Golden Triangle & Ladakh
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Leh - Uletokpo Camp - Delhi
The
two weeks tour brings one to very diverse destinations of North India. The Imperial
capital of India, the Mughal city of Agra with its incomparable Taj Mahal, Rajput
magnificence in colourful Jaipur and the cool environs of "Little Tibet"
in Ladakh. Experience this and much more…………….
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and escorted to
the hotel where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Delhi
Day 02: Delhi
Delhi with its Old and New parts - each with its specific charm and glory -
makes an interesting city for its sustenance to medieval and modern cultures
at the same time and space. Today, you will explore the capital of India in
a full-day guided tour - visiting Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Gandhi's cremation
site, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar. You will also enjoy a rickshaw ride in
Old Delhi and will drive past the colonial Delhi.
Accommodation: Delhi (Breakfast)
Day 03 Delhi - Agra - (200 kms 4 & half hours)
After breakfast drive to Agra, visiting Sikandara for a photo stop. Upon
arrival, check in to your hotel. Set out for the highlight of the tour - the
Taj Mahal - a poetry in white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th
century. It took 20,000 artisans and 22 years to build this masterpiece. Return
to the hotel. In the afternoon visit the Agra Fort where Shah Jahan was imprisoned
by his son and from where one can get the most moving picture of the Taj.
Accommodation: Agra (Breakfast)
Please note: Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.
Day 04 Agra - Jaipur - (238 kms 6 & half hours)
After breakfast drive to Jaipur. On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri 40 kms
(1 hour) from Agra. This abandoned city was built by in red sandstone by Akbar
the Great Mughal Emperor. Akbar is said to have lived here for only 14 years.
He also built the shrine of the sufi saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth
of 3 sons to him. The imposing Buland Darwaza in front of the shrine was built
commemorating his victory in Gujarat. Continue the drive to Jaipur upon arrival
check in at the hotel in Jaipur.
Accommodation: Jaipur (Breakfast)
Day 05 Jaipur
After breakfast, a small excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort. En route,
make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 storeyed building
with 25 cm thick facade from the 18 century having 953 windows and niches so
that ladies of royal family could see the procession and events in the city
without being visible to the people. Proceed to the Amber City Fort situated
130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the
ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1727. Enjoy an Elephant ride
to the top of the Palace fort.
Accommodation: Jaipur. (Breakfast)
Day 06: Jaipur - Delhi (265 kms 5 hours)
After breakfast drive to Delhi. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Delhi (Breakfast)
Day 07 : Delhi -Leh altitude 3650 metres ( Flight I hour
)
Take the spectacular flight to Leh (Altitude) (3550meters) the capital of
Ladakh also known as "Little Tibet". Upon arrival you are met and
transferred to the hotel. Today you are requested to relax and acclimatize to
the high altitude and rarified air. In the late afternoon take a very leisurely
stroll or spend your time reading in the premises of the hotel.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 08 : Leh
Today we drive upstream on the Indus valley to see Shey Thikse and Hemis.
Hemis was founded in the 1630s by Stags-Tsang-Ras-Pa under the royal patronage
of the great ruler of Ladakh ,Sengge Namgyal, Hemis is the largest and richest
monastery in Ladakh of the Drukpa order. It nestles into the mountainside a
little way up a winding glen in the mountains of the Zanskar range, about forty
kilometers up the Indus from Leh. Its two days festival every summer has given
Hemis a particular reputation with local and overseas visitors. Thikse which
resembles a mini Potala Palace is yet another striking monastery of the Gelucpa
order ( yellow ) hat. It has an imposing statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Shey
Palace built as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh in 1645 by Deldan
Namgyal. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above the palace is an even older
ruined fortress. Return to Leh.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 09: Leh
Visit the oracle in Sabu. The oracle exists in most villages in Leh and
practices faith healing. Locals as well as tourists visit her to seek solace
from ailments and distress. Oracles do play an important part in the life of
Ladakhis and they are revered for their healing powers. Later visit Stok Palace
museum, which has one of the finest collections of Thangkas in the world. The
Palace itself is the residence of the Queen of Ladakh belonging to Namgyal Dynasty.
Return to Leh. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Leh
Drive to KhardungLa ( 5620 metres ) the highest motor able road in the world.
Khardungla is an all weather road is maintained by the Indian Army as its vital
link to the Nubra valley, well known for apricots, the fast flowing Shyok River
and also the double humped Bactriian camel. From the top of the Khardungla Pass
one can have a panoramic view of some of the peaks in the region. Return to
Leh. Afternoon is at leisure.
Accommodation: Leh. ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 : Leh - Uletokpo Camp
Follow downstream by taking an enjoyable drive from Leh to Uleytokpo via
Nimmu the confluence of the river Indus and Zanskar joining it from the south.
The important monasteries to see for the next 2 days are Likir, which has today
the largest statue of Buddha, Alchi an UNESCO world Heritage monastery with
stunning frescoes, Lamayuru with its spectacular moonscape is the furthest monastery
on your route. An overnight stay in a picturesque village near Alchi facilitates
visits to these monasteries.
Accommodation: Uleytokpo (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 : Uletokpo Camp
Day is at leisure and walk to Ridzong monastery. The Ridzong monastery is
located in a hidden valley and is known for its stricter rules. There is also
a nunnery here.
Accommodation: Uleytokpo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 : Uletokpo /Leh
Return to Leh. Rest of the day is at leisure to pursue independent activities
and roam the bazaars for shopping etc. The Tibetan SOS village in Choglamsar
is good place to see the Tibetan community living in Ladakh with their handicraft
center, school etc. The Ladakh ecological center is another worthwhile place
to visit for books and a film show on the region and for local handicrafts.
The Leh Palace dominating the town was the former home of the Namgyal dynasty.
Leh is a bustling town in the months of July and August as it is thronged by
foreign tourists and is well known for treks, hikes, expeditions, rafting and
kayaking. The grounds overlooking the Leh palace also has a lot of activity
the most exciting one being its unique polo tournament.
Accommodation: Leh (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 14 : Leh/ Dlhi Flight
Early morning transfer to the airport for departure flight back to Delhi.
Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel in Delhi. Rest of the
day is at leisure to pursue independent activities.
Accommodation: Delhi (Breakfast)
Day 15 Delhi
Day is at leisure for independent activities. PM departure transfer to the
international airport to Connect onward flight.
(Breakfast)
Golden Triangle & Ladakh, Ladakh Tours
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