Easy and gentle trek in Western Ladakh ; ancient monasteries; delightful villages; through the famous Apricot Valley of Ladakh. 1000 year old magnificent murals & wall paintings at Alchi Monastery; once center of Silk Route Trade Caravan; drive through barren landscapes and moon land.
Day 01: Delhi - Leh (Flight) :
Early morning transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Leh. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Day rest for high altitude accalamatisation. OPTIONAL: Afternoon drive to visit Sankar Gompa which is situated at the valley floor. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Leh :
Morning drive down Indus river to visit the most famous monasteries of central Ladakh. Visit to HEMIS GOMPA - founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of King Sengge Namgyal, Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh with maximum number of resident monks; Drive back to Leh. Enroute visit THIKSAY GOMPA and SHEY GOMPA. Later in the afternoon visit STOK MUSEUM.. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Leh - Likir - Yangthang :
Morning drive to Likir. Upon arrival visit the LIKIR MONASTERY Of the many religious artifacts in the monastery, visit the huge 9-storey open standing statue of Maitraya Buddha (Future Buddha). The statue is one of its kind in the entire Himalayan Buddhist belt. TREK: Later start the first leg the trek. After the village cross over the Pobe-La. Enroute trek pass the lonely village of Sumdo. Further along a valley and trek to reach Chartse La and then arrive Yangthang. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 04: Yangthang - Ang :
Morning trek to reach a beautiful small village of Ang, a bowl shaped village. Trek along Wullu valley and after coming over Shemchan La, arrive at the village of Hemis-Shukpachan. This village is popular througout Ladakh for its aromatic Shukpa (Cedar) which is used as an incense for religious purposes. Visit the small gompa. Later resume trek for another 2 hours and arrive at Ang. Upon arrival visit to a local house and enjoy Ladakhi Gur-Gur tea (butter tea). Overnight stay in tents.
Day 05: Ang - Khaltse :
Morning start the last leg of the trek to reach Khaltse which is the longest and the most interesting trek. After a short trek from Ang enter Tingmosgang village, the famous village of Ladakh which is known for its Apricots, Apples and Walnuts. At the end of the village visit the ancient palace of Tingmosgang surrounded by ruined buildings. Infact Tingmosgang was once the capital of western Ladakh. Later, trek to Tia village and crossing over the Bongbong La pass descent along a gentle slope and arrive at Khaltse. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 06: Khalse - Alchi - Leh :
Morning drive to reach Leh. Enroute divert right to visit ALCHI GOMPA: Founded in 1100 AD by the famous Tibetan translator Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo, Alchi gompa preserves what is believed to be one of the finest buddhist paintings. In its few small dark prayer halls sorrounded by Apricot trees you will find one of the most interesting and immensely beautiful wall paintings. Later drive back to Leh. Upon arrival checkin at the hotel.
Day 07: Leh :
Day at rest and leisure for independent activities. Evening proceed for Folk dances of Ladakh programme. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Leh - Delhi (Flight) :
Morning transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi.