The ethereal cold desert of Ladakh is also known as 'Moonscape' and 'Little Tibet' - is a land that seldom fails to surprise. Ladakh, the land of high passes offers an extraordinary landscape of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and Buddhist legacies. Picture-perfect gompas in the landscape of spectacularly arid mountains are home to many cultural and religious festivals knowns for gigantic colorful masks, traditional dancing, and singing, transform this quiet and peaceful land into one that hums and vibrates with energy, festivities, and celebration.
The Hemis Festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals held to commemorate the birth of Guru Padma Sambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. Chham dance performance, musical concerts, archery competitions are some must-experience highlights of the event. Visit your dream destination - the ancient kingdom of Ladakh - Nubra Valley, Alchi, Khardung-la Pass, Pangong Lake, discover the joy and thrill of Hemis festival and enrich the senses for lifetime.
50+ Voyagers Travel and Adventure Club brings a carefully crafted a tour plan to provide enough acclimatization at Leh and a pace suitable for 50+ young at heart and Senior Citizens.
Attend the joyous celebration of Hemis Festival famous for large processions, colourful troupes, regional performing artists, and masked dancers.
Roam in the land of high passes, extraordinary landscape of rugged mountains, pristine lakes and Buddhist legacies.
Hear the stories of Ladakh's Buddhism - Tantrik and Sutra sects from the Lama.
Drive the highest motor-able road in the world - Khardung-la-pass at height of 17,580 ft.
Venture into the delicious Tibetan dishes Thukpa, Tsmapa and Namkin chay.
DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Reaching Leh
Welcome to the Land of High Mountain Pass
In the morning hour, board flight to Leh from Delhi Domestic Airport. You can reach Delhi from your home town by evening of previous day. If you need one night stay at a hotel in Delhi, let us know, we can book it for you. You may also take a late night flight from your home town to Delhi and stay overnight ( 5 - 6 hours) at the Delhi airport, to board early morning flight to Leh.
Enjoy a thrilling and scenic landing at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport of Leh, surrounded by rugged high mountain ranges. After collecting luggage, we will drive down to the hotel situated in the heart of the ancient city of Leh. Relax during rest of the day and let your body acclimatize to this sudden change of altitude. In the afternoon, visit Leh Hall of Fame which has a museum built and maintained by Indian Army in the memory of the soldiers who had lost their lives during the Indo-Pak wars. Know about Kargil war heroes and soldiers' life at Siachen glacier. We will return back to the hotel for an early dinner and then to take good rest.
Day 2: Hemis Festival
Journey Through the Monasteries
Wake up early to enjoy breathtaking view of Ladakh. Post breakfast, we will proceed to a leisurely tour to Hemis Monastery. Because, our body will take some more time to acclimatize, todays' tour will be at slow pace.
Hidden between a gorge, close to the hill where Lord Padmanasambhava or Rimpoche had once meditated, Hemis monastery stayed unscathed through several wars and conquests. While other monasteries were plundered and looted, Hemis, owing to its hidden location and the generosity showed by reigning Buddhist rulers, went on to become so rich that it is believed that it now owns half of the land in Ladakh. Today, the Hemis Monastery is the biggest, richest and most powerful monastery in Ladakh, situated at 45 km from Leh.
One of the most famous monastic festivals of Ladakh, is held annually at Hemis to commemorate the birth of Guru Padma Sambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The sacred dramatic dance of life - Cham is performed wearing masks and colorful brocaded robes. The vibrant colours burst out among the flock of nuns, lamas and tourists in the monastery. Ancient Tantric traditions blossom in all their opulence and glory, captivating and enthralling the audience.
Post lunch hours, on our way back, we will visit, the Thikse Monastery, 20 km away from Leh, which is spectacularly located on a hill and famous for beautiful murals and a huge image of Maitreya Buddha, an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture. Will also visit Druk White Lotus School which is more popularly known as Ranchos school after shooting of 3 Idiots movie. Return back to the hotel for delicious dinner and a good night sleep.
Day 3: Ancient Sham Valley And Alchi
Post breakfast we shall proceed towards Nimmu Valley following Leh - Srinagar highway. On the way, you will find Cooking Gas Refilling Plant, Hydroelectric Power Plant all at the highest altitude in the world. At Nimmu Valley admire breathtaking view of the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river. You can clearly see two different color of rivers flowing from different directions. There is a small restaurant at the view point where you can try some hot soupy noodles or ladakhi chai. Spend some time at Magnetic Hill, a gravitation hill, which creates an optical illusion through a rising and descending terrain.
By noon, we will reach Alchi Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh region, on the bank of river Indus. Though traditionally, the credit for the construction of the monastery goes to the great translator Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055), the oldest monuments preserved here date back to the middle of the 12th century. The monastery complex houses two main temples - Alchi Du-khang and the Sum-tsek. There is no electricity in the monastery, so we have to carry a flash light to sight the lavish wood carving and ancient artwork. You may also offer oil and light to the monastery. Spend some leisure time with shopping of Tibetan style arts and crafts at market outside the Monastery. and enjoy your lunch.
On the way, While returning from Alchi, we will visit Shanti Stupa and Pathar Sahib Gurdwara.
