Ladakh and Kashmir Tour

To the extreme north of India is a heaven where placid and peaceful serenity delves to calm existence of life. The trail to Ladakh and Kashmir tour begins from exploring various monasteries located at the highest altitudes of Leh, Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Lamayuru and Uleytokpo defining the ultimate goal of life's luxury that is to relax and enjoy the spiritual high.

Duration : 05 Nights / 06 Days
Places covered: Leh - Shey - Thiksey - Hemis - Lamayuru - Uleytokpo - Leh

Day 01: Arrive Leh

Take a short and scenic flight over the Himalayas to Leh. Your day is at leisure to adjust to the high altitude or you may elect to take a short walk and visit the Leh Bazaar during Ladakh and Kashmir tour, etc. Towering above the town is the nine story palace, the residence of former monarchs. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02 : Leh
Next morning after breakfast visit Shankar Gompa, Namgyal Tsemo and Leh Palace. In the afternoon visit a 1000 year old Monastery and Stok Palace, the residence of the Queen of Ladakh, built in the early 19th century. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03: Shey – Thiksey - Hemis excurtion
After breakfast depart for a full day sightseeing excursion. Shey, once the summer palace of the Kings of Ladakh dating from the 17th century, gives the appearance of being built around a huge golden figure of Buddha 40 feet high. The upper chapel is a balcony around the head of Buddha, while the lower chapel has an extensive library and some tankhas. Thiksey's Gompa looks like a miniature of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Hemis is the most famous of all monasteries in Ladakh and contains some of the region's finest art treasures.

Day 4: Leh – Lamayuru - Uleytokpo
Drive from Leh to Lamayuru. The landscape keeps on changing all along the route. You can see the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers; from here till Khalsi you drive all along the Indus River. After crossing Khalso you start climbing on the Hari Pin bends and reach Lamayuru. Founded in the 10th century Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend goes, the water of the lake receded up to the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. The main hall houses numerous tankhyas. Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valleys during Kashmir Ladakh tour. After sightseeing of Lamayuru, drive back towards Leh. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 : Uleytokpo/ Leh
Drive from Uleytokpo to Leh. En-route visit Alchi and Likhir Monasteries Alchi. The shrines at Alchi, some of which date back to the late eleventh century, are considered by scholars to be among the most extensive examples of Buddhist art in Kashmir Ladakh tour. Du-Khang is the earliest temple at Alchi, founded by Kal-dan Shes-rab around the 11th century AD. There is an elaborately carved doorway with panels of tiny Bodhisattvas and guardian figures. The walls are adorned with mandalas and sacred forms that illustrate the structure of Buddhist cosmology. Likhir, founded in the 14th century AD and was rededicated to another monastic order (the yellow sect) in the 15th century as the earlier gompa was destroyed in fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th century. It contains huge clay images of Buddha's (past, present and future) and various old manuscripts. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 : Leh
After breakfast the day is at leisure. You may enjoy the scenic beauty on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 07 : Depart Leh:
This morning transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi or for onward destination.

Tags : Ladakh and Kashmir Tour, Kashmir Ladakh Tour, Leh Ladakh Tour, Kashmir Tour Packages, Travel in Kashmir