A VISIT TO LADAKH IN 2011

Ladakh – the only

Part of the North-Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh is about one and a half times the size of Switzerland, but has a population of only about 250,000, making it India’s most sparsely-populated region.  Our visit takes in the valley of the Indus River, a challenging drive on  remote mountain roads into Zanskar and a crossing of the highest motorable pass in the world into the Nubra Valley, part of the ancient trade route between India and central Asia.

The visit is organised with the help of Thiksey Monastery.  There will be a maximum of 12 in our group, so you are guaranteed to get a very personal view of this extraordinary part of India.

Please get in touch to book your place as soon as possible.   We will send you a booking form and request a deposit of £250, which will be returnable until payments need to be made to book air fares etc (probably around January 2011).  Information on what to bring, weather and temperature, health issues, visa applications, background reading and more details about the places we visit on our itinerary will be sent to you by e-mail.

ITINERARY:

Day 1   Arrive New Delhi and stay close to the Airport in preparation for the flight to Leh the following day.

Day 2   An early morning flight to Leh (about an hour), and transfer to Chamba Hotel at Thiksey Monastery.  We use our first day for acclimatisation (Leh is at about 11,500ft/3,505m), with an optional visit after lunch to Shanti Stupa and the Ecology Centre in Leh.

Day 3   Explore the Buddhist monasteries to the East of Thiksey:  Hemis, Chemde, Stakna, Matho – and after lunch at Thiksey, Stok Palace and Museum and Shey Monastery.

It is possible that His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be in Ladakh at the time, and if so it might be possible to attend one of the teachings.  More information on this as soon as the schedule is published.

Day 4   After attending early morning prayer in Thisksey Monastery and breakfast in the monastery, we will leave for our journey west, visiting the monasteries of Phyang, Likir and Rizong en route.  We arrive at our hotel in Alchi in the evening.

Day 5   An early morning visit to Alchi Monastery to see the astonishing murals and sculptures of the Buddhist tradition of Northern India.  Leaving after breakfast, we visit Lamayuru Monastery, past the rock-cut sculpture of Maitreya at Mulbeck and visit Shergol, a small monastery set high up in the rock face above the valley.  We arrive in Kargil for the night and change vehicles for the drive into Zanskar.

Day 6   The Rocky road from Padum to Zanskar crosses green valleys and over mountain passes with spectacular views of the Zanskar Mountains and the Nun Kun Peaks, with the sight of glaciers, marshland and small lakes.  We have our picnic lunch at Rangdum Gompa, mid-way on our journey – a vast plain hemmed in by mountains.  The route takes us on over the PensiLa Pass (4,400m/14,435ft) to get our fist sight of the Drang-Drung Glacier and the Stod Valley.The final stretch of the road is metalled and we arrive at our hotel in Padum in the evening.

Day 7   Exploring the Zanskar Valley with visits to Zangla, Stongde and Pibiting Monasteries.

Day 8   (Trek)  We drive south of Padum to Reru, where we meet our ponies, guide and cook at the beginning of our walk south to Phugtal Monastery.  The route takes us along the Tsarap River, and we camp overnight at Purne.

Day 9   A walk up to Phugtal Monastery, at 12,630ft/3850m, and return to the campsite for a second night.

Day 10    We return to Reru to meet our transport at the end of the trek.  There is the option to visit Bardan Monastery on the way back.

Day 11    A visit to Karsha Monastery to the north of Padum and to Chomo Gompa Nunnery, and Sani Gompa, uniquely situation on level ground and the oldest place of Buddhist worship in the region.

Day 12   We make the return journey to Kargil and stay the night.

Day 13   Returning to Leh this time we drive through the Dha-Hanu villages of the Brokpas, returning to Leh via Basgo Fortress and Monastery.

Day 14  At leisure at Thiksey.  Optional visit to Leh 

Day 15  We leave early to drive North of Leh across the Kardong La (Pass) at 5,602m/18,380ft, and on through the Ladakh Range and along the Shyok River to Hundar and the Nubra Valley.  We stay in Chamba Camp at Hundar, from where it is possible to take a camel ride through the sand dunes or to visit the small gompa of Hundar Village, or simply to rest in the gardens surrounded by apple and apricot trees.

Day 16  We visit Diskit Monastery with its magnificent new Buddha statue looking out across the valley towards Pakistan, Samtenling Monastery, Panamik where there are hot springs and an optional walk to Ensa Monastery (tbc)

Day 17  After attending early morning prayers at Disket Monastery, we will drive back to have lunch in Leh and an opportunity for shopping, and return to Chamba Hotel for the evening.

Day 18  At leisure.  Optional visit to Stakmo Village and possible walk back to the monastery.

Day 19  An early morning return flight to Delhi from Leh.  Stay in a resort hotel in Gurgaon.  Optional visit into Delhi (cost extra)

Day 20  Return flight from Delhi to UK

PROBABLE DATES:  26^th July – 14^th August 2011 – to be confirmed

COST:             £1,370    (Not including flights)

                      Single room supplement:  £207, total £1,577

INCLUDED IN THE COST:

Based on two people sharing twin/double room with full board throughout Ladakh as per schedule

Hotel in Delhi (bed and breakfast only)

Monument and Museum Entrance Fees

Inner Line Permit for restricted Areas

English-speaking guide

Arrival and departure transfers in Leh and transport throughout by non-A/C four-wheel drive vehicles

Trekking tents, ponies, cook and helper on trek in Zanskar

Donation to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery UK Trust

NOT INCLUDED IN COST:

International airfare UK-Delhi return, Est £590

Flight Delhi-Leh-Delhi, Est £352 (Dependent on exchange rate at the time of booking)

Indian Visa Fee  £30

Meals not included in the itinerary (Delhi lunch/dinner and Leh lunch on free days), Est £20

Drinks (excluding mineral water provided in vehicles) £25

Tips  Est £30

Optional sight-seeing/shopping trip in Delhi, sharing a car Est £15

Camera fees (sometimes the monasteries will charge for using a camera)

Insurance

Telephone

Camel Safari in Nubra Valley

Anything not mentioned under the heading ‘Included in the Cost’

Any charges incurred as the result of delays beyond our control, ie road blockage, flight cancellation etc

PLEASE COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM AND RETURN IT WITH YOUR DEPOSIT TO TASHI LHUNPO MONASTERY UK TRUST, PO BOX 2284, SALISBURY SP2 2JA TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE       CLICK HERE FOR FORM: Registration_Form.doc