladakh and is dedicated to Guru Padama Sahmbha the great Indian teacher & philosopher. This monastery located among the beautiful landscape of the Hemis National Park was founded in 1630 AD. It is located at a distance of 45km from Leh and is one of the most popular monasteries visited by travellers. It is also famous across the world for the Hemis Festival hosted by it.
Return back to Leh.
Full day sightseeing tour of Shey, Thikshey & Hemis

Leh – Sankar – Spituk – Phyang Monastery – Leh

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Sankar, Spituk and Phayang Gompas.
Sankar : The small monastery at Sankar (3 kms from Leh), harbours accomplished modern tantric murals and a thousand-headed Avalokitesvara deity. It has innumerable collections of small statues of pure gold and a number of interesting paintings. A relatively modern monastery, it is closely associated with the Spituk monastery and serves as the residence of the head priest. It is well lit and can be visited in the evening as well.
Spituk Gompa : 8 Km from Leh, just before Leh on the Srinagar-Leh road, on a hill top overlooking the Indus, the Spituk monastery boasts of not only some prized Tankhas but also a chamber with enormous images of Kali, whose face is unveiled only once every year. The chamber contains an enormous collection of masks too.
Phyang Gompa : This monastery is of the Red sect Buddhists. Phyang Gompa lies 22Km short of Leh, on the Srinagar-Leh road and possesses some exquisite statues and Tankhas. It represents an act of penance by the 16th century King Tashi Namgyal for the violence and treachery by which he reached the throne.
Return back to Leh.
Overnight at Hotel. .

Leh – Likir – Alchi – Leh

Alchi Monastery: 66 Km west of Leh. Alchi monastery is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground. This monastery consists of six temples, which contain a chorten, seated Buddhas and exquisite paintings. Over 10 centuries old, profusely painted walls depict the events of the Buddha’s life, lamas and musicians. Its murals, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, pre-date the Tibetan style of painting that is present in all the other gompas. Some of them are reminiscent of the paintings of the far-off Ajanta caves and are presumed to be almost the sole survivors (along with some in Phuktal Gompa in Zanskar and Tabo in Spiti) of the Buddhist style current in Kashmir during the first millennium AD. Alchi represents a rare survival, it's 800 year old murals and giant Boddhisatva figures covering every inch of wall space. Even the carved woodwork on the exterior is in remarkably good shape, probably due to the dessicated climate. Whereas some parts have been retouched in the 16th century, even in the unrestored portions, the colours are as bright as if painted the day before, the pigments preserved by the near total absence of sunlight in the interiors.
Return back to Leh.
Overnight at hotel
After breakfast drive to visit Alchi and Likir Monasteries.
Likir Monastery: (53 Kms) a scenic road passing through rocky mountains and the river, takes one to this Gompa which contains a number of enormous clay statues of the Buddha in different forms. Founded in the 12 century, Likir was the first royal monastery to be established in Ladakh under direct Tibetan influence.

Leh – Delhi

Transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi

Leave: Leh        07:35 hrs
Arrive: Delhi     08:50 hrs

Upon arrival in Delhi – the guests will be met and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for own activities. Overnight at hotel .

Leave for abroad.