Ladakh Festival and Kashmir

LADAKH FESTIVAL & KASHMIR TOUR

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

You will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel.

Day 2: Fly from Delhi to Srinagar

Transfer to deluxe Houseboats. This afternoon, a Shikara ride on Dal lake passing through the small canals to see the local life, ancient houses and agricultural fields.

Day 3-4: Srinagar - Pahalgam - Srinagar

Embark on an excursion to the oldest part of Srinagar city visiting Jamia Masjid, Shahi Hamdan Mosque, and walking through the decorated old bazaar. Visit the renown Mughal Gardens. Full day excursion to Pahalgam, the Vale of Kashmir, on the way, we visit Saffron fields, Avantipur ruins and Anantnag Sulphur Spring.

Day 5: Srinagar - Leh

We take a flight to Leh. We visit the town of Leh, a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. Visit Leh Palace and Sankar Monastery.

Please note; sometimes the flight is not operating and then we go overland. All of the sites will still be visited, but in a different sequence.

Day 6: Leh - Shey - Thiskse - Hemis - Leh

We start with a visit of Shey Palace and Thikse Gompa. Shey, built in 1645 as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh, is the oldest palace in Ladakh. Hemis is one of the largest and richest gompas of Ladakh.

Day 7: Leh– Lamayuru - Uletokpo

Visit to Lamayuru Monastery, the oldest in Ladakh. It is believed to have been a sacred site for the pre-Buddhist religion called Bon. The complex includes one of the oldest libraries in the region, containing extensive books and other literature on the Tibetan Kagyupa Sect.

Day 8: Uletokpo–Alchi–Likir–Phyang-Leh

Visit Alchi Monastry, said to be the oldest and most famous. The monastery is approximately 1000 years old and a temple called Dhu-Kang dates back to 11th century or 12th century.

The remainder of the day is free for independent activities.

Day 9: Leh-Hundar

Visit the villages of Nubra valley. This is a beautiful region that once formed a part of the Silk route into Afghanistan. A wide variety of fruits, vegetables and grains are grown in abundance. Visit the white sand dunes and if lucky one can take a ride on the double humped Bactrian camels.

Day 10: Hundar-Diskit-Hundar

Full day excursion to Diskit Village and Monastery

Day 11: Hundar - Leh

Return to Leh. Afternoon free for independent activities.

Day 12-13: Attend Ladahk Festival

Attend festival of Ladakh. There will be opportunities to interact with the Lamas, the local people, browse shops and wonderful photography. Visit the residence of His Holiness Dalai Lama & the site of Kalachakra 2014 in Ladakh. Meet the chief representative and learn about Tibetan refugees and their spiritual practices in Leh. Visit Stok Palace.

There is a superb collection of thankas, said to be the best in the world. Created out of pure gold and paints made of crushed semi-precious stones.

Day 14: Fly to Delhi & Depart

Trasnfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Transfer to hotel for late night flight home.

Trip Length

Ladakh Festival Tour with Kashmir 14-day trip begins and ends in Delhi

Dates

August 21 - September 3 annually

Land Cost

2023: $3803 per person based on minimum 4 people. Single Room Supplement: $880
If joining our Indian Himalayas Tour: Discount: $200 per person.

Accommodations

5-start hotel in Delhi, traditional Tibetan decor hotel in Leh, best cottages in Nubra Valley
Deluxe houseboat in Kashmir

Group Size

4-12 guests

Included Meals

All breakfasts, 12 lunches & 12 dinners

Duration

14 Days

Reading List

Ladakh Reading List
SF Examiner - Ladakh Article
ITN Trip Review