A Journey To Ladakh and Kashmir

Namaste! Welcome to India!
After clearing customs and immigration, our representative will meet you in the arrival area. Transfer to your hotel.

Depart Delhi on an early flight to Leh. Spend most of the day relaxing and acclimatizing to the high altitude.
In the afternoon, take a short drive to Shanti Stupa. Built to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and inaugurated by his holiness the Dalai Lama in 1985, the stupa is perched upon a great vantage point over Leh.

This morning make your way to the Hemis Monastery, the largest and richest monastery in all of Ladakh to witness the Hemis Festival. This festival commemorates the birth of Guru Padamasambhava who is said to have brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet.
Around 8 am the birthday celebrations of Guru Padamasambhava begins in the courtyard filled with local Ladakhis and Buddhist pilgrims. A number of musicians play traditional music while the lamas around the central flagpole perform the mystic mask dances (Chams) and sacred plays (Chams are essentially a part of Tantric tradition, performed only in the gompas that follow the Tantric Vajrayana teachings and where the monks perform tantric worship). Dressed in colorful bright brocades with vibrantly decorated and richly adorned paper-mache masks (some extending over 1 meter in height), the masked dancers simulate combat between good spirits and evil demons to the cacophony of drums, cymbals and long horns.

This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Shey Palace. Once the summer palace of the royal family, it is believed that the Kings of Leh were born here. The monastery is also home to an impressive two story high seated image of Buddha cast from copper and covered with gold leaf.

The day ends with an interesting visit to the Central institute of Bodhi studies for scripture and Tibetan fine art.

In the early morning start the day with tea and coffee followed by a visit to the Thiksey monastery. At the monastery, you will have the privilege to participate in the ‘Morning Prayer’ ceremony at sunrise. Continue on a guided tour of the monastery visiting the beautiful prayer room.
After a picnic breakfast, drive to Saboo village for a séance session with the Oracle lady. The word “oracle” is used to refer to the spirit that enters those men and women who act as media between the natural and the spiritual realms. Oracles were thought to be portals through which the gods speaks directly to people and therefore considered to be a source of counsel.

Later trek back to Leh exploring the breathtaking surroundings. This is a soft trek between hills and duration of this trek is around 2h30 – 3 hour.

Head to the Leh Bazaar where you’ll find Jokhang Temple, a Buddhist temple, built in the 1980s by the Ladakh Buddhist association and an imposing 17th century mosque which reflects a mixture of Islamic and Tibetan architecture and accommodates more than 500 worshippers.

The day begins with a drive through the pastoral countryside. Take a gentle rafting trip down the Indus River floating past traditional Ladakhi villages, enjoying the mesmerising views and the contrast between the greenery of the Nimoo village on one bank and the stark barren landscape on the other. River rafting in Ladakh is quite unlike anywhere else in the world as it provides the best opportunity to enjoy and experience the natural beauty of the spectacular landscape.
Duration: approximately 2h30
Following lunch, embark on an exploration of the monastic treasures of Ladakh. Driving through picturesque landscape along the River Indus, arrive at the fabled Alchi Monastery built in the 11th century. Founded by Ringchen Zangpo, the great translator, Alchi Gompa displays a Kashmiri influence in its art and architecture.

Later drive to Likir Monastery founded in the 15th century. This monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat sect and houses nearly 120 monks.

On your way back, you will stop at the Basgo fort built in the 16th century. Basgo literally “Bull’s Head” in the local language and was the center of power and politics in this region. At one point of time, it housed a copper-gilt Buddha statue in one of its prayer halls.

This morning your exciting journey continues through some of the most awe-inspiring and dramatic landscapes passing through the Khardung La Pass at 17,582 feet. This is considered to be the highest motorable road in the world.
Following a packed lunch in the village of Khaltsar continue onwards, driving past the famous sand dunes of Nubra and arrive at the village of Diskit

Later in the afternoon, visit the famous sand dunes of Hundar home to the Bactrian camel. If interested, you can enjoy a short adventurous ride on the double hump camel before visiting the Diskit Gompa (on direct payment).

Continue to the Diskit Gompa perched on a hill in the village of Diskit. Considered to be the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley, it belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

This morning, drive to Sumur village and visit a local elementary school. The village of Sumur is one of the larger and more prosperous settlements in the valley, located at an altitude of around 10,827 feet above sea level.
This is a government run school and offers education from kindergarten until the 8th standard. During this visit, you will see the classes in progress, interact with the teachers and children and have a meal with them If you wish, you can also distribute sports equipment, books, pencils etc.

In the afternoon, we will drive back to Leh.

In the morning, we shall arrange for a private interaction with a Buddhist scholar. The scholar will give you an insight into the history and philosophy of the religion.
Later proceed on a guided tour of the town. Visit popular landmarks that include the magnificent Leh Palace. From the palace continue by foot on a short walk to the LAMO Center (Ladakh Arts and Media Organization) passing some enchanting old houses. The center is housed in one of the most important heritage houses of Leh, Munshi (Togoche) House situated at the foot of the Leh Palace.

Following a tour of the house, there will be an interaction by a Ladakhi scholar on the architectural heritage of the old city. Enjoy a view of the old city from the terrace of the Munshi House and return to the hotel.

This evening, you will be invited to experience the hospitality of a local Ladakhi family. At the house, interact with the family and learn about the culture, the family system, food and most importantly how they survive in this remote region. The interaction will be followed by a home hosted Ladakhi meal and a cultural folk dance. Women from the village dressed in the traditional costume will perform and the folklore songs will be sung by the village men.

