Many of the annual festivals
of the Gompas take place in winter, which is a relatively idle time
for majority of the people. These take the form of dance-dramas in
the gompa courtyards. Lamas, attired in colourful robes and wearing
masks, perform mimes symbolising various aspects of the religion
such as the progress of the individual soul and its purification or
the triumph of good over evil. Local people flock from near and far
to these events.
The biggest and most famous
of the monastic festivals is that of Hemis, which falls in
late June or early July, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. Every 12
years, the gompa's greatest treasures, a huge Thangka, is
ritually exhibited. Its next unveiling is due to take place in A.D
2004. Other monasteries, which have summer festivals, are
Lamayuru (early July), Phyang (late July/ early August),
Tak-thok (after Phyang) and Karsha in Zanskar (after
Phyang). Like Hemis, the Phyang festival too involves the unveiling
of a gigantic thangka, though here it is done every third year.
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Mask dancers in a festival
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Spituk, Stok, Thikse,
Chemrey and Matho have their festivals in winter between
November and March. Likir and Deskit (Nubra) time
their festivals to coincide with Dosmochhe, the festival of
the scapegoat, which is celebrated at Leh in late February.
Dosmochhe is one of two New Year festivals, the other being Losar,
which falls around the time of the winter solstice.
Itinerary
Duration : 6N/7D
Day
1:Delhi/Leh:- Flight:
Early morning transfer to airport to airport to board flight for
Leh. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Day at leisure for
high altitude acclimatization. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Leh
Festival:- Car/Jeep: 
Morning: Proceed to the main Bazaar to witness the Inaugural
procession of the Cultural Troupes, Monks, Polo players and
participants of the Silk Route trade caravan in colorful traditional
costumes. The procession starts from London school, via main bazar,
to the Polo ground, where there are colorful burst of cultural
dances.
Afternoon: Proceed to Archery stadium to witness traditional
Archery competition and cultural dances.
Evening: Enjoy musical concert at the Archery stadium.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3:Leh Festival:- Surface:
Morning:
Proceed to visit Sankar monastery and Shanti Stupa (a Japanese peace
pagoda which provides panoramic view of the entire Leh town. In the
distant you can see snow-capped peaks of Stok and Matho.
Afternoon: Proceed to the Polo ground to witness the
inauguration of the traditional horse polo tournament.
Evening: In the main bazaar see in reality a procession of
the famous Silk Route Traders. The traders mounted on double-humped
Bacteria Camels depict the early trade scenes between Yarkhand and
Ladakh. Ladakh was the major trade centre on the Silk route.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4:Leh Festival:-Surface:
Morning:
Proceed to Saboo
village or Stok or Matho village for the Archery festival (depending
on where the archery festival is scheduled. The competition is made
more colorful by the folk dances of the particular village.
Afternoon: Drive to visit Stok
palace and museum:-
Stok Palace 10 kms from Leh has the only museum of Ladakh which
houses one of the most precious belongings of the earlier Royal
families. In its many halls, displays include rare precious stones,
old Thanks, Queens jeweler, arms & armory and the Royal Crown of the
King. EVENING: You can join the Silk Route trade show at the
main bazaar of Leh. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5:Leh/Hemis/Leh:-Surface:
Moring :
Indus Valley
Monastery . Drive along river Indus to visit one of the most famous
monasteries of central Ladakh. Includes visit to she palace and
little further the most richest, oldest and the famous Hemis
Monastery Afternoon: Free at leisure Enjoy ongoing Polo match
at the polo ground. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6:Leh:- Surface: Morning:
Proceed for
halfway River Rafting in Indus. Drive to Stakna beyond Thiksay.
Start on one of the most thrilling rafting to reach Choglamsar.
Enroute pass through villages of Chushot, Thiksay and Shey. Return
to hotel. Afternoon: Drive to Phayang village (14 kms) to see the
unique Phayang monastery.
Day 7:Leh Festival:-Surface:
Morning :
Proceed to visit
one of the most special Monastic dances of Ladakh. Join at the main
Chaukhang Gompa in the centre of the town where monks dresses in
bright colorful religious robes dance slowly wearing fearful masks
around the center flagpole.
Afternoon:- Walkdown through narrow streets of Leh Bazar to
enjoy the final of the Polo Tournament which concludes in a
fashionable manner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
LADAKH
TOUR PACKAGES
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LADAKH
PANORAMA TREKS(Durations
8Nights/9Days)
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TSOMORIRI
LAKE TREKS(Durations
7Nights/8Days)
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LADAKH
MONASTERY TREKS(Durations
15Nights/16Days)
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CLASSIC
MARKHA VALLEY TREKS(Durations
16Nights/17Days)
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MANALI TO
LADAKH TREKS (Durations
22Nights/23Days)
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