Northern India - Ladakh, Dharamsala and the Golden Temple

Day 1: Arrive in New Delhi

Met on arrival at Delhi International Airport and transfer to our hotel. We will meet this evening for our group orientation and dinner. Overnight in Delhi (Alt. 300 m/1000 ft).

Day 2: Delhi sightseeing

The capital city of Independent India is often the starting point of a visit to India. For all Indians it is the capital of their country, the center of power and culture; for many, it is identified as the home of Panditji, as Mr. Nehru was affectionately known.

There are two Delhis: Old Delhi — the city built for Shahjahan, the man who built the Taj Mahal. Then New Delhi — built by the British in 1931. It is this juxtaposition between the Old and the New one, which is one of the attractions of the capital.

While Old Delhi evokes a distinctly Asian atmosphere, New Delhi is modern, with wide avenues and imposing office buildings. Today our sightseeing includes a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple square black marble platform that marks the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. His last words “He’ram” (Oh, God) are inscribed on a platform, surrounded by beautiful gardens. We will also visit the Red Fort and the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.

We take a break for lunch and then visit New Delhi to see India Gate (a majestic high arch, 42 meters high built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I) and see the Parliament buildings. Tonight we enjoy a traditional dance performance with dinner. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: Leh, Ladakh

A very early morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Leh. We are met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Leh, the capital of the Ladakh district at 11482 ft (3500 m), is situated on the banks of the Indus River and is located in the snowcovered fringes of the Himalayas, toward the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh became the regional capital in the 17th century, when King Sengge Namgyal shifted his court here to be closer to the head of the Khardung La-Karakoram corridor into China. Leh has been a center of Tibeto- Buddhist culture for centuries, but has only been open to travelers since 1974. Its colorful gompas have attracted devout Buddhists from all over the globe. Overnight in Leh. (Alt. 3,500 m/11,483 ft).

Day 4: Leh sightseeing

This morning we pay a visit to a miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa, Leh Palace. The palace was built in the 17th century and is now dilapidated and deserted. It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s.

We also visit the Shanti Stupa that was built by a Japanese order and was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. Before lunch we have time to visit the colorful local bazaar.

After lunch, we venture outside of Leh to Spituk Gompa standing majestically on top of a hillock overlooking the Indus Valley. It was built in the 15th century and houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and thangkas. We also visit Phyang Gompa, which belongs to the Brokpa sect and houses hundreds of statues, thangkas, old manuscripts and some old weapons.

We return to town stopping at the Sankar Gompa. This gompa belongs to the Gelukpa order and has an impressive impression of the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshwara Padmahari or Chenresig with 1,000 arms and an equal number of heads. Overnight in Leh.

Day 5: Ladakh sightseeing - Hamis Festival

Today we visit some important sites outside of Leh. Our first stop is Shey Gompa. Until the 16th century, the Shey Gompa was the royal residence. This Palace Monastery has the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha to come) in Ladakh. Erected in the mid-17th century, crafted from of gold and gilded copper sheets, it stands 17.5 m high.

We also visit Thikse Gompa, an imposing monastery and one of the finest examples of Ladakh’s architecture. It belongs to the Gelukpa order. The 12-story monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha’s teachings.

Hemis Monastery is one of the biggest gompas in the area. Built in 1630, it belongs to the red sect, Brokpa. It is also known as Chang Chub Sam Ling or “the lone place of the compassionate person”. We return to our hotel in Leh in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. (Alt. 3,500 m/11,483 ft)

Hemis Festival Departure Date: Jun 18 – Jul 5, 2010

The Hemis Festival is in honor of Guru Padma Sambhav’s birth anniversary (Guru Padma Sambhav is believed to have triumphed over demons for the safety of the local people) and takes mainly at the Hemis Monastery, the largest in Ladakh.

Festivities include spectacular masked dances to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. These “devil dances” are an important part of the local entertainment in Ladakh and are loud, merry performances celebrating the victory of good over evil. A colorful fair displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is one of the special highlights of the festival.

We visit the Hemis Monastery to take in the festival during our time in Leh. Please note: the sightseeing in Leh maybe changed to take in the celebrations.

Day 6: Leh, Nubra Valley

After an early breakfast we leave Leh for the Nubra Valley crossing the world’s highest motorable road — the Khardung La Pass at 18,274 ft (5570 m). The valley is on the trade route from Leh to Kyagar via Saser and Karakoram Passes.

The valley offers incredible scenery (Nubra means green) and houses several monasteries. We drive to the village of Khardung and through starkly beautiful countryside to the TCP at Khalsar, where permits have to be registered/checked.

We visit the Samasthanling Monastery, which has 7 temples, a collection of frescoes and an apple and apricot orchard.

Overnight in Nubra Valley guesthouse. (Alt. 3,048 m/10,000 ft)

Day 7: Nubra, to Leh

After breakfast depart Nubra to return to Leh. We stop en route to visit the largest and oldest gompa in the Nubra Valley, the Diskit Gompa. Between Diskit and Hunder, there is an area covered in sand dunes, which makes for an unusual photo with the mountains in the background!

We stop in Hunder to visit the deserted gompa for spectacular views over the area before continuing on to Leh to arrive late afternoon. Overnight in Leh. (Alt. 3,500 m/11,483 ft)

Day 8: Leh, Lamayuru, to Alchi

After breakfast we leave Leh for Alchi. We stop en route to visit Lamayuru Monastery, the oldest known in Ladakh, dating back prior to the 10th century. This gompa is in a spectacular setting making the views unforgettable. It also houses a famous collection of frescoes, carpets and thangkas.

We continue on to Alchi, nestled in the valley of the Indus River along the ancient trade route. Alchi is famous for its shrines. Some of the 900-year-old paintings and murals are so well preserved that they appear to have been painted just yesterday. Overnight in Alchi. (Alt. 3,500 m/11,483 ft)

Day 9: Alchi, to Leh

This morning we visit the temples of Du-Khang and Sum-tsek. Du-Khang is the earliest temple at Alchi, founded by Kal-dan Shes-rab around the 11th century AD. There is an elaborately carved doorway with panels of tiny Bodhisattvas and guardian figures. The walls are adorned with mandalas and sacred forms that illustrate the structure of Buddhist cosmology.

Sum-tsek is a triple-storied temple with a carved wooden facade consisting of pillars, carved brackets and capitals. The walls of the halls are covered with mandalas in vibrant colors, standing figures of Bodhisattvas, Manjushri (the embodiment of wisdom), Avalokiteshvara and Maitreya Buddha.

After lunch we return to Leh. On the way we stop at Likir Monastery, also know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits). It contains huge clay images of Buddha’s (past, present & future) and various old manuscripts.

We also stop at Basgo Castle also known as known as Basgo Rabtan Lhartsekhar Castle. Inside is the “Golden Maitreya”, a sacred copper-gilt image of the Buddha Maitreya, two stories high and the three story high Buddha Maitreya made of clay. We arrive back in Leh in the early evening. This evening we enjoy some local dances. Dinner and overnight in Leh.

Day 10: Leh, fly to Delhi

We transfer to the airport early this morning for our flight back to Delhi. On arrival back in Delhi, we transfer to our hotel. After lunch we visit the Bahai Temple. The temple is situated atop the Kalkaji hill, this distinctive lotus shaped building in marble is a peaceful place to visit and learn about the Bahai faith.

This evening we will visit the Red Fort for the Sound and Light Show. Dinner and overnight in Delhi.

Day 11: Delhi to Dharamsala

After breakfast we check out of the hotel. Today we will visit the National Museum, which provides a comprehensive review of ethnological objects from prehistoric archaeological finds to the late medieval period. We visit Mrs. Gandhi’s Residence (now a museum).

We also visit the Akshardham Temple, a famous monument to world peace. It was constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) foundation - the builders to the various Swaminarayan temples across the world.

This is one of the biggest Hindu religious temples ever constructed. The grand Akshardham temple is a blend of different and contrasting architectural styles of Hindu temple architecture. It has elements of Rajasthani, Orissan, Gujarati, Mughal and Jain architecture. The entire monument is constructed of sandstone & marble, where pink stone symbolizes devotion or bhakti and white marble represents absolute purity and peace. Spread over an area of 100 acres this marvelous structure has a height of 141 feet and 316 feet wide, 234 carved pillars, 9 domes, 20 quadrangle shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith and 20,000 statues of India’s greatest devotees, sadhus and divine personalities.

After an early dinner, we transfer to the train station for our overnight train journey to Pathankot. Overnight on the train.

Day 12: Dharamsala

Upon arrival in the morning, we are met at Pathankot Train Station and transferred to Dharamsala to check in at the hotel.

Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Dhauladhar Mountains, Dharamsala is perched on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. The town is divided into two distinct and widely separated sections, Upper and Lower Dharamsala, which differ by almost a thousand meters in height.

Dharamsala overlooks the plains and is surrounded by dense pine trees and Deodar forests. A nearby snowline with numerous streams makes it a very beautiful place with a cool, healthy atmosphere.

Dharamsala has become synonymous to the Tibetan government in exile and the home of the Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. After lunch we visit the Tibetan Government in exile office complex, including the Parliament in exile building and the Tibetan Museum. Move onto the Tibetan Herbal Medicine Centre, where we will learn about the art of Tibetan medicines. Overnight in Dharamsala. (Alt. 2,000 m/6,561 ft)

Day 13: Dharamsala sightseeing

Following breakfast we will visit St. John’s Church In Wilderness. It was built in 1852 and is dressed in grey stone with some fine Belgian stained glass windows. We will also visit a special village, where orphaned children are brought to be raised and educated.

Then we visit the Refugee Reception Centre, opened in 1990 to look after the growing number of new refugees escaping from Tibet. The Centre helps new refugees to find employment, join schools and monasteries, or start small business enterprises in India, for which it provides capital and training.

We will also visit a carpet-weaving centre, run by the Tibetan government in exile, along with a museum and craft shop.

