Hemis Monastery is one of the wealthiest, best-known and biggest gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The Hemis festival is in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav’s birth anniversary. 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 favoured the Drugpa sect, which 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 varandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist ‘wheel of life’ (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel.
Hemis Festival in Ladakh is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the Tse-Chu, Lunar month of the Tibetan Calendar. The 2-day fiesta marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. On this day, Hemis Monastery is adorned beautifully to host the ceremony. The colorful festival showcases the beautiful handicrafts of the area. Natives also dress up in lovely traditional attires and gather in the courtyard of Hemis Monastery, the biggest Buddhist Monastery of Ladakh. Lamas dance around central flagpole to the tunes of drums, cymbals and long horns. The otherwise cold-barren desert comes to life during Hemis Festival.
The masked dances also known as ‘Chham Dance’ depict the triumph of good over the bad are the highlights of the Hemis Festival of Ladakh. These must-watch dances are also accompanied by sacred plays which keep spectators amused. Vibrant costumes worn by the Lamas also grab the attention. As per traditions, monks are supposed to wear long gowns, elaborate masks and a headgear. Every mask holds a special significance associated with it.
In the end, a sculpture made up of dough and representing the evil powers is destroyed by the head of Black Hat dancers. This implies warding off the evil spirits. The broken pieces are then thrown in four different directions. The ritual indicates purification of soul after death.
‘Devil Dances’ are also vital aspects of the fiesta. ‘Chang’, a local liquor is served to the people during the festival. Exhibition of striking handicrafts adds to the charm of the gala. The head Lama or ‘Rinpoche’ is the presiding person of the event.
The Tibetan Year of Monkey aka every 12th year adds to the fun quotient. Ladakh gets submerged in a strong wave of faith and spiritualism as the largest thangka (as high as two storeys of a building) of Guru Padmasambhava is showcased with great zeal. Various people gather to witness the thangka decorated with semi-precious gems, stones and pearls.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi (By Flight)
Fly to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you will be Greeted and Escorted by our Tour Executive to your Hotel.
On arrival at hotel check in. (Room will be available from 1200 Noon)
In its 3000 years of existence; seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Here you’ll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 02 Delhi
After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.
Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656 at a cost of one million Rupees has perfect proportions. India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.
Also visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”. An eternal flame burns 24 hours.
Drive through Lutyens Delhi and see India Gate Built of Bharatpur stone, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India.
Later in the afternoon explore New Delhi. Visit the Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the
predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The elements in its design a squat building, lighted by high arched entrances, topped by bulbous dome and surrounded by the char bagh (garden divided into quadrants), water channels and fountains.
Later visit the Qutub Minar the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. The tower has 379 steps to the top.
Overnight at the Hotel
IMP: Red Fort is closed on Mondays.
Day 03 Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
Morning, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Leh.
On arrival in Leh, transfer to the hotel and check in.
Leh, the capital of Ladakh is situated at a height of 3505 meters and is towards the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The region is watered by the Zanskar River, which flows into the Indus River just below. Leh is a beautiful destination with so many attractions and is the center of Tibeto-Buddhist Culture for ages. Its colorful gompas have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe.
Rest of the day free rest and leisure to acclimatize.
Dinner and Overnight in the hotel.
Day 04 Leh
Forenoon is free. Here you can walk around the City & visit Local Gompa.
In the afternoon visit Shankar Monastery a couple of km north of the town centre. There is a library and great views from the roof. There is an impressive representation of Avalokitesvara complete with 1000 arms and 1000 heads.
Later visit Shanti Stupa, The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. From there one can see the nice spectacular view of Leh town.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 05 Leh
Today we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.
Then we visit Thiksey Gompa an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the
village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa founded in 1630’s by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall.
Stok palace; which is currently a museum was built in 1840 to house the Ladakhi royal family after the Dogra army had exiled them.
Later in the evening we drive back to Leh.
Dinner and Overnight in the hotel.
Day 06 Leh
Today morning set out on an excursion to the Phyang Monastery built in the 16th century by the founder of the Namgyal Dynasty. It houses hundreds of statues including some Kashmiri bronzes, thangkas and manuscript copies of old temples. The temple walls have colourful paintings of the 8th fold path of Buddha’s teachings. Later visit Spituk monastery that was founded by Old Led, in the 11th century AD. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum idle, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery & Hall of Fame (war museum).
Dinner & Overnight in the hotel.
Day 07 Leh
After breakfast drive to Hemis Monastery to witness the festival.
Hemis Monastery: This is biggest and the most important monastery in Ladakh. It was built in the 17th century by Chapgon Gyalshas and ever since has enjoyed the patronage of the royal family. Hemis is the headquarter of the Drukpa order and all the monasteries throughout Ladakh are administered by it. It also trains Lamas for the royal monasteries at Leh, Shey and Bazgo. The Monastery contains gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones and many priceless old Thankas.
Each year the Hemis Festival attracts more than its share of pilgrims & tourists. Held during the full moon in June, is a series of colourful masked dances performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums & long horns.
Dinner & Overnight in the hotel.
Day 08 Leh
After breakfast drive to Matho Gompa to witness the 2nd Day of festival.
Enjoy the festival.
This is special day to watch the Oricals. Both Oricals performs puja and change of ‘LHATHO” etc.
Dinner & Overnight in the hotel.
Day 09 Leh – Lamayuru – Alchi – Leh (By Road) (226 kms / 6.5 hrs Approx)
After breakfast to Lamayuru, and Ridzong.
Lamayuru lower ladakh its also called as sham. Lamayuru Gompa: The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match Lamayuru.
After visit at lamayuru Gonpa the drive to Ridzong Gompa: There is no road to Rizong Gompa hence one has to walk to the monastery which is deep into the mountains. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to editated here for years. One can still find the small caves where Lamas used to meditate for years cutting themselves from the rest of the world except for a one feet square outlet window from where they accept the one time meal of the day.
Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh’s most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries, which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden.
Later drive back to Leh. Dinner & Overnight in the hotel.
Day 10 Leh – Delhi (By Flight)
Morning, transfer to the Airport to board the flight to Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel and check in.
Later drive for the temple tour of Delhi.
Visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple, one of the biggest Hindu temples in Delhi. A big industrialist Mr. Birla built it about 50 years ago. It showcases almost all Gods worshipped by Hindus.
Later visit a Sikh temple “Bangala Sahib Gurudwara”. This is another religion started in 15th century by great sufi saint Guru Nanak.
Also visit Bhai’s temple. This is a new religion in India. There is one Bhai temple in every continent, in Asia it is in Delhi. It is made in white marble and resembles shape lotus hence also called Lotus Temple. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 11 Depart Delhi (By Flight)
On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey.
| City | Night (s) | 5* Standard | 5* Deluxe |
| Delhi | 02 | Radisson Blu Dwarka | Le Meridian |
| Leh | 07 | The Grand Dragon | The Grand Dragon |
| Delhi | 01 | Radisson Blu Dwarka | Le Meridian |
– Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at airport / hotels by our office representative.
– Daily breakfast and dinners.
– 10 Nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Delhi – Leh – Delhi air tickets in economy class.
– Entrance fee to monuments as per itinerary.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian Speaking Guide.
– All transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per itinerary by private AC vehicle in Delhi & non air-conditioned jeeps in Ladakh.
– Transport, Parking, Gasoline & Toll ways.
– All inner line permit in Ladakh
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.