Hemis Festival Tour Package

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hemis Festival Tour Package HEMIS FESTIVAL TOUR PACKAGE Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days Destination Covered: Delhi-Leh-Thiksey-Khadungla-Nubra-Alchi-Lamayuru Day 1: Fly Delhi-Leh :- From domestic airport in Delhi for your trans-Himalayan flight to Leh. Upon arrival, you will be met by our company Executive, and transferred to your hotel. We recommend you relax and undergo minimal exertion to enable your selves acclimatize to rarefied air of this remote region ensconced in the high Himalayan plateau. In the evening, you will gather for dinner and meet with your guide. Day 2: Leh-Thiksey-shey-Shankar Monsteries:- Full day sightseeing of Thiksey, Shey & Shankar monasteries.The Great monastery of Thiksey towers on a steep rocks at the periphery of an oasis on the right bank of the Indus. This monastery belongs to Elugpa order (Yellow sect). The layout of the monastery complex resembles the Potala palace in Lhasa. Shey : the Shey palace also known as Khar Chung was built by Senge Namgyal in the beginning of the 17th century. It was erected on the ruins of an already existing castle. Shey monastery belongs to red hat order. Shankar: this monastery belongs to Gelugpa order (Yellow sect) and was founded by the last Skushog Bakula as a branch monastery of Spituk during the turn of the century. Overnight stay at hotel. Day 3: In Leh:- Today Local sightseeing of Leh visiting Kings Palace, Leh mosque and Shanti Stupa. Just walk around and visit the Baazars you would come across diverse cross section of inhabitants thay all are very polite and of assistive nature. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel. Day 4: Leh-Khungdula Pass-Nubra Valley:- Leave after breakfast 5/6 hours drive (120 Kms) will take you to Nubra Valley, passing through Gangles villages the road than rises to reach Khardongla pass ( 5600 Mtrs) the worlds highest motorable road. The road then passes through a bridge laid on Glacier, which finds its way in Guiness book of world records. Check in at Camping and lunch at Camp. Afternoon short drive will take you to Panamic, which is famous for its hot sulphur spring. In the evening return back to the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. Day 5: Nubra-Sightseeing:- After breakfast leave and visit interesting places of the Nubra valley visiting Sumur monastery, which is 265 years old. Diskit is the headquarter of the present administration set up of Nubra Valley but from the historical and tourist point of view diskit is famous for its 515 years old Buddhist monastery situated on a hill top giving panoramic view of the valley. Short drive will take you to Hunder to enjoy the sand dunes and bacterian camels. One can have Camel ride on the availability of the camels. In the evening return back to the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. Day 6: Nubra-Leh:- Leave after breakfast and drive back to Leh by the lunchtime you will reach into the hotel. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon free for personal activities. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel. Day 7: Full day Hemis Festival:- After breakfast proceed to visit the Hemis monastery for the festival Hemis Monastery: This is biggest and the most important monastery in Ladakh. It was built in the 17th century by Chapgon Gyalshas and ever since has enjoyed the patronage of the royal family. Hemis is the headquarter of the Drukpa order and all the monasteries throughout Ladakh are administered by it. It also trains Lamas for the royal monasteries at Leh, Shey and Bazgo. The Monastery contains gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones and many priceless old Thankas. Each year the Hemis Festival attracts more than its share of pilgrims & tourists. Held during the full moon in June, is a series of colourful masked dances performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums & long horns. Return back to Leh for overnight stay at Hotel. Day 8: Leh-Full day Hemis festival:- Full day enjoy the fesitival activities and local souvenier shoppings. Dance with the locals, interact with the Lamas or enjoy