Special Ladakh Tours

Ladakh Jeep Safari

Welcome to Vardhman's "Ladakh Jeep Safari"!
On arrival in Leh, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's representative to your hotel. Full day rest to acclimatize yourself. Evening go for a brisk walk to stretch your body.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 2 - Leh Sightseeing. Shanti Stupa - Sangkar Gompa
Morning after breakfast proceed to visit Shanti Stupa, Sankar monastery and Leh palace.
Shanti Stupa (Japanese Peace Pagoda) : Shanti Stupa/Japanese peace pagoda is build by a Japanese religious organization headed by Head monk Nakamura with the help from the organization and local people. It is situated at a hill top in Cahngspa village providing a bird eye view of the Leh town and the surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the Japanese touch with small clean rooms on the side for mediators and the main Japanese shrine at the entrance.
Sankar Gompa & Village : A relatively modern monastery, it is closely associated with the Spituk monastery and served as the residence of the late head priest-Kushak Bakula. A number of gold icons are to be found here.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 3 - Leh
Full day sightseeing tour of Leh. Visit places like Shey, Thiksey and Hemis monastery.
Hemis Gompa: This monastery is the best-known in Ladakh. Ladakh's largest monastery. It contains a number of gold statues and Stupas decorated with precious stones and a superb collection of Thankas, including one that is the largest in existence. Hemis gompa is believed to have been established in 1630 by Lama Tagstang Raspa and built by Palden Sara under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal on a site previously sanctified by the construction of a cave hermitage dating from the 12th century. This monastery is the oldest one in the area belonging to the Kargyu school. The Gompa is a unique example of a monastic complex of this period which manifests in its structure the geomantic principles which underlie religious constructions of this type.

After seeing the sights of the monastery leave for the Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace.
Thiksey Monastery: This is situated on a mountain from where you can see panoramic views of the Indus Valley. Within the monastery you can see many beautiful Buddhist artifacts. 19 Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.

Shey Palace: Shey palace with its remarkable statue of Buddha and panoramic views of Indus valley. Situated on a hillock 15 Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 4 - Leh-Likir Gompa - Alchi Gompa-Uletokpo
Early morning depart for Uletokpo one of the most important & beautiful monasteries of Ladakh visiting Likir & Alchi monastery on the way. Likir Gompa : Founded in the 11th century and rededicated to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsmen producing excellent Thankas, earthen pots and carved wooden folding stools, live here in the village. Majestically situated, Likir commands a spectacular view. A magnificent giant Jupiter tree, one of the few survivors of its species, stands in the courtyard.

Alchi Gompa : 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus, is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls features thousands of miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attractions. No longer an active religious center, it is looked after by monks from the Liker monastery. This is the only monastery amongst 34 monasteries, which is not located on a hilltop.
Upon arrival in late evening check into tented camps for overnight rest.
Overnight: Camp

Day 5 -Uletokpo-Excursion to Lamayuru -Uletokpo
Full day of sightseeing - Lamayuru Gompa.
Start your day with a morning excursion to Lamayuru Monastery on day 09. It is situated at a distance of approximately 127 km to the west of Leh. The legend associated with this monastery goes that at the time of Sakyamuni (the Historical Buddha), nags (holy serpents) used to live in a Lake at the present day Lamayuru's valley. It was the prediction of the Bodhisattva Madhyantaka that the lake would get drained out, making the place for the construction of a monastery. It is further believed that in 11th century, Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, Indian Buddhist scholar, meditated for many years in a cave in Dukhang, still seen today.
In the evening return to Uletokpo Camp for an overnight rest.
Overnight: Camp

Day 6 - Uletokpo-Rangdum
On the day 6 of your tour drive to Rangdum.Upon arrival, check into your Camp for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Camp

Day 7 - Rungdum-Pensi La-Karsha
Morning visit Rangdum Gompa and then drive to Karsha via Pensi La (4400m). Upon arrival check into your camp. Later visit Karsha Gompa.

