FESTIVAL TOUR SUGGESTION # 7

Best during Period : July

Duration : 16 nights / 17 days

Cities covered : Delhi - Leh - Meru - Tanglangla - Sarchu - Baralacha - Darcha - Rohtang - Manali - Dharamsala - Pathankot - Delhi

Colorful festivals covered :
-  Hemis Festival, Leh (12th - 13th July '08 / 1st - 2nd July '09)

Highlights : A festival tour combined with soft adventure for the moderately brave and adventurous. Leh :  a rate lunarscape of bleak rock and gravel, the exotic land of Buddhist monasteries at the time of its annual festival.  Witness most adventurous and stimulating combat between good spirits and demons.  Return to earth by a jeep through high Himalayan mountain passes.
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[These Festival Tour Programs are best run with minimum 6 travelers to a group & more]

Day 1 - ARRIVE DELHI
The romance and colour of India greets you as you disembark from your Jet in Delhi - India’s splendid capital. Founded on the sight of several cities it has been the seat of power for centuries. Today, Old and New city combine to present harmonious whole offering the traveller elegant shops, broad laburnum lines avenues, sunwarmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colourful bazaars. Our representative escorts you to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - DELHI
This morning you will start sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. An aura of history is everywhere in Old Delhi. Red Fort with its majestic ramparts and Jama Masjid one of the Asia’s Largest mosques from the hub. You will also make a stop at Rajghat - Mahatma Gandhi’s final resting place. Emperor Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar complex, dating back to the 12 th century.

New Delhi is well planned with wide tree lined avenues, fountains and parks. Colonial architecture dominates this part of the city, you will drive along the ceremonial avenues of Rajjpath and view the splendid Presidential Palace, the circular Parliament House and impressive diplomatic enclave. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 – DELHI / LEH
This morning transfer to airport to board flight for Leh - A rare lunarscape of bleak rock and gravel, Ladakh is dotted with towering edifices of granite and grail mountains which surround it. It is an exotic land of monasteries carved into hill sides ; statues of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Lamas, of rich art treasures and of paintings and mirals; each one a further testimony of a glorious civilization that once survived. Our representative escorts you to hotel. Time free for acclimatization . Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 - LEH
Full day visit HEMIS FESTIVAL.
Hemis, the biggest monastery in Ladakh, is the site of annual festival commemorating the birth anniversary of GURU LPADMASAMBHAVA. Masked-dancers stimulate a combat between good spirits and demons to the sounds of cymbals, drums and pipes. Young and old lamas and commoners throng the monastery to participate in the celebrations. The monastery also has the largest thanka or scroll in Ladakh.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 - LEH
Full day visit the HEMIS FESTIVAL. Explore the colourful activities, an opportunity to buy handicraft items. On sale are local handicrafts, semi precious stone, beads and silver trinkets. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 - LEH
This morning you day starts with the sightseeing tour visiting the - Shankar Gompa which has innumerable statues of pure gold and a number of interesting paintings. Also visit the Leh Palace. Drive to the Spituk Monastery, which contains a large collection of tankas and old masks. Thereafter, visit Phyang Monastery.
Evening visit a Ladakhi home. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 - LEH
Today you take full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis with box lunch. Shey was once the residence of the royal family and is famous for its 7.5 metre high glided statue of Buddha. Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive monasteries famous for its various images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two storied statue of Buddha. Return to Leh in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 - LEH/MERU
Early morning depart for Meru, the first night camp, on the Leh - Manali Jeep Safari.
Afternoon take a stroll to the small village of Meru. Overnight at camp.

Day 9 – MERU / TANGLANGLA / SARCHU
This morning depart for Tanglangla pass (5328 mts.), the highest road pass in world.
Thereafter, proceed to Sarchu. Arrive and overnight at camp.

Day 10 – SARCHU / BARALACHA / DARCHA
This morning drive to Baralacha. The gradual ascent to Baralacha pass is covered with perennial snow. The descent (1000 mts) top other side is fairly steep but thrilling. Continue your journey to camp near the confluence of three rivers at Darcha or Jispa 5 kms beyond Darcha. Overnight at camp.

Day 11 – DARCHA / ROHTANG / MANALI
This morning depart for Manali.
You come across a gradual change in the landscape, the physiogonomy and attire of the inhabitants. Before starting the drive up a brief stop at Koksar checkpost. After the passport formalities proceed to Rohtang pass which presents a romantic setting with the ever blowing mists and wisps of clouds hovering the pass. Drive straight to Manali.
Arrive and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - MANALI
This morning you day starts with the sightseeing of Manali, enjoy the scenic beauty of Manali. The nearby country and villages are truly beautiful and not to be missed.
Afternoon visit the Old Manali village, a couple of kilometres away. Follow the road across the cascading Manalsu stream, from where you can climb up to this interesting little village. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 – MANALI / DHARAMSALA
This morning you depart for Dharamsala by Coach - a small beautiful township, headquarters of his holiness the Dalai Lama.

Arrive and check in at HOTEL CHONOR HOUSE - established as a branch of the Norbulingka Institute, was inaugurated in March 1993. Chonor House is a handsome three storey stone and brick building standing among pines on hill behind the Thekchen Choeling temple in upper Dharamsala. Designed by the British architect, David porter, it has a solid and functional structure, containing twelve guest rooms, a large living room, dining room and reception area.

Five of the guest rooms and the dining room are decorated with murals depicting scenes from Tibetan life, famous monuments, wildlife, mythical creatures, trees, flowers and characters from the Lhamo the traditional Tibetan Opera. These were painted by three young Tibetan a in artists in a unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles, which reflect their dynamic aspirations. The interior design was carefully planned to incorporate the comfort of modern facilities with a unique Tibetan appeal. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - DHARAMSALA
This morning you day starts with a sightseeing tour visiting Talnu View point near Naddi village which is one of the convenient spots for admiring the raw grandeur of Dhauladhar mountains. The Buddhist monastery at Mcleodganj and Bhagsunag Temple about 2 kms away are important religious sites and the Kanga Art Museum.
Rest of the day free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 - DHARAMSALA
Morning visit Tibetan Library and Museum, Tibetan Astro-Medical Institute and Nechung Monastery. Afternoon you visit the Tsechokling Monastery, Gaden Choeling Nunnery and Tibetan handicraft centre. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 – DHARAMSALA / PATHANKOT / DELHI
Morning depart for Pathankot by coach to board train for Delhi. Overnight on board train.

Day 17 - DELHI
Arrive Delhi and your representative escorts you to the hotel. You have free time to do last minute shopping. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18 - DEPART DELHI
Your India experience comes to an end as you are transferred to the airport to board your homeward bound flight.