Swadeshi Holidays
Arrive Delhi. After clearing customs and immigrations you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2
Humayun Tomb - New Delhi
DELHI
This morning you head out to Old Delhi. Old Delhi came into prominence
when Emperor Shah
Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. You will arrive at The Red
Fort which is the th landmark of this area built in the mid 17 century
by Shah Jahan, it was plundered by the marauding armies of Nadir Shah
and later by British soldiers. After visiting the fort, we arrive at
the 300 year old Chandni Chowk market. A maze of lanes crowded with
shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and food, the noise
and crowds are a quintessential part of any Indian market. We explore
the market on a Cycle Rickshaw, our path leading us through lanes each
dedicated to a particular item. From here we continue to the Jama Masjid
or Friday Mosque. This is India's largest mosque designed by Shah Jahan,
and was his last architectural legacy. Originally it was called Masjid-I-Jahan,
which means "mosque commanding a view of the world".In complete
contrast to the noise and crowds of Old Delhi, is Raj Ghat, a simple
and stunning memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the main architect of India's
independence.
In the afternoon you visit some of the sights of New Delhi. The Qutab
Minar, the tapering monument begun in 1199 was built to symbolize the
supremacy of Islam; Humayun's tomb was built by his senior wife and
mother of emperor Akbar. This is the earliest example of Mughal architecture
in India. It is believed that it was this mausoleum, which inspired
Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal. We will return to our hotel via the
elegant government buildings designed by Lutyen and Baker. The architecture
is a blend of Indian and European styles and is the celebration of the
British rule in India. The most outstanding of this collection is the
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
DELHI - LEH
In time transfer to the airport for flight to LEH. The flight takes
you over the entire Himalayan Range to the barren desert land of Ladakh
into the airport near the capital, Leh. Since the altitude in Leh is
a 11,500' you can expect to find yourself moving somewhat slowly. The
first day is free for you to acclimatize to the height. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 4
Today you begin your exploration of some of the monasteries of the region. You will first head to Shey, the old summer palace of the Kings of Ladakh, built about 350 years ago by Lhachen Palgygon, the first King of Ladakh. Shey contains the largest golden Buddha statue in the district, standing 12 meters high with blue hair.
From Shey you drive to Thikse, a 500-year-old monastery perched on a hill overlooking the Indus, and belonging to the Gelugpa (that of the Dalai Lama). Thikse, along with a spectacular view and the largest contingent of monks in Ladakh, also has the most beautiful library and an active block printing operation. Additionally, the Thikse oracle, a villager with supernatural powers, is considered to be the most powerful oracle in Ladakh.
Your last stop for the day is Stok Village, 200 years old and the only Ladakhi palace that is still inhabited. Although the last king, Raja Kunsang Namgyal died in 1974, his wife, the Rani of Stok and youngest son still use 12 of the 80 rooms in the palace. The Museum occupies three more rooms and there is a small Gompa that is still open to the public. Inside are jewels, ceremonial dress of the Ladakhi kings, an extraordinary collection of 400 years old thangkas, and some musical instruments. Return to LEH , early evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5
Once again today we head out of Leh first to Spituk. The monastery is perched high up on an outcropping overlooking Leh airport and is a Gelugpa or Yellow Hat monastery with about 125 monks. The Gelugpas are the sect to which the Dalai Lama belongs. The head lama is not only the head of the Shankar Gompa in Leh, but also represents Ladakh in the Indian parliament. From Spituk we continue to one of the most important monasteries in Leh, Hemis.
The Hemis Gompa was founded 350 years ago and is one of the wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh. Hemis belongs to the Kagupa Brugpa sect of Buddhism, the sect dominant in Bhutan. The Rimpoche, or spiritual overlord of the monastery is considered to be a reincarnation of the monastery's founder, and is heir to the 5 year old Tibetan child, who was undergoing training in Tibet when the Chinese invaded and has since not been heard from. The present Rimpoche is in his 30s and studies in Darjeeling. Return to LEH early evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6
Sand Dunes at Jaisalmer
LEH ULEY TOPKO
Your path today takes to first to Basgo. As you approach Basgo, you will
see the ruins of a th th Buddhist citadel perched on a spur overlooking
the valley. Between 15 and 17 centuries, the citadel served as a royal
residence and was once considered impregnable, after surviving a three-year
Mongol siege. Not too far from Basgo, is the monastery of Likir. Likir
was built during the reign of Lachen Gyalpo more than 500 years ago and
housed more than 600 monks. Many of the old treasures and much of the
old structure was destroyed in a fire, and th the present buildings date
mainly from the 18 century. A small, but interesting museum is opened
on request. From Likir you head to the tented campsite at Uley Topko.