Rangdum Gompa: Situated in the Zanskar region of Ladakh, it serves as the residence of approximately 40 monks. The monastery rises over a centrally ascending mound, entrenched around by the bifurcated route of a mountain stream. The Rangdum Gompa of Ladakh gives the appearance of an age-old fortification, which is standing as the protector of a mystical mountain valley. One of the major attractions of the monastery is its small museum.
Karsha Gompa: Situated in the Karsha village of the Zanskar region. The full name of Karsha, the largest monastery of Zanskar, is Karsha Chamspaling. Phagspa Shesrab, the translator of Zanskar first founded this monastery. The monastery, as it stands today, was the result of the efforts of the Teacher, Dorje Shesrab. It was under him only that the monastery flourished and prospered. Shesrab Zangpo of Stod was the one to introduce the Gelukpa Order in the Karsha Gompa of Leh Ladakh.
Overnight: Camp

Day 8 - Karsha-Zangla Castle & Stongde Gompa-Karsha
This morning after breakfast visit Zangla Castle and Stongde Gompa.
Zangla Castle: Zangla is mainly famous for a number of places that the village has. There is an old castle in the village, which now lies mostly in ruins. The only intact remnant of the castle is a small chapel that overlooks the deserted valley below. Quite near to the castle is an old Nunnery, housing a small population of monastic nuns.
Stongde Gompa: Situated at a distance of approximately 18 km to the north of Padum, on the road to Zangla. Lama Lhodak Marpa Choski Lodos founded this monastery in the year 1052. The Stongdey Monastery came to flourish under the influence of Shakya Zangpo of Stongdey itself. It belongs to the Tsongkhapa order, which was introduced by Lama Gyaltsanpa Tundup Palzangpo. The Stongde Gompa of Leh Ladakh is considered to be the second largest monastic establishment in the region of Zanskar. The monastery comprises of a number of magnificent shrines within its complex, along with some exquisite wall paintings.
Drive back to Karsha Camp for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Camp

Day 9 - Karsha-Bardan Gompa-Sani
On the day 9 of your tour visit Bardan Gompa and then drive to Sani. Upon arrival check into your camp. Later visit Sani Gompa.
Bardan Monastery: It is standing atop a rocky crag, lies at a distance of approximately 12 km to the south of Padum. It belongs to the Dugpa-Kargyud monastic order. Infact, it was one of the first centers of Dugpa-Kargyud monastic order to be set up in Zanskar. Bardan Gompa of Leh Ladakh dates back to the 17th century. A number of smaller monasteries in the region come under the management of Bardan. One such monastery is the Sani Gompa.
Sani Gompa: A castle like gompa and is located in Sani. It is a part of the Drukpa Kagyupa School. The prime draw is Kanika Stupa, which is located in the backyard of the monastery.
Overnight: Camp

Day 10 -Sani-Parkhachik
This morning after a lesiurely breakfast drive to Parkhachik. Check at your camp for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Camp

Day 11 - Parkhachik-Mulbekh
On the day 11 of your tour drive to Mulbekh. Upon arrival, check into your camp. Relax for a while and later visit Mulbekh Chamba and Mulbekh Gompa.

Mulbekh: It is a small village located in Kargil District. It is about 45 km east of Kargil,on the road to Leh (190 km). This scenic village derived its name from a small watercourse, which originates form the Zanskar and meets the Suru River at Kargil. The beautiful hills and the small cultivated fields that dot the landscape presents a pretty picture of nature’s splendor at work. It forms the cultural border of the state as Buddhism is predominant towards the east from here and Islam towards the west.
Overnight: Camp

Day 12 - Mulbekh-Leh
This morning after a leisurely breakfast drive back to Leh. Upon arrival check into your hotel. Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 13 - Leh
Full day at your leisure, shopping, cultural program show in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 14 - Leh-Delhi
In the morning transfer to Leh airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi domestic airport transfer to International airport (through shuttle service) to board the flight for your onward journey to back home with sweet and unforgettable memories of "Ladakh Jeep Safari" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.

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