Fly to Srinagar on AI 448 – 0800/ 0850 hour (Please note the luggage allowance on this flight is 15kg/33lb for checked in baggage and 7kg/15lb for hand luggage).
Arrive in Srinagar the capital city of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The city of Srinagar is located at 5200 feet (1 mile) above sea level. After we pick up our checked bags, we will be transferred to the houseboats.

Afterwards, we will board the Shikara (boat) that will take us through the backwaters of the lake, a rare and picturesque site. We will see people farming on the man made islands, cultivating flowers and vegetables and rowing and ferrying their families in basic boats. There is a community in Kashmir who lives on the water in gondolas. One theory is that this particular community is here from Noah’s time

Dinner will be on the houseboats.

In the morning we will take a Srinagar Heritage Walk. Visit a famous SUFI SHRINE located in the heart of the beautiful old city. Sufism and Kashmir go hand in hand. Whether it was Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam, the great saints came and lived here and preached the religion of humanity. From this famous Sufi Saint’s tomb, we will have a panoramic view of the old part of the town. We will continue our journey by discovering the old city by walking into the offbeat areas and back lanes seeing the local markets, heritage buildings and daily life. We later end up at the famous Grand Mosque called Jamia Mosque. We will do a detailed tour of the mosque and the nearby market. Our next stop is the famous old wooden bridge located on River Jhelum. On both sides of the river are located some old traditional houses that were built by the rich and famous of the city before the mode of transportation shifted to the roads. Next will be Shah-Hamadan mosque that is a pure example of a mixture of architectures: Pagoda, Persian, log house and Central Asian. Very few such buildings have survived. At this fascinating place we will pick up our cars and drive to the heart of the city to a famous local restaurant that specializes in authentic Kashmir cuisine called Wazwaan for lunch.
In the afternoon, take a craft tour. Kashmir is famous for its handicrafts all over the world but how many of us exactly know what goes in to making a simple shawl. We will visit a village famous for the best quality weavers in the outskirts of the city and see how Pashmina (Cashmere) and Kani shawls are woven. The craft tour shows us the real artisan community behind these masterpieces and the stages of weaving and patterning the shawl. We will also have the opportunity to visit a few homes of these master craftsmen. By visiting this village we will be able to understand the life style of the community of weavers. Their main occupation is farming and weaving.

Dinner is on the houseboats.

Today we begin our explorations by visiting the famous Mughal Gardens, built by Mughals in the Islamic style of architecture. This style was heavily influenced by Persian gardens particularly the Char Bagh structure.
Lunch will be a home cooked meal with a local family.

On return to the houseboats, we will stop for some shopping in the famous stores of the city.

Dinner will be on the houseboat

En-route to Yusmarg we will stop at the Sufi shrine at Chrar-i-sharief. The wood carving inside the shrine is spectacular and is a most soothing place for a small meditation.
Yusmarg is referred to as the meadow of Jesus. It is believed that Jesus once came here and stayed. This is a beautiful meadow surrounded by snowcapped mountains that lie almost 2400 meters above sea level. This hill resort is located about 50 kilometers south of Srinagar. Yusmarg is an excellent place for walks and visiting some migratory huts of the cattle herders. At Yusmarg depending on weather we will go for a small hike of 4 kilometers to Nil-nag Lake set against the backdrop of the deep green pine forests.

A hot lunch will be served by the lake or in the pine forest.

Dinner is on the houseboats.

Very early visit the famous floating vegetable market.
Return back to the houseboats for breakfast.

Our bags will be transferred to the Lalit hotel.

We will proceed for a visit to the Sri Pratap Singh Museum.

Return to the hotel for check in and lunch.

Afterwards, proceed for another picturesque boat ride through a different area of the lake.

Dinner is at the Lalit.

We leave early in the morning and drive for 1½ hour through the countryside to Naranag. We will pass orchards, villages and the beautiful countryside. In Naranag, there are ruins from an old Shiva temple believed to have been built in the 8th century AD. Afterwards, we set off for a walk through the pine forests or along the fresh stream. We come across shepherd families herding their animals through these beautiful meadows. In fact this trail is perhaps the best trekking route of Kashmir as one can go on for almost ten to twelve days and come across some of the most beautiful lakes and meadows.
Today’s lunch is organized at a private farmhouse located along our return from Naranag.

After lunch we drive through villages and rice fields and arrive at Mansbal Lake. This is one of the best and clean lakes of the valley. We will be able to see a Hindu temple on the periphery of the lake dating back to 1000 years partially submerged in the water. Noor Jahan (wife of Mughal king Jahangir) also built a special garden called Darogha or Jarogha Bagh, which has some stunning views of lake.

Return back to the hotel for dinner.

Back to the streets of old City, we visit the other crafts people who are busy doing crewel and the chain stitch. Quite unlike the fine needle embroidery on the shawls, Ari work is another kind of traditional embroidery done by men and women with the help of a hook needle or an awl. Shawls and other apparels are embroidered with fine cotton threads but the same embroidery is also called crewel work when used on thick draperies and upholstery with coarser Dasuti (cotton) fabric and woolen yarns. The fully work chain stitch rugs, cushions and leather embroidered accessories with intricate Kilm and floral designs are distinctively modern gifts to take back from Kashmir.
We will also visit some places to learn about the Papier Mache craft.

Later in the day we conclude our journey by visiting Dachigam National Park. This park was established for the protection of the rare and endangered Kashmiri stag (belongs to red deer family locally known as Hangul, scientific name cervus elaphus hanglu) found exclusively in the valley. The park also has some other animals: Himalayan bear, leopard, musk deer and the pea fowl. Along with a naturalist, we will walk through part of the park looking for wild life. The park has some areas where the views are most breathtaking.

Dinner is at the hotel.