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Day 01: Arrive Delhi:
Met on arrival by Snow Leopard Adventures representative and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.
New Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Along with the fast spiraling skyscrapers, the city is dotted with many historical monuments that stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a spacious, garden city with roads lined by trees.
Day 02: Delhi (Full day guided city tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi):
The division between New Delhi and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals. It also marks the division in lifestyles. Old Delhi or The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
We visit Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to the Father of the Nation , Mahatma Gandhi. Afterwards we drive past the Red Fort. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Yamuna was built during 1638 - 48 when the Mughal Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. We see the mosque from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is always buzzing with activity.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. The tomb, an
outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, is said have inspired Emperor Shah Jahan to make the world famous Taj Mahal.
Day 03: Delhi – Leh (Flight 9W 609, Dep. 05:40 hrs, Arr. 06:55 hrs):
Early morning transfer to the airport to board flight to Leh. Met on arrival by Snow Leopard Adventures representatives at Leh airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest day at leisure for acclimatization. In the evening, visit Leh Bazaar.
Leh is the headquarters of the Ladakh region and an interesting town – colourful, with unusual people and food. Spending the first afternoon at leisure in the hotel is a must for acclimatization.
Day 04: Leh
Morning at leisure for acclimatization. Post lunch visit Shey and Thikse monasteries.
Shey Palace was built in 1645 by Deldan Namgyal as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older, ruined fortress. In 1655, the same king built the two-storey Shey Gompa adjacent to the palace. The Gompa has a 12-m high seated Buddha statue made out of gilded copper sheets and is the only biggest statue in the region made from metal.
Thiksey Gompa is the most picturesquely situated monastery in Ladakh, perched high on a hill above the Indus. Its buildings are arranged at various levels, leading up to the private apartments of the incarnate lamas on the summit. From here one commands a magnificent view of the valley. The gompa possesses a rich and beautiful collection of hundreds of hand-written or painted prayer books.
Day 05: Leh:
Morning after breakfast visit Phyang and Spituk monasteries.
Spituk Monastery is located 7 km. to southwest of Leh, The Gompa was founded by Od-Ide, in the 11th century AD when the monastic community was introduced. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the reign of king Dragspa Bum-Lde, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery.
Phyang Monastery is located 17 km west of Leh. It is remarkably built on the hilltop, similar to the Likir monastery. This monastery belongs to the Degungpa Order. It was the first monastery, which introduced the Degungpa teaching of 'Skyob Jigsten Gonbo' in Ladakh that was founded by Chosje Danma Kunga, during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in the 16th Century A.D.
Lunch at the hotel. Post lunch walk through the Leh Bazaar up to Shanti Stupa to have a panoramic view of the entire Leh town.
Day 06: Leh – Spituk – Jingchen (Trek: 5 hrs):
Early morning transfer to Spituk village the starting point for the trek. On arrival meet the trekking staff. After the luggage is uploaded on the mules we set out for an easy walk through the gorge to our campsite at Jingchen. Jingchen is a small village of about 2-4 houses. Overnight in Tent.
Day 07: Jingchen –Gandha La – Shingo (Trek: 7 hrs):
The day’s trek starts with a few river crossings. In about three hours we reach at Rumbuk. It is a sizeable village of about 20 houses. Thereafter our trail starts with a gradual ascend towards Gandha la. This trek would take us about three and a half hours to reach the top. After spending some time at the pass, we descend on the other side of the valley to reach our camping site close to the spring just above Shingo village.
Overnight in Tent.
Day 08: Base of Gandhala - Skiu (Trek: 05 hrs):
Today is an easy down hill trek to our next camping site at Skiu village which is enter point to Markha valley.
Overnight in Tent.
Option: In the afternoon visit Kaya monastery.
Day 09: Skiu - Markha village (Trek: 6 hrs):
This is the loveliest sections of the Markha, which broadens out and where woody bushes grow thick along the river. The day is a fairly long one though the trekking is relatively easy. Pass a shrine at the meeting of a canyon with the Markha valley where prayer flags are said to protect the spirits of one valley from those of the other. The trail goes steadily upwards to Markha (11,500ft). Overnight in Tent.
Day 10: Markha - Thachungtse (Trek: 6 hrs):
An easy walk over a rugged trail carved into the cliffs and sheer walls of the Markha canyon. En route visit the Umalung village and monastery. Ahead of Markha, landscape changes from the warm, relatively wooded section of the lower valley to starker areas past Umalung. We reach the farming village of Hankar, and carry on further to Thachungtse, our camping site for the day. Overnight in Tent.
Day 11: Thachungtse – Nimaling (Trek: 4 hrs):
2-3 hours of hard climbing today as the trail goes up a narrow valley past villages that look smaller than those before. At one point on the trek, get a 360 degree panoramic view of snow capped peaks far into
Tibet. Descend into the Nimaling plain (4878 M), our camping site. Overnight in Tent.
Day 12: Nimaling - Kongmaru Pass –Shang (Trek: 7 hrs): Shang – Drive to Leh (Drive: 1 ½ hrs):
First 2 hrs hard trek to the top of Kongmaru La (5305 M), the highest pass on this trek but the view from the top more than makes up for it. Most spectacular view in the Himalayas descends to Shang village which is our finishing points on this trail. On arrival board the waiting vehicle and drive back to Leh.
Day 13: Leh:
Day at leisure for purchase of last minute souvenirs.
Day 14: Leh – Delhi (Flight 9W610, Dep. 07:55 hrs, Arr. 09:10 hrs): Delhi – Onward destination:
Early morning transfer to the airport to board the flight back to Delhi. Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Rest day at leisure for independent activity. Late evening after celebration dinner transfer to the International airport for onward journey. _______________
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