KASHMIR & LADAKH
DELHI-SRINAGAR-SONAMARG-KARGIL-ALCHI-LEH
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI BY FINNAIR FLIGHT DELHI-SRINAGAR BY INDIGO FLIGHT
Morning arrival in Delhi by International flight from Helsinki, Yatra Exotic Routes representative will meet you at the Airport and assist you to connect to your flight to Srinagar.
Arrive Srinagar, Yatra Exotic Routes representative will meet you at the airport and assist you till your Deluxe House Boat in Srinagar.
Later proceed to visit Mughal Garden "Nishat" (The Garden of Pleasure) and "Shalimar" (Abode of All). Drive along the Lake side on Boulevard On return visit a local Handicrafts Emporium for hand-knotted specialty Silken carpets, shawls, Jewellery ornaments.
After lunch, in second half day Visit Shankeracharya Temple. Later evening enjoy 01 Hour Boat Ride on Dal Lake by a gondola Boat called”SHIKARA”. Witness the ride on Dal Lake, called Venice of India & experience the aquatic life of Srinagar.
Overnight at the Deluxe House Boat, Srinagar
DAY 02: SRINAGAR–SONAMARG BY SURFACE - 100 KMS
After breakfast transfer to Sonamarg. The Sindh river is the center of attraction for tourists visiting this place, the noise and rush of this river creates a spine chilling experience and don't dare to go close to it. There are also many streams that pour down from the mini glaciers and have the ice cold water, these streams pass through many camping sites. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer.
Dinner & overnight at Hotel
DAY 03: SONAMARG - KARGIL BY SURFACE - 154 KMS
Early breakfast depart for Kargil (204 Kms). Drive towards Kargil situated at an altitude of 9000 Ft. Check in at Hotell D’Zojila.
Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel
DAY 04: KARGIL - ALCHI BY SURFACE - 160 KMS
After an early breakfast we begin our trip to Alchi, en-route excursion to Likir. Continue onwards to Alchi, with a brief photo stop just prior to the village of Nimo, a spot which affords excellent visuals of the confluence of the amber Indus and blue Zanskar Rivers. Further on to the village of Basgo, with a small detour to the Monastery of Likir.
Likir - which was built during the reign of Lachen Gyalpo. The Gompa has a collection of fine images, Tangkhas and murals that vie with those at Alchi. The present buildings date from the 18th century, since the original structure was destroyed by fire. The head Lama, the younger brother of the HH Dalai Lama, has his apartments here. Arrive at Uleytokpo Camp., located amidst apricot orchards, for a late lunch. Later in the evening proceed for a visit to the Alchi Monastery.
Alchi - which is famous for six separate structures with a collection of gigantic painted clay statues of the Buddha. Carved arches, ornate and 1,000-year-old paintings are what you get to see. The monastery was founded in the 11th century by Rinchen Zangpo the ‘Great Translator’, and was intricately decorated by artists from Kashmir and Tibet. Monks of Likir maintain Alchi and it is no longer is a place for active worship.
All Meals & Overnight stay at Alchi
DAY 05: ALCHI - LEH BY SURFACE - 72 KMS
After breakfast transfer from Alchi to Leh. 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. Proceed for Leh, Enroute Visit to Lamayuru Monastery, which is 17 Kms from Leh, built by Tashi Namgyal in 16th century AD and belongs to the Red Cap Sect of Buddhists. 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
DAY 06: 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, Visit to Phyang Monastery, this is 17 Kms from Leh, built by Tashi Namgyal in 16th century A.D. and belongs to the Red Cap Sect of Buddhists. Afternoon visit Leh Palace temple and take a Walk upto Samker Gompa. Samker Gompa is little up in the valley, 3 Kms from Leh Town, which is open to visitors in the morning and evening only. The Gompa belongs to Yellow Sect & was founded in 18th Century. The Gompa is the seat of the Head Lama of Ladakh & founder of yellow sect, Tson-Kha-Pa. The temple walls have recent painted of figures including Sakyamuni, Avalokiteshwara, Padmasambhava, Tson-Ka-pa and green Tara.
Overnight stay in Leh
DAY 07: LEH
Full day visiting Shey, Thiksey & Stok Palace. 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. 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.
Overnight at hotel in Leh
DAY 08: LEH – DELHI BY 9W 2369 0835/ 1000 HRS
Morning breakfast and check out. Yatra Exotic Routes representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and assist you till the Airport to board your flight to Delhi.
Arrival in Delhi, Yatra Exotic Routes representative will meet you at Delhi Airport and assist you till your hotel in Delhi.
Overnight in Delhi
DAY 09: DEPARTURE DELHI BY AY 22 -1030 HRS
Early morning breakfast and check out. Yatra Exotic Routes representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and assist you till the airport to board your flight to Helsinki.
***END OF TOUR***
USING BELOW FIRST CLASS HOTELS /SIMILAR:
Weblink CITY HOTEL NAME ROOM CATEGORY NIGHTS
SRINAGAR Deluxe Hosueboat 01 Night SONAMARG Glacier Standard Room 01 Night http://www.nivalink.com/glacierheights KARGIL Dzojilla Standard Room 01 Night http://www.nivalink.com/dzojila ALCHI Alchi Resort Tents 01 Night http://alchiresort.tripod.com LEH Dragon 03 Nights http://www.nivalink.com/dragon DELHI The Surya Deluxe Room 01 Night www.thesuryaa.com
The above cost includes:-
07 Nights Accommodation on Twin Sharing on AP Basis at the Hotels as mentioned above or similar. 01 night in Delhi on bed & breakfast basis. NAC Qualis (04 Pax to a Vehicle) for Arrival Transfer from Srinagar Int’l Airport to HB NAC Qualis (04 Pax to a Vehicle) for HD SS of Mughal Gardens & city NAC Qualis (04 Pax to a Vehicle) for Transfer from Srinagar - Sonamarg – Kargil – Alchi Drop. NAC Qualis /Scorpio ( 04 Pax to a Vehicle) for Pickup from Alchi & Drop at Leh. NAC Qualis /Scorpio ( 04 Pax to a Vehicle) for Full Day SS of Shey, Hemis & Thiksey. NAC Qualis /Scorpio ( 04 Pax to a Vehicle) for transfer from hotel to Leh Airport Drop. Local/Accompanying English Speaking Guide for SS / Excursion Tours Monastery Entrance Fee at all Places of visit. LAHDC Environmental Green Fee. Hot Lunch at Lamayuru in a Local Restaurant on Fixed Menu. Current applicable taxes. Yatra Exotic Routes Representative for meeting & assistance on Arrival/Departure. A/c transport for arrival departure transfers in Delhi.
The above cost doesn't includes:-
Expenses of personal Nature such as tips, laundry, telephone, table drinks, beverages etc. Any other services not in the program. Camera & other Misc. Charges or Airfare quoted as supplement.