shooting the show with your Camera. dinner & overnight stay at Hotel in Leh. Day 9: Leh:- Today visit Phyang & Spituk monasteries. Phyang : lies away from Indus to the far right at the ridge between Nimu & Leh. Phyang belongs to red hat order and was founded in the 16th century by Kungda Grangs-Pa.Spituk : the origins of which date back to the A.D 11th century, was built in its present form in the 15th century. Evening free to rest. Dinner & overnight at hotel Day 10: Leh-Tsomoriri Lake:- Early morning we drive to Tsomoriri Lake along the right bank of Indus river passing through different villages till Mahe bridge. From here drive along the rough dust road through Sumdo and Thatsang Karu Lake. Overnight stay in camps. Day 11: Tsomoriri Lake:- After breakfast we walk to Korzok village to visit the monastery which is 350 yrs old belonging to the Yellow Sects and we can enjoy the spectacular view of the lake, then walk up to nomadic area. Overnight in Camps. Day 12: Tsomoriri-Leh:- Morning leave back for Leh. Arrive Leh and check in at Hotel for overnight stay. Day 13: Leh-Alchi-Yamaluru Festival:- Morning after breakfast, proceed for local sightseeing of Lamayuru. Explore villages around the area. Lamayuru is an beautiful, nature endowed, little hamlet. The gompa completely overshadows the village and is the most famous and spectacular monastery in Ladakh. On the way also visit the Alchi Monastery famous for the 1000-year old wall painting, which make this visit more than worthwhile. Return to hotel / Camp for dinner and overnight stay. Hotel Envisaged in the Above Program : Destination Budget Hotel Standard Hotel Deluxe Hotel Luxury Hotel Leh Hotel Horizon, Hotel Lasermo, Hotel Grand Hotel Chube, Hotel Lharimo, Dragon, Hotel Milarepa, Hotel Royal Hotel Shangri-la Hotel Pangong Palace, Or Similar Or Similar Hotel Spice-N- Span, Hotel Khang la Chen Or Similar Numbra Valley Hotel Royal Camp, Hotel Tirath Camp, Hotel Eco Adventure Camp Or Similar Tour Cost Per Person : Tour code : Budget Standard Deluxe Luxury Transport Used Hemis festival Tour Package 25-32 Persons Traveling Together 20-25 Persons Traveling Together 15-20 Persons Traveling Together 10-15 Persons Traveling Together 7-9 Persons Traveling Together 5-6 Persons Traveling Together 4 Persons Traveling Together 3 Persons Traveling Together 2 Persons Traveling Together Single Person Cost Included : Included Not Included Any international or domestic flight Accommodation in Double room in mentioned ticket. Hotels/Resorts or similar Any lunch or meal other than All breakfast and dinner in hotel. exclusions. All transfers and sight-seeing in private vehicle on Any entrances or monument fees. disposal. Any guide or tour escort charges for All meal in house boat. local sight-seeing. All toll, tax and parking. Any extra other than inclusions column. .
Recommended publications
  • Photographic Archives in Paris and London Pascale Dollfus
    Photographic archives in Paris and London Pascale Dollfus To cite this version: Pascale Dollfus. Photographic archives in Paris and London. European bulletin of Himalayan research, University of Cambridge ; Südasien-Institut (Heidelberg, Allemagne)., 1999, Special double issue on photography dedicated to Corneille Jest, pp.103-106. hal-00586763 HAL Id: hal-00586763 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00586763 Submitted on 10 Feb 2018 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. EBHR 15- 16. 1998- 1999 PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVES IN PARIS AND epal among the Limbu. Rai. Chetri. Sherpa, Bhotiya and Sunuwar. LONDO ' Both these collections encompa'\s pictures of land ­ flY PA CALE DOLL FUSS scapes. architecture. techniques. agriculture. herding, lrade, feslivals. shaman practices. rites or passage. etc. In addition to these major collecti ons. once can find I. PUOTOGRAPfIIC ARCIUVES IN PARIS 350 photographs taken in 1965 by Jaeques Millot. (director of the RCP epal) in the Kathmandu Valley. Photographic Library ("Phototheque"), Musee de approx. 110 photographs (c. 1966-67) by Mireille Helf­ /'lIommc. fer. related primari Iy to musicians caSles, 45 photo­ 1'1. du Trocadero. Paris 750 16. graphs (1967-68) by Marc Gaborieau.
