Ladakh: Land Of Lamas

You will arrive at Delhi International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a MECH representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to your hotel (Check-in time 1200 hours). India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. One of the most historic capitals in the world, Delhi is a treasure trove that reveals the ultimate combination of tradition and trends. A tour of Delhi will provide the visitor with much to see and admire from Mughal monuments to modern malls, from traditional arts and crafts to trendy fashion shows, from skyscrapers to parks and gardens. Overnight in Delhi

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi You will head for a guided city tour of the Old City of ‘Shahjahanabad’, founded by one of the greatest Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Your introduction to the city will be with a visit to Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, drive past Red Fort - the magical monument in red sandstone, built at the pinnacle of the Mogul empire. Visit the bustling streets of Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia built by Shahjahan Continue your sightseeing tour of visit New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India built to establish the might of Islam and onset of Muslim rule in India and Humayun’s tomb, the first great example of a new distinctive style, which developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate (War Memorial Arch), a monument dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives during World War I, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapathi Bhawan (the President’s residence). Return back to your hotel, post sightseeing tour. Overnight in Delhi

Tea/ Coffee at the hotel. Post tea coffee at the hotel, you will be met at your hotel by a MECH representative and assisted transferred to airport for your flight to Leh. Departure Delhi At: 0630 hours Flight # 9W:2245 Arrival Leh At: 0745 hours Upon arrival you will be met at airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in. (Check-in time 1200 hours) Leh, the capital of Ladakh is situated at a height of 3505 meters and is towards the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The region is watered by the Zanskar River, which flows into the Indus River just below. Spilling out of a side valley that tapers north towards eroded snow-capped peaks, the Ladakhi capital sprawls from the foot of a ruined Tibetan style palace - a maze of mud-brick and concrete flanked on one side by cream-coloured desert, and on the other by a swathe of lush irrigated farmland. As one approaches Leh for the first time, via the sloping seep of dust and pebbles that divide if from the floor of the Indus Valley, one will have little difficulty imagining how the old trans -Himalayan traders must have felt as they plodded in on the caravan routes from Yarkhand and Tibet: a mixture of relief at having crossed the mountains in one piece, and anticipation of a relaxing spell in one of central Asia's most scenic and atmospheric towns. Leh is a beautiful destination with so many attractions and is the center of Tibeto-Buddhist Culture for ages. Its colorful gompas have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe. Besides, it is also a favorite hiking locale and is known for some of the best hikes in the country. Rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatisation. Buffet lunch & dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure for acclimatisation. Buffet lunch at the hotel. Post lunch visit Stok Palace. The Stok Palace is located on a glacial deposit of pebbles and overlooks fields of barley grown on terraces on the mountains. Standing four storeys tall, the Stok Palace was the official residence of the royal family of Ladakh and was constructed in 1814 by Ladakh's last ruler. The museum at the Stok Palace has an intriguing collection of Buddhist art, weapons, jewelry and artifacts, including thangkas painted with colors derived from crushed precious stones. Also on display are the ceremonial headdresses or 'peraks' of the erstwhile rulers of Ladakh. These headdresses are decorated with turquoise, lapis lazuli and coral and gold, making them an exotic sight. Return back to your hotel following sightseeing tour. Buffet dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit Spituk Monastery, Shankar Gompa & Shanti Stupa Spituk Monastery The Spituk Gompa is perched on a high hill overlooking the Indus river about 18 Km from Leh. Rinchen Zangpo the Great Translator who helped spread Buddhism in Ladakh named the monastery. (Spituk means exemplary). The Spituk monastery is known for its collection of Buddhist artifacts and for the Spituk festival held from the 17th to 19th days of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar. Further up t he hill is a Mahakal Temple, where a fearsome image of Vajrabhairava is unveiled once a year at its annual festival. Sankar Gompa Situated 2 Km North of the city center, the Sankar Gompa houses monks of the Gelukpa or Yellow Hat order. It has a grand image of Avalokiteshvara (The Buddhist deity of compassion) who is depicted with 1,000 heads and 1,000 arms. Shanti Stupa Shanti Stupa is an impressive white-domed structure in Chandspa that is beautifully illuminated at night. It was built by a Japanese Buddhist organization to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote World Peace. The Shanti Stupa was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1985. You can approach the monastery by a steep flight of steps or by a 3 Km route from the Fort Road. The views of the sunset and sunrise from the Shanti Stupa are spectacular. Following sightseeing tour, return back to your hotel for Buffet lunch. Afternoon proceed for visit to Leh Palace. Leh Palace Leh Palace is a smaller version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Built in the 17th century for King Singge Namgyal, the Leh Palace was the residence of the Ladakhi royal family till they were sent into exile in Stok in the 1830s. Now undergoing reconstruction the Leh Palace also houses the Ladakh office of the archeological conservation organization of the Indian Government. Buffet dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast drive to Alchi, en-route visit Likir Monastery & Phyang Basgo. Likir Monastery The Likir Monastery is also called the Klu-Kkhjil or "water spirits" gompa and is situated 52 Km from Leh. Built over an earlier Gompa burnt down in the 15th century, the present Gompa is an 18th century construction and houses monks of the Gyalukpa sect. The Likir monastery has a rich collection of paintings, robes and artifacts. The Likir Festival is held from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. Phyang Gompa Belonging to the red sect, this Gompa was built in the 16th century. Just 16 kms from Leh, it houses hundreds of statues, thankas, old manuscripts and some old weapons. Basgo 40 km downstream from Leh, it was the seat of power of a branch of the Namgyal family. It is here in 1680 A.D. that invading Mongol and Tibetian armies were held in check over a three year long seige. Original 16th century murals and other arts of Basgo are well worth a visit. Upon arrival in Alchi, proceed for check-in at your hotel. The Alchi Gompa is situated on the bank of the River Indus and is easily accessible since it is the only Gompa in Ladakh, which is located on flat ground. Founded by Ringchen Zangpo, the Great Translator, the Alchi Gompa displays a Kashmiri influence in its art and architecture. Within the monastery you can see many beautiful images of Buddha. Photography is not permitted within the Alchi Monastery. Buffet Lunch & Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Alchi