After lunch in a local restaurant we will visit the Dalai Lama Monasteries (The Tsuglagkhang Complex, which also holds the residence of the Dalai Lama). There are three magnificent images of Buddha in the Central Chapel, including a gilded statue of Shakyamuni, statues of Valokitesvara and Padamassmbhava. Situated next to the Tsuglagkhang Temple, the Kalachkra Temple is open to the public. The Dalai Lama uses this temple as his base for public teaching.

We will also visit the Domaling Nunnery before finishing our sightseeing midafternoon. We will also check to see if an audience with the Karmapa Lama is possible. Individuals may arrange for an audience with the Dalai Lama, should his holiness be in residence. Please note that ElderTreks cannot make these arrangements on your behalf, but we can provide details on how to go about requesting an audience. Overnight in Dharamsala.

Day 14: Masroor Temple

This morning we have arranged for a two-hour instruction in Buddhist meditation for those who are interested in learning about this ancient art. We visit the Norbulinka Institute of Tibetan Culture, which was established to teach and preserve Tibetan art and Culture.

Today we travel outside Dharamsala to visit to Masroor Temple. The temple is dedicated to Ram, Laksmana and Sita, it is famous for the remarkable group of rock-cut temples and it large tank (50m in length). The complex has 15 monolithic Rock-Cut temples in the Indo-Aryan style and is richly carved.

The temples, partly ruined now, are profusely decorated with sculptural ornamentations. In the centre of complex stand the principal and the most elaborately carved shrine the Thakurdwaar, enshrining Blackstone images of Rama, Sita and Laksmana facing east. On the basis of architectural and sculptural decoration, it is believed the temple is from the eighth to ninth century, and view of its architectural and scriptural importance it was declared protected as s monument of national importance. Overnight in Dharamsala.

Day 15: Dharamsala to Amritsar

This morning we attend a Tibetan cooking class and have an early lunch. After lunch we depart Dharamsala by road for Amritsar, the home of the world famous Golden Temple. The city is the most important seat of Sikh history and culture, situated on northwestern borders of the country. Amritsar is the Gateway to India for travelers coming the overland route through Pakistan.

Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of the Sikh faith, founded it in 1579. He constructed a pool on a land gifted by Mughal Emperor Akbar and called it ‘Amritsar’, the Pool of Nectar, giving the city its name.

The old city, with the Golden Temple and surrounding bazaars along narrow alleys, is encircled by a ring road. Even today, the markets have an ambience of ancient times, when traders bought and sold goods right across from central Asia up to the farthest corners of India. Little light reaches down to the congested streets, which are best negotiated on foot. There are rows upon rows of shops on each street selling specifics goods. Guru Bazaar specializes in gold jeweler shops, while the Bazaar Kesarian is for steel and brass utensils. The smells of Katra Kathian announce its wares before you reach the shops selling papads, warian (crispies made from pulses) murabbas (Indian jams), pickles and ampapad (dried mango candies). The Mishri Bazaar is the place to buy dry fruits, while Katra Mohan Singh offers a colorful kaleidoscope of bridal glass bangles.

After dinner visit Golden Temple to witness the closing ceremony of Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book being carried to its night lodging by a palanquin. Dinner and overnight Amritsar. (Alt. 219 m/718 ft)

Day 16: Golden Temple, Akal Takhat

We enjoy a full day of sightseeing today. We visit the Golden Temple, Akal Takhat and Durguana Temple.

The Golden Temple, a glittering gold and marble temple, is one of the holiest Sikh shrines. The temple interiors are elaborately worked with fine inlay and semi-precious stones. During Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign the lower half of the temple was decorated with marble while the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate. Hence its new name Golden Temple. Free kitchen and recitation of the divine word never cease here. Its four gates invite everyone from all directions.

The Akal Takht, next to the Golden Temple, is the seat of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious governing body of the Sikhs. The building of the Akal Takht was started by Guru Arjan Dev and completed in 1609 by Guru Hargobind. The Adi Granth is housed in the ground floor of the Akal Takht and is taken out in procession every morning to be placed at the Harmandir Sahib. Again at night, it is brought back to the Akal Takht.

Durgiana Temple, in its present form echoes of not the traditional Hindu temple architecture, but that of the Golden Temple. It rises in a similar manner from the midst of a tank and has canopies and a central dome. One of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, laid its foundation stone. It is a well-known repository of Hindu scriptures. Also called the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is dedicated to goddess Durga and a large part of the temple is dedicated to Hindu deities Laxmi, The Goddess of wealth and Narayan, The Preserver of Universe.

This evening we visit Wagah border to witness the closing ceremony between the two countries, India and Pakistan. The ceremony is very popular with Indian tourists. Overnight Amritsar.

Day 17: Fly to Delhi

We transfer this morning to the airport for our midday flight to Delhi. We have the rest of the afternoon free, to relax, shop or maybe re visit the National Museum. This evening we have our farewell dinner and overnight in Delhi.

Day 18: Depart Delhi

We say a fond farewell to India and transfer to Delhi International Airport for your departure flight.