Meditation, monastic experience and community trekking in Ladakh

Arrival at Delhi airport. Transfer to hotel for some rest. Some of the most famous attractions are the Qutub Minar, the Red Fort, the Mughal Gardens, the Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, Raj Ghat etc. After some rest you will visit the Jama Masjid, the mainthe main mosque in Old Delhi (every day nearly 25,000 people visit and pray inside this mosque). An ancient copy of the holy Quran is also preserved here, which was written on Deer skin. Visit small lanes of this part of the city such as Chawri Bazar, one of the busiest street of Old Delhi. After you will visit the Red Fort, known as LalQila or Qil’ah” was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The fort was originally the palace of the Mughal emperor, after the capital was moved from Agra to Delhi. Delhi was the capital of the Mughals until the revolt of 1857. Overnight in Delhi.

After an early breakfast, you are transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Leh. This must be one of the most sensational flights in the world. On a clear day from one side of the aircraft can be seen in the distance the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum and on the other side of the aircraft, so close that you feel you could reach out and touch it, is the Nun Kun massif. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. You would take a little time to settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 3.500 metres! You will spend the day acclimatizing and enjoying the beautiful landscapes.
Overnight in Leh (B,L,D)

After breakfast transfer to Choglamsar about 10 km from Leh for 2 nights meditation retreat. On the outskirts of Leh resides a large Tibetan refugee community in the village of Choglamsar, an idea that sprang from concerns of XIV Dalai Lama for the Tibetan Settlement in Ladakh. Devachan meditation camp is dominated by Rocky Mountains on one side and golden sand dunes on the other. The place with its enigmatic stupas, reclusive meditation kuties, abundant prayer flags, and the most sacred and eye-catching Milarepa rock cave provide an ideal occasion for spiritual engagement. These 2 days meditation courses will be conducted by Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder and spiritual Director of Meditation Centre and the course will be based on the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. This retreat will be useful to acclimatize with the altitude and to have a direct experience of spiritual practices of Buddhism.
Overnight at Mahabodhi Society (B,L,D)

After breakfast transfer to Choglamsar about 10 km from Leh for 2 nights meditation retreat. On the outskirts of Leh resides a large Tibetan refugee community in the village of Choglamsar, an idea that sprang from concerns of XIV Dalai Lama for the Tibetan Settlement in Ladakh. Devachan meditation camp is dominated by Rocky Mountains on one side and golden sand dunes on the other. The place with its enigmatic stupas, reclusive meditation kuties, abundant prayer flags, and the most sacred and eye-catching Milarepa rock cave provide an ideal occasion for spiritual engagement. These 2 days meditation courses will be conducted by Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder and spiritual Director of Meditation Centre and the course will be based on the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. This retreat will be useful to acclimatize with the altitude and to have a direct experience of spiritual practices of Buddhism.
Overnight at Mahabodhi Society (B,L,D)

After the 3-day meditation retreat, you will be ready to discover with more awareness the essence of Ladakh, a true paradise for trekkers, with many beautiful trekking routes, picturesque valleys and lakes. This place is also known as “the land of monks and of monasteries”. After breakfast, visit the TCV school, an integrated charitable organisation, which aims to ensure that all Tibetan children under its care receive a good education, a strong cultural identity and become self-sufficient and active members of the Tibetan community and the world. This is the only Tibetan school in Ladakh. Later transfer to Leh. Exploring the fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and picturesque local bazaars. The main street is open and airy, with rows of shops on both sides. Visit the spectacular Royal Palace of Leh, an amazing historical building that dominates the city; built in the 16th century, more or less in the same period as the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), which in fact has similar features. In the evening, walk to the Shanti Stupa to admire a beautiful sunset.
Overnight in Leh (B)

After breakfast, visit Thiksey and Hemis monasteries for morning prayer. Thikshey Monastery, perched on a rocky hill, resembles the Potala Palace in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, famous for its distinctive architecture and location. Located on the top of a hill in the Indus Valley, the 12-floors monastery has 10 temples, assembly hall, rare and precious stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. It housed a large statue of Maitreya Buddha, whose purity of gaze invites reflection and silent meditation. Here you will participate in the morning prayer. Later, visit the Hemis monastery, the most famous and largest in Ladakh, belonging to the Drukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. During the festival of the same name, which takes place every year in the monastery, you can witness at the Cham dance known as dance of the mystical mask. The monks wear flowing brocade costumes and brightly painted papier-mâché masks, depicting demons, and perform the chams or masked dance, representing the victory of good over evil. On the way back to Leh visit the Stok palace which houses a beautiful private museum. It will be a superb collection of thangkhas, which is said to be the best in the world.
Overnight in Leh. (B, D)