    [Show full text]
  • The Spituk Monastery of Ladakh the Spituk Monastery of Ladakh Is
    The Spituk Monastery of Ladakh by traveldesk The Spituk Monastery of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 8 km from the town of Leh. Towering over a conical, the 3-chapel monastery dates back to the 11th century, when it was founded century by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od. He was the one to introduce a monastic community here. When a translator, Rinchen Zangpo, came to this place, he said that an exemplary religious community would develop there. This statement led to the naming of the monastery as Spituk, meaning Exemplary. During that time, Spituk Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School. With the progress of time, it came under Dharmaraja Takspa Bum- Lde Lama Lhawang Lotus. After restoring the monastery, he introduced the stainless order of Tsongkhapa there. Till date, the Spitok Monastery of Leh Ladakh is following this order only. Inside the monastery, the main statue is that of Lord Buddha. Then, there is also a sacred image of Amitayus. The image, about a finger high in length, was presented by Tsongkhapa to Takspa Bum-Lde. It also contains five Thankas and a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, along with a splendid image of Mahakaal. One of the major attractions of the Spituk Monastery is the Gustor Festival. An annual event, the festival takes place from the 27th to 29th day of the 11th Tibetan month. During this festival, the sacred dance is also held. The other monasteries of Stok, Sankar and Saboo in Ladakh, are branches of the Spituk Monastery only.
    [Show full text]
  • O Level ST Candidates (Leh)
    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,NIELIT J&K SUB CENTRE LEH LIST OF 'O'LEVEL STUDENTS BATCH:-DECEMBER (2013) S.NO App.No. Regn.No Level Name Father/Guardian Name Category Date of Birth Address 1 ROIT0614001604 964750 O KANIS FATIMA HASSAN ALI ST 29-जनवर -89 CHUCHOT LEH 2 ROIT0614002115 964759 O HASSINA BANO GHULAM HUSSAIN ST 02-अगत -92 SHEY SHEY 3 ROIT0614002075 964604 O NAMGYAL DOLMA SONAM THUKJEE ST 11-माच -95 HUNDER NUBRA LEH 4 ROIT0614002131 964610 O GULNAZ FATIMA MIRZA ASSADULLAH ST 11-मई -90 SHEY LEH 5 ROIT0614002113 964758 O SALEEM RAZA MOHD BAQIR ST 06-जनवर -89 SHEY SHEY 6 ROIT0614001595 964748 O HALIMA BANO GHULAM MOHD ST 13-मई -96 BASHAKA CHUCHOT YOKMA LEH 7 ROIT0614002061 964829 O ESHEY DOLMA TASHI WANGAIL ST 03-दसबर -89 TSATI SUMOOR NUBRA 8 ROIT0614002117 964608 O DEACHEN DOLMA TSERING NORBOO ST 21-माच -90 ZUNGPA CHAMSHEN SUMOOR NUBRA 9 ROIT0614001927 964600 O DORJAY DOLMA THUGJAY TUNDUP ST 05-जून -93 SHARA SHARA 10 ROIT0614001931 964602 O RIGZEN DOLMA TSEWANG CHONJOR ST 10-फरवर -92 SHANG LEH 11 ROIT0614002124 964834 O TSERING ANGMO TSEWANG DORJAY ST 28-जून -94 SUMOOR NUBRA LEH 12 ROIT0614002103 964832 O RIGZIN YANGDOL TASHI WANGIAL ST 01-नवबर -92 CHOGLAMSAR ZAMPA LEH 13 ROIT0614002131 964610 O KANIZ FATIMA MEHDI ALI ST 11-मई -90 SHEY LEH 14 ROIT0614002111 964607 O SONAM YANGCHAN TONDUP NAMGAIL ST 01-मई -93 PHUKPOCHEY SUMOOR NUBRA 15 ROIT0614002123 964760 O SHAHEEN KOUSAR MOHD YASSIN ST 20-फरवर -84 THASGAN THLINA KARGIL 16 ROIT0614002071 964603 O ANWAR HUSSAIN MIRZA HADI ST 03-जनवर -84 CHUCHOT YOKMA
