Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days Places Covered: Delhi - Leh - Uleytokpo - Lamayuru - Nubra - Tirith - Deskit / Hunder - Delhi

Arrive : 9W 609 Leaves Delhi at 05:45 Hrs Arrive : Leh at 06.55 hrs
Mysterious dust -covered Leh sits in a fertile side valley of the Indus, about 10 km from the river. Encircled by stark awe-inspiring mountains with the cold desert beyond. It is the nearest experiences of Tibet in India. Leh developed as a trading post and market, attracting a wide variety of merchants from Yarkand \, Kashgar, Kashmir, Tibet and North India. Tea, salt, household articles, wool and semi-precious stones were all traded in the market. Buddhism traveled along the Silk Road and the Kashmir and Ladakh feeder, which has also seen the passage of soldiers, explorers and pilgrims, forerunners of the tourists who today contribute most to the urban economy. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

07 Aug : Leh
Full Day excursion to visit Traktok. Above the village of Sakti, is Traktok Gompa, the sole representative in Ladakh of the Nying-ma-pa, the most ancient religious order, but itself said to have been founded in the regain of Tshewang Namgyal in the 16th century. It is constructed round one of the innumerable caves in the Himalaya and trans-Himalaya where Padmasambhava is believed to have stopped and mediated during his journey to Tibet, and this forms the innermost shrine, while a little further down another cave serves as the kitchen. The small Du-khang has the usual paintings on the verandah, and on the inside walls recent murals, mostly of fierce divinities. A new temple was consecrated by his Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1980. Chemre was founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty. During the 16th century & was established at the instance of King Singge Namgyal, while his widow founded Chemre as a posthumous act of merit for him. The Monastery belongs to the Red Hat (Kargyud-Pa) sect of Tibetan monasticism. After lunch, proceed to Hemis - which is dedicated to Padmasambhava, what a visitor can observes a series of scenes in which the lamas, robed in gowns of rich, brightly coloured brocade and sporting masks sometimes bizarrely hideous, parade in solemn dance and mime around the huge flag pole in the center of the courtyard to the plaintive melody of the Shawn. The moan of the eleven feet horns, the boom of drums and the clash of Cymbals. Hemis was found in the 1630's by Tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Singe Namgyal, Hemis is the largest and richest of the Ladakh Gompas. It nestles into the mountain side a little way up a glen in the mountains of Zanskar range Return to Leh for Overnight at hotel.

08 Aug : Leh
AM Sightseeing of Spituk & Phyang Monastery. Spituk - 8 Kms from Leh, Spituk 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. After Spituk, proceed to Stok - The Palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewelry of the royalty along with exquisite Tangkhas representing the life of the Sakya- Muni Buddha. Interesting historical objects like coins, seals, armour, weapons, precious jade and porcelain can also be seen here. Afternoon take a walk through the Leh bazaar. Overnight & All meals in Hotel.

09 Aug : Leh
Morning visit Shey & Thiksey Monasteries. 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. After Lunch Free to explore surroundings of Leh Bazaar. Dinner and overnite stay at Hotel.

10 Aug : Leh - Uleytokpo 70 Kms 3040 Mtrs
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Uleytokpo Enroute visiting Likir Monastery. Likir was built during the reign of Lachen Gyalpo who installed 600 monks here, headed by Lhawang Chosje. The Gompas was invested with a collection of fine images, Tangkhas and murals to vie with those at Alchi. The present buildings date mainly from the 18th century since the original were destroyed by fire. Likir was converted to the Gelugpa sect in the 15th century. The head lama, the younger brother of the Dalai Lama, has his apartments here, which were extended in the mid 1990s. Later drive to Uleytokpo Ethnic Resort for all meals & overnight stay. After lunch visit Alchi monastery. Founded in the 11th century by Rinchen Zangpo the Great Translator, it was richly decorated by artist from Kashmir and Tibet. Paintings of the Mandala's which have deep Tantrik signifances are particularly fine; some decorations are reminiscent of Byzantine art. The monastery is maintained by monks from Likir and is no longer a place for active worship. Return to the camp. Dinner and overnight at the Uleytokpo Ethnic Resort.

11 Aug : Uleytokpo - Lamayuru - Uleytokpo 70 Kms One Way
Drive to Lamayuru at a distance of 70 Kms from Uleytokpo Ethnic Resort. On arrival enjoy Hot Lunch at Lamayuru Restaurant. After Lunch, visit Gompa. Lamayuru also referred as "Yungdrung Gompa" is the oldest monastery of Ladakh perched on hill top with its village at the foot of the hill. Most of the monastery is now in ruins. It was partially resorted in 1975. The oldest holy side in Ladakh. Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend goes the water of the lake receded upto the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the" free zone" of Ladakh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins only the main hall exists today and houses numerous "Tangkhas". Return to Uleytokpo Ethnic Resort & enroute stop at Khalsi Village for Tea & Snacks. Dinner and overnight at the Uleytokpo Ethnic Resort.

12 Aug : Uleytokpo - Leh 70 Kms 3500 Mtrs
Early morning after refreshment leave Resort to visit Rizong Monastery. It has a monastery and a nunnery, which accommodates lady monks or Nuns locally called as "Chomos". Return to the camp for breakfast. Morning at leisure. After early lunch drive to Leh On arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

13 Aug : Leh - Nubra (Tirith) 150 Kms 3180 Mtrs
Breakfast at the hotel. Early Morning Leave Leh for 3 Days Trip to NUBRA VALLEY passing thru Horzey & Gangles Village. The road then rises to reach Khardungla (5602 Mts.) the world's highest Motorable road & enjoy the landscape & the beautiful birds eye view of the Leh town. Halt for a picnic lunch at Khardong village + Another 35 Kms drive takes to Khalsar at Shyok Valley, where the scenery is all around. The road after crossing Khalsar Bridge at Shyok River enters Nubra Valley & then proceed along the Nubra River to arrive in the afternoon at Tegar or Kyegar as locally called. Meals & Overnight stay in tents at Tirith Camp at Tirith. Afternoon visit Panamik Hot Springs which are rich in Sulphur contents & believed to have medicinal benefits. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

14 Aug : Tirith - Deskit / Hunder - Tirith
Breakfast at the Camp. Morning Visit Deskit, the HQ town of Nubra Valley. Driving for 30 Kms takes to Khalsar Bridge. Deskit can be approached by driving parallel to Shyok River for 20 Kms. From the Historical & Tourist point of view, Deskit is famous for 515 years old Buddhist Monastery, lying magnificently situated on a hilltop, facing the entire Valley. Further drive from Deskit to Hunder, another 15 - 20 Kms drive. At Hunder, you may see a few Double Humped, Hairy and Bactrian Camels. Later drive back on the same road to your camp at Tirith.

15 Aug : Tirith - Leh
Breakfast at the Camp. Morning visit Samstenling Monastery, Next to the road at Sumur, which is 265 years old. Drive back the same route for Leh with picnic lunch. On arrival in Leh, check in at the Hotel Kanglha-chen or Similar. Afternoon Free to explore surroundings of Leh.

16 Aug : Leh
DAY Free to explore surroundings of Leh ON YOUR OWN. Dinner and overnight at YOUR Hotel.