LADAKH CULTURE TOUR - NO1. - THE INDUS VALLEY TOUR - 2014
7nts / 8days
Day 01: Delhi – Leh: - Early morning depart for Leh from Delhi. Arrive Leh Airport & be received by representative and transfer hotel Full day rest at Leh to get acclimatized. Leh is the Headquarter of Leh District and the largest Town in Ladakh region. It is located to 10 km north from the fertile valley of Indus river at an altitude of 11,500 ft.. In stark contrast of the giant ‘White Mountain’ and Cold Desert stretch the flourishing city of Leh. A one-stop destination to experience Tibet right here in India.
Day 02: Leh. Visit Sankar, Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace. These are a couple of kms away from Leh. Sankar Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa School of Tibetan Buddhism and is a branch of Spituk Monastery. Shanti Stupa at the Hilltop was built by the Japanese for World peace, and was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1985.Leh Palace was built by King Singey Namgyal in the beginning of 17 century AD. The nine-storey Palace is now deserted and has been taken over by ASI. A / N at leisure to explore Leh town. O / N in hotel.
Day 03: Leh - Bazgo - Likir –Ule Tokpo : Drive to Liker via Basgo. THE CASTLE OF BASGO Basgo lies at a distance of 42 Kms west of Leh.The castle known as Basgo Rabtan Lhartsekhar is situated there on a hill of clay. The Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial and Singay Namgial, father and son built it. The Principal image there is that of the so-called’Golden Maitreya,’ a sacred copper-gilt image of the Buddha Maitreya, two storey in height. The Dharmaraja Singey Namgail as funerary build it to his father, king Jamyang Namgial.There is also an image of the Buddha Maitreya made of clay three storeys in height, which can be seen at the top of the castle. The ruins of a temple and a stupa build by Rinchen Zangpo, the translator can also be seen.
Likir lies at a distance of 62 Kms west of Leh. During the time of Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, a religious estate and the land on which to build the monastery was offered to Lama Duwang Chosje, a great champion of meditation. The Lama blessed the site and in 1065 the monastery was built. The monastery was encircled by the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the naga- rajas (Nanda & Taksako) and so its name became widely renowned as Likir (The Naga - Encircled). In the 15th Century the disciple of Khasdubje known as Lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. The monastery was brought into the order of the great Lama Tsongkhapa and up till present times the ritual and observances of the three basic Pratimoksa disciplines, which from the basic of Buddhist teachings, are preserved. There are many blessed shrines in this monastery and there resides a protective deity wearing golden armour and of stern command.Every year from the 27th to 29th of 12 th Tibetan month the votive offerings known as Dosmochey are assembled and sacred dances are performed. The successive reincarnations of Naris Rinpoche act as the incumbents of the monastery. O/N Ule Ethenic Resort.
Day 04 : Ule – Lamayuru- Alchi – Leh :
Drive to Lamayuru, visit LAMAYURU MONASTERY Lamayuru Monastery is situated 127 Kms west of Leh and 60 kms. In the 11th century the mahasiddha Naropa came to this place and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen today. Then Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator came to build many temples and stupas and so the teaching of the Kadampa School came to flourish greatly there. There after, for many years the monastery was administered by the Zhwa-mar-pa (Red Hats), after which the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial offered it to Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh. The rituals and observances of the Digung Kargyud School were introduced and the monastery received the name of Yungdrung Tharpaling.The successive reincarnation of Skyabsje Toldan Rinpoche acts as the incumbents of the monastery. There is a custum whereby each year on the 17th & 18th of the 5th Tibetan month the festival of the so-called (Yuru Kabgyad) is held during which dances are performed. In this monastery there are various shrines to be seen, including thangkas and wall paintings. Visit the monastery Visit Alchi.
ALCHI MONASTERY Although there are a great many temples, caves and stupas built in Ladakh by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, Alchi Choskor is the large and most famous of all of them. Alchi is situated at a distance of 67 Kms west of Leh, founded by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, in 1000 AD. The sacred temples, to be seen there include the Principal one of the Rinchen Lhakhang, at Lotsa Lhakhang, the Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple) and the sumtsag Lhakhang. The main image is that of Vairocana but there can also been seen the five Buddha Families together with their attendant deities, The paintings are not like the Tibetan style but rather they are executive according to the Indian tradition. In order to build these temples Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator is said in the various biographies to have brought with him from Kashmir (thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers). Other temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator are to be found at Mangu and Sumda each containing a sacred image of Vaironica, various most beautiful images of the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas and many kinds of lovely paintings. They are also included among the 108 temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator, within the province of Naris Skorsum. Drive futher towards Leh.O/N in hotel at Leh.