    [Show full text]
  • OU1901 092-099 Feature Cycling Ladakh
    Cycling Ladakh Catching breath on the road to Rangdum monastery PICTURE CREDIT: Stanzin Jigmet/Pixel Challenger Breaking the There's much more to Kate Leeming's pre- Antarctic expeditions than preparation. Her journey in the Indian Himalaya was equally about changing peoples' lives. WORDS Kate Leeming 92 93 Cycling Ladakh A spectacular stream that eventually flows into the Suru River, on the 4,000m plains near Rangdum nergy was draining from my legs. My heart pounded hard and fast, trying to replenish my oxygen deficit. I gulped as much of the rarified air as I could, without great success; at 4,100m, the atmospheric oxygen is at just 11.5 per cent, compared to 20.9 per cent at sea level. As I continued to ascend towards the snow-capped peaks around Sirsir La pass, the temperature plummeted and my body, drenched in a lather of perspiration, Estarted to get cold, further sapping my energy stores. Sirsir La, at 4,828m, is a few metres higher than Europe’s Mont Blanc, and I was just over half way up the continuous 1,670m ascent to get there. This physiological response may have been a reality check, but it was no surprise. The ride to the remote village of Photoksar on the third day of my altitude cycling expedition in the Indian Himalaya had always loomed as an enormous challenge, and I was not yet fully acclimatised. I drew on experience to pace myself: keeping the pedals spinning in a low gear, trying to relax as much as possible and avoiding unnecessary exertion.
    [Show full text]
  • Delhi at Airport Nothing 2 20.08. Flight Delhi
    day date activity next night sevice by Overland Escape 1 19.08. flight Zürich - Delhi at airport nothing flight Delhi Jet Air rest day 2 20.08. Lotus Hotel, Leh hotel flight Delhi - Leh, transfer to Lotus Hotel, half board 3 21.08. acclimatisation at Leh and surroundings, no special program hotel Lotus hotel half board Jeep tour with tents, picknick at daytime, cooking in the evening, Leh - Phyang - Taroo valley - Indus/Zanskar junction - Basgo 4 22.08. valley tent jeep, driver, cook, tent, kitchen, full board 5 23.08. Basgo valley - Alchi visit - Likir tent jeep, driver, cook, tent, kitchen, full board Exploring surroundings of Likir, walk to Saspochey 6 24.08. jeep goes on jeep road to Saspochey tent jeep, driver, cook, tent, kitchen, full board Walk to Hemis Shukpachan, 7 25.08. jeep goes on jeep road to Hemis Shukpachan tent jeep, driver, cook, tent, kitchen, full board walk to Ang, Tingmosgang Gompa jeep goes back to Indus valley and enters valley to Tingmosgang 8 26.08. gompa (Nurla) tent jeep, driver, cook, tent, kitchen, full board Jeep drive to Lamayuru gompa, visit jeep drive to Futu La until crossing with Kanji gorge meeting with horseman and horses / donkeys jeep, driver, cook, tent, kitchen, new: horses, horseman, kitchen 9 27.08. they bring fresh food, jeep goes back to Leh tent helper, full bord 10 28.08. Start trek Kanji La - Ringdom gompa, until Kanji village tent cook, horseman, kitchen helper, horses, tents, full board 11 29.08. Kanji villag - Ampultun - camp 2 tent cook, horseman, kitchen helper, horses, tents, full board 12 30.08.
