Himalaya - India Tour (I-17)

Arrive Delhi. Transfer to hotel. Tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the Raj Ghat - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi , Jama Masjid and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. In New Delhi visit the Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch ), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings & Connaught Place shopping centre. Overnight Delhi.

Transfer to airport for Leh flight. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Leh is in the northernmost part of the country and is lapped in the snow-covered fringes of the Himalayas, Leh has been the center of Tibeto-Buddhist culture since ages. Its colorful gompas have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe. Rest of the day free. Overnight Leh.

Morning visit Leh Palace, Gompa and the Bazaar. A miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa, the Leh Palace is one of the major attractions. The palace was built in the 17th century and was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb commissioned the mosque at the head of the Leh Bazaar. Afternoon excursion of Phyang & Spituk monastery. At a distance of 8 km from Leh, Spituk Gompa was was built in the 15th century and houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and thangkas. Belonging to the Brokpa sect, the Phyang gompa was built in the 16th century and houses hundreds of statues, thangkas, old manuscripts and some old weapons. Overnight Leh

Full day excursion of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Until the 16th century, the Shey gompa was the royal residence. It is located at a distance of 15 km south of Leh. This Palace Monastery has the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha to come) in Ladakh. Erected in the mid-17th century, worked out of gold and gilded copper sheets with blue hair, it stands 17.5 m high. Thikse gompa is an imposing monastery and one of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture. The 12-story monastery complex contains numerous stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's teachings. Hemis is one of the biggest gompas in Ladakh. Was built in 1630. It is also known as Chang Chub Sam Ling or 'the lone place of the compassionate person. Overnight Leh.

Day at leisure.Overnight Leh

Drive to Kargil ( 230 kms ) en-route visiting Alchi and Lamayuru. The Alchi gompa dating back to the 11th century is one of the largest and a famous monastery with a widely renowned collection of paintings. Lamayuru Monastery belongs to the Red-Hat sect of Buddhism and houses approximately 150 Buddhist monks. The monastery is made up of a number of shrines and also has a very rich collection of thankas and magnificent wall paintings. Overnight Kargil.

Drive to Srinagar. Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley and is spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is attractive to visitors around the year Over night in a deluxe house boat in Srinagar.

Morning Shikara (boat) ride on Dal lake visiting the gardens. It is pleasant to row over the waters of the Dal Lake to visit the Mughal Gardens and other lakeside sites, including the famous Hazratbal mosque. Overnight Srinagar.

Full day excursion of Gulmarg. Gulmarg is one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Gulmarg has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter. Overnight Srinagar.

Transfer to airport for Delhi flight. Arrive and check in at hotel.Overnight Delhi.

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