Hemis Festival Tour 2027–2028

Arrive Delhi. On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
(Rooms will be available from 1400 hrs)

DELHI - It is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, a number of Delhi's rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Begin with a photo stop at the magnificent Red Fort, followed by a cycle-rickshaw ride through the narrow, bustling lanes of Old Delhi.

Continue to New Delhi, driving past Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. Stop for photographs at India Gate, an impressive war memorial.

Later, visit Humayun’s Tomb, a beautiful Mughal garden tomb renowned for its architecture. Conclude your sightseeing at Qutub Minar, the iconic 73-metre-high minaret, and explore its historic complex.

Morning, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Leh.

On arrival in Leh, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Leh, the capital of Ladakh is situated at a height of 3505 meters and is towards the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The region is watered by the Zanskar River, which flows into the Indus River just below. Leh is a beautiful destination with so many attractions and is the center of Tibeto-Buddhist Culture for ages. Its colorful gompas have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe.

Rest of the day free rest and leisure to acclimatize.

Forenoon is free. Here you can walk around the City & visit Local Gompa.

In the afternoon visit Shankar Monastery a couple of km north of the town centre. There is a library and great views from the roof. There is an impressive representation of Avalokitesvara complete with 1000 arms and 1000 heads.

Later visit Shanti Stupa, The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is spectacular to watch. From there one can see the nice spectacular view of Leh town.

Today we proceed for Indus Valley monastery tour. We start with a visit to Shey the ancient capital of Ladakh. The monastery here has a huge gold-gilded statue of Buddha Sakyamuni with a large silver lamp burning in front of the statue.

Then we visit Thiksey Gompa an impressive complex rising tier upon tier on a hill above the village. The monastery has a beautiful 30 m high gold-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future. Drive further to visit the famous Hemis Gompa founded in 1630's by Stag-tsang-ras-pa under the royal patronage of Sengge Namgyall.

Stok palace; which is currently a museum was built in 1840 to house the Ladakhi royal family after the Dogra army had exiled them.

Later in the evening we drive back to Leh.

Today morning set out on an excursion to the Phyang Monastery built in the 16th century by the founder of the Namgyal Dynasty. It houses hundreds of statues including some Kashmiri bronzes, thangkas and manuscript copies of old temples. The temple walls have colourful paintings of the 8th fold path of Buddha's teachings.

Later visit Spituk monastery which was founded by Old Led, in the 11th century AD. In those days the Gompa belonged to the Kadampa School but Gelukpa order was introduced during the region of King Dragspa Bum idle, when Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery & & Hall of Fame (war museum).

After breakfast drive to Hemis Monastery to witness the Hemis festival

Hemis Monastery: This is biggest and the most important monastery in Ladakh. It was built in the 17th century by Chapgon Gyalshas and ever since has enjoyed the patronage of the royal family. Hemis is the headquarter of the Drukpa order and all the monasteries throughout Ladakh are administered by it. It also trains Lamas for the royal monasteries at Leh, Shey and Bazgo. The Monastery contains gold statues and stupas decorated with precious stones and many priceless old Thankas.

Each year the Hemis Festival attracts more than its share of pilgrims & tourists. Held during the full moon in June, is a series of colourful masked dances performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums & long horns.

After breakfast drive to Hemis to witness the 2nd day of Hemis festival. Enjoy the festival. This is special day to watch the Oracle. Both Oracles performs puja and change of 'LHATHO" etc.

After breakfast drive to Lamayuru, and Ridzong.

Lamayuru lower ladakh its also called as sham. Lamayuru Gompa: The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other Gompa can match Lamayuru.

After visit at lamayuru Gonpa the drive to Ridzong Gompa: There is no road to Rizong Gompa hence one has to walk to the monastery which is deep into the mountains. Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru Padma Sambhava is believed to editated here for years. One can still find the small caves where Lamas used to meditate for years cutting themselves from the rest of the world except for a one feet square outlet window from where they accept the one time meal of the day.

Then we drive and cross the River Indus and reach Alchi, Ladakh's most loved monastery. Over a century old, its wall paintings are very similar to those of the Tabo gompa in Spiti, Himachal

Pradesh. Unlike other monasteries, which are usually on a cliff top or cling to a mountainside, Alchi is at ground level and is nestled in the shade of a garden

After breakfast drive back to Leh and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Morning, transfer to the Airport to board the flight to Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Later drive for the temple tour of Delhi

Visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple, one of the biggest Hindu temple in Delhi. A big industrialist Mr. Birla built it about 50 years ago. It showcases almost all Gods worshipped by Hindus.

Later visit a Sikh temple "Bangala Sahib Gurudwara". This is another religion started in 15th century by great sufi saint Guru Nanak.

Also visit Bhai's temple. This is a new religion in India. There is one Bhai temple in every continent, in Asia it is in Delhi. It is made in white marble and resembles shape lotus hence also called Lotus Temple.

On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey.