Day 01 Delhi - Chandigarh - Kullu - Manali
New Delhi to Chandigarh by Shatabdi and further transfer to Manali. Evening exploration
of Manali mall road, overnight at hotel.
Manali is an important hill station of northern India and is the destination of
thousands of tourists every year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for
the ones afflicted by the hot Indian summers. The Kulluis in brightly patterned
puttoos, Tibetan women wearing ankle-length rainbow-striped pinafores, Nepali porters,
Buddhist monks, and even the odd party of Zanskaris, swathed in fusty woolen gonchas,
muddled together with souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add up to
the welcoming hubbub of Manali.
Day 02 Manali (Local sight seeing)
Hadimba Temple: Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically
and archeologically, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hadimba
Manu Temple: 3 kms. from the main bazar in old Manali lies the temple of MANU RISHI.
It is believed that this is the only temple of Manu in India, who was the creator
of human race on the earth.
Tibetan Monasteries: There are 3 newly constructed colorful monasteries, where visitors
can buy carpets and other Tibetan handicrafts. Two are located in the town and one
at the left bank of Beas river.
Vashist Hot Water Springs And Temple (3 Kms): Vashist, a small village located on
the left bank of river Beas towards Rohtang pass is worth a visit. It is renowned
for its hot springs and temples. Nearby is the pyramidal stone temple dedicated
to Vashist Muni.
Day 03 Manali - Darcha (3,300 mts.) (147 Kms/7-8 hrs drive).
After breakfast drive to Darcha. Across Rohtang Pass(3,980 mts.) which is the gateway
to Lahual, Spiti, Pangi & Zanskar Valleys. 8 hours drive through Lahual valley.
Overnight at Camp.
Day 04 Darcha (Trek Starts) - Pa Lahmo (3,450 mts.) 4 hrs
After breakfast trek to Pa-Lahmo.o/n camp. Darcha is the last village of Himachal
Pradesh on the way to Leh. It is the starting point of Darcha to Padam trek.
Day 05 Pa Lahmo - Zanskar Sumdo (3,600 mts.) 7 hrs
After breakfast trek to Zanskar Sumdo. o/n camp.
Day 06 Zanskar Sumdo - Chumik Nakpo (4,060 mts.) 7 hrs
After breakfast trek to Chhumik Nakpo. Walk towards the stream flowing from Shingo-La.
o/n camp.
Day 07 Chumik Nakpo - Lakhang Over Shingo La (4,060 mts.) 9 hrs
After breakfast trek to Lakhang over the Shingo-La Pass. Over night Camp.
Day 08 Lakhang - Kargil (4030 mts.) 6 hrs
After breakfast trek to Kargiak. Over night Camp. Passing beneath the face of the
Gomborangoo, descent easily towards Kargiak on the right bank. The first village
of Zanskar Region.
Day 09 Kargil - Purni (3,700 mts.) 6 hrs
After breakfast trek to Purni. O/n camp.
Day 10 Purni - Phuktal - Purni (5 hrs)
After breakfast trek to Phuktal Monastery built under a huge cave and back to camp.
Over night Camp.
Phuktal Monastery, one of the most spectacular sights in Zanskar. Phuktal belongs
to the tradition of the Gelupas(yellow-Hat Monks).The monastery is like a honeycomb,
cut into a cock under a gignantic grotto, and has 70 monks. in the caves over the
monastery, there is a water hole whose water level never receds, even after taking
out any amount of water from there. Water is said to have healing powers.
Day 11 Purni - Pipula (3650 mts) 5 hrs
After breakfast trek to Pipula. Over night Camp.
Day 12 Pipula - Raru (3,600 mts.) 6 hrs
After breakfast trek to Raru. Over night Camp.
Day 13 Raru - Padam (3,500 mts.) (Trek Ends) 6 hrs
After breakfast trek to Padam. Padam is a Sub-divisional Head Quarter of Kargil
district of Jammu and Kashmir. Visit Bardan Gompas, one of the oldest gompa in the
region. trek ends here o/n camp.
Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is the present
day administrative headquarters of the region. With a population of nearly 2000,
Padum can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a very
scarcely inhabited valley. Incidentally, it is only in Padum that there is a community
of Muslims constituting nearly half the township's population, its origin in the
area dating from mid 17th century. Lately, Padum has become a famous as a major
trekking base and a popular tourist destination.
Day 14 Padam - Kargil (2704 mts.) 240 Kms/8 hrs Drive
After breakfast drive to Kargil. Overnight Hotel.
KARGIL (2704 m) 204 kms from Srinagar in the west and 234 kms from Leh in the east,
is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh and headquarters of the district of
same name. A quite town now, Kargil once served as important trade and transit centre
in the Pan-Asian trade network. Numerous caravans carrying exotic merchandise comprising
silk, brocade, carpets, felts, tea, poppy, ivory etc. transited in the town on their
way to and from China, Tibet, Yarkand and Kashmir. The old bazaar displayed a variety
of Central Asian and Tibetan commodities even after the cessation of the Central
Asian trade in 1949 till these were exhausted about two decades back. Similarly
the ancient trade route passing through the township was lined with several caravanserais.
Day 15 Kargil - Leh (3505 Mts) 234 Kms/8 hrs Drive
After breakfast drive to Leh. Over night Hotel.
Leh: Leh is the fascinating capital of the Autonomous Hill Council of Ladakh, also
known as Little Tibet. The important monasteries to visit in and around Leh are
Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spituk, Samkhar as well as the Shanti Stupa, Stok Palace and
main Bazaar. The Leh palace dominating the town was the former home of the Namgyal
Dynasty. The monastic festivals are very popular and Hemis, Phyang and Lamayaro
festivals in summer are visited by lot of tourists who throng to see the Cham Dances.
Day 16 Leh (Local sight seeing)
Fullday visit of Hemis/Shey and Thiksey monastery. Leave after breakfast for fullday
visit of Hemis/Shey and Thiksey monastery. Pack lunch will be served. Overnight
in Hotel.
Shey - the former palace of upper Ladakh before Leh was established, this site commanded
an important vantage over the Indus valley. Since 1834 however, after the royal
family moved to Stokh, much of the palace and fort fell into disrepair; even the
marshland immediately below was once a clear lake.
Thiksey - one of the most imposing monasteries in the Indus valley, Thiksey was
part of the original Delgupta order in the 15th century. The monk's quarter's stretch
right the way along the hillside beneath the main assembly hall. The library at
Thiksy is supposedly one of the finest in Ladakh and a multi - denominations Gompa
has recently been constructed - proof indeed of the continuing vitality of Buddhism
in Ladakh
Day 17 Leh (Local sight seeing)
Leh Palace: The palace is a distinguished monument and a historical building.The
nine- storeyed palace was built by the 17th century illustrious ruler of Ladakh
Sengge Namgyal.
Jama Masjid: The historical mosque is situated in the heart of Leh town. It was
built in 1666-67 A.D.consequent to an agreement between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
and then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal.
Spituk: The gompa stands prominently on the top of a hillock,8 Kms.from Leh,and
commands a panaoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles.Many icons of Buddha and
five thankas are found in 15th century monastery.There is also a collection of ancient
masks,antique arms,and an awe inspiring image of Mahakal.
Phyang: The monastery is situated 17 Kms.from Leh on the Leh-Kargil road.It was
built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16th century A.D.and looks like
a place from a distance.The gompa belongs to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists.
Hundreds of icons of Budha are kept on wooden shelves.
Day 18 Leh - Delhi
In the morning fly back to Delhi.
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