Day 4: Valley Of Flowers
Today we will climb steadily from Leh to the deep valleys of the Shyok and Nubra rivers that separate Karakoram from Ladakh range. Both rivers are fed by Siachen glacier and flow through the valley of flowers - Nubra. It is really thrilling to know that Nubra Valley lies in the old trans-Himalayan Silk Route from South to Central Asia. We will cross Khadungla Pass (18,500 ft), the highest motorable road in the world.
Once we reach Nubra, you will encounter an awesome creature - double-humped camels grazing on the valley of braided Shyok River. You may go for a safari ride on camel back in the sand dunes of Nubra valley. We will check in to the Tented Swiss Camp at pretty hamlet 'Hunder' and take some rest. In the evening, enjoy a show of Ladakhi dance performance. After returning back to the tent you will be served an early dinner.
Day 5: Diskit And Return To Leh
Post breakfast, we will drive along the shyok river towards 515 years old Diskit Monastery which was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This is the oldest and the second largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh after Thiksey monastery. From the top of the monastery, get an enthralling view of diskit or roam in the ancient prayer halls full with chanting monks, crashing cymbals and deep horns. We will stop for lunch on the way and then drive down to Leh by afternoon.
In the evening go to market to shop for traditional arts and crafts. If time permits, you can go for an optional visit of ruins of Leh Palace, the former mansion of the royal family of Ladakh, built in the same style and about the same time as the Potala Palace. It was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India, during the 1959 Tibetan uprising.
Day 6: Mesmerizing Pangong Tso Lake
Today, wake up early in the morning and get ready to check-out from the hotel post breakfast. We will drive down to the mesmerizing Pangong Tso Lake which gained immense fame after Bollywood blockbuster '3 idiots' and is a highlight of our tour in Ladakh. It will take appx 5 hours to reach Pangong Lake at 14,270 ft height. We will have couple of stopovers at beautiful villages of Shey and Gya and at Changla pass on the way, to acclimatize us better with ascending high altitude.
As we approach closure, you can see blue hue of the lake at the horizon surrounded by rugged mountain terrain. 'Pangong' means "long, narrow, enchanted lake". The Indo-China line of control runs through the lake and 60% of the Lake lies in China. Surprisingly Pangong is not a sweet water lake typically found at high altitude, but is the highest salt water lake in Asia. Despite being saline in water, the lake freezes completely during winter months.
Upon reaching the shore of the lake, we will check-in to the comfortable tented camp. In the evening, take a leisurely walk on the shore and admire the shimmering beauty of the lake during sun set. Return back to the camp to participate in team activities and have some fun moments with your co-travelers. Enjoy your dinner and return to your tent for a pleasant sleep.
Day 7: Drive From Pangong To Leh
Do not miss out the panoramic view and serenity of the Pangong Lake in the morning - changing hue from deep mournful grey to an uplifting blue-green as sun rises the horizon. If you have interest in birds, then look out for migratory birds like Brahmani Ducks, Rare black necked cranes and Ladakhi Marmot. Post warm breakfast, we will drive back to Leh and reach by afternoon. Spend rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 8: Goodbye Ladakh
Today we will check out from the hotel in early morning and proceed towards airport for flight back home. Sad as we were to begin the journey back, some things stay embedded in our hearts and minds forever - the extraordinary scenery, snowy summits magnified by the crystal-clear sunshine, arid plains interspersed with a moonscape of deep gorges, vibrant culture, wizened faces and rosy cheeks... and the aura of greatness. Ladakh will always stay close to the heart.
What Is Included
- Roundtrip economy class flight ticket between Delhi and Leh, Ladakh.
- 22 June 2018 - Go Air G8-221 09:25 DELHI 10:50 LEH
- 29 June 2018 - Go Air G8-194 10:30 LEH 11:50 DELHI
- 5 Nights accommodations on twin sharing basis in 3.5* category hotel in Leh. 1 nights each in Deluxe swiss tent in Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. Most hotels in Leh follow heritage architecture and do not have lift. If you prefer single sharing room, contact us for supplemental cost. If you need stay at Delhi inform us for supplemental cost.
- 7 Breakfast, 3 Lunch and 7 Dinner. Breakfast continental and Indian. Lunch and Dinner veg/non veg. Non-veg is available only during stay in Leh. Meals are pre-dominantly north-Indian style with rice, roti/ paratha. 1 ltr bottle of mineral water/ day during the tour.
- All Sightseeing and airport transfers in Group by Toyota Innova in Ladakh. AC won't run while climbing high mountains. Vehicle is equipped with Medical first aid kit and oxygen cylinder ( while travelling to high altitude places)
- Sightseeing entry tickets to monasteries, palaces and festival. Special inner line pass for travel to Pangong and Nubra.
- Services of a Tour Manager, experienced in taking care of 50+ aged elderly, from 50+ Voyagers Travel and Adventure Club. Good and Service Tax payable to Govt of India.
What Is Excluded
- Night stay at Delhi before boarding early morning flight to Leh. Any upgrade in room category and extension of stay beyond standard check-in time and check-out time followed by the group.
- Meals and drinks not part of the group menu and not included as per service inclusions.
- Cost for any adventure activities e.g. trekking, fishing, cycling, river cruise, camel or horse ride
- Any transfers and sightseeing of personal nature and not with the group
- Travel Insurance, Health and Personal Accident Insurance, emergency medical treatment
- Coat/Jacket/Boot hire costs to visit snow points
- Expense of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax, rooms service, personal meal orders etc.
- Any expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as road blocks, landslide, accidents & any emergency evacuations.
