Fragrance of Leh!

Day 1 - Welcome to Ladakh! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrivals hall at the Leh airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. Late in the afternoon, we take a mild orientation stroll through Leh and its bazaars to acclimate to the altitude. In the olden days, Leh was an important trading centre along the old Silk Route from China. The town is dominated by the nine- story Namgyal Palace whose faded grandeur has been likened to a mini version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - After breakfast we take a short pleasant walk around Leh, starting with the Shanti Stupa. At the foot of the two-storey Stupa is a picture of the current Dalai Lama as well as Buddha relics. Next we go to the Buddhist monastery and study centre - Sankar Gompa. After that, we head to the Gyamsa village and then the Leh Palace. The Leh Palace, originally the capital of Ladakh in the Himalayas, still reigns supreme. This nine-storey dun-coloured palace, which bears a passing similarity to the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), was built during the reign of the 17th century ruler Sengge Namgyal. It has essentially remained vacant since the Ladakhi royals were deposed in 1846. Rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatization.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - Today we visit the monasteries in the Indus Valley. We first head to Shey and drive down a road bordered with white-painted chortens or stupas. We visit, Shey Palace which was erected in the 16th century CE. Then we continue to the Thiksey Gompa, an amazing structure perched on a hill above the hamlet and home to a stunning 15-meter gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the Future. We also visit the legendary Hemis Gompa, which was founded in the 1630s and is one of Ladakh's largest and richest gompas. We return to Leh late in the evening. Overnight stay at Leh.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - We leave for Themisgam, a village of Ladakh. On the way we visit the monasteries of Alchi and Likir, located on the Srinagar-Leh road, before spending the night at Themisgam. The Alchi Monastery has a variety of miniature paintings representing Buddha. The 1000-year-old wall murals make the trip worthwhile. The Likir monastery houses a large collection of clay figures of Buddha, manuscripts, and thangkas (Buddhist paintings). After visiting the two monasteries we continue our journey to Themisgam, Ladakh's wealthiest valley, laden with apricots, apples, and nuts. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - Post breakfast we walk (or drive the majority of the way if the road permits) to a nearby nunnery overlooking the rich valley. We continue upwards to the monastery of Themisgam, which has magnificent and ornate interiors. The once-thriving foundation, which was constructed in the 15th century, is now run by a single monk-on-duty. The monk is changed every year and the duties are strangely split between the yellow cap southern order and the red cap order of Tibetan Buddhism. Alongside stands the impressive Tingmosgang castle, sentinel over the Indus valley and all its trade influences, as well as the palace of the Ladakh kings before they transferred their court to Leh. After sightseeing we drive back to Leh and visit the Lamayuru Monastery on the way. On arrival, check-in at hotel and overnight stay at Leh.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - Our tour Leh comes to an end and it’s time to pack our bags and head back with the memories of a lifetime. We check out from the hotel and get a transfer to the Leh airport for onward travel.

Tour Ends