Ladakh: Mountains & Monasteries
Mountains and Monasteries leads you to the Tibetan way of life in this remote and spectacularly beautiful part of the world. You will surely get your mountain fix here! The stunning scenery, ancient monasteries and time unchanged make this an amazing journey to a part of India that is not as you know it. Beautiful Tibetan faces welcome you and crystal clear high altitude lakes and rugged snow capped peaks will take your breath away. Ladakh will most definitely have you saying ‘wow’ countless times in a day.
Parallel 50. This is Life. This is Travel
- Majestic Silent Mountains
Depart Delhi airport aboard your flight to Leh, the capital city of Ladakh. The people of this region are of Tibetan descent and very sparsely populated. Yes we are remote! At an elevation of 3500m we will take it easy the first day or two as we take time to acclimatise. On a fine evening there is a sunset view from Shanti Stupa.
Let’s explore! Time to get a feel for the Buddhist monasteries nearby. Wander the ancient alleyways with a gently stroll to absorb life on the streets.
Today is village day as we discover by the banks of the Indus River the absolute charm of rural villages and the people as they go about their day. Here is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh with its 11th and 12th century wall paintings, Buddhist art, sculptures and shrines.
One of the things that stay with you the most in travel is the stories and memories you will have of the local people you meet. We are likely to come across villagers working in the field and have a chance to photograph the cultural clothing of the Aryan people.
Liker Monastery then a wonderful mix of market life with all its vibrancy back in Leh
An impressive backdrop of mountains and gorges with glacial melt streams. A spectacular snow covered mountain pass takes us past herds of yaks on the meadows. Sand dunes are an unusual sight where we spend some time with the Bactrian camels. Lets take in the view over the valley and more cultural experiences with the local people.
Today you will feel like you are in a different country as we enjoy another charming village. This area has only been accessible to visitors in more recent times so has been little travelled. A place that is famous not only for its apricots but we will also see waterfalls, distant views of K2 (second highest mountain in the world), monasteries and mosques, …what better way to spend the day.
A return drive to the homeland of a very old monastery in Ladakh. Atmosphere plus!
Absorb the beauty along this drive as we make our way through breathtaking scenery to a holy lake, the highest salt water lake in the world at 4,300mts and a wildlife sanctuary.
Mountain views take up our day, ho hum, as we make our way back to Leh via a different Mountain Pass
Get ready for the atmosphere and hauntingly beautiful sounds of the monks at prayer putting us in the right frame of mind for some meditation. Meditation in the Himalaya. Beautiful. We can witness the local people working the wool and dine on local cuisine for our last night in this majestic land of mountains.
Our early flight will return us to Delhi for the end of our spectacular journey to Ladakh.
