Ladakh and the Hemis Festival

A short scenic flight will bring you to Leh. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the village of Nimmu and your atmospheric traditional Ladakhi house. The remainder of the day is at leisure to acclimatise to Ladakh’s high altitude. Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk around Nimmu village.

Begin your day with a visit to the 16th-century mud-brick fortress of Basgo Gompa, which is perched atop a hillock and offers stunning views of the surrounding villages. Next, visit the three Maitreya temples dedicated to the ‘Buddha of the future’ and observe monks offering prayers before exploring the almost forgotten Saspol Cave Temples. Then, after lunch at Saspol village, continue to the 10th-century Alchi monastery, which has some of the finest collections of Buddhist murals in Ladakh.

Set off early this morning to Thiksey, one of the grandest monasteries in Ladakh, to observe the mystical dawn prayer ceremony and listen to the younger monks reciting sacred Buddhist texts to the accompaniment of cymbals. Next, visit the monastery’s prayer hall filled with handwritten religious texts, scrolls and brightly painted images of Buddha and Tara; then drive to the beautiful village of Shey and visit the old ‘summer palace’, which was built nearly 600 years ago by Lhachen Palgyigon, the first king of Ladakh. Drink in the glorious views of the fertile Indus Plain and the Zanskar mountain range before returning to Nimmu. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Begin your day with a visit to the Stok Palace Museum, which displays many of the personal collections and artefacts of Ladakh’s erstwhile royal family. Then, continue via the Chang-La Pass (5,200m) to the stunningly beautiful Pangong Tso Lake, regarded as one of Asia’s largest high-altitude lakes. Complete the day’s sightseeing with a stroll along the edge of the Pangong Tso Lake at sunset.

Rise early to watch the ever-changing colours of the shimmering blue Pangong Tso Lake. Then, a scenic drive along the Shyok River and via the Wari La Pass (5,312m) will bring you to the village of Sumur in the picturesque Nubra Valley. Later this afternoon, cycle to the Sumur Sand Dunes and take in the glorious views as the sun sets over the high-altitude desert.

Set off this morning to Hunder and enjoy an inspiring trek through Hunder Gorge. This easy trail follows the shimmering Shyok River and offers magnificent views of Saser Kangri (7,672m). Conclude your day’s exploration with a camel safari across the sand dunes, then return to Sumur.

Make the breathtaking ascent up to the Khardung La Pass, which at 5,459m is one of the highest motorable roads in the world. At Khardung La, enjoy a short yak ride and hoist colourful prayer flags for happiness and prosperity. Then, continue to the village of Stok, near Leh. Later this afternoon, proceed to the celebrated Hemis monastery to attend the Hemis festival celebrations and watch monks perform a series of splendid masked dances.

Return to Hemis monastery, the largest and most richly endowed monastic institution in Ladakh and soak up the carnival-like atmosphere. On the second day of the Hemis tsechu, a mummy is dissected, symbolising the destruction of the human ego and the triumph of Buddhism over ignorance and evil.

Bid farewell to Ladakh and fly to Delhi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Transfer to Delhi International Airport and check in for your onward flight.