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 3 days meditation program you are ready to discover with more consciousness the essence of Ladakh, a real backpacker’s heaven with numerous trekking trails, valleys, and picturesque lakes, renowned as the land of monks and monasteries. After breakfast transfer to Leh. Today you will discover the fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main street is open and airy, with rows of shops on either side. You will visit the spectacular eight-storey Leh Palace looming above, overlooking the town, was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala in Lhasa which it resembles. In the afternoon you will visit Women’s Alliance of Ladakh, a local NGO that works on strengthening local communities to provide for their own needs of finding a way of counter-development. The organization concentrate son self-sustaining farming, the use of renewable energy and education, traditional medicine and mindful tourism. Here you will watch a movie about Ladakh and their activities.
Evening visit to Shanti Stupa to admire a beautiful sunset from the stupa.
Overnight in Leh (B)

Early morning, we will drive to Thiksey and Hemis monastery for the morning prayer. Thikshey Monastery, perched on a rock-strewn hill, resembles the Potala in the Tibetan capital Lhasa famous for its architecture and location. Located on top of the hill in Indus Valley, the 12-storeys monastery has 10 temples, assembly hall, rare and precious stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. The monastery housed a big statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the purity of whose gaze invites reflection and silent meditation. Morning Prayer at Thiksey Monastery. After the visit and prayer we will have breakfast at Thiksey. Later visit Hemis Monastery, the most famous and largest monastery of Ladakh, which belongs to Drukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. During the colourful festival, which takes place every year in the Monastery, you will have the chance to observe the Cham Dance or the Mystic Mask Dance. The monks in flowing brocade costumes and brightly painted paper mache masks depicting demons, perform the chams or masked dance to demonstrate how goodness came to prevail over evil. On the way visit to Stok palace which houses a fine private museum. There is a superb collection of thangkhas, said to be the best in the world. Overnight in Leh. (B, D)

Today you will start for a three days easy trekking in the Sham Valley with the Ladakhi Women Association, a responsible tourism initiative. We will drive to Likir. where you will have a chance to visit the Monastery, built in the 11th century and known for the 75 m tall Buddha statue. After the visit we will start the easy trekking for around 5 hours, a perfect way to explore cultural and natural heritages of the Sham. The itinerary is easy to follow, because the aim is not to reach the summit the highest peaks the trip becomes not only the destination itself but to increase awareness through slow trekking approach. You will cross Pobe La pass (3550m) and descend to Sumdo (3470m), a tiny village of 2 households in a small river valley. Rest under shady trees, before ascending to Charatse La pass (3650m). 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. After 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 we will visit the monastery. This 11th century monastery is not only the oldest and most picturesque, but is said to be the earliest seat of learning in Ladakh. It serves as a seat for the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We will climb to Lamayuru meditation center. Lamayuru meditation center hosts a small community of yogis, who practice a kind of tantric meditation that was practiced in ancient Tibet by great yogis like Milarepa, Naropa. You will have a chance to meet and interact with Yogis and attend the Chod prayer lead by Yogis.
Chod ritual is an esoteric tantric practice aiming at cutting your ego or attachment to your body by mental visualizing the offering of your body to all sentient being especially to the restless hungered creatures of the spirit world. Later we will have lunch at the retreat Centre with a typical local style. After lunch drive back to Leh. If time permits, we will stop at Rizong Gompa. Rizong is one of few monasteries in Ladakh which houses women monks called ‘Chomos’. Its small Gompa is situated deep inside a narrow valley. also called “The paradise for Meditation”.
Overnight in Leh (B,L)

Departure towards Pangong lake. On the way visit Chemre Monastery. We proceed to Taktok Gompa which is a monastery within a cave with beautiful wall paintings. A collection of multicolored yak butter candle sculptures made by the head lama can also be seen. Arrival at Spangmik village, enjoying beautiful views of mountains of the Chang-Chenmo Range and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong Range from the village. Several glaciers located on the north west of the Pangong Lake are also visible from the village.
Overnight at Spangmik. (B,D)

Visit Pangong Lake (4,267 m). which is bisected by the international border between India and China. Spending some free time at the beautiful lake, possibility of swimming, meditation or practicing yoga. Return Back to Leh. Overnight at Leh (B, D).

Transfer to Leh airport and depart for your international flight via Delhi.