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Monasteries of Ladakh
Ladakh, with its awesome landscape & azure skies and with its
interesting people with wizened faces & rosy cheeks, is an amazing place
to visit. This ethereal cold desert, that is known by names such as “The
Last Shangri La”, “Little Tibet” etc, seldom fails to surprise. Flanked by
two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalayas and
the Karakoram, Ladakh lie’s athwart two other mountain ranges i.e. the
Ladakh range and the Zanskar range.
Duration
Season
: 16 Days
: Mid July – Early September
Day 1: Arrival Delhi:
Met on arrival by Snow Leopard Adventures representative and transfer to the hotel.
New Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Along
with the fast spiraling skyscrapers, the city is dotted with many historical monuments that stand as silent
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reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport
are of a spacious, garden city with roads lined by trees. O/n in Delhi hotel.
Day 2: Delhi - Leh (By Flight):
Early morning transfer to airport to board the flight to Leh. Met on arrival by our representative at Leh
airport and transfer to the hotel.
Rest day at leisure for acclimatization. In the evening, a short visit to Leh Bazaar.
Leh is the headquarters of the Ladakh region and is an interesting town – colourful, with unusual people
and food.
Note: Spending the first afternoon at leisure in the hotel is a must for acclimatization.
Day 3: Leh:
Morning after breakfast visit Shey and Thikse monasteries.
Shey Palace was built as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh
and above the palace is an older ruined fortress. Adjacent to the palace is two-storey Gompa which has a
12 m-high seated Buddha statue made out of gilded copper sheets and is the only biggest statue in the
region made from metal.
Thiksey Gompa is the most picturesquely situated monastery in Ladakh. It is perched high on a hill
above the Indus and buildings are arranged at various levels, leading up to the private apartments of the
incarnate lamas on the summit. From here one commands a magnificent view of the valley. The gompa
possesses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of hand-written or painted prayer books.
Lunch at the hotel. Post lunch walk through the Leh Bazaar up to Shanti Stupa to have a panoramic view
of entire Leh town.
Day 4: Leh - Tangtse (Drive):
Early morning, after breakfast drive to Tangtse via Changla pass (17500 ft). This region is known as
Changthang valley and is characterized by high arid plains, remote villages, snow-capped peaks and
high altitude azure- blue lakes. The area is inhabited by the Changpas - nomadic yak and goat herders of
Tibetan origin. As you enter this region, you get to see quite a unique ancient culture, untouched by
modernisation.
The scenery is breathtaking with vast snow capped peaks lining the far horizon. This area is also home to
some rare wildlife like marmots, Blue sheep, Ibex, Kyangs (Wild Asses) and the famous Himalayan Snow
Leopard.
En route visit Hemis, Chemrey & Tak Thok monasteries
Hemis Gompa is one of the largest, wealthiest and most important gompa in Ladakh. The gompa has
golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thangkhas brought from many places, including Tibet.
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The lamas of Hemis were associated with the Ladakhi royal family and are very prosperous. Although
there are only a dozen lamas living in the gompa, there are several hundred lamas attached to its
subsidiary monasteries.
Chemrey Monastery was founded by Lama Tagsang Raschen in the 17th century. The monastery belongs
to the Drugpa Order and serves as the residence of approximately 20 monks. The monastery was initially
built to serve as a memorial to King Sengge Namgyal. The monastery has a remarkably tall image of
Padmasambhava and a precious collection of scriptures with title pages in silver and text in gold letters.
Tak Thok Monastery is situated in Sakti Village. The site where the monastery is situated, once served as
the meditation cave of Mahasidhas "Kunga Phuntsog". The name Takthok literally means 'rock-roof'. The
monastery was so named, as both its roof and the walls are made up of rock. Takthok monastery belongs
to the Nying-ma-pa sect of Buddhism and is probably the only gompa in Ladakh which follows this sect
of Buddisim.
Overnight at a Guest house in Tangtse.
Day 5: Tangtse - Pangong Lake – Leh (Return Drive):
Morning, after breakfast drive 35 kms ahead of Tangtse to visit Pangong Lake, one of the largest lakes in
Himalayas situated at 14,000 feet (4,267 m). It is a long narrow basin of inland drainage. About 1/3rd of
the lake is under Indian occupation and remaining under China. The Chinese border is just beyond the
mountains across the lake. There are spectacular views of the mountains of Changchenmo range to the
north and their shimmering reflection in the ever-changing blues and greens of the lake’s brackish waters
is breathtaking. Above Spangmik are the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong range.
