Itinerary for 15 Day Monastery Sight Seeing and Trek for 15 People

Ladhak – explore the land beyond the Himalaya

Dates: 1st to 15th July 2009; with possibility of 1 week extension from 16th to 22 th July at a Buddhist Ashram Special day: Full moon Guru Purnima – July 7th

Day01 (July 1st) :Arrival-Delhi-Leh: Flight duration - 01Hrs15Min Representative of the Ashram will welcome, assist and transfer us from Leh airport to Guest House. Upon arrival at the Ashram, welcome in traditional Ladakhi style, rest for the day at leisure to acclimatize.

Day o2 (July 2nd): Leh. After morning meditation and breakfast, Visit of Saboo Monastery. (Saboo monastery is one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries in Ladakh which is situated on a small hill in a very beautiful and vibrant village called Saboo Village, a traditional Ladhaki village.

Back to he Ashram for lunch and in the afternoon, visit of 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 with four floors, 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, jewellery 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 to the hotel for tea, meditation. and evening talk with the Buddhist monk in charge of the Ashram.

Day03 (July 3rd): Leh – Shey – Thiksey – Hemis – Leh After morning meditation and breakfast Full day visit of Shey, which is 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( about 17km from Leh). This large Gompa is an impressive sight, situated on top of a craggy hill while the rest of the complex sprawls down beneath. It was founded in the 15th century by Gelukpa Monks.

Hemis is famous Gompa in this area, Around 35 Km far from Leh.

Back to the Ashram for Meditation, dinner and rest.

Day04 (July 4th): Leh After meditation and breakfast full day sightseeing of Spituk, Sangkar Monastery, & Shanti Stupa. Spituk is the first Gelupkpa (yellow hat) Monastery to be established in Ladakh.

1 Rinchen Zangpo predicted that a monastery would be founded here that would set an example to other monasteries in the land this monastery built in 15th century. Shanti Stupa is visible from most of the town, the new Stupa was officially opened in 1985. Back to the Ashram for meditation, dinner and rest.

Day 05 (July 5th): Leh-Lamayuru and Alchi: After meditation and breakfast, drive to Lamayuru Monastery (aprx 118km - 4 hours drive). Lamayuru Monastery is situated in Ladakh, in between Bodhkharbu and Kha-la-che, on a steep rock mountain. It lies at a distance of approximately 127 km to the west of Leh town. Lamayuru Monastery belongs to the Red-Hat sect of Buddhism and houses approximately 150 Buddhist monks. The monastery is made up of a number of shrines and also has a very rich collection of Thankas and magnificent wall paintings. At the outset, the Lamayuru Monastery consisted of five buildings, out of which only the central one exists today.

Then visit the Alchi Gompa, This is also belong the Gelugpa Sect (Yellow Hat Monk Order), where there is a 9m height statue of Lord Buddha.

Than proceed to Uley Topko (35km and take about 1hour drive) and back to the Ashram.

Day 06 (July 6th): Khardong La pass: (85 kms and take about 2 and 2 ½ hours drive). After meditation and breakfast, departure to The Khardong La pass is the world highest motor road in the world and is situated at an incredible elevation of over 5,800 m (18,380 ft). It lies on the route between Leh and the Shyok and Nubra valleys. In fact the Khardung La can be termed the gateway to the Karakoram or the land of black gravel as the name itself translates. There is a large glacier on the Nubra side of this pass. A signpost and a small post indicate the Khardung La pass and the highest road of the world. On the top and for some distance down off the north side lies a large snowfield where the motor road has been carved out. But it requires regular clearing of hard ice in order to keep it open for army convoys. To the south, beyond Leh, some fine rock mountains are visible, while to the north the beautiful peaks of the Karakoram range loom high.

Day 07 (July 7th): Pangong tso (290km and takes about 5 hours drive).

After meditation and breakfast, departure to Pangong Lake is a lake in the Himalayas at a height of some 4,250 m. It is 134 km long and extends across the Indian-Chinese border. Two thirds of the length of the lake lies in China. The lake is 5 km wide at its broadest point. In winter, the lake surface freezes completely despite being salt water. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds, including a number of migratory ones. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife, including the kiang and the marmot. Evening Guru Purnima Puja and overnight under tent near Pangong Lake.

Day 08 (July 8th): Return to Leh. After meditation and breakfast, return to our residence, see the different wings and activities of our residence Buddhist Ashram, and in the evening cultural program by the different wings of the Ashram.

Day 9-13: Trek from Pituk to Stok will last about 4 days.

2 Day 9 (July 9th – 1st Day of Treking): Leh/Spituk/Zinchen. After meditation and early breakfast drive to Spituk and after visiting Spituk Gompa start trekking along the Indus River on a fairly easy trek to Zinchen will be covered in about 4 hrs. Meals, meditation and overnight in tents at Zinchen

Day 10 (July 10th – 2nd Day of Treking): Zinchen to Rumbak After meditation and breakfast, Trek to Rumbak, which again is a gradual trek and will be covered in about 4 hrs. Meals, meditation, and overnight in tents at Rumbak

Day 11 (July11th – 3rd Day of Treking): Rumbak - Stok- la Kangri – Monkarmo. After meditation and breakfast, track follows the beautiful gentle sloping valley and then a very steep ascend to Stok-la (4900 Mts.) descend to meet the river coming from the Stok Khangri massif and then trek to Mankarmo which is a shepherd village with 3 to 4 houses. The total distance will be covered in about 8 hrs. Meditation, dinner overnight at Mankarmo in tents.

Day 12 (July 12th – 4th Day of Treking): Monkarmo/Lharsi. After meditation and breakfast, trek to Lharsi (4800 Mts.) via Yarlus. The first few kms are of gradual walk then the trial is ascending up to Lharsi. The total distance will be covered in about 4 hrs. Lharsi is the base of Stok Khangri Peaks. Meditation, dinner, overnight at Lharsi in tents.

Day 13 (July 13th – 5th Day of Treking): Lharsi : Stok – Leh. After meditation and breakfast Trek down to Stok and after visiting Stok monastery drive to Leh. meditation, dinner overnight at ashram guest house.

Day 14 (July 14th): Leh Sightseeing and shopping. After meditation and breakfast, leisure for visits the local market & shopping for famous local product like pashmina shawls, antique jewellery, singing bowl, Ladakhi art and craft, Tibetan items etc. Back to the guest house.

Day 15 Day 15 (July 15th): Leh – Delhi July 15th): Leh – Delhi Transfer to Leh Airport to board flight to Delhi.

Day 16 to day 22 (July 16th to July 22 th) 1 week extension at the Buddhist Ashram. Long program, rest and enjoying nice walks around the Ashram, visit to one of the most beautiful village in Ladakh called Saboo which is surrounded by mountain by its 3 sides. Evening Knowledge Meeting.

Day 22 (July 22nd): Leh – Delhi Transfer to Leh Airport to board flight to Delhi.

Fee include:

• Meals and accommodation as specified above. • All transportation as per the itinerary by Sumo/Qualis/Scorpio. • English Speaking Local Guide for sightseeing.

3 • Professional trekking Guide for trekking. • Arrival and departure transfer with assistance. • All monastery entrance fees. • High Altitude tents during trekking • Mattresses during trekking • Kitchen Staff for trekking • Kitchen accessories • Helper for cook during trekking • Horses for trekking • Wild Life fees. • Inner-line permits • All applicable luxury/ road taxes