    [Show full text]
  • Ladakh Studies
    INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR LADAKH STUDIES LADAKH STUDIES _ 19, March 2005 CONTENTS Page: Editorial 2 News from the Association: From the Hon. Sec. 3 Nicky Grist - In Appreciation John Bray 4 Call for Papers: 12th Colloquium at Kargil 9 News from Ladakh, including: Morup Namgyal wins Padmashree Thupstan Chhewang wins Ladakh Lok Sabha seat Composite development planned for Kargil News from Members 37 Articles: The Ambassador-Teacher: Reflections on Kushok Bakula Rinpoche's Importance in the Revival of Buddhism in Mongolia Sue Byrne 38 Watershed Development in Central Zangskar Seb Mankelow 49 Book reviews: A Checklist on Medicinal & Aromatic Plants of Trans-Himalayan Cold Desert (Ladakh & Lahaul-Spiti), by Chaurasia & Gurmet Laurent Pordié 58 The Issa Tale That Will Not Die: Nicholas Notovitch and his Fraudulent Gospel, by H. Louis Fader John Bray 59 Trance, Besessenheit und Amnesie bei den Schamanen der Changpa- Nomaden im Ladakhischen Changthang, by Ina Rösing Patrick Kaplanian 62 Thesis reviews 63 New books 66 Bray’s Bibliography Update no. 14 68 Notes on Contributors 72 Production: Bristol University Print Services. Support: Dept of Anthropology and Ethnography, University of Aarhus. 1 EDITORIAL I should begin by apologizing for the fact that this issue of Ladakh Studies, once again, has been much delayed. In light of this, we have decided to extend current subscriptions. Details are given elsewhere in this issue. Most recently we postponed publication, because we wanted to be able to announce the place and exact dates for the upcoming 12th Colloquium of the IALS. We are very happy and grateful that our members in Kargil will host the colloquium from July 12 through 15, 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • Leh-Ladakh Safari from $ 1925 USD
    Leh-Ladakh Safari from $ 1925 USD Ladakh - the ‘Land of the High Passes’ - is among the most stunning parts of the Indian Himalayas. Surrounded by Pakistan, Tibet and Xinjiang Province (China) and India’s Himachal Pradesh, it forms the eastern part of Jammu & Kashmir. www.theindiansafari.com 1800 859 875 Leh-Ladakh 2019-20 The beautiful and diverse Ladakh is a traveller's paradise, Leh's cold desert of Nubra Valley and Zanskar Valley and the alpine lakes are the best places for nature and photography travel. This is a 9,850-foot-high Himalayan desert. It is Ladakh’s bleak emptiness along with a brief poplar blossom which looks like snow that attracts the most intrepid of travellers. www.theindiansafari.com 1800 859 875 Leh-Ladakh 2019-20 ✓ Leh- Capital of Ladakh ✓ Magnetic Hill- Reverse Gravity ✓ Nubra Valley- Valley of flowers ✓ Magnetic Hill- Experience reverse gravity ✓ Pangong Lake- A photographer's delight ✓ Disket Monastery- 100 ft tall Buddha statue and Camel Safari ✓ Thiksey Monastery- Little Lhasa www.theindiansafari.com 1800 859 875 Leh-Ladakh 2019-20 Group Size: 10 Duration: 6 Night(s) / 7 Day(s) Start From: New Delhi Finish At: New Delhi www.theindiansafari.com 1800 859 875 Leh-Ladakh 2019-20 Inclusions ➢ All Accommodations ➢ Airport Transfers ➢ All Domestic Transportations ➢ All Meals excluding any Drinks ➢ All Entrance Fees, Tolls Etc ➢ Services of a National Tour Director ➢ Inner Line Permit fees, Wildlife Safaris etc. www.theindiansafari.com 1800 859 875 Leh-Ladakh 2019-20 Itinerary Day 1 Leh You arrive on an early morning flight from New Delhi to Leh, where you will be greeted by your Tour Director.
    [Show full text]
  • 6 Nights & 7 Days Leh – Nubra Valley (Turtuk Village)
    Jashn E Navroz | Turtuk, Ladakh | Dates 25March-31March’18 |6 Nights & 7 Days Destinations Leh Covered – Nubra : Leh Valley – Nubra (Turtuk Valley V illage)(Turtuk– Village Pangong ) – Pangong Lake – Leh Lake – Leh Trip starts from : Leh airport Trip starts at: LehTrip airport ends at |: LehTrip airport ends at: Leh airport “As winter gives way to spring, as darkness gives way to light, and as dormant plants burst into blossom, Nowruz is a time of renewal, hope and joy”. Come and experience this festive spirit in lesser explored gem called Turtuk. The visual delights would be aptly complemented by some firsthand experiences of the local lifestyle and traditions like a Traditional Balti meal combined with Polo match. During the festival one get to see the flamboyant and vibrant tribe from Balti region, all dressed in their traditional best. Day 01| Arrive Leh (3505 M/ 11500 ft.) Board a morning flight and reach Leh airport. Our representative will receive you at the terminal and you then drive for about 20 minutes to reach Leh town. Check into your room. It is critical for proper acclimatization that people flying in to Leh don’t indulge in much physical activity for at least the first 24hrs. So the rest of the day is reserved for relaxation and a short acclimatization walk in the vicinity. Meals Included: L & D Day 02| In Leh Post breakfast, visit Shey Monastery & Palace and then the famous Thiksey Monastery. Drive back and before Leh take a detour over the Indus to reach Stok Village. Enjoy a traditional Ladakhi meal in a village home later see Stok Palace & Museum.
    [Show full text]
  • Igophey Canal, Leh Ladakh ( Joint Vernture of Irrigation Division Igophey and CAD Leh) (1979 – 2011)
    Government of Jammu & Kashmir Evaluation Report On Igophey Canal, Leh Ladakh ( Joint Vernture of Irrigation Division Igophey and CAD Leh) (1979 – 2011) Irrigated Land in sample farms before and after Irrigated Land in sample villages before and after the commissioing of Igophey Canal Project the commissioing of Igophey Canal Project Before commissioning of project Before commissioning of project After commissioning of project After commissioning of project 576.00 600.00 423.00 6000.00 5061.12 400.00 4000.00 3178.12 171.00 161.00 141.00 80.00 128.00 123.00 2090.00 200.00 116.00 1648.12 1648.12 79.00 1530.00 2000.00 1073.00 250.00 0.00 0.00 - Area inHectarres Area inHectarres 0.00 SKUAST Matho Fodder Equine Total Dev. farm sample Farm Farms Stakna Sample Villages Sample Farms Directorate of Economics and Statistics, J&K Planning and Development Department Contents S.no Description of the Chapter Page Nos I Introduction 1-4 II Scheme & Its Progress 5-13 III Field Findings 14-35 IV Summary of Main Findings 36-39 Difficulties/Bottlenecks faced 40 Suggestions 41_____ Highlights of Evaluation Study on Igophey Canal, Leh. 1. The Igophey Irrigation project situated in Leh District of J & K state was started in the year 1979. The objective of the scheme was to facilitate irrigation in the Command Area of the Canal and bring more un-irrigated land under irrigation for raising the productivity and production of the area. The ultimate aim was to decrease excessive dependence of the area on import of foodgrains from other parts of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • `15,999/-(Per Person)
    BikingLEH Adventure 06 DAYS OF THRILL STARTS AT `15,999/-(PER PERSON) Leh - Khardungla Pass - Nubra Valley - Turtuk - Pangong Tso - Tangste [email protected] +91 9974220111 +91 7283860777 1 ABOUT THE PLACES Leh, a high-desert city in the Himalayas, is the capital of the Leh region in northern India’s Jammu and Kashmir state. Originally a stop for trading caravans, Leh is now known for its Buddhist sites and nearby trekking areas. Massive 17th-century Leh Palace, modeled on the Dalai Lama’s former home (Tibet’s Potala Palace), overlooks the old town’s bazaar and mazelike lanes. Khardung La is a mountain pass in the Leh district of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. The local pronunciation is "Khardong La" or "Khardzong La" but, as with most names in Ladakh, the romanised spelling varies. The pass on the Ladakh Range is north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Nubra is a subdivision and a tehsil in Ladakh, part of Indian-administered Kashmir. Its inhabited areas form a tri-armed valley cut by the Nubra and Shyok rivers. Its Tibetan name Ldumra means "the valley of flowers". Diskit, the headquarters of Nubra, is about 150 km north from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Turtuk is one of the northernmost villages in India and is situated in the Leh district of Ladakh in the Nubra Tehsil. It is 205 km from Leh, the district headquarters, and is on the banks of the Shyok River. Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m.
