Five important monasteries in Ladakh

Ladakh tourism has opened his gate for the tourists across the globe. Ladakh is the land of Buddhist from ancient days. Age old monasteries (Gompas) in the arid region of Ladakh are reflecting ageless believes of Buddhism in the middle of soaring mountains. LehLadakh tour without visiting any monastery can be called incomplete tour.

All the Ladakh packages of any tour company cover the five important monasteries in Ladakh. The five monasteries are...

Hemis Monastery - Ladakh

Hemis Monastery (Gompa) is the richest and largest gomopa of Ladakh; located 48 km away from Leh on the bank of Indus River.It belongs to Gelukpa order in 1630 by Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. The most popular Hemis festival is going to be held on 29^th and 30^th June of 2012. Birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhavis celebrated in Hemis monastery’s compound as Hemis festival. As a part of this festival, a huge painting of Buddha is displayed before public only once in 11 years and that makes this monastery unique for travelers. Another highlight of this monastery is its famous sacred mask dance.

Lamayuru Monastery Ladakh

Lamayuru Monastery the oldest monastery of Ladakh was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in early 11^th Century. It belongs to Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. There are several legends associated with this Gompa. It is also believed that the place where Lamayuru gompa is situated was a lake that changes into the mountains by the blessings of a lama, to create space for this monastery. It is located125 km from Leh on a high cape overlook village and surroundings. Lamayuru Monastery has a rich collection of wall paintings and Thangkas. This monastery celebrates sacred masked dance every year on 17th and 18th day of the 5th month of Tibetan lunar calendar.

Thiksey Monastery Ladakh

Thiksey Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries of Central Ladakh is situated 20 km away from Leh at the altitude of 3600m above sea level which makes it one of the most popular monasteries in Leh Ladakh. It has a twelve storied building with 10 temples and a nunnery in its campus. Nearly 100 lamas practice their religious duty in this monastery. This gompa is seat for head of the Gelug School in Ladakh. Champa one of the largest statues of Buddha in Leh Ladakh can be found in this monastery. It is considered as a perfect example of Ladakhi architecture.

Shanti Stupa ladakh

Shanti Stupa is situated on a high elevated region overlooking the splendid Leh valley. It was constructed by the Japanese for world peace, a Japanese Buddhist Organization as a mark of respect to 2500 years of Buddhism and was inaugurated by his holiness Dalai Lama in August 1985.It is famous for its marvelous construction and magnificent views of sunrise and sunset. Stupa looks spectacular with its glittering lights in night.

Alchi Gompa Ladakh

Alchi Gompa is one of the oldest and finest monasteries of Leh Ladakh. Its main feature is thousands of small sized pictures of Buddha. Brightly painted, three large-sized images prepared with clay are its main attraction. Gompa has many Thangkas of 12th century. Other images include five Buddha families with their attendants.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

Ladakh - the best place in India for trekking

A land where peace, adventure and natural beauty live together is Leh Ladakh. This place is very suitable destination for adventure lover tourists of the globe. Tourists interested in adventurous sports like white water rafting, camel safari, mountaineering, jeep safari, paragliding, trekking, etc. Trekking in Ladakh is the most famous adventurous sport known to adventure tour lovers of India and abroad. One can select any one trekking route among the large list of trekking routes of Ladakh. 

India is the most visited, famous and beautiful tourist destination across the globe. It can be Kashmir in north, Rajasthan in center, Kerala in south, or any other part of the country, all the parts of the country have their own beauty and specialty. Northern part of the country in the Himalayan region is the most beautiful and adventurous part of the country.

The hilly areas of Jammu & Kashmir the northernmost state of India full of picturesque beauty is certainly the places that a tourist looks for. Leh Ladakh is a region in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, which is loved by all tourists around the world due to Buddha’s monasteries, natural beauty and environment. Tibetan culture, religion, architect is here due to presence of high percentage of Tibetan people. For these reasons, it is also famous as Little Tibet.

Tourists from all over the world come to Leh Ladakh to enjoy trekking in Ladakh. The place is regarded as one of the best trekking destinations of the globe. The place witnesses heavy snowfall throughout winter season between the months of November to April. The best time for trekking in Ladakh is between the months of May to September. One of the important factors for trekking tours in this region is the high mountain’s passes.

There are many routes for trekking in Ladakh which are as under:

• Markha Valley: This trek will lead you through the spectacular scenes of Leh Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. You can watch hidden civilization of the valleys, rich cultural heritage, monasteries illuminated with butter lamps, nomadic families with herds of yaks and many others.
• Darcha to Lamayuru: This trek starts from Darcha and leads through over 8 passes, with highest point of 5090 meters that brings you in to the Zanskar.
• Indus to Nubra Valley: This route of trekking in Ladakh will lead you through various passes, Buddhist monasteries and the remote villages between Indus to Nubra. The Nubra is a branch of the Shyok River, which is parallel to the Indus and known for sand dunes and camel safari.
• Frozen River: Zanskar people from a very long time have used the frozen river trek. The traditional name of the trek is Chadar trek. 

You can make trekking in Ladakh tour much more memorable by interacting with local people and experiencing their culture. For getting an ultimate traveling experience trust any well renowned travel agency or tour operator like Destination@doorstep.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website: http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

PANGONG LAKE Ladakh

Pangong Lake is situated in Himalayas. Its height is about 4,350 ft. It is 134 km long. It Extends from India to Tibet. 60% length of Pangong Lake lies in China. The lake is wide about 5km. Its water is saline. But lake freezes completely in winter season. But lake freezes completely in winter season.

PANGONG LAKE Ladakh

Distance between Leh and Pangong Lake can be discovered in a five hours. This route is a rough and dramatic mountain road through the village Shey and Gya and crosses Changla pass. Many Army men (guard) and Tea shops will be seen on your way. It is said that once the lake had an outlet, Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, which was destroyed by a natural dam.

After a journey full of difficulties we reached Pangong Tso from Leh. Camping at Spangmik village will give great opportunities to admire the beauty of the lake and ladscape. Spangmik is a small village, spread across a narrow stretch of earth between the lake and adjoining mountains. Spangmik village is next to Pangong Lake, where the inhabitants are now finding additional income from tourist inflow. You need nothing to enjoy yourself, the lake and the mountain make sure you are kept happy contented. The lake spread so long that I can’t see the other end.

Change of shade in Lake can be observed as the day progresses. It has deepest hues of blue when the sum I high and deeper hues in the middle of the lake. It looses colour later in the day and turns dull as the sun moves towards the west. At times when the is no wind, the clear surface of lake becomes mirror, so it reflects the brown mountains surrounding it. The water near the shore looks black when there are strong waves.

The mountains are in various shades of brown, their colours doubled by the scorching sunlight and shades come due to small patches of clouds blocking the sun. Waterways on the stopes formed by melting snow have made long thin lines.

The lake is an ideal site for bird lovers as well various migratory birds including the black- naked Siberian Crane and Brahmini ducks can be seen in the cool colourful water of the lake.  The best time to visit thin lake is between June to September. An inner permit is required to visit the lake as it lies on the line of Actual Control. Indian can get individual permit. Others must have group permits (minimum of 3 persons) accompanied by an affiliated guide. You can get permit from the tourist office of Leh. India government does not permit boating due to security reason.