| DAY
1 |
Arrival
in Delhi and transfer to Hotel. |
| DAY
2 |
After
breakfast we visit old Delhi and see Red Fort, Jama
Masjid (Mosque) and Chandni Chowk (bazaar since ancient
India) and then visit New Delhi to see Rajghat, Tibet
House, Lotus Temple (modern architect temple), administration
blocks and Connaught Place (modern Indian market and
Centre of Delhi) or discussion with an Ayurvedic Doctor
and evening back to hotel. |
| DAY 3 |
To
Leh. Must leave Delhi hotel at 04:30 hrs to catch flight
for Leh at 06:40 hrs. Arrival in Leh at about 0800 hrs.
Transfer to hotel and serve breakfast. Rest till noon.
At 12:30 hrs conference with a local historian who will
tell us about the past and present about Ladakh and
its culture. Buffet lunch after the conference. After
lunch we shall visit Schools, handicraft Centre and
the Main market by walk slowly. This is the process
of acclimatization. In the evening, we shall be back
at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. |
| DAY 4 |
To
Shay, Thiksey and Hemis Gompa. After breakfast, we drive
to visit Shay Palace Gompa. This drive is very fascinating
as it is all along the Indus river. One could experience
greenery in this part of the Ladakh which would lead
us to the Shay Palace (Summer Palace of the King of
Ladakh which is partially in ruin). In one of the halls
there is a copper gilded statue with gold and Silver
of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is 12 m tall. It is considered
to be the tallest in Ladakh and was built in 1655 A.D.
From here, we drive to Thiksay monastery. It is situated
on the splendid hilltop perch overlooking the green
valley of Indus. Twelve storey Thiksay monastery is
800 years old. There are 10 temples and 60 monks and
some nuns. The chambers of this institution are treasure
troves of gold and silver statues of Buddha, ancient
swords, ancient Thankas (paintings on the cloth) and
Tetris wall paintings. There is also a huge brass pillar,
which has been brought from Tibet.
After seeing this monastery, we shall eat lunch. After
finishing lunch, we shall drive further to see the Hemis
Monastery, the largest monastery of Ladakh. In the month
of June, there is a festival to mark the birthday of
Guru Padmasambhawa, during which visitors come from
different parts of the world. They perform the mask
dance of various evil and good spirits. Overnight at
Leh hotel. |
| DAY 5 |
Day
free in Leh, Time to visit shops or your friends. |
| DAY 6 |
Leh
to Serchu drive. Through most fascinating landscape,
changing colours of hills at your side-rare and often
a delight to most photographers. This is about a 10-11
hrs drive. Over the Taklang La Pass (4560 m) we stop
at Pang for lunch. We camp at Serchu in the evening.
Overnight at Serchu in tents. |
| DAY 7 |
Serchu
to Kelong. Drive to Kelong in the morning. We drive
over the Baralacha La pass (3570 m). At the bottom of
the pass, we will meet with the first Himachali village
called Darcha where we have to stop for the passport
entry. After Darcha. we drive to Kelong hotel for overnight
stay. |
| DAY
8 |
After
breakfast we visit the Temple of Keylong by walking,
which is about two hours uphill. There after could enjoy
the local market and local people lifestyle. Dinner
& night stay at hotel in Keylong. |
| DAY 9 |
To
Marrhi: After breakfast we drive towards Marrhi. During
the drive we would now experience the entering the zone
of vegetation from the earlier barren land. Further
on we pass through the famous Rhotang pass known to
be covered by snow all around the year. This is a popular
spot to have birds view of Kullu Valley. At the foothill
of Rhotang we arrive to our camp. In this camp we study
medicine plant with our Tibetan doctor coming from Tibetan
medical institute in Dharamsala. All the meals at the
camp would be vegetarian and under the guidance of the
doctor. |
| DAY 10 |
At
Marrhi. After breakfast, a Tibetan medicine doctor shall
accompany us. He will give a brief introduction about
the Tibetan Medicinal herbs. Then, under the guidance
of the doctor, we shall go to the mountains to explore
the herbs. At about 1300 hrs, we shall eat lunch. After
Lunch, we shall further continue to explore the Herbs.
At about 1600 hrs, we shall return back to the camp.
We rest for sometime and then shall have a class with
the doctor. During the class, he will explain about
the herbs which we had collected during the day and
you may ask any questions. Have dinner there and go
to sleep. |
| DAY
11 |
At
Marrhi. Explore the area of medicine plants. |
| DAY 12 |
At
Marrhi. Explore the area of medicine plants. |
| DAY 13 |
From
Marrhi to Dharamsala. We should leave for Dharamsala
after breakfast which is the head-quarter of exile Tibetans
under the leadership of H.H. The Dalai Lama. During
this drive, we will pass through many small villages.
One significant feature is the big change in the natural
surroundings, appearance of the people, architecture,
lifestyle and language. Till Marrhi, everything is very
much similar to Tibet. While driving through these villages,
one would not see any signs of Tibetan people living
nearby, but all of a sudden we reach a hilltop and immediately
land in middle of the Tibetan hub Dharamsala (Little
Lhasa). We shall have our lunch on the way. Check in
the hotel. |
| DAY
14 |
In
Dharamsala. After breakfast, we shall visit the Tibetan
Medical and Astrology center where we could see how
these herbs are made into medicines. Then visit the
Tibetan library and Nechung monastery and Norbu Lingkha
Institute. Evening back to hotel. |
| DAY 15 |
In
Dharamsala. After breakfast, we go to the Tibetan Children
Village school. In this school, thousands of orphan
children study. There are also lots of Tibetan children
who come from Tibet to study. We can also see the handicraft
in this school. Then we go to visit Namgyal monastery.
Dinner at the Hotel. |
| DAY 16 |
To
Delhi. We keep the day free for shopping or visiting
friends. One is likely to develop friendship in Dharamsala
because people are very friendly and welcoming. After
dinner, we leave for Pathankot to catch train to Delhi. |
| DAY 17 |
We
arrive in Delhi early morning. Day free. Overnight stay
at hotel. |
| DAY 18 |
Those
who wish to go to visit Agra must leave in the morning
and evening drive back to Delhi and those who wish to
go to Ayurveda massage and beauty therapy shall visit
the health centre. The charges for the Massage and beauty
therapy in not included in the tour program.. Evening
transfer to the airport to board flight back home. |
