To experience the culture and people of Ladakh we have prepared these tours. During the period you will visit the most popular and famous monasteries of the Ladakh region built by different rulers. Here the landscape assumes fantastic and bizarre shapes, a result of nature's erosion factor.

• Namgyal Tsemo : No longer inhabited, this Gompa was built by
  King Tashi Namgyal. It forms a part of the Leh palace complex and is maintained by monks from the Sankar Gompa.
   

• Sankar: A relatively modern monastery , it is closely associated with the Spituk monastery and serves as the residence of the head priest Late Kushak Bakula. A number of gold icons are to be found here.
   

• Spituk : 8 km from Leh, it stands prominently on the top of a hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus valley for miles. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in this 15th century Gompa. The gompa also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and awe inspiring image of Mahakal. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and is revealed only at the annual function in January.
   

• Phayang. : 17 km from Leh on the Leh - Kargil road, it looks like a
  huge palace from a far, built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century AD, it belongs to the Red Cap sect of Buddhists. Hundreds of icons of Buddha and other Gods are kept on wooden shelves.
   

• Shey :Situated on a hillock 15 km upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family . According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre - Tibetan kings . A 7.5 mt. high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold, and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
   

• Thikse : 19 km from Leh, spectacularly sited , Thikse is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive gompas. There are several temples in this gompas. Containing images, stumps and wall paintings of J3hudda which are exquisite.
   

• Hemis : 40 km from Leh, it is the wealthiest , best known and biggest gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stumps from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honour of Guru Padma Sanbhava 's birth anniversary . It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh , which is unfurled once in 12 years ( next in 2016)
  
  Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, an
  illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty the royalty favoured the Drugkpa Sect which managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the Assembly Hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The Hall, Dukhang, is also used as a " green room " by the dancers during the festival.
   

• Chemery : 45 km from Leh, situated in a picturesque valley leading to Changla, this gompa was constructed as a funeral act of merit on Sengge Namgyal 's death in 1645. A large collection of scriptures with little pages in sterling silver and the text in gold letters is kept here. Close by is a cave monastery reputed to have been the abode of Padma Sambhavas during one of his periods of meditation.
   

• Stakna : A few kilometers upstream from Thikse, Stakna is situated on a 60 meter high isolated rock.
   

• Matho : Situated on the opposite bank of the Indus across Thiksee, Matho was Established in the first hair of the 16th century AD and has had valuable collection of very old and beautiful thankas, some in the form of Mandlas. Its annual festival of oracles in early March is an important event in the Ladakhi religious calendar. Yong monk selected as oracles undergo long periods of meditation, fasting and ritual purification to gain spiritual strength When possessed they perform astonishing feats with swords and knives, cavorting blindfolded along narrow parapets.
   

• Stok: At l7 km from Leh, the palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery of the royalty along with exquisite thankas representing the life of the Sakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, seals, armour, weapons, precious jade and porcelain too can be seen here.
   

• Basgo : A 40 km downstream from Leh, it was the seat of power
  of a branch of the Namgyal family. It was here in 1680 AD that invading Mongol and Tibetan armies were held in check over a three yearlong seige, original 16th century murals and other arts at Basgo are well worth a visit.
   

• Likir : Founded in the 11th century AD and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 1 5th century AD, its earlier gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent thankas, earthen pots and carved folding wooden stools, live here in the village.
   

• Alchi : 70 km from Leh, on the bank of the Indus, is the Alchi
  gompa dating a thousand Years back. One of its wall features thousands of miniature-sized picture of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attraction. No longer an active religious centre, it is looked after by monks from the Likir monastery.
   

• Ri-dzonig : A 73 km from Leh, approachable by a motorable road, is situated a few kilometres up a side-valley at Uleytokpo. It was founded only a century and a quarter ago by a devout Laymantuuned-lama, with the purpose of giving full expression to the strict monastic rule of the Ge-lugs-pa. While the paintings and images in its temples may, to some extent, lack the aesthetic and antiquarian interest of those in the older establishment this Gompa nevertheless has an indefinable" atmosphere of peace and dedication which reflects faithfully the . inwardness of the Buddhist Way.
   

• Lamayuru : The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a Bon shrine
  prior to the advent of Buddism. Also known as Yung Drung (Sawastika ) it is sited on a high promontory over looking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match Lamayuru.
   

• Mulbekh : Precariously perched a top a 200mtrs. high crag, it has an imposing rock carving of Chamba, the future Buddha. On the other end of the valley, is a large vertical phallus shaped rock with a monastery at its base.
   

 Ladakh Monasteries Tour

To experience the culture and people of Ladakh we have prepared this lour. During the period you will visit the most popular and famous monasteries of the Ladakh region built by different rulers. Here the landscape assumes fantastic and bizarre shapes, a result of nature's erosion factor.

• Day 1: Leh
  On arrival at Leh airport, you will be met by our representative at the airport and escort you to Hotel. Complete day for the acclimatization which is 3500 Mtrs above sea level. In the evening short walk around Leh bazaar. Overnight at Hotel.
   

• Day 02: Leh - Monasteries 90 Km.
  Full day excursion to the famous monasteries, it is interesting lo visit early in the morning to enjoy the praying Ceremony at Thiksey monastery. Continue drive to Hemis monastery which is one of the most famous monastery of the Ladakh region. On the way back visit to  Shey Palace. Overnight at Hotel.
   

• Day 03 : Leh - Monasteries 40 Km.
  Morning half day tour of Spituk and visit Phyang Monastery. Afternoon visit by foot to Kings Palace,  Leh Mosque, Leh Gompa,
  Shankar Gompa and Leh Bazaar. Overnight at Hotel
   

• Day 04: Leh-Khardongla pass-Leh 85 Km
  Day excursion to Khardongla pass which is the highest motorable pass in the world 5600 Mt. and has been recorded in the Guinness Book of Work Records. At the top enjoy the nature beauty of snow capped mountains. In the late afternoon return back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
   

• Day 05: Leh-Alchi 72 Km.
  Leave for Alchi monastery known as Alchi Choskar is the only monastery in the Ladakh on Flat ground . On the way visit Bazgo Castle which lies on the right bank of the Indus. By the lunch lime we reach Alchi. Afternoon visit the Alchi Monastery and explore the  natural beauty of Alchi village. Overnight at Hotel/Guest House.
   

• Day 06 : Alchi - Lamayuru - Leh 168 Km.
  Leave Alchi and continue drive to I.amayuru via Khaltsi (passport checking point). From here another 22 Km drive will take us to Lamayuru. The oldest and spectacularly set Lamayuru Monastery founded in the 10th Century, Visit the Monastery. In the later afternoon drive back to Leh which is 4/5 hours drive. Overnight ;it Hotel.
   

• Day 07: Leh -Stok Palace
  Morning half day visit to Stok Palace. The Palace was built by King Tondup Namgyal in 1825. On the way back visit the Choglkamsr village (The Tibetan refugee Camp) which is famous for Tibetan Culture, History and Buddhism. Afternoon day for personal activities or visit to the Local Ladakhi family house which can be arranged on request. Overnight at hotel.
   

• Day 08: Leh-Delhi
  Transfer in time to the airport to connect onward destination flight
  
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