Leh to Delhi

Arrival at Leh. Acclimatization etc.

Leh is the capital of Ladakh region. Its strategic location made it an important town on the caravan trade route between India and Central Asia. Leh is dominated by the nine-storey Palace, a building in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture, said to have inspired the famous Potala in Lhasa, which was built half a century later.

Arrive and check in to the hotel. Rest of the time at leisure to acclimatize the high altitude here.

The best way to see Leh is on a walking tour. Along the main street the Buddhist women with their tall hats chatter freely as they sell vegetables. Narrow lanes veer up and wind their way through the old city. You pass old dwellings clustered together on the slope and finally end up at the 16th century Leh Khar Palace and its gompa, the Temple of the Guardian Deities perched on top of the hill. Though ruined and austere for ages, Leh Palace still makes an unforgettable backdrop to the mud city. A relatively new addition to the rocky skyline around Leh is the toothpaste white Shanti Stupa above Changspa village, 3km west of Leh’s bazaar. Inaugurated in 1983 by the Dalai Lama, the “Peace Pagoda”, whose sides are decorated with gilt panels depicting episodes from the life of the Buddha, is one of several such monuments erected around India by a “Peace Sect” of Japanese Buddhists.

Drive from Srinagar to the Zoji-la Pass and onwards till you reach Mulbekh (250 km, 7 hours drive). Mulbekh is a small village, 45 km east of Kargil, which forms the cultural border of the state as Buddhism is predominant towards the east from here and Islam towards the west. Mulbekh Gompa (monastery) dominates the valley. The statue here is a very prominent and the rest of the building is beautifully decorated by frescoes.

Drive along the legendary Leh to Manali highway (the world’s second highest!) with unsurpassed views along the way. You stop for the night in Jispa.

After breakfast drive to Manali, situated in Beas valley of Himachal Pradesh. The snow – capped peaks tower above green hills that are carpeted with pine forest and fruit orchards.

After breakfast sightseeing of places in and around Manali, Like Hadimba temple, Manu temple, Vashisht Bath, Van Vihar and evening shopping at the local market. Overnight at the hotel in Manali.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive a distance of 265 km 7 hrs. to Shimla. On arrival check in at the hotel.

After Breakfast Excursion to Kufri. Kufri is famous for its Himalayan National Park, Poney and Yak Ride and One can see the endless Himalayan Panorama from Kufri. Later in the day continue sight seeing of various places in and around. Shimla mosques built in (1830), Vice regal Lodge built in (1885), Christ Church built in (1844), The Gaiety Theatre- the first beauty contest of world was supposed to start (1887), The Grindlays Bank (1912)- the world wide bank started by Robert Melville Grindlay, The Scandal Point and The famous Shopping Plaza of the North, The Mall. Overnight at Shimla Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Chandigarh ( 320 Kms 7/8 Hrs ). Chandigarh is the 1st planned modern city of India designed by the French architect Le Corbusier. The city was named after the mother goddess of power, Chandi, whose temple Chandimandu is a feature of the new city. If time permits one can visit the rose garden, the rock garden etc. Overnight at the hotel in Chandigarh.

After breakfast drive to Delhi ( 260 Ksms 5/6 Hrs ). On arrival at Delhi do some last minute shopping at one of the many Delhi markets. Later transfer to Delhi airport.