Festivals Tour

Festival tour of Ladakh

 
Trip at a Glance
Trip duration         : 7 days tour
Grade                     : Moderate
Activities               : Sightseeing 
Accommodations: In Hotels 6 Nights

Journey Highlights
  • Visit Ladakh in the winter
  • Witness a monastic festival
  • Chance to spot wild animals
  • 11th century Alchi & Lamayuru monastery
  • Sensational flight over the Himalaya 

Tour Inclusions 
  • Comfortable sharing accommodations
  • Private own transportation during the tour
  • Mention monuments entries
  • Local guide during the tour
 
Tour Exclusions
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa or vaccinations
  • Single accommodation (available on request)

Meals: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch & D= Dinner


Detailed Itinerary
 
Day 1 Fly Delhi to Leh 3500 meters
It is often a very early flight to Leh, which is reward, for the spectacular flight over the Indian Himalaya, incredibly beautiful in winter. Landing in Leh the temperature will drop dramatically and you will need the down jackets at the airport. If the weather is good and the flight goes on time, we should be in Leh by early morning. We recommend you to relax and rest for acclimatise for altitude 3500 meter. In the afternoon there will be an optional gentle orientation walk around Leh local bazaars.
Standard Hotel (L, D)
 
Day 2 In Leh 3500 meters
We explore the Indus valley; begin with Thiksey monastery is the most imposing structure providing a panoramic view of the green Indus valley from its vantage point atop a hill. Later we are heading to 17th century Hemis Monastery, one of the biggest and richest in Ladakh. In the evening we have an opportunity to climb up to the 15th century Victory Fort, sitting above the looming 17th century Leh Palace. From there we have a bird view of Leh town.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 3 Join Matho monastery festival
Every monastery in Ladakh once in a year holds a festival, where the monks dress in elaborate brocade and silk costumes and re-enact century old stories of the Tibetan Buddhist religion. People come from all over Ladakh to the festivals and these are a great social as well as religious occasion. The whole day will be spent at the festival (the masked dances usually start late morning and in the late afternoon return to Leh.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 4 Join Matho monastery festival
A second day in the morning we join colourful masked dances of Matho Festival. In the afternoon also masked dances and then the two oracles that go into a trance and predict the future of Ladakh, such as weather, harvest etc. and drive back to Leh.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5 Drive to Lamayuru 3450 meters
Today we drive to visit Lamayuru monastery, which is one of the main visited monastery in Ladakh and well known for its strategic location. In Sangam the confluence of river Zanskar and Indus where we stop for photos. The village Basgo once the capital of lower Ladakh, where we visit 17th century Maitreya temple.
Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest in Ladakh and the 11th century Maha Sidha Naropa cave still in the monastery main assemble hall. 

Day 6 Drive to Leh via Alchi 3100 meters
We drive to visit 11th century Alchi monastery; build by Tibetan translator Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo. In the temple we visit Sum-tsek, Verocana, and Manjushree and fresco paintings are the main attraction. Alchi monastery is under the list of UNISCO and after we drive back to Leh.
Standard Hotel (B, L, D)
 
Day 7 Fly Leh to Delhi
In the morning short drive to Leh airport, to catch the flight to Delhi. (trip conclude)