Day 7
Accomodation at Manvaar Camp
Leaving your things in your tent to drive to another of Ladakh's most famous temples, that of Lamayuru. Driving across the barren hills, one is struck by the vivid colors that light up the landscape. Legend has it that the monastery was built where once serpents swam in a crystal th clear lake and where the sage Naropa meditated in the 10 century. The central building dates backs to the 10the century and was constructed by Rinchen Zangpo at the request of the King of Ladakh. Once the home of more than 400 monks, today the monastery barely supports 20 to 30- monks of the Gelugpa sect. Known as the Tharpa Ling or "Place of Freedom", Lamayuru is considered a sanctuary guarded by a 2 headed, 1000 eye image of Chemezi, the Buddha of Compassion.
From Lamayuru you will continue to the little visited site of Ridzong with its nunnery, hidden from the road in a very dramatic setting. To get there, you have a short 3-kilometer trek. From Ridzong you will return to Uley Topko for the night.
Day 8
View of Jodhpur city from
Mehrangarh Fort.
This morning you will drive back to Leh via Alchi, one of the most famous of Ladakh's monasteries. Alchi Choskor, to use the full name, is the oldest and largest monastery in Ladakh. Unlike most Ladakhi temples, Rinchen Zangpo built Alchi on the lowlands rather than high on a hill. Three 3 storey high statues of the Bodhisatvas dominate the monastery, but the Kashimiri Hindu influence in the wooden carvings on the doors, ceilings designs and murals is apparent. You return to Leh and Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9
Early morning depart for Sarchu by surface 220 Kms, approx 8 hrs. The road soon takes 21 hairpin bends as it rises steeply by another 3500ft to 16,400ft Lachlung La passes through one ridge of the Zanskar range. Crossing the highest pass on this road and the 2nd highest motorable pass in the world Tanglang La pass at 5325m. Evening arrive at Sarchu & Check into the beautifully located campsite at Sarchu.
Day 10
Early morning you depart for Manali by surface 235 Kms, approx 9 hrs. The drive to Manali will take you across the Rohtang Pass with fabulous views down the valley. Evening arrive at Manali. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11
Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel - Udaipur
The Kullu Valley is famous for its apples, lovely wooden temples and scenery. Watered by the Beas, famous for its rainbow trout, Manali, the main town, occupies the upper part of the valley. Surrounded by apple orchards, the town has become increasingly built up, but it is an interesting place to walk around. You have several choices today, which you can discuss with your guide. You may like to walk up to Vashisht, a small hillside village, famous for its sulphur springs. Of particular interest are the carvings on the houses of the wealthy farmers. The houses in Dhunghri Village are charming and worth visiting not just for the cedar wooden carvings and great views, but also because of the welcome given by the families to visitors. The Hadimba Devi Temple is two km hike from town. Legend relates how the God Bhima fell in love with Hadimba, the sister of the demon Tandi. Bhima killed Tandi and married the sister, who is worshipped only because of her marriage to a god. The temple though crude in structure is built to resemble a pagoda temple and has some fine carvings of animals and plants around the doorway. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12
Morning you will be transferred to Kullu airport to take your flight to Delhi JA-204 (1220/1340hrs). Met on arrival and transferred to Imperial Hotel.
Afternoon you may like to visit The Crafts Museum was designed by leading Indian architect Charles Correa. In a natural setting are over 20,000 examples of Indian art and architecture. Most of the exhibits represent some of the rarer arts in India, especially from the remote tribal belts. Many of these art forms are now dying, and some of the exhibits are the only examples of particular art forms in existence. In a bid to encourage the continuance of these skills, the museum invites master craftsman to display their talents in the open courtyard of the museum. Each month new sets of artisans are invited, and we can spend time with them after touring the museum.
Late evening you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home.