    [Show full text]
  • 2000 Ladakh and Zanskar-The Land of Passes
    1 LADAKH AND ZANSKAR -THE LAND OF PASSES The great mountains are quick to kill or maim when mistakes are made. Surely, a safe descent is as much a part of the climb as “getting to the top”. Dead men are successful only when they have given their lives for others. Kenneth Mason, Abode of Snow (p. 289) The remote and isolated region of Ladakh lies in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the western limit of the spread of Tibetan culture. Before it became a part of India in the 1834, when the rulers of Jammu brought it under their control, Ladakh was an independent kingdom closely linked with Tibet, its strong Buddhist culture and its various gompas (monasteries) such as Lamayuru, Alchi and Thiksey a living testimony to this fact. One of the most prominent monuments is the towering palace in Leh, built by the Ladakhi ruler, Singe Namgyal (c. 1570 to 1642). Ladakh’s inhospitable terrain has seen enough traders, missionaries and invading armies to justify the Ladakhi saying: “The land is so barren and the passes are so high that only the best of friends or worst of enemies would want to visit us.” The elevation of Ladakh gives it an extreme climate; burning heat by day and freezing cold at night. Due to the rarefied atmosphere, the sun’s rays heat the ground quickly, the dry air allowing for quick cooling, leading to sub-zero temperatures at night. Lying in the rain- shadow of the Great Himalaya, this arid, bare region receives scanty rainfall, and its primary source of water is the winter snowfall.
    [Show full text]
  • Adventure of Ladakh
    Adventure of Ladakh 06 Nights / 07 Days 2N Leh – 1N Nubra – 1N Leh – 1N Pangong – 1N Leh PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS: In Leh, visit Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace Centuries old monasteries in Ladakh – Hemis, Shey, Thiksey, Diskit… Visit & Stay at world’s highest salt water lake – Pangong Lake Drive through world’s highest motorable passes – Khardung-la & Chang-la Stay in Nubra valley and visit to Sand Dunes Airport transfers and local sightseeing tours by private vehicle Start and End in Leh ITINERARY: Day 01 Arrival in Leh Meet our representative upon arrival in Leh and proceed to your hotel. Leh is dotted with stupas and crumbling mud-brick houses, the old Town is dominated by a dagger of steep rocky ridge topped by an imposing Tibetan-style palace and fort. Beneath, the bustling bazaar area is draped in a thick veneer of souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. It is advisable to relax and acclimatize to such a high-altitude region. After lunch, drive to visit Shanti Stupa & Leh Palace, Later in the evening walk around local market. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel in Leh. Day 02 Tour of Hemis, Thiksey & Shey monastery After breakfast, we drive to visit Hemis Monastery situated 45 kilometers west of Leh; Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. From Hemis, you are driven back taking the same route to visit Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus valley. Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its (Dukhang) assembly hall which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk.
    [Show full text]