Ladakh Himalayan Photography Tour

Upon arrival, you will be met by our TIME representative at the airport, who will escort you till check in at the Hotel.

  Delhi, the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. She has often been sacked and left naked and desolate. But she could not be despoiled of the incomparable situation that marks her for the metropolis of a Great Empire. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties – the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanting nations.   Overnight in Delhi.

Morning take flight to Leh. Arrival at Leh Kushok Bakula airport our representative will meet & greet you and transfer to the Hotel. This flight is one of the most sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif. You would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over (Altitude 11,000 feet). Day at leisure for acclimatization later in the afternoon walk to the market, dinner and overnight stay at Hotel. Overnight in Leh.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Indus valley to visit SHEY PALACE AND GOMPA: Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here. Then drive to HEMIS GOMPA: 40 Kms from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thanka in Ladakh which is unfurled once in 12 years Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal Dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which is managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall (Dukhang) is also used as “green room” by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist “Wheel Of Life” (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel. Then drive back to Thiksay Lunch in Local restaurant after lunch visit the Thiksey Monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 18 km from Leh in the Indus valley. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism is located at the top of hill. The monastery buildings are structured in hierarchal order. The monastery is referred as ‘Mini Potala’ of India as it resembles Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. There is one big statue of Maitreya (future Buddha) which covers almost two floor of the monastery that is 40 feet in height. Tara temple of Goddess Tara is another major attraction for the visitors. The monastery offers clear view of the Indus Valley and some monastery like Shey, Stok and Matho can also be seen from here. Festivals celebration is another major attraction for the tourists, locals and Buddhists in Thiksey Monastery. There is a very interesting story behind how Thiksey monastery got its name and how the place where it stands today was finalised. Jangsem Sherab Zangpo and his disciple Palden Sherab were offering prayer services with a ritual cake about three kilometre from where the Thiksey monastery is. A crow flew away with the cake. When they searched, they found the ritual cake in perfect order at the top of the hillock. They believed it be an auspicious sign to build a monastery at this place. Later by late afternoon drive back to Leh, dinner and overnight in hotel. Overnight in Leh

Morning after breakfast from Hotel drive to STOK - STOK PALACE & MUSEUM: The palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Shakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armour, weapons, precious jades and porcelain too can be seen here. After visiting Stok Palace drive to MATHO, Visit Matho monastery built by Lama Tumgpa Dorje. The famous two oracles (known as Rongtsan), who were invited from Tibet by the founder of this monastery, still make appearance during the festival of the monastery, Later drive to STAKNA, Visit Stakna monastery. This monastery is belong to Red sect in Ladakh. After visiting this monastery drive back to Leh. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Leh. Overnight in Leh.

The road journey from Leh to NUBRA VALLEY passes over KHARDUNG LA (the highest motorable road in the world) at 5602 M / 18,390 Ft, around 39 km from Leh. From the pass, one can see all the way south over the Indus valley to seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Saser massif. Nubra Valley is popularly known as (Ldumra) or (The valley of flowers). It is situated in the north of Ladakh between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of the Himalayas. The average altitude of the valley is 10,000 Ft. above sea level. The Shayok and Saichen Rivers drain Nubra. The flat part of the river is sandy & occupied by green farms & myricaria. The villages look pretty with greenery, willow & poplar trees. Till partition Nubra Valley was one of the trade centers, the ancient famous Silk Route passed through this area. Before proceeding to your camp at Summur, stop to visit DISKIT MONASTERY perched on a rock overhanging next to a stream, which provides the source of energy used by mills in the area. The monastery is rich, full of thangkas, magnificent giant statues, effigies of the Buddha and old mural paintings in which can be noted a multitude of influences. It was founded by Lama Sherab Zangpo of Stod around 1420 A.D. DISKIT is the main village or headquarters of Nubra Valley, which has a small market consisting of a row of shops. After your visit to the monastery and shortly after leaving Diskit you will comes across sand dunes on the right of the road. Dinner and overnight in Hotel. Overnight in Nubra Valley

Morning after breakfast, drive to Village Summur Visit the Samstanling monastery to witness the prayer to witness the prayers. Later drive to Panamik – famous for hot Sulphur Springs. You may take a bath at the springs, which is said to be very good for the skin lunch at the camp. Post lunch visit Diskit monastery and the village. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel Overnight in Nubra Valley

After breakfast drive to Leh over Khardung La. On arrival you check in Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure for you to visit Leh town for some last minute shopping in case you wish to carry home some souvenirs. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel. Overnight in Leh

Morning after breakfast from Hotel, drive to Ule, on the way visit to Likir Monestray and Alchi monastery. On the way, you travel through spectacular and magnificent view of landscape with beautiful mountains, sometime imposing gorged. You pass across Magnetic hill, confluence of Indus and Zanskar before Nimoo village, visit Likir exquisite Gelugpa sect monastery built on hill top with awe inspiring view of the valley, by Lha chen Gyalpo in 1065AD. A Big Statue of Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha) constructed outside the monastery and it was inaugurated by 14th Dalai Lama. Later, drive to Alchi village (8km). After Saspol village, you cross Indus River over a bridge on left and follow the road that leads to Alchi. Visit the 1000 years Gelugpa sect Alchi monastery. After visiting Alchi and Likir Monestray, visit to BASGO GOMPA: it was the seat of power of branch of a Namgyal family. It was here in 1680 that invading Mongol and Tibetan armies were held in check over a three year old siege. Original 16th century murals and other arts at Basgo are well worth a visit. Later visit to Sangam the confluence point of Indus and Zanskar River, one can enjoy the river rafting in Zanskar River. Later drive back to Uletokpo Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel. Overnight in Uleytokpo

After breakfast from Hotel drive to Leh, on the way visit LAMAYURU, Lamayuru Monestray which is the oldest monastery in Ladakh and famous for its landscape, more than 1000 years back the great Tibetan master Naropa had visited this place and meditate at this place and you can visit the cave also, later drive to Leh. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hotel. Overnight in Leh

Morning drive to Tsomoriri or "Mountain Lake" is situated in the middle of the elevated valley of Rupshu surrounded by 6000 M peaks which completely shut the lake in. This Valley is inhabited by a small scattered population of "Changepas" nomadic shepherds who also engage in trade and work the Caravans in Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti the area is rich in wildlife including the "Kyang" (Wild Ass) red fox and the rare highly endangered snow Leopard. Black Necked cranes and Geese flock to the lakeside for breeding during the summer months. Also visit the 350 years old Karzok Monastery which has about 33 resident monks. Dinner and overnight in camp. Overnight in Tsomoriri

Morning drive Leh via Tsokar Lake is situated at the height of 4485 M It is also called "White Lake" because of salt deposit around it. Since these are all drainage basins with no outlet their water is blackish. That of the Tsokar is so salty that salt is procured from its margins and was sold all over Ladakh and Kashmir Until a few years ago by the Rupshu Changpas. Tsokar is partly fed by a channel from a smaller fresh water lake. All the lakes are breeding grounds for a variety of birds among them the bar-headed Goose, the great crested Grebe, the Brahmin Duck and the Brown Headed Gull. Then you will Join Manali-Leh highway and drive down to Leh via Tanglang-la (5324 mt.) the 2nd highest motorable road in Ladakh. Enroute drive pass beautiful villages of Rumtse, Gia, Meeru. Arrive Leh dinner and overnight stay at Hotel. Overnight in Leh

Morning transfer to airport to board flight to Delhi and connect flight for next destination.