Day 05: Drive to Pangong Lake. Drive to Pangong Lake en-route visiting Shey & Thiksey. Shey Palace was built in the beginning of 17th Century AD. The main image in the monastery is the three storey image of Buddha Sakyamuni made of copper gilt. Thiksey Monastery was built in 1630 and is one of the most famous, largest and richest monasteries in Ladakh. Shey 03 Km from Thiksey and 18 kms South of Leh and was the seat of power of the first King of Ladakh who constructed the hilltop Fortress. The ruin Fort can be seen above the present Shey Palace.
This Lake is situated at an altitude of 4268 mts in the Eastern Sector of Ladakh, at a distance of 154 kms from Leh across Chang La (5183 mts). This Lake is one of the largest and most beautiful natural brackish lakes in the country. It is about 120 Kms long and only 1/3 of its portion lies in the Indian territory and the rest lies in the Chinese territory.
Day 06: Drive back to Leh via Hemis Monastery. Hemis monastery is one of the most famous and largest monasteries in Ladakh, located 45 Km South of Leh and was founded in 17th century belongs to the Drukpa order. The monastery founded by Stagsang Raspa who was invited to Ladakh by King Singee Namgyal. The king offered him religious estates and attended him as his principal guru. Hemis Tsechu (festival) assemble annually from 9th to 11th day of the 5th Tibetan month. The Gompa has well preserved Thankas, copper gilt statue of the lord Buddha, various Stupas made of gold and silver and many auspicious objects. The largest Thanka in Ladakh over 12 Mts. long is at Hemis Monastery. O / N hotel at Leh.
Day 07 : LEH : Morning : Khadung-la top. A/N free. O/N at hotel in Leh.
Morning after breakfast drive to the exhilarating Khardungla Pass (The World highest motorable raod in the world(18380ft .), the highest point of our journey. The views from the top are spectacular; extending, to the south, across the Indus Valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range. To the north, the views of the mighty peaks of the Saser Massif are amazing. O /N Hotel
Day 08: Morning transfer to Airport Fly Leh /Delhi
COST IN USD -
- 2 pax @ USD 995.00 per person.
- 3 - 5pax @ USD 875.00 per person.
- 6 - 9pax @ USD 785.00 per person.
- 10 - 12pax @ USD 750.00 per person.
- Single Room / tent Supplement: @ USD 350.00 per person
Cost Includes:
· All Accommodation Full Board on Twin Sharing Basis.
· Leh - Hotel Ladakh Residency;
· Pary - Camp Red Start;
· Nubra - Trith Eco Camp / Larjay Resort /Hotel Karma Inn;
· Ule - Tent Hut in Ule Ethinc Resort Red on
· English Speaking Guide during Sightseeing.
· Transportation for sightseeing
· Transportation for pick up and drop from trekking ending and starting point respectively.
· Wildlife Entry Fee Obtaining of Inner Line permit Nubra valley and Pangong Lake
· Porterages at the Airports
· Monastery /monuments entrance fee in Leh
The cost does not include:
- Any Airfare.
- Insurance of any kind.
- Any type of drinks including mineral water and alcoholic beverages during camping or in hotel
- or at the time of road journey.
- Tipping to porters, camp staff, drivers, bell boys and restaurant staff etc.
- Excess baggage charges, laundry charges, camera fee and any other item of personal nature.
- Medical expenses, cost of hospitalization or evacuation by helicopter or any other means of
- conveyance.
- Additional cost resulting from delays or expenses incurred during overstays caused by bad weather, landslides, sickness or any other contingencies beyond the control of Master Tours & Travels or its affiliates / representatives.
NOTE - Delhi before & after the tour will be charged extra if.
Contact -Mo-0091-9312099246,9811116696,9873738444,Ph-0120 4370970,4106696,2797853
About Meghalaya
Number of Villages : 5629
Meghalaya's capital, Shillong and also the District Headquarters of East Khasi Hills District is situated at an altitude of 1,496 metres above sea level, The capital city has a bracing climate throughout the year. This city has been the seat of Government since the consolidation of the British administration in this part of India more than a century ago.
Meghalaya's main ethnic communities, each having its own distinctive customs and cultural traditions are the Khasis (of Mon-Khmer ancestry), the Garos (of Tibeto-Burman origin) and the Jaintias said to be from South East Asia. The common trait binding all three communities is its matrilineal system in which the family linage is taken from the mother's side. The people of Meghalaya are known to be hospitable, cheerful and friendly.