After breakfast, transfer by car to the Sham valley for 3 days of trekking (possibility of leaving your bags at the hotel in Leh and preparing a small backpack for just the 1 day of trekking. The suitcase will be taken at the end of the trek to Lamayuru). Start with the first the trekking route of approximately 3 hours, the perfect way to explore the cultural and natural heritages of the Sham. This is a responsible tourism initiative in collaboration with a group of women who will act as guides and host us in their Homestays during the route. The itinerary is easy to follow, because the aim is not to reach the highest peak, but to walk and to travel consciously and slowly, to savor the essence of this journey. You will cross the Pobe La pass (3550 m), then descend to Sumdo (3470 m), a small village of 2 families located in a small river valley. Time to rest under the shady trees, before climbing back up to the Charatse La pass (3650 m).
Overnight in Yangthan (B, L, D)

After breakfast in your homestays start another day of easy trekking (approximately 3 hours) towards Hemis Shukpachu (3690m). You will cross Sarmanchan La pass (3750m) and descend to the large, prosperous village of Hemis Shukpachu. The village has a grove of juniper trees. There are not too many juniper trees in Ladakh and hence, Hemis-shukpachan is famous for having a grove of them! The trees, held sacred by the local people, are protected by the Forest Department. Time to explore the village with your host family. Overnight in Hemis Shupachan (B,L,D)

After breakfast start your trekking (around 4/5 hours) towards to Temisgang (3200m). You will have a gradual walk up to Mebtak La pass (3820m), then short steep down. Enjoy mountain views as you walk towards the steep zig-zag path up to Lago La pass (3820m). Keep watching for Ladakh Urial. As you reach Temisgang visit the monastery and palace. Later, drive to Lamayuru. Our journey weaves through remote mountain passes and deep river valleys that embed themselves eternally in your heart and mind.
Overnight in Lamayuru (B, L, D)

After breakfast, visit the monastery. Dating back to the 11th century, it is not only the oldest and most picturesque, but is said to have been the first place of learning in Ladakh of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit to the meditation centre of Lamayuru, which hosts a small community of yogis, who still practice a sort of tantric meditation from ancient Tibet, already practiced by great yogis such as Milarepa, Naropa. You will meet the Yogis, interact with them and witness the Chod prayer ritual. The Chod ritual is an esoteric tantric practice that aims at separation from the ego and attachment to the body, mentally visualizing offering one’s “material” part to all sentient beings, especially to the restless, hungry creatures of the spirit world. To follow, typical local lunch at the meditation centre. After lunch, transfer to the villages of Dah and Hanu (2 hours approximately). These villages are well known for its local tribe of Aryans. This cultural group is said to be the last of the Aryans to be confined to the valley. They have preserved their racial purity over the generations and their origins are pure Indo-Aryan. The main field of employment here is farming and agriculture. They raise enormous numbers of goats, along with cows, lambs, and yaks as livestock in addition to cultivating apricots. Wheat produced from yak milk is a staple food of the Aryan people. The younger generation has relocated to larger towns in quest of better jobs and education while the older generation continues to live in this community. Although modernization has not diminished their pride in their ancestry. One can still clearly see that in them even today in their appearance, actions, and even their friendly hospitality. Here you will have the opportunity to spend a day with Aryan tribe and learn more about their culture and activities, and enjoy a traditional tribal cuisine.
Overnight in homestay in the village (B, L, D)

In the morning spend some time in the village with your host family, free time to stroll and to interact with locals enjoying their special hospitality. Traditional lunch with the community with local products. After lunch overland transfer to Uleytokpo (around 3 hrs). Check in a tented camp and enjoy the location. This is a special opportunity to live an extraordinary experience in a tent camp, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayan region between wide valleys, impressive mountain peaks and lunar landscapes. Free time to explore the surroundings, before your stay overnight in the tented camp.
Overnight in Uleytokpo (B, L, D)

In the morning visit Rizong monastry. Situated at the top of a rocky side valley on the north side of the Indus, to the west of Alchi on the way to Lamayuru. It was established in 1831 by Lama Tsultim Nima under the Gelukpa order, at Ri-rdzong. There are 40 monks in the monastery. The monastery is also called “the paradise for meditation” and is noted for its extremely strict rules and standards. After the visit, transfer for lunch at Alchi kitchen, to enjoy Ladakh’s traditional cuisine. Later visit the Alchi monastery. Founded in the 11th century by Rinchen Zangpo, the Great Translator, it was richly decorated by Kashmiri and Tibetan artists. This monastery is famous for its magnificent, very well-preserved wall paintings, dating back to the 11th or 12th century. The monastery is run by Likir monks and is no longer active as a place of worship. Last visit will be Likir Monastery, built in the 11th century and known for a 75 m high Buddha statue. The Likir monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh and has many stories of its existence and origin. It offers panoramic views of the surreal landscape and the snowcapped Himalayan mountains. The natural beauty of the nearby surroundings attracts numerous visitors across the globe. While visiting this monastery, make sure that you also visit the small villages near the gompa as they offer amazing views for flawless photography. After the visit, transfer to Leh (around 1 hr) for overnight.
Overnight in Leh (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to Leh airport and depart for your international flight via Delhi.