Festivals of Ladakh (trip)

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Festivals of Ladakh

  • Delhi, India
  • Active & Adventure
India, Asia

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contact Destination Himalaya:

Period offered: June. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $5,085* per person17 DaysJune
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Destination Himalaya 12 people max
Photograph the startling contrast between the arid, almost lunar landscapes of Ladakh's Himalayan ranges with the lush green valleys and forests of Manali.

Beginning this journey in Manali we head north to visit the historic monasteries of Kye and Tabo before crossing the Himalaya to the Indus Valley. We will join in the festivities at Hemis Tsechu  — the annual Buddhist festival at the monastery. The The Hemis Tsechu includes two days of masked dancing and prayer ceremonies. A colorful bazaar springs to life as locals set up their booths and stalls outside the courtyards. Hundreds of people, clad in their traditional Ladakhi dress, come from every corner of Ladakh to pay homage to the deities and to participate in the festival.

A drive along the scenic Leh-Srinagar Highway takes us to Lamayuru,  a 10th Century Tibetan monastery that has, to this day, remained active and powerful.  In the 13th Century, it was the main contender against the Sakya Monastery for acknowledged supremacy throughout Tibet. We will also visit the mural wonderland at Alchi and the hidden gompa of Rizong before flying back to Delhi and home.

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Locations visited/nearby

India, Asia

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, Destination Himalaya:

  • Reviewer: Sandra M located in Palo Alto, CA USA
    “Sanjay Saxena’s willingness to work with us and make changes we asked for was above and beyond, as was his availability….This is the best travel agency I have ever worked with and I’ve worked with many!”
  • Reviewer: Bob & Marlene located in Ukiah, CA USA
    " Various Tour Companies have taken us to 17 countries and all 7 continents. None has been better than our tour of Rajasthan with Destination Himalaya."
  • Reviewer: Susan located in Foster City, CA USA

    Last year I signed up to travel to Tibet (Sept 26 - Oct 11, 2009) to Everest North Face Base Camp with Destination Himalaya . This was my first trip traveling with DH. I was well informed on the difficulty of the trip and how physically fit I needed to be, including a medical checkup, vaccinations and evaluation by their medical consultant. We were supplied with an extensive list of ‘to does’: including visa, medical, insurance information and a very complete packing list including all the prescription and non prescription medications and medical supplies to bring. I did not have several expensive items (sleeping pad, sleeping bag & hiking poles) and rather than have me purchase them for a one time use, they were loaned to me at no charge!

    Less than a week before departure, China closed the border of Tibet to foreigners. I thought the trip would be canceled. But no, Sanjay Saxena was able to change the itinerary to Nepal: Trekking to Everest: A Walk in the Khumbu Himal. They rearranged air flights & hotels & partnered with Peak Promotions in Katmandu, who did an outstanding job.

    Mingmar Sherpa, who has summitted Everest three times, was our head guide. I always felt I was being watched over by all our sherpas, especially on difficult sections of the trail. The first day was particularly difficult for a few of us and it was going to be difficult for us to safely make our intended destination, so Sanjay arranged for us to spend the night in a closer lodge.

    To top things off, our last day in Katmandu, we planned to take an early morning flight to view Everest. Since this was not included in our itinerary, we expected to pay for it, but Destination Himalaya paid for it!

    Another unexpected surprise were the Dispatches from the Field: daily updates (photos & text) of our trip to their website so our friends and family could follow our trip! See them at:http://www.peakpromotionnepal.com/cybercast/dh/

    I hope to travel with Destination Himalaya again this year - they have added Machu Picchu in Peru as a travel destination.

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Itinerary

Day 1: DEPART USA

Day 2: ARRIVE DELHI – Nonstop flights from the USA arrive tonight; other flights arrive early morning Day 3.

Day 3: TO MANALI – This morning take the flight to Kulu in Himachal Pradesh.  Met on arrival and transferred to Manali in the foothills of the Himalaya.

Day 4: EXPLORING MANALI – Today we will enjoy a short hike and free time, as we acclimate to the 6,324 feet altitude of Manali.  Visit the Hadimba Temple.

Day 5: TO KAZA – Morning drive to Kaza the headquarters of Spiti district situated on the bank of river Spiti.  Kaza is a major stopover village on this route.  Visit the Dhankar Monastery between Tabo & Kaza.

Days 6 & 7: EXPLORING KAZA – We have two days to explore the Kaza area and to continue or acclimatization as we are now over 12,000’ in elevation.  Visits to the 1,000-year-old Kye Monastery, with its wonderful thangka collection, and the village of Kibber, at 13,800’ the highest permanent settlement in the region.

Day 8: TO KEYLONG/JIPSA - Today we begin the drive into Ladakh.

Day 9: TO SARCHU/SOKAR – Crossing the 16,400’ Baralacha La, we reach Sarchu, at an elevation of 14,000 feet, which lies on the boundary between Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

Day 10: TO HEMIS – Leaving Sarchu, we venture into Ladakh, crossing the 17,500’ Tangla La, before finally arriving at Hemis.  We will be staying in Hemis the next two nights, and will be partaking in the festivities surrounding the Hemis Monastery Festival.  Hemis is one of the largest and best-endowed monasteries in Ladakh.

Day 11: HEMIS FESTIVAL – Full day today to enjoy the colorful and exciting annual festival at Hemis Monastery.  This evening make the drive to Leh.

Days 12 & 13: EXPLORING LEH - The next two days are spent in this ancient and mesmerizing city with its winding streets, bazaar and hundreds of little shops. The 400-year-old Leh Palace and surrounding buildings, as well as Buddhist gompas, stupas and cloisters, dominate the city.

Day 14: RAFTING IN ALCHI - Today we will raft the Indus River (class 2, 3 rapids) to Likir Monastery and then drive onward to Alchi Gompa, which dates back to the 6th Century.  An option for non-rafters will be available.

Day 15: TO LAMAYURU & LEH - The day is spent exploring the famous 10th Century Lamayuru Monastery.  We then return to Leh.
Day 16: TO DELHI & DEPART TO USA – This morning we will fly from Leh to Delhi.  We will have the day in Delhi and a special “Farewell Dinner” before transferring to the airport later this evening for our return flight to the USA.

Day 17: ARRIVE USA

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