Mystical Leh Ladakh Expedition: Unveiling the Himalayan Wonders

Arrive at Leh Kushok Bakula Airport. (This must be one of the Most Sensational Flights in the World. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif).

Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transfer to Hotel for check-in. Complete day for rest and leisure to acclimatize to the higher altitude. 

After breakfast, we proceed to visit Indus Valley Monasteries starting with Hemis Gompa, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace, 3 Idiots Rancho School & Sindhu Ghat.

Hemis Gompa: Hemis Monastery, 40 kms towards the south-east of the main city of Leh, is the largest as well as the most well-known monastery (Gompa) in Ladakh. This monastery was built by under the reigns of the King Singge Namgyal, in 1672 AD. This monastery plays host to an annual festival that is held in the month of June, which is also a major tourist attraction. This colorful day-long festival is called Hemis Tsechu which is also a state holiday. The monastery has beautiful paintings and a statue of Lord Buddha, which are the highlights too.

Thiksey Monastery: Thikse Gompa is around 19 kms to the East of the main city of Leh. The architecture of the largest monastery in central region of Ladakh, is similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This 12-storey building complex consists of a number of things related to Buddhist art such as Thangka paintings, statues, stupas, swords, and so on. The building also has a nunnery. A major tourist attraction is the Maitreya temple installed in 1970. The statue of future Lord Buddha in this temple of 49 feet high, which is also the largest in the region.

Shey Palace: Shey palace is located near Leh city. The palace is comes under archaeological survey of India and mostly ruins now. It was constructed in 1650 by the king Deldan Namgyal of Ladakh which was used as a summer retreat. The palace has the largest CHANGCHUP (Chorten stupa) in Ladakh, the top of which is made of pure gold. Later on, king also constructed Shey monastery in the memory of his father. The Royal palace and monastery built in sixteenth centrury A.D. enshrines the DU-KHANG with the copper gilded statue of Lord Buddha rising to a height of three storeys. Later on the royal family of Ladakh shifted to Stok Palace in 1834. The three storeyed palace has 7.5 meters statue of seated Sakyamuni Buddha made of from copper and brass plated with gold silver and studded with gems and precious stones.

3 Idiots Rancho School: This school became famous after the Aamir Khan's movie Three Idiots. The name of this school is Druk Padma Karpo School , this is also known as Druk White Lotus school. The clean and eco friendly structures of the school are designed to withstand seismic disturbances. This school was conferred one of the most beautiful schools in the world by BBC London in the year 2016. On arrival here you will be taken inside the campus with a guide and can visit different parts of the school. You are not allowed to disturb students or take any photographs of them. There is a café and one souvenir shop available inside the campus. Minimum time required is 15 to 20 minutes to visit this beautiful school campus.

Sindhu Ghat: Sindhu Ghat is a river bank near Shey Monastery in Leh. Located 10 Km upstream the Indus river, it originates from the Mansarovar Lake and Mount Kailash in Tibet. The scenic landscape of this attraction near Leh seems surreal. The barren mountains, rocky terrain, and river traversing the region is a sight to behold. Visit this ghat during the Sindhu Darshan Festival in June to experience the cultural extravaganza that Leh has to offer.

After visiting the above places we drive back to Leh. Evening is at Leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight at the Hotel. 

After breakfast, we proceed to Nubra Valley. The road journey from Leh to Nubra Valley passes over Khardung La (The Highest Motorable Road In The World).

Khardung La: The Highest Motor able Road in The World at 5,602 Mtrs. / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. The views from the top of the pass are amazing.

Later, we visit Hunder and Disket Monastery. Diskit monastery also known as Diskit Gompa is situated in the Nubra valley of Ladakh. This Buddhist center is one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Leh Ladakh. The Diskit monastery was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo in the 14th century. The prime attraction of the Diskit monastery is 100 foot high Maitreya Buddha statue, which was inaugurated by the holy Dalai Lama. From the top of the Gompa, where the divine statue is settled, one can have a panoramic view of the Nubra valley.

Proceed back to Leh for overnight stay at Leh Hotel