Ladakh Tour with Hemis Festival
Duration: 11 Nights/12 Days

Duration : 11 Nights/12 Days

Destination : DELHI (2 Nights) - LEH (1 Night) - HEMIS (2 Nights) - SHEY - THIKSE - LEH (1 Night) - LIKIR - LAMAYURU (1 Night) - RIZONG - ALCHI (1Night) - PHYANG - LEH (2 Nights) - DELHI (1 Night)

About Hemis Festival: (29 June-30 June 2012)

The courtyard of Hemis Gompa - is the stage for the famous 'Hemis' festival. This festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. The local people are seen dressed up in their finest traditional garb for the occasion. Spectacular masked dances and sacred plays by Lamas called 'chhams' are performed around the central flagpole. Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism is believed to have fought with demons for the safety of the local people. Masks worn by the lamas represent various guardian divinities of the Dugpa order. A colourful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight of the festival.

The region of Ladakh has been known as the last Shangri- La. It is also the land of Buddhist monasteries with Tibetan Influence. This tour provides the traveler an opportunity to see the spectacular Hemis Festival. Among the holy monasteries and interesting villages the memorable routes takes you to the Lamayuru Gompa which is magnificent and one of the finest gompas. An exclusive India tour with Travel Spirit International is always a memorable experience.

Day 1 / 26 JUNE'12ARRIVAL DELHI

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be met and assisted by our company representative at airport. Later after traditional welcome transfer to your hotel. Delhi as the capital of India is a melting pot of modern, old cultures and traditions. Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 2 /27 JUNE'12: DELHI

After breakfast full day combined city tour of Delhi. Delhi is a melting pot of modern and old cultures and traditions. Today we take a guided tour of 17th Century Old Delhi. The attractions include Red Fort built in the year 1646. Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India built in the year 1656. Afternoon we explore two world heritage sites of New Delhi. First The Humayun Tomb which is a memorial of The Mughal Emperor Humayun. And, Second - Qutab Minar. It was built in the year 12 Century, and the tallest brick Minaret in the world with 72 Meters of Height. The afternoon sightseeing also includes the visit of the President House and the India Gate. Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 3 / 28 JUNE'12: DELHI - LEH (Flight)

After early breakfast check out at hotel and transfer to the domestic airport to board flight to Leh. Upon Arrival in Leh transfer to The Hotel. Full day in Leh at Leisure to acclimatize high altitude of Ladakh. Overnight at hotel.
About Leh: Leh, the capital of Ladakh is situated at a height of 3505 meters and is towards the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh has been the center of Tibet-Buddhist Culture for ages. Its colorful gompas have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe. This Hilly town is also a favorite hiking locale and is known for some of the best hikes in the country.

Day 4 / 29 JUNE'12: LEH - HEMIS / ( 47 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)

Post breakfast make a visit to the Stok Palace. Also visit the Tibetan Handicraft center. PM depart for Hemis.
Overnight at Camp / Guest House in Hemis.
About Hemis: Hemis Monastery is the biggest and the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. It was founded in the year 1630 by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. Hemis Monastery is positioned inside a gorge, at a distance of approximately 47 km from Leh. Belonging to the Dugpa Order, it stands on the western bank of the Indus River. The monastery boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics. The relics include copper-gilt statue of the Lord Buddha, various gold and silver stupas, and sacred Thangkas (Tibetan Religious cloth painting). Situated slightly higher than the Hemis Gompa of Leh Ladakh, is a sacred hermitage, founded by Gyalwa Kotsang. The meditation cave of Gyalwa, along with his footprints and handprints on the rock and sacred shrines, still bring back his memories to life.

Day 5 / 30 JUNE'12: HEMIS FESTIVAL

Post breakfast this day attend the Hemis festival to witness the full day ceremony of Hemis festival.
The Hemis festival takes place in the rectangular courtyard in front of the main door of the monastery. A small Tibetan table is placed with the ceremonial items - cups full of holy water, uncooked rice, tormas made of dough and butter and incense sticks. A number of musicians play the traditional music with four pairs of cymbals, large-pan drums, small trumpets and large size wind instruments. The ceremonies begin with an early morning ritual atop the Gompa where, to the beat of drums and the resounding clash of cymbals and the spiritual wail of pipes, the portrait of "Dadmokarpo" or "Rygyalsras Rimpoche" is then ceremoniously put on display for all to admire and worship. The most esoteric of festivities are the mystic mask dances. Performed only in those gompas which follow the Tantric vajrayana teachings and the monks perform tantric worship.
Overnight at Camp / Guest House near Hemis.

