2022 Tour Dates - August 7-17,  August 21-31,  September 4-14 

Daily Tour Schedule 

Major areas covered during the ten-day tour are the Eastern Indus Valley of Ladakh, Nubra Valley, and Western Ladakh. 
Day
Activity
Day 1 - Arrival in Leh
On arrival at Leh airport you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel-guest house where the group will be staying. The rest of the day will be spent at your pace in and about Leh. We will  walk a short distance down the road to choose from a number of good restaurants with a wide choice of cuisine.
Day 2 - Leh City
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​After breakfast we walk from the restaurant along quaint village paths to Gomag Stupa, one of the largest and most beautiful stupas in Ladakh. Then we walk along tree shaded paths to the sound of flowing glacier water canals to Sankar Gompa which is the residence of the senior Abbot of Ladakh, the Venerable Kushok Bakula. After a tour of the monastery grounds and inner temples we can either walk or drive to Leh’s 16th. Century Royal Palace, the former home of the Ladakhi royal family which is modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.  Now  we can walk the dirt trail, or drive up to the iconic Old Tsemo Gompa  commanding a view of the entire city and housing three temples with the Guardian temple
Day 3 - Excursion to Shey,
​Thiskey and Hemis Monasteries. 


Today we proceed with our East Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey Monastery and former Ladakh Royal Palace of the ancient capitol of Ladakh. Shey monastery and palace is located 15 kilometers from Leh and was built in the 16th century. The monastery enshrines the Du-Chang with an almost 10 meter high copper statue of Lord Buddha. Shey Royal Palace was built by King Deledan Nagmyal and boasts of the largest victory stupa in Leh, the top of which is made of pure gold.
After a tea break we visit Thiksey monastery an impressive complex rising many layers of construction up a mountain side. 19 kilometers east of Leh, Thiksey, of the mid 15th Century, is the largest monastery in central Ladakh. And is famous for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The monastery is affiliated with the Gelugpa sect or Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism.Located at an altitude of 3600 meters, the Thiksey monastery is a twelve-story building. It has many elements of Buddhist art such as thangkas, stupas, wall paintings, statues, and swords. The Maitreya Temple is one of the most popular attractions in the monastery. The temple houses a 15 meter tall statue of Maitreya Buddha which as been blessed by the Dali Lama which merits a few minutes of silent reverence. 
We then drive up the Indus Valley to Hemis Monastery located 45 kilometers from Leh. It belongs to the Red Hat Sect or Drukpa lineage of Buddhism and was first established in the 11th century and later re-established in the 17th century by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgyal. It is also famous for its 2-day religious ceremony, Chams dance,  at Hemis Gompa.  Hemis monastery is ranked as one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh and is one of the most visited monasteries in India. It houses a vast collection of Thangkas, gold statues, Tibetan books, chortens embedded with valuable stones. If time allows we can walk up a small valley to the upper retreat monastery complex at which is located an interesting and powerful cave where we can do a silent 30 minute meditation.
Day 4 - Leh to Nubra Valley, Diskit Monastery.


After breakfast we drive to Nubra Valley which passes over the highest motor-able mountain pass in the world - Khardung-La at 5602 meters or 18,438 feet. Here we will stop for a short driving break to take photos of the excellent view of the top of the Himalayan Range as well as the decent into Nubra Valley. Nubra Valley was once part of the ancient silk route taking local trading products from the Indus Valley up into Tibet and Turkmenistan and into Europe. The ancient caravans used yaks as well as Bactrian camels which are still visible in Nubra. Nubra Valley has been noted for its well cultivated fertile fields and orchards of apples and apricots. After checking into our guest house and tea break we will drive 5 minutes up the hill to Diskit Monastery where will find the 30 meter high statue of Buddha Maitreya and small museum. Next we go to the main monastery complex and visit the small temples and puja hall which contains many ancient relics and artifacts. We can then drive down to the village of Hundar, visit the sand dunes for a possible camel ride, or walk a bit through the village visiting some of the ancient stupa fields and temples up on the hill above a beautiful clear river flowing out of the mountains. There are stunning photo shots everywhere you look here.
Day 5  - Nubra Valley sightseeing, Diskit,
​Entsa Monastery, Sumor Village. 
Next we drive to the quaint village of Sumor where we check into our guest house and have a tea break in the flower garden. This was the last village on the silk route before the caravans plunged into the Karakoram and Kun-Lu Mountains to the North. Now back on the road for scenic drive up the North arm of the Shoyok River to Entsa Gompa. This is a very remote and extremely powerful little monastery with only two resident monks, an 800 year old meditation temple and a sacred spring and grove of willow trees. With few visitors here we can do an undisturbed meditation in this old temple before waking up a trail to the stunning valley view points in a field of ancient stupas. If we have enough energy we can take a short hike to the sacred and hidden Tibetan healing Yarab Tso, (lake). In the late afternoon we return to Samstaling Gompa and can walk back through the village to our guest house and rest before an excellent Indian buffet dinner.
Day 6 - Nubra to Leh, Leh Afternoon/Evening.
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After a leisurely breakfast we drive to Leh over the Khardung-La pass. On arrival we check into our guest house. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the markets and sights of Leh. Main Bazaar is a favorite this time of day with many Ladakhi women situated on the sidewalks selling their fresh picked garden produce. You can purchase fresh or dried apricots as well as apples from Kashmir in August. Also check out two outstanding bookstores, shops selling Pashmina wool scarves and gift shops. Then hike up to Old Tsemo Gompa for a sunset over Leh and a view of the Indus Valley.
Day 7 - Leh to Nimu, Basgo, Likir, Alchi.
​Overnight at Alchi village.
Today we drive to the Nimu, the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers for a view and photo. Then head down the Indus River to a view of the ruins of Basgo Palace and fort. Continuing on down the highway we visit Likir Monastery and grounds where we have a stunning view of the valley below. Likir Monastery in western Ladakh is picturesquely situated on a little hill in the valley near the Indus River and the village of Saspol about 9.5 kilometers (5.9 mi) north of the Srinagar to Leh highway. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was established in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje, under the command of the fifth king of Ladakh, Lhachen Gyalpo (Lha-chen-rgyal-po). Although Likir now seems rather out of the way, it used to be on a major trade route which travelled via Tingmosgang, Hemis and Likir to Leh. Likir is mentioned in the Ladakhi chronicles as having been erected by King Lhachen Gyalpo (Lha-chen-rgyal-po) (c. 1050-1080 CE). The name Likir means “The Naga – Encircled”, representing the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas, Nanda and Taksako. It presumably, originally belonged to the early Kadampa order of Tibetan Buddhism. We next drive to Alchi Village and check into our guest house then explore the village. 