Spangmik and other scattered tiny villages along the lake’s southern shore are the summer homes of a
scanty population of Chang-pa, the semi-nomadic herdsmen of Tibet and southeast Ladakh. The
Pangong Chang-pa cultivate sparse crops of barely and peas in summers. During winters they pack their
tents (rebo) and take their flocks out to the distant pastures.
Later after exploring the lake area, drive back to Leh and check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Leh.
Day 6: Leh – Alchi (Drive):
Early morning, after breakfast drive to Alchi en route visiting Spituk, Phayang & Likir monasteries.
Spituk Monastery was founded by Od-Ide, in the 11th century AD when the monastic community was
introduced. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was
introduced during the reign of King Dragspa Bum-Lde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the
monastery.
Phyang Monastery is remarkably built on the hilltop. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa Order. It
was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in Ladakh
that was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga, during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in the 16th
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Century A.D.
Likir monastery is situated on a hill towards the village and belongs to the Gelukspa order. It was
founded in 1065 A.D by Lama Durwang Chosje during the reign of king Lhachen Gyalpo. The head Lama
today is the younger brother of the HH the Dalai Lama, although he is not in residence. Although many
of the old treasures and much of the old structure was destroyed in a fire, the present buildings -dating to
the 18th century- are interesting.
Alchi Monastery is the most famous and largest of all the Gompas built by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. The
sculptors and wood carvers that built the monastery are said to have been brought from Kashmir around
the 11th Century. Legend has it that that Rinchen Zangpo left his walking stick embedded in the ground
with a promise that if the stick took root, he would return and build a gompa on the site. The stick did
take root, and the gompa was built. You can see remnants of the tree believed to have grown from the
walking stick of Rinchen Zangpo near the four chortens in the courtyard.
Overnight at the Resort/ hotel.
Day 7: Alchi – Lamayuru – Kargil (Drive):
Early morning after witnessing the morning prayers at the monastery, we continue our drive to Kargil en
route crossing two passes along the way ‐ Namika La (12,198 ft) & Fotu La (13,479 ft) ‐ and also stopping
at Lamayuru & Mulbek. We shall arrive in Kargil by early evening and check in at the hotel.
Lamayuru Monastery on the Leh - Srinagar highway, belongs to the Drigunpa order of Tibetan
Buddhism. The history of this monastery begins with the visit of Arahat Nimagung to this place, when
there was merely a lake here. It is said that Arahat made a prophecy that "a monastery will come up at
this spot" and he made corn offerings to Naga (serpent) spirits. The corns mixed with the earth and
formed the shape of Swastika (Yungdrung) over which the Yungdrung Monastery is said to have been
built.
Mulbek is 25 kms before Kargil and is famous for the statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. It is believed
that the 27‐foot high statue is carved out of solid rock and was built in 7th or 8th century. The image
commemorates the victory of Buddhism over the earlier animistic religion, called Bon, and marks an end
of the sacrifice of both human and animal lives.
Kargil is the district headquarters of Zanskar and Ladakh, and is the second largest urban centre of
Ladakh. The town serves as an important base for adventure tours in the heart of Himalayas. It is the
gateway town to the exotic Zanskar Valley. Tourists traveling between Leh to Padum or Srinagar have to
make a night halt here before starting the second leg of their journey.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Kargil.
Day 8: Kargil – Rangdum (Drive):
Early morning after breakfast, proceed for a full day drive into Zanskar valley. We shall arrive at
Rangdum by early evening and check in at the Guest house/ Fixed Tented camp.
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Rangdum Gompa was founded in the 18th century and is home to about 40 monks. One of the major
attractions of the monastery is its museum, which has a rich collection of fascinating Tibetan as well as
other relics.
Day 9: Rangdum – Padum (Drive):
Early morning after witnessing the morning prayers at the monastery, we continue our drive to Padum.
We shall arrive at Padum by early evening and check in at the hotel. Rest day at leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Padum.
Day 10 & Day 11: In Padum:
Day to explore the monasteries in and around Padum. Overnight stay at the hotel in Padum.
Sani Monastery belongs to the southern branch of the Drukpa Kagyupa School. It is situated on the road
to Kargil, at a distance of approximately 6 km to the west of Padum. The entire Sani Monastery of Ladakh
has been built in parts, each dating back to a different century. The chorten inside the oldest part of Sani
Monastery is believed to be erected in the 2 nd century AD. On the other hand, the Dukhang (assembly
hall) of the monastery is said to be constructed in the early 17 th century.
The monastery is built in the form of a castle and has the Kanika Stupa in the backyard of its walled
complex. Because of the existence of this stupa, it is believed that the monastery was associated with
Kanishka, Kushan ruler of 2nd century AD. The central praying hall is situated in the main building of the
monastery and has a rich collection of the statues of popular Buddhist divinities and Kargud-pa high
lamas. Even the walls of the praying hall are adorned with frescoes and thangkas.
Stagrimo Monastery is located on a ridge above the old town of Padum and hidden by trees. This
monastery can be reached after an hour’s uphill walk.
Karsha Monastery is situated in Karsha village near Padum. The monastery consists of a number of
shrines and boasts of some of the most exquisite wall paintings, by the Lama Dzadpa Dorje. The
collection of Karcha Gompa also includes the bone relics of Dorje Rinchen. Close by are the monasteries
of Khagsar, Purang and Phagspa and a nunnery called Dorjezong, situated at the top of the valley.
Stongdey Gompa is situated about 18 kms north of Padum. It is considered to be the second largest
monastic institution in the Zanskar region. Founded in the year 1052 by Lama Lhodak Marpa Choski
Lodos, the monastery comes under the Tsongkhapa Order. The incumbents serving at Stongdey are the
successive reincarnations of Nari Tulku. There are a number of beautiful temples situated inside the
monastery complex.
Day 12: Padum- Rangdum (Return drive):
Morning after breakfast, return drive to Rangdum. Overnight stay in Guest house/ Fixed tented camp.
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Day 13: Rangdum- Kargil (Return drive):
Morning after breakfast, return drive to Kargil. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 14: Kargil - Leh (Return drive):
Morning after breakfast, drive back to Leh. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 15: Leh:
Day at leisure for independent activity. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 16: Leh – Delhi (By Flight):
Delhi – Onward destination (By Flight):
Early morning transfer to the airport to board the flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival meet with a Snow
Leopard Adventures team member and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Late evening transfer to the international airport to board the flight for onward destination.
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Net Price in US$ based on 2 Persons traveling together on exclusive arrangements:
Price
: US$ 3,520 Per Person
Airfare Supplement (Delhi – Leh - Delhi sector): US$ 495 Per Person in Economy class
[NOTE: FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS PER AIRLINE NOTIFICATIONS]
The above price is valid from June 01, 2010 to September 30, 2010 and includes the following services:
 Meeting and assistance at the airport in Delhi & Leh.
 All land transportation in including transfers an A/C vehicle in Delhi and Non A/C SUV vehicle
in Ladakh region.
 Sightseeing by local English speaking guides.
 Monument Entrance fee.
 Bottled water in the vehicle sightseeing and long drives.
 Government Service Tax @ 2.58% payable to Government of India.
 Single room accommodation at the hotels indicated below or similar as per the plan.
Hotels included in the Price:
City
Hotel
Delhi
The Park
Leh
Grand Dragon
Tangse
Yatnik Guest House
Alchi
Alch Resort
Kargil
Siachen
Rangdum
Fixed Camp/ Guest house
Padum
Ibex
Nights
2
5
1
1
2
2
3
Plan
Room + Breakfast
Full Board
Full board
Full board
Full board
Full board
Full board
The above price does not include the following services:
 International airfare to/from India and Airport Tax
 Passport fee, visa fee, fee for inoculations and health certificates.
 Travel insurance covering medical evacuation, hospitalization, air evacuation, baggage insurance
and trip cancellation.
 Domestic Airfare for Delhi – Leh- Delhi sector – (See Supplement Price).
 Any optional trips or meals other than specified in the program.
 Use of mini-bar in the hotel rooms wherever applicable
 Any en-route or personal expenses such as alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, telephone
calls, tips & gratuities, laundry etc
 Personal equipment like clothes, daypacks, medical kit etc.
 Any exigency expenses due to reasons beyond our normal control
 Video camera/ camera charges at the monuments or any other item not specified above
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