Day 6 / 01 JULY'12: HEMIS - SHEY - THIKSEY - LEH ( 47 kms / 1.5 Hrs )

Morning attend the Festival. PM return to Leh. En route also visit Shey & Thiksey Monastery. Overnight at Hotel in Leh.
About Shey Monastery:At a distance of around 1 5Kms from the Leh Town. Shey Gompa of Ladakh is situated on a hillock. There is an statue of Budha the Shakya Muni. It is a huge image of the seated Buddha and is considered to be the biggest metal statue and the second largest Buddha statue in the Ladakh region. Copper sheets, gilded with gold, make up this amazing Buddha statue. This Shey Gompa was also the former summer palace of the Kings of Ladakh.
About Thiksey Monastery:This Gompa is located at about 18 km south of Leh town. One of the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakh, it belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. Apart from a Maitreya temple, this monastery complex houses rich collection of Tibetan books and artworks. Thiksey Gompa serves as the residence of approximately eighty monks.

Day 7 / 02 JULY'12: LEH - LIKIR - LAMAYURU ( 125 Kms / 3.5 Hrs)

Post breakfast take the long drive through the valley of Indus. En route visit the Monastery of Likir. Continue drive to Lamayuru . Overnight at Camp or Lodge in Lamayuru.

About Likir Monastery: This Gompa at Likir is known as Klu -KKhyill monastery. This was the first monastery to build under the direction of Tibetan Monks and was built in the 14th Century. This was rebuilt in the 18th Century and dedicated to the Gelukpa order, or Yellow Hat Sect. This monastery has around 150 Monks. The name Likir means "The Naga - Encircled". The reason behind this naming of Likir Gompa of Ladakh is that it stands surrounded By the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas, Nanda and Taksako. The monastery is situated at a distance of approximately 62 km to the west of Leh town.

About Lamayuru: Lamayuru Monastery is situated on a steep rock mountain at a distance of approximately 127 km to the west of Leh town. This 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 Thangkas and magnificent wall paintings.

Day 8 / 03 JULY'12: LAMAYURU - RIZONG - ALCHI ( Approx. 61 Kms / 2.5 Hrs)

This morning visit the monastery of Lamayuru. Later drive to Alchi. En route visit the Rizong Gompa. Proceed to Alchi and Overnight at Camp near Alchi.

About Rizong Gompa: This Gompa is situated at a distance of approximately 73 km from the Leh town in an isolated area. It was founded in the year 1831and belongs to the Gelukpa Order. The monastery serves as the residence of approximately 40 monks. The inmates of the monastery are not permitted to have anything on their person, except for religious robes and books. A nunnery, known as Chulichan (Chomoling) is located near the monastery, at a distance of approximately 2 km. comprising of about 20 nuns, the nunnery is under the control of the governing body of Rizong Monastery only.

About Alchi Monastery: This Gompa is known to be one of the most beautiful. Built in the 11th Century by Richen Zongpo. It has big Budha Statues, paintings & frescos. Some of the Frescos are still under restoration.
It is written that he brought thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir, for the construction of the Alchi Monastery of Leh Ladakh. The monastery is located at a distance of approximately 67 km to the west of Leh.

Day 9 /04 JULY'12: ALCHI - PHAYANG - LEH ( 67 Kms / 2.5 hrs)

Post breakfast Return towards Leh. On way stop at Phayang Monastery. Later continue drive to Leh.
Overnight at Hotel in Leh.
About Phyang Monastery: Built in the 16th Century this monastery is situated at a distance of approximately 40 km to the west of the Leh town and belongs to the Red Hat Sect of Buddhism. Phyang Gompa also has a 900 years old museum. Its rich collection boasts of numerous idols, thangkas, Chinese, Tibetan and Mongolian firearms and weapons, etc.

Day 10 /05 JULY'12: LEH

Morning at Leisure after breakfast. Afternoon half Day River rafting in the river Indus (Optional & weather permitting).
Overnight at Hotel in Leh.

Day 11 /06 JULY'12: LEH - DELHI ( Flight)

Morning transfer to the Leh airport to board flight 9W to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi and assisted transfer to Hotel. PM free time in Delhi for own leisure activities. Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 12 /07 JULY'12: DEPARTURE DELHI

Morning after breakfast departure transfer to the International airport to board flight for Home.