Highlights: One of the most exotic destinations in western Himalayas, visit arid mountain terrain and fascinating monasteries.
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi Arrive IGI airport Delhi. Met upon arrival by our representative and transfer to hotel where room is held for immediate occupancy from noon of previous day. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi Morning proceed on a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi visiting important tourist sites of Old and New Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar 12th century tower and one of the tallest towers of its time, walls here consist of verses from Quran (Holy book of Islam). Wander around the complex visiting ruins of Hindu temples and palaces which once remained here and 4th century steel pillar which has not developed rust till date. Drive pass India Gate the war memorial and other government buildings stopping at President House. Visit Laximi Narayan Temple. In Old Delhi drive pass Red Fort once a symbol of Mughal power, visit Jama Masjid 16th century mosque
and largest in India. Take a rickshaw ride in the narrow alleyways of Chandni Chowk and amazing mixture of history with modern world and visit Raj Ghat cremation site of the “Father of the Nation”. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 –Delhi
Early morning depart Delhi by surface for date return excursion to Agra to visit Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. Agra Fort from where four of the mighty ruler from Mughal dynasty ruled their vast empire. Wander around the palaces built by successive emperors – Fort also is a vantage point to view Taj Mahal in a different angle. This most beautiful monument of love was built during 1630 by grieving emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal is flawless to its conception and execution. It is aptly said that the beauty of the Taj Mahal cannot be described in words – one has to see it to experience it. Return to Delhi by evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 –Delhi to Leh
Morning transfer to domestic airport to board the flight for Leh. Arrive Leh and after a traditional Ladakhi welcome transfer hotel with rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization. Overnight at hotel. Day 05 – Leh
Morning proceed for full day Indus Valley monastery tour. Visit Shey the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue. Thiksey Monastery an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The
monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future and famous Hemis Gompa (Monastery) founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall. Hemis is one of the largest and richest Gompa of Ladakh. The two-day festival of monastic dance in June-July has raised the reputation of Hemis particularly high. The festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as second Buddha and responsible for spreading Buddhism in the Tibetan world.
Day 06 – Leh
Morning proceed on an excursion to Stok to visit Stok Palace and Museum. The Palace of the banished royal family, which houses a museum that displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas or paintings representing the life of Sakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armour, weapons, precious jade and porcelain too can be seen here. Afternoon visit Shanti Stupa, The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. It’state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. It also provides a nice spectacular view of Leh town. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 – Leh
Morning drive to Khardung La Pass (45 Km one way), the highest motorable road in the world at an altitude of 5600 meters above sea level. The views from the top of the pass are amazing. Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 –Leh
Morning drive to Phey (45 min) and enjoy river rafting from Phey to Nimu followed by packed lunch.
Drive to Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill & Hall of Fame. Gurudwara Patthar Sahib (25 Km) on the confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers, the Magnetic Hill where you will find your vehicle slide uphill even in neutral and thus defying the law of gravity & Hall of Fame (war museum). Return to hotel in the evening. Overnight at hotel. Note: Season for Rafting is from 25th June until 30 August
Day 9 – Leh to Delhi In time transfer to airport to board the flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 – Depart Delhi
In time transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.