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast visit Lamayuru, Rizong. Lamayuru Monastery The Lamayuru monastery is located on a high rocky outcrop, which overlooks a valley and the village of Lamayuru, 125 Km west of Leh. It is also called the Yung Drung or Swastika monastery and its stunning location makes this monastery a must visit on a tour to Ladakh. The monastery has a many Thangka paintings in its main hall. The annual festival of Lamayuru Monastery is held every summer on the 28th and 29th days, of the 2nd month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. Rizong Gompa The Rizong Gompa of Ladakh was founded by the great Lama Tsultim Nima in the year 1831. It belongs to the Gelukpa Order, and is situated at a distance of approximately 73 km from the Leh town. The monastery serves as the residence of approximately 40 monks. However, they have to follow some very strict rules. The inmates of the monastery are not permitted to have anything on their person, except for religious robes and books. Rizdong Monastery of Leh Ladakh consists of a number of shrines inside its complex. The gompa also has quite a rich collection of the painting blocks of Lama Tsultim Nima's biography as well as a number of objects made and books composed by the first Sras Rinpoche. Serving as the incumbents of the Rizdong Monastery, are the successive reincarnations of Lama Tsultim Nima and his son, Sras Rinpoche. A nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling) is located near the monastery, at a distance of approximately 2 km. Buffet lunch & dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Alchi

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast drive to Leh and visit Shey Monastery, Thiksey Monastery and Hemis Gompa. Shey Monastery Situated on a hillock 15 km south of Leh, Shey Gompa was previously the summer palace of the Ladakhi kings. A prince of Ladakh installed the 12 m tall gold-plated copper statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which can be seen here. The Shey Gompa celebrates its annual festival on the 30th day of the 1st month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. Thiksey Monastery The Thiksey monastery located 17 Km from Leh is 12 storeys high and has many statues of Buddha, a pillar inscribed with Buddhist teachings, a 15 m high seated Maitreya Buddha in the main prayer hall, and a vast collection of Buddhist art. Home to monks of the Gelukpa order the Thiksey monastery is known for its annual festival held from the 17th to 19th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. Hemis Gompa The Hemis Gompa is the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Located 45 Km to the south of Leh. Hemis Gompa was built in 1630 and houses monks of the Brokpa or Red Hat sect. Tourists can see beautiful frescoes (paintings) on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, which is over 12 m in length. The Hemis Gompa is famous for its annual Tse Chu Festival held in June-July, which is characterized by colorful masked dances. The festival commemorates the anniversary of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Dancers wearing brightly colored masks that represent good and evil characters in Mahayana Buddhism, enact an age-old tale of the victory of good over evil. The Hemis Festival also includes a vibrant bazaar where craftsmen sell handcrafted items. Upon arrival in Leh, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Buffet Lunch & Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure for independent activities and to explore Leh on your own. Buffet Lunch & Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast visit Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre and SOS Village. Mahabodhi International Centre The Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) is a great example of one man's vision turning into reality. Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena established the Mahabodhi International Meditation Center in 1986 to offer both spiritual instructions as well as desperately needed humanitarian services to impoverished people in the remote land of Ladakh. A dedicated team of social workers, teachers, doctors, monks, nuns, community leaders and care-providers have created an integrated community at Devachan in Ladakh which provides comprehensive care to all segments of society: children, elderly, special needs individuals, monks & nuns, the sick, as well as those seeking spiritual development. The community has become a model for the region through sustainable, ecological development. With the support of our sponsors we hope to be able to contribute our part to this goal by serving the people of Ladakh. SOS Children’s Village SOS Children's Village Leh-Ladakh is situated on the river Indus, 7 km from the town of Leh in the Ladakh region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The area is rather inhospitable although the scenery is quite impressive. The winters are extremely cold and there are many storms. The sparse vegetation is limited to the banks of the few rivers, and there is practically no farming. SOS Children's Village Leh-Ladakh consists of 27 large family houses, staff accommodation and the necessary administration and service area. There is a large central kitchen, where all the cooking for the SOS families is done. The SOS Kindergarten and the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School are attended by many children from the refugee camps which have been set up in this region. The school offers classes up to grade ten. SOS Children's Villages provides daily meals to a number of refugees from the camps at its SOS Social Centre. Mothers who have to work can leave their children at the SOS Day Care Centre. The SOS Children's Village also has its own SOS Vocational Training Centre, where young people train for different jobs in the arts and crafts sector. At the SOS Medical Centre, not only the inhabitants of the village are treated but also the people from the camps. Buffet Lunch & Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Leh

Early in the morning you will be met at your hotel and assisted transferred to airport for flight to Delhi Departure Leh At: 1145 hours Flight # 9W:2246 Arrival Delhi At: 1300 hours Upon arrival you will be met at airport and assisted transferred to international airport for your flight for onward journey.