An ancient centre of vast intercourse between Tibet, South Asia and extending over to Persia, Leh is a city that remains cosmopolitan. The relation with the high Plateau contains have since been reduced to trade in cigarettes and the silk route Have disappeared , having become a victim of modern geopolitics. Leh is now the Capital of tiny piece of the world.
Leh is a small town situated at the apex of a triangular plateau formed by the Indus river at an altitude of 3868 meters with a narrow intersecting lanes, have the old palace of King of Ladakh. Founded in 14th century by Khri-gtsug-ide, was called as Sle or Gle in the beginning and changed to its present name in 19th century by the Morovian missionaries. Leh khar of the Palace is decorated with wall painting depicting the life of Buddha, the narrow winding corridors run into rooms containing more than 1000 year old tankhas, gold statues, and swords.
Tsemo Gompas is one of the royal monastery built by the rulers, contains a masterpiece a two storey statue of Chamba in the sitting posture. The proportion of the different parts of the body and symmetry and beauty of the features, particularly the ecstatic expression of the eyes, which is sheer perfection, overwhelms the visitor who is left breathless in wonderment.
Leh monastery expresses supremacy of spiritual kind over the temporal ruler, houses priceless scrolls and exquisitely bound manuscripts. It is a school for Lama students which houses more than 200 students. The episodes from life of Shakyamuni Buddha, clouds, water forest, heavenly bodies and ever present dragon etc are painted on the wall of the monastery.
⋅ Thiksey Monastery
⋅ Spituk Monastery
⋅ Likir Monastery
The Hemis Gompa is 40 Km from Leh. Every year in the month of June (the fifth month in the Tibetan calendar), there is a fair to mark the birthday of the Guru Padmasambhava. The temple is ablaze with light, in the courtyard the blare of long brass trumpets signals the beginning of the fight between good and the evil. Dancing and prancing, leering and scowling, the demons – monks beneath grotesque masks-enter. Among them two skeletons ease the tension with antics. The forces of good representing legendary heroes and saints strive to overcome the demons as stately dance steps and graceful mystic gestures are pitted against frenzy and madness.. Cheerful rituals and fascinating festivals and imagery, once seen, live long in the memory while the dance, music and chang (local Beer) loving Ladakhis soften the awesome and bleak scenery.
Lamayaru is most mysterious and oldest monastery in ladakh and is 15 km from Fotu-la.
Entering the courtyard there is a sound of unseen chanting which increases as one ascends to the small terrace of a room where a monk chants in high pitched voice with his head lowered in front of a picture. As visitor approaches, he offers to show them around picking up a large bunch of keys and proceeds to unlock doors-empty with improvised altars, a few pictures – some richly furnished with carpets, Tibetan tables, priceless tankhas, and altars laden with statutes. In the head Lama room monks pray together before a colossal statue of Avolokiteshvara with eleven heads and 1000 hands.
DAY 01
Leh- Mahe -Drive 173 Kms. Enroute visit Thiksey and Shey Gompas. Overnight Camping.
DAY 02
Mahe- Puga -Drive 65 Kms. Enroute enjoy unforgettable scene of shooting Fountain and white clouds hanging upon.. Overnight camping.
DAY 03
Puga- Tso Moriri Lake.Explore the blue water lake and the beautiful area. Overnight Camping.
DAY 04
Day at Tso Moriri lake.The lake is about 28 km long and 8 km wide at an altitude of 4510 meters.Visit Karzok Village. Overnight camping.
DAY 05
Tso Moriri lake – Hemis or Leh and than dirive to Sarchu and than to Manali, Overnight at Sarchu.
DAY 06
Sarchu to Manali over Baralacha and Rohtang Pass. Overnight in Hotel in Manali.
DAY 07
Transfer to Kullu Airport to board flight for New Delhi.
DAY 01
Leh- Durbuk…Drive 110 Kms. Enroute visit Chemrand Taktak Gompas. Overnight Camping.
DAY 02
Durbuk-Lukung… Drive 100 Km. Overnight Camping
DAY 03
Lukung-Pangong Lake ….Drive 60 Km. Drive via Spangmik village at the bank of Pongong lake. This lake is the highest in Ladakh and is famous for colorful stones and fosils. Overnight camping.
DAY 04
Day at Pongong Lake
DAY 05
Pongong lake – Tangtse….drive 90 km. Overnight Camping.
DAY 06
Drive to Changla. Overnight Camping.
DAY 07
Drive to Hemis and than to Leh. Enroute visit Hemis Gompa. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 08
Board flight for New Delhi
Jeep Safari - Leh Khalsa- Panamik-Trit Leh - 5 days
DAY 02
Trekking - Leh -Sabu- digar-Labab, Khungru, Tangar- 6 days