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Day 8 - Alchi, Mangyu Monasteries. 
This morning we explore the 11th century Alchi monastery complex, which is one of the most unusual and most significant gompa’s in Ladakh representing early Indian Mahayana Buddhism. The artistic works here are unparalleled and predate the Tibetan styles. Known as the oldest monastery in Ladakh, Alchi Monastery is basically a monastic complex situated in Alchi Village in Leh District. The complex has four separate settlements with monuments dating back to different times. The paintings in Alchi Monastery are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh.
Alchi is also part of the three villages that constitute the ‘Alchi group of monuments.’ The other two villages are the Mangyu and Sumda Chun. We will then take the five minute walk back to Alchi village to have a special group lunch  at a very unique restaurant owned and operated by the famous Ladakhi chef Nilza Lonpo. We then take a short drive to Mangyu monastery and visit the very early Kashmiri Buddhist temples, the monastery and the views of the iconic farming village of Mangyu.
Day 9 - Lamaruyu Monastery
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After breakfast in Alchi we drive on to Lamaruyu monastery which is built into cliffs and hilltop and is one most scenic and famous monastery’s in Ladakh. Lamaruyu is a Tibetan Buddhist Gompa in Western Ladakh situated on the Srinagar – Kargil – Leh Road at a height of 3,510 m. A. H. Francke states that, “According to popular tradition,” it was originally the foremost Bonpo monastery in Ladakh and was called gYung-drung Monastery (from Tibetan: gYung-drung, a swastika, a popular symbol in Bon, Buddhism, and other religions); also gYung-drung-bon is the name of the Bon religion. The Indian scholar Mahasiddhacarya Naropa (956-1041 CE), allegedly caused a lake which filled the valley to dry up and founded Lamaruyu Monastery. The oldest surviving building at Lamaruyu is a temple called Seng-ge-sgang, at the southern end of the Lamaruyu rock, which is attributed to the famous builder-monk Rinchen Zangpo (958-1055 CE).  We will gain special access to Seng-ge-sgang temple to do a 30 minute silent meditation in this extremely powerful little three room temple just below the main monastery complex.
Day 10 - Lamaruyu, Return to Leh.​
​This morning we make the beautifully scenic return drive to Leh and our guest house where we can relax as we please or go out for shopping or exploring in the main market area. There is an excellent Ladakh History Museum just off of Main Market Street with well preserved artifacts from the 15th century on as well as 19th century photographs depicting life in the early explorers days of Ladakh. Main Market has some excellent restaurants of many styles including Kashmiri, Indian, Ladakhi, Tibetan, Chinese and Italian with wood fired pizza’s, as well as a few small bakeries with fresh baked pies, cookies, cakes and coffee chai, teas, and fresh juices are available.
Day 11 - Airport Return Flight
​We are shuttled to Leh airport for flights back to Delhi
​ and your connecting flights.
10-day tour price $2250.00 USD
Costs Include
Airport pick-up in Leh and drop-off at the end of the tour. 
Newer comfortable sport utility vehicles. Share with 4-5 persons per car on tour.
5 Nights A class guest house or A class hotel in Leh with attached bathroom and hot showers. Breakfast and dinner included.
1 Night Diskit - Nubra guest house with attached bathroom and hot shower. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
1 Night Sumor Village guest house with attached bathroom and hot shower. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
1 Night in Alchi Village at the Alchi Monastery guesthouse with attached bath and shower. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
English-speaking local driver and guide.
Inner-Line permit fees for Nubra Valley. 
Monastery and museum entrance fees when with the group.

Cost Excludes
Transportation costs getting to Ladakh for the group tour.
Lunches or dinners when away from the group. 

Payment
A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the tour price is required at least six weeks before your scheduled tour.
The full price of the tour must be paid (at the latest) four weeks prior to departure.
Payment can be made by check, Venmo, or PayPal to Douglas Orton.

Refunds
​If you can find a replacement for your spot within four weeks of the tour, the full tour price will be refunded.