Celebrate the famous Yuru Kabgyat festival 2021 at Lamayuru monastery.
Since time immemorial, the Himalayas have been carrying the spirit of inner healing. Beyond Himalayas offers spiritual seekers a journey that explores the inner depths in the midst of mesmerizing landscapes in the healing tours of Ladakh. Through the winding paths witness the magic of the high altitude azure lakes and feel nourished by the warmth of the communities that live here, imbuing a sense of calm and serenity.
The spiritual tour of Ladakh takes you through picturesque landscapes, mountain passes, and river valleys to experience the profound spiritual energy of the Himalayas. Meditate in the oldest monasteries of Ladakh and deepen your practice through guided yoga sessions. Feast on fine exotic cuisine as well as simple home-cooked local food of faraway villages. The red-cheeked kids in the buckwheat fields of Turtuk, the quaint camel rides in the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, the silent walks by the Pangong Tso lake, the Oracles and stories of Palaces in Leh, it’s a mystical place where all dimensions converge into a single experience.
itinerary
Day 1DELHI TO LEH
We will receive you at the airport in Leh. The flights usually land by 11:30 am and you will drive straight to a beautiful local homestay. Spend the day acclimatizing while you observe the simple life of Ladakhi folks in the midst of serene landscapes. In the evening you can explore the Leh market buzzing with life. Under the awe-inspiring eighth storey Leh palace, the market place gives a taste of cultural fusion. With the Kashmiri tradesmen coloring the streets with their exotic pashminas, the local Ladakhi women in traditional clothes selling organic greens, the modern cafes with finest cakes and the quiet alleys around the marketplace that tells a story woven over time. After dinner at a lovely garden restaurant, we will retire at the home-stay.
Note: Flights are not included but we are happy to assist you in booking your flights.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11562 ft
Road condition: Good
Day 2LEH DAY
We begin the day with an hour-long introductory yoga session. After a healthy organic breakfast at the homestay, we leave for the Heritage walk in the old town. We will start by visiting the museum built by the Leh Old Town Restoration Initiative (LOTI) group, with locally available materials and infrastructure. The structure revolves around a skyscraper (Thokskar) on the top floor and has relics of Ladakh. From there you will enter the old town streets where the entire landscape is as it was in the Kings’ time, some of which have been restored by LOTI. The walk will take you through King Singay Namgyal’s palace. Post lunch we will visit the beautiful Sankar monastery. In the evening, enjoy a film screening for a deeper perspective on the ways of Ladakh followed by a short guided meditation session and dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11000 ft
Day 3DRIVE TO TRUTUK
After breakfast, we begin our journey to Turtuk. Like all the overland drives around Ladakh, this drive will take you through picturesque landscapes, mountain passes, river valleys, and sparse mountain settlements. We can stop at any point to soak in the view or capture a memorable moment en route. We will stop for a picnic lunch at the pastures of Khardong village under the mighty Khardungla top (Highest motorable road in the world at 18300 feet above the sea level) and drive on towards the Indo Pakistan border region of Turtuk. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our host at the campsite. You can relax and have the rest of the evening to yourself to unwind in the apricot garden. After a meditation session around the warmth of a bonfire, dinner is served.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11000 ft
Day schedule:
7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Leave Leh
12:30 Lunch near Khardung village picnic lunch at the pastures
5:00 pm Reach Turtuk
Chill at campsite
7:00 pm Meditation
7:30 Dinner
Day 4TURTUK, NUBRA VALLEY
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11000 ft
Day schedule:
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast
9:00 am Silent walk
10:00 am visit the royal family house.
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Leave Turtuk
5:30 Reach Nubra – Tea and snacks
7:00 pm Meditation
7:30 pm Dinner
Day 5HUNDER, NUBRA VALLEY
Today enjoy the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the beautiful Nubra Valley. After a relaxing yoga session and breakfast, we will visit the 100ft Buