Festivals of India (Hemis Festival with Leh Ladakh Tour)

Duration- 7 Nights / 8 Days

Places- Delhi-Leh-Hemis Festival-Nubra-Pangong-Leh-Delhi

Mode of Transportation- Fight and Private vehicle with experienced English speaking chauffer

Meals- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Tour Manager- Available at your service right from your arrival till departure

Tour Guide- Local tour guide will be made available at all the locations

Inclusions- All inclusive except expense of personal nature like laundry, entry fee of camera etcetera

Hotel Category- Category of your choice. We recommend palatial / boutique properties wherever available

Hemis Festival- There is no better time to visit Ladakh than during Hemis Festival as Hemis Monastery becomes a hub of celebrations. During the festival, sacred dances, contradictory explanations and special musical performances are the major highlights. Buddhist lamas and monks gather at the Hemis Monestery to perform the sacred Mask Dance. This also gives an opportunity to experience life of Ladakhi as it is an occasion for villagers and families to come together and socialize. This tour also covers other beautiful monasteries of Ladakh and Nubra Valley, a must visit place in Ladakh which lies on an extraordinary trans-Himalayan trade route which originated with the Silk Road in medieval period. Hemis Festival is held in one of the most-visited monasteries in Ladakh, Hemis Monastery. The festival is a two-day event that is celebrated on the 10th day of the fifth month of Tibetan Calendar, which is the month of June/July in Gregorian Calendar

Ladakh- Ladakh is the highest plateau in India with most of it being over 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Ladakh is most famous for breathtaking landscapes, the crystal clear skies, the highest mountain passes, thrilling adventure activities, Buddhist Monasteries and festivals.  Ladakh is one of the highest regions of the world. Its natural features consist mainly of high plains and deep valleys.

Day 1– Arrival Delhi

A very warm welcome to India’s capital city!!! Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your English speaking tour manager and chauffer. Tour manager will help you with hotel check in and discuss the tour details. Depending upon your flight timings local excursions can be planned for the day.

Today’s Excursion- It can be discussed and planned as per your arrival in Delhi

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 2– Delhi to Leh (Flight / 1:30 hours)

The day will start very early today when we leave for Airport to board flight to Leh (Ladakh) 

Upon arrival check in at hotel and rest to let your body acclimatize to the reduced oxygen level and atmospheric pressure. Since we are arriving at 11000 ft, we strongly recommend taking complete rest & drink ample water on the first day where we should not indulge ourselves in any strenuous activity

Later in evening we can take a stroll to the nearby market place.

Night stay- Leh

Day 3– Hemis Festival (22 miles / 1 hour)

After relaxing breakfast at hotel we will drive to Hemis Monastery. Hemis Monastery is the biggest and richest monastery in Ladakh. Hemi Monastery becomes a hub of activities during the festival. The Buddhist Monastery remains divided into two main parts – the assembly hall on the right and the temple on the left. Sacred dances, contradictory explanations and special musical performances are the major highlights of the Hemis Festival in Ladakh. During the festival, lamas and monks gather to perform sacred Mask Dance. The specific dance form is meant to celebrate good over evil. The Hemis Festival brings an opportunity for all the villagers and families to come together and socialize. Men can be seen wearing cummerbunds while women are dressed in bright headgear and lots of jewelry. Brass trumpets, which are 3 metre in length, are played and the whole festive scene becomes a sight to behold.

Night stay- Leh

Day 4– Leh to Sham Valley and back (100 miles / 6 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast in hotel we will embark on our journey to nearby places of interest around Leh.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Hall of Fame Museum- Learn more about the role of the Indian army in the region and Ladakh’s history.
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  • Magnetic Hill- Observe the marvel when driver turns the engine off with the gear in neutral, the car will start moving uphill as if attracted by a strange magnetic force that defies gravity
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  • Sangam- It’s the confluence of the Indus River (green colour) and the Zanskar River (blue or brown colour depending on the season).
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  • Gurdwara Pathar Sahib- Built in 1517, this is place of religious importance to Sikhs
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  • Leh Palace- Overlooking the old town, this palace was built in the first half of the 17th century and was the residence of the royal family of Ladakh.
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  • Shanti Stupa- A Japanese peace pagoda nestled atop a hillock. This two-level chorten was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1991. It offers a great vantage point over Leh and the Indus valley.
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  • Leh Main Bazar- Stroll among locals, where you can do shopping and try typical Ladakhi food.
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  • Alchi Monastery- This monastery enshrines some of the best-preserved wall paintings in Ladakh. The monastery was founded in the 11th century by the Great Translator Rinchen Zangpo. A legend says that the poplar tree at the entrance is his walking stick which turned into a living tree
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Night stay- Leh

