Hemis Monastery : 40 km 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 Sambhav's birth anniversary. It also has the largest Thangkha in Ladakh, which is unfurled, once in 12 years (next in 2016). Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect, which managed the monastery. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums & long horns. A colorful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight of the festival.

This year the festival is on 21st and 22nd June 2010 so plan your holiday accordingly. Contact us at Himalayan Pictures for more details.

Duration : 11Days / 10 Nights
Itinerary :  Leh  - Hemis Festival  - Nubra Valley - Leh - Uletokpo - Lamayuru - Delhi.

Day 01 : 08th July 2011 : Catch flight from Delhi and arrive Leh. Get a warm welcome from our representative. Check in to the hotel and leisure for rest of the day. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02 : 09th July 2011 : Leh Sight seeing : Today we  go for a sightseeing tour of Shey and Thiksey. Thiksey Gompa is one of the largest and architecturally the most impressive Gompas. Whereas, Hemis is the wealthiest and one of the biggest and the best known Gompas of Ladakh and is 40 kilometers away from Leh. On return visit Tibetan Refugee Center. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 : 10th July 2011 : Hemis Festival : Enjoy the famous Hemis Monastery Festival on June 21st. Celebrated on tenth day of the Tibetan lunar month, Hemis Monastery is a two-day festival that celebrates the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04 : 11th July 2011 : Leh - Sumur (Nubra Valley) : Proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 Mts) Khardungla pass on June 26th. Khardungla is located in the Ladakh region of  Jammu and Kashmir and is a high mountain pass situated just 37 kilometer by road from Leh. On arrival, check in at The Silk Route Cottage. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at The Silk Route Cottage.

Day 05 : 12th July - 2011 : Nubra Sight Seeing : Enjoy your day by going on a sightseeing tour of Nubra. Visit the White Sand Dunes at Hunder and enjoy the camel ride. Also visit places like Hunder and Diskit Monasteries. Founded by Lama Sherab Zangpoof Stod, Diskit Monastery houses about 100 monks. Trek your way to Samstaling Monastery in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 : 13th July 2011 : Sumur to Leh : Tour begins with a drive to Leh via Khardungla pass the World Highest Motorable road. Explore the famous Leh bazaar for souvenir in the evening. Also visit Leh Jokhang or Leh Mosque by foot. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : 14th July 2011 : Leh Sight Seeing : Go on a full day sightseeing of Leh and visit palces like Phyang, Spituk monastery and Stok Palace and museum. On return visit the Tibetan Refugee Center. Overnight stay at the hotel at Leh.

Day 08 : 15th July 2011 : Leh to Uletokpo : Drive from Leh to Uleytokpo and enroute visit Alchi monastery on June 30th. Post lunch walk to the beautiful village of Mangyu. Overnight stay at Uleytokpo camps.

Day 09 : 16th July 2011 : Excursion to Lamayuru : Go for a morning excursion to Lamayuru Monastery. Later in the afternoon visit the Rizong monastery and Chulichan nunnery. Overnight stay at the Uleytokpo camps.

Day 10 : 17th July 2011 : Uletokpo to Leh : Drive back to Leh and enroute visit Likir monastery. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11 : 18th July 2011 : Departure : Early morning transfer to Leh airport to board flight to Delhi.

for further details of the tour please mail us at [email protected]