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AMRITSAR, SRINAGAR AND LADAKH TOUR 13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS
13 DaysDestinations Covered:- Amritsar – Wagah Border – Jallianwala Bagh – Srinagar – Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh – Khardungla pass – Sumur – Panamik – Diskit – Leh – Fly Back
Itinerary
Arrive Amritsar airport / railway station. You will be received by our representative. Check in the hotel.
Later Visit Golden Temple the hoiliest shrines for the Sikhs. The architecture of Golden Temple is a blend of Hindu and Muslims architecture.
Golden Temple: A pilgrimage to the Golden Temple is a must for any Sikh or a believer of humanity & God. This is the most sacred shrine of the Sikhs and is in the town of Amritsar founded by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. The temple was built by Guru Arjun Dev and the great Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh embellished the shrine and covered the domes with gold. The temple is in the middle of the holy tank called the Pool of Immortality dug up by Guru Ram Das. The temple is a pleasing square building in marble with inlaid walls and a domed roof. The holy book of the Sikhs the Guru Granth Sahib is kept under a Sikh canopy and pilgrims file past it. A few yards away from the temple is the Akal Takht (The Immortal Throne) from where the Gurus held court. This is a building of immense historical significance for Sikhs and is the place where decisions concerning the religious and social life of the community are taken. At any given day, the Golden Temple is full of devotees yet there is a great air of tranquillity and peacefulness.
Overnight in Hotel
Visit Jallianwala Bagh: Jalianwala has a special importance attached to it with respect to India’s freedom struggle On April 13, 1919 on the aucpicious day of Baisakhi hundreds of men,women and chidren sacrificed their lives in front of ruthless firing of the british forces.
Then visit Wagah Border which is famous for its ‘Retreat’ ceremony at the time of sunset. During evening armed soldiers, both Indian as well as Pakistani, fully decked in their uniform enacts a particularly hostile parade marked by lowering of their respective flags and closing the border gates. The changing of the guards and the ceremonial lowering of the flags is carried out with great pomp and fervour.
Overnight in hotel
Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Srinagar. Arrives in Srinagar and upon arrival, transfer to the House Boat.
The State known in India as Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) incorporates the region of Ladakh and Zanskar, Srinagar is the J&K’s summer capital and jammu is the winter capital. Kashmir is one of the most beautiful region of India. The Mughal rulers of India were always happy to retreat from the heat of the plains to the cool green heights of Kashmir. The 4th Mughal ruler Jehangir’s last words, when he died in 1627 en route to the “happy valley”, were a simple request for “only Kashmir”. It is here that the Muhgals developed their art of formal gardens to its great heights.
Later a boat ride in Dal Lake.
Dinner and overnight in House Boat.
Morning start the city tour, visiting Mughal gardens, With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them – the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors’ concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions. Shalimar garde, Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. Nishat garden, Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, this ‘garden of bliss’ commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jahan.
Shankaracharya temple: is housed in the Srinagar district on the hill known as Takht-e-Suleiman. It is at a height of 1100 ft. above surface level of the main city on the peak of the hill. The Shankaracharya Mandir in Kashmir is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is thought to be the oldest shrine for worship in the Kashmir valley. The temple as it is today has undergone many repairs throughout its life. Ever since under the rule of Lalitaditya and then repairs. The main building of Shankaracharya temple is about 30 feet high. The interior part of the temple houses the sacred Lingam of Lord Shiva. In the year 1961 April 20th, near the temple, the white marblr bust of Adi Shankaracharya was installed by the J & K Dharmarth Trust. The holy Shankaracharya temple is well maintained and kept under the supervision of the President of the Trust Mr. Divakar Singh.
Overnight in house boat
Today after breakfast drive to Kargil via Sonamarg (2740mt) is the last major town before Ladakh, Sonamarg is an excellent base for trekking. Its names “Meadows of Gold”. We drive over Zoji La Pass ( 3529 mt). Zoji La pass is the watershed between Kashmir and ladakh- on one side you have the green, lush scenery of Kashmir while on the other side everything is barren and dry. Drass is the first main village after the pass, from here another 56 km to Kargil.
Overnight in hotel.
Post breakfast we drive to Lamayuru enroute visiting Mulbek rock cut statue of Maitreya Buddha then we till drive via Namika La and Fotu La then visit LAMAYURU, Belongs to Dripung Kagyu (Red Hat) Lamayuru is the oldest monastery in Ladakh.
Overnight in Hotel.
After the breakfast drive to Leh.En-route visit Alchi.
ALCHI GOMPA: 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 was buit by Rinchan Zangpo.
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.
Overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to visit the monasteries of Shey, Thiksey, and Hemis.
Shey was the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Singge Namgyal built the more imposing palace at Leh, the kings continued to regard Shey, as their real home. The importance which was attached to Shey ‐ the seat of Ladakhʹs heartland ‐ is attested by the enormous number of Chorten about the village, particularly around the palace complex and barren plain to the north of the road.
Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two ‐ storied statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder.
Hemis is dedicated to Padmasambhava, what a visitor can observes a series of scenes in which the lamas, robed in gowns of rich, brightly colored brocade and sporting masks sometimes bizarrely hideous, parade in solemn dance and mime around the huge flag pole in the center of the courtyard to the plaintive melody of the Shawn.
Drive back to Leh.
Overnight in Hotel
Early morning proceed to Nubra Valley via the World Highest Motorable road (5602 meters) – Khardung La pass.
After crossing the pass, we reach Nubra Valley. It is about 150 km north of Leh, where the Shyok River meets the Siachen River to form a large valley separating the Ladakh and Karakoram Ranges. Siachen Glacier lies to the north of the valley. The Sasser Pass and the famous Karakoram Pass of the silk route fame lies to the northwest of the valley and connect Nubra with Xinjiang. Panamik in Nubra valley is the last village up north this side that is open to tourists.
In the evening go for a small walk and explore the village.
Overnight in Camp
Morning after breakfast, drive to Village Sumur Visit the Samtanling monastery to witness the prayer to witness the prayers. Later drive to Panamik – famous for hot Sulphur Springs. You may take a bath at the springs, which is said to be very good for the skin lunch at the camp. Post lunch visit Diskit monastery and the village.
Overnight stay in camp
After Breakfast at the camp, drive back to Leh via Khardungla pass.
Upon arrival in Leh, check-in at your hotel.
Evening explore Leh bazaar for souvenir,
Overnight in Hotel
Today you will so the sightseeing of Matho Gompa, around 26km. south east of Leh is the only Gompa, which belongs to the Saskya order and Lama Tungpa Dorjay founded it in the 16th century and the Gompa was named Thupstan-Sharling Choskor. In order to introduce the Monastic community, the king offered religious estate in neighboring villages and the Nag-Rang festival was started, which is held on 14th and 15th day of the Tibetan calendar.
Stakna Monastery Stakna (Tiger’s nose); 25km. south of Leh, is a small monastery comprising of few Dukhangs, which was founded during the reign of king Jamyang Namgyal, in 1580, by saint Chosje Jamyang Palkhar. The most important statue in the monastery is said to be of Arya Avaloketesvara. The monasteries like the one in Sani, Bardan and Stakrimo, in Zangskar are branches of this monastery.
STOK PALACE & MUSEUM: The palace of the banished royal family, Stok has a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewelry of the royalty along with exquisite Thankas representing the life style of Shakya Muni. Interesting historical objects like coins, armor, weapons, precious jades and porcelain too can be seen here.
Drive back to Leh and rest in your hotel.
Overnight in Hotel
After early / packed breakfast, we transfer you to Leh airport to board your flight back to Delhi.