Day 5– Leh to Nubra via Khardungla (90 miles / 5 hours)

Post breakfast at hotel we will check out of the hotel & start our journey to Nubra Valley through Khardungla, which is the World's highest motor able road at 18,832 feet above sea level. At Khardungla pass the snow-capped peaks and the mountain views are amazing. The road then passes through a bridge laid on Glacier which finds its way in Guinness Book of World Records.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Khardungla Pass- The pass offers an amazing view of the K2 Mountain range (the Karakoram)
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  • Nubra Valley- Nubra Valley is known as “valley of flowers” in Ladakhi language. The valley lies at an average altitude of 3,100 metres and it is crisscrossed by the Nubra and Shayok rivers
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  • Diskit Monastery- The largest and oldest in Nubra valley. Perched atop a rocky hillock, the monastery was established in the 15th century. At the top of a nearby hill, there is a colossal 32-metre-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, one of the landmarks of the valley
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  • Hunder Village- Experience a camel ride across the Hunder white sand dunes. The double-humped Bactrian camels were brought to Ladakh when Hunder was a stopping point for caravans travelling on the old Silk Road. 
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Night stay- Nubra

Day 6– Nubra to Pangong Lake (110 miles / 6 hours)

Post breakfast at hotel we will check out of the hotel & start our journey to Pangong lake. We will drive along the Shayok River towards Pangong, an adventurous road trip through beautiful mountain scenery. We will pass through beautiful small villages enroute.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Pangong Lake- It’s the highest salt water lake in the world. Take in the breath-taking views and setting of the blue lake set amidst the lofty Himalaya Mountains. Pangong is also popular because of its color-changing abilities throughout the day according to the sun. The lake lies at an elevation of 4,250m, it is 100 miles in length but only 30% of it is in India. 
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Night stay- Pangong Lake

Day 7– Pangong Lake to Leh (140 miles / 6 hours)

Enjoy breakfast, take a stroll along the shore of Pangong lake and watch the sunrise over the glistening blue waters. The lake is a wonderful place for wildlife enthusiasts as it serves as a breeding site for various migratory birds. Later we will start our return journey to Leh, passing through Chang La pass located at an altitude of 5,360m. We will pass through beautiful small villages and stop to view monasteries and palace.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Chemrey Monastery- Build in 17^th Century, this monastery is located in Chemrey village, rising above the barley fields.
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  • Hemis Monastery- It is largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. Many shrines can be found within the monastery complex.
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  • Thiksey Monastery- Located on a hillock overlooking Indus valley, this is one of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh. It is easily recognizable due to its architecture that resembles the Potala Palace in Lhassa. The monastery enshrines a highly revered 14m-high statue of Maitreya Buddha with a finely decorated headdress.
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  • Shey palace- The former summer palace of the royal family.
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Night stay- Leh

Day 8– Leh to Delhi (Flight / 1.30 hours)

Post early breakfast in your hotel we will leave for Airport to board flight to Delhi.

Night stay- Delhi (depending upon your onward journey)

Note: This is just a time bound sample itinerary indicative of how and what all could be explored. We can customise the tour as per your requirements. Set your expectations and we will offer memorable experience. Please reach out to us for personalised holiday experience.

All meals- breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation for 10 Nights / 11 Days

All mode of domestic transportation

All the entry tickets

English speaking tour guide at all the locations

All the permits

Camel safari

International flight

Travel insurance

Any service / activity not mentioned in Itinerary

Expense of personal nature like laundry, entry tickets for camera etcetera

Optional tours / activities

Water sports activities