With a high, arid landscape, Ladakh possesses the spectacular western edge of the Himalayas and a strong Tibetan Buddhist culture, marking the boundary between the mountains and the vast Tibetan plateau. Ladakh has fervently retained the monastic Buddhism that has been suppressed within Tibet. Much of the region is only accessible on foot or river, which make trekking and rafting the best way to explore this remote land. Take a raft trip on the Indus or choose from a wide selection of treks to the surrounding countryside. Also available are jeep safaris to remote hidden valleys and high altitude lakes. Truly "The last Shangri-La", Ladakh is a must on any traveler’s itinerary. Ladakh Sarai is a unique camp situated a few minute's drive from Leh and is an ideal base to explore Ladakh's ancient Buddhist monasteries and view the landscapes.

Day - 01

ARRIVE IN DELHI AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL

You will be met at the airport, and transferred to the hotel. Upon arrival check in to the Hotel in Delhi. Overnight at hotel in Delhi.
With Bed & Breakfast.

Day - 02

DELHI/LEH

Early morning you will departure from Delhi on the spectacular flight to Leh. You are met at the Leh airport and transferred to the Ladakh Sarai. Rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatizing to the high altitude and rarefied air Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at the Ladakh Sarai.

Day - 03

SABU & LEH

After breakfast visit the Oracle of Sabu. In the afternoon visit Leh, a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main street is open and airy, with rows of shops on either side. On either side of the market are seen a long line of Ladakhi women in traditional dress and colorful jewelry of coral and turquoise, seated behind enormous baskets, selling vegetables. The spectacular eight-storey Leh Palace looming above, overlooking the town, was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala in Lhasa which it resembles. The stroll through the town is followed by a visit to Sankar Monasteries, about 2 km from the market. It has a number of pure gold icons and richly painted walls. Return to the Ladakh Sarai for dinner and overnight stay.

Day - 04

SIGHTSEEIN OF SHEY, THIKSEY & HEMIS

After breakfast explore some of Ladakh's ancient Monasteries. A picnic lunch is provided. Shey Palace was built in 1645 and is a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older ruined fortress. Located on the second storey of the Monasteries is a large Buddha statue. The seated Buddha is 12 meters high and worked of copper sheets gilded with gold. In front of the Buddha is a large bowl of wax with a central flame that burns for one year before being replaced. Thiksey Monasteries is the most picturesquely situated monastery in Ladakh, perched high on a hill above the Indus. From here one commands a magnificent view of the valley. The Monasteries possesses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of hand-written or painted prayer books. Hemis Monasteries is one of the most important in Ladakh, the largest and also the wealthiest. It was built in 1620 by the king-architect Singe Namgyal, a great patron of Buddhism. He filled Hemis with golden statues, stupas set with precious stones and thangkhas brought from many places, including Tibet. Hemis has several hundred lamas attached to its subsidiary monasteries. Hemis is the location for numerous religious festivals throughout the year, although the most important one is in summer when a huge thangkha, one of the largest in the world, is hung in the courtyard. It takes about 50 monks to carry the thangkha to its place and unfold it. The thangkha is made of fine heavy silk and embroidered with pictures of various gods as well as of the founder of Hemis. Spectators watch these dances from the upper storey verandas around the courtyard. Return to the Ladakh Sarai for dinner and overnight stay.

Day - 05

RAFT TRIP

After breakfast drive up the Indus valley to begin a raft trip. The journey downstream is a fascinating experience as you pass between amazing rock formations and granite outcrops interspersed with open stretches of cultivated land. An occasional Monastery dots the landscape with the ever present mountains, stark and awe inspiring, looming above. Around midday stop for a picnic lunch on one of the many sandy beaches. Back on the river continue downstream, passing an occasional settlement until your destination, where you will be picked up and driven back to the Ladakh Sarai in the early evening glow of the setting sun. Dinner and overnight at the Ladakh Sarai.

Day - 06

SPITOK & PHYANG

After breakfast visit Spitok Monasteries built about 550 years ago. Spitok Monasteries contains both old temples and those built in the 1970s. Ancient thangkas are preserved here, some having been taken from the Potala Palace and Lhasa after the Chinese invaded Tibet. Continue on to Phyang Monasteries situated on a hilltop above the small village of Chhiwang, about 22 km west of Leh. Phyang is a monastery of the red-hat sect of Buddhism with over 100 lamas. Return to the Ladakh Sarai for dinner and overnight stay.

Day - 07

STOK & LEH

After breakfast visit Stok palace which houses a fine private museum. There is a superb collection of thangkhas, said to be the best in the world. Some of them have been worked in pure gold and paints made of crushed semi-precious stones. Also of interest are antique robes and royal jewelry, specially noted for its turquoise and red coral. The collection also includes artillery and animal skins. Stok Monasteries is a subsidiary of Spitok and both were founded by during the reign of King Takpa Bumlde. Stok belongs to the yellow-hat sect of Buddhism and currently has about 20 lamas living there. The oldest parts of the Monasteries are some 550 years old though the Dukhang or main assembly hall is only about 50 years old. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Relax at the Ladakh Sarai or explore Leh’s colorful bazaars.
Overnight at the Ladakh Sarai

Day - 08

DEPARTURE FROM LEH TO DELHI / OPTIONAL DELHI SIGHTSEEING

In the early morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Delhi. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel in Delhi. Delhi is the nation’s capital and India’s third largest city with a population of 10 million plus, covering an area of 1483 sq km. It is located in the northern part of India, at a height of 239 m above sea level, and is a bustling metropolis. The main languages spoken are Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, although English is also widely understood. There is Old Delhi and New Delhi, although the demarcation between the two has begun to blur and areas to the north, south, east and west of Delhi are becoming increasingly popular. Old Delhi was the capital between the 17th and 19th centuries. Here you will find many mosques and monuments relating to India’s Muslim history and much of the hustle and bustle of Indian life. New Delhi was designed and built by the British and remains the hub of major political and commercial activities giving the city a cosmopolitan air. It is graced with wide roads, stately monuments, government buildings and embassies, and green parks and gardens. In the early afternoon, enjoy an optional Sightseeing Tour of Old Delhi.
Overnight in hotel, Delhi

Day - 09

TRANSFER TO THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

You will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the International Airport for your homeword journey.