Hotel Charu Palace Leh

Arrival Leh by morning flight and transfer to the hotel. Full day of rest for acclimatization to the high altitude of Leh (11,500 ft/ 35 00 mtrs). Late afternoon visit Shanti Stupa and Shankar Gompa

After leisurely breakfast, drive in the east of Leh town by following Leh - manali highway your first stop would be at Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery. Further drive to Stok Palace Museum.

Shey Palace & Monastery Situated in the east of Leh town approx 15 Kms away by following Leh - manali highway your first stop would be at Shey palace and Shey monastery built first in 1655, near Shey village, by the king of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal, also known as Lhachen Palgyigon. It was used as a summer retreat by the kings of Ladakh. Shey monastery was built by the same king in the memory of his late father, Singay Namgyal Thikse Monastery Thiksay Gompa related with the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Located on top of a hill approximately 20 kilometres from Leh city. One of the most beautiful and picturesque monastery in Ladakh. It is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and is the largest gompa in central Ladakh, It is a twelve-story complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. Maitreya Temple installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970, contains a 15 metres high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh.

Hemis Gompa Located nearly 45 Km east form Leh town by crossing Indus river by following a deep gorge of mountains on left bank of River Indus. Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century. Naropa, the pupil of the yogi Tilopa, and teacher of the translator Marpa is connected with this monastery. Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, located in Hemis, re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. Most famous annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June.

Stok Monastery and Palace is a Buddhist monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, nearly 15 Km south of Leh City in the left bank of river Indus. Stok belongs to the yellow-hat sect of Buddhism. The oldest parts of the gompa are some 550 years old though the main Dukhang is only about 50 years old. Back to the main city and explore Leh palace is a former royal palace in Leh Ladakh. Modelled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, the palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century. It is nine storeys building. The palace was abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid 19th century, forced royal family to move to Stok Palace in left bank of river Indus. The Palace Museum holds a rich collection of jewellery, ornaments, ceremonial dresses and crowns. Chinese thangka or sooth paintings which are more than 450 years old, with intricate designs, retain bright and pleasing colours derived from crushed and powdered gems and stones. Back to the hotel and Overnight stay.

Full day excursion to Pangong Lake (approx. 300 kms round trip, located on the Indo-China Border), enroute crossing the Chang-la pass (alt: 17370 ft.) The Pangkong lake (which means extensive cavity or hollow) is a very long narrow spread of water situated at an altitude of 14,500 feet (4,750 m). situated in the north east of Leh city by crossing third highest pass called Changla Pass (17370 Ft ) Extending from east to west, only a quarter of the lake lies in India, the rest stretching into Ruthog (Tibet). Its eastern extremity is unknown. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the kiang and the Marmot. Back to the hotel in the late evening and another overnight at hotel in Leh

After leisurely breakfast, drive to visit 11th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic heritage of Ladakh - a UNESCO listed heritage site. While returning to Leh from here, visit Sangam (confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers), Magnetic Point, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Kali Mata (Temple of Guardians in Spituk monastery) & Hall of Fame. Overnight in hotel.

Morning excursion to Khardong-La (80 kms round trip / alt: 18,380 ft.), highest motorable pass in the world and recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Rest of the day free to explore the markets for shopping etc. Overnight in hotel.

Early morning transfer to the airport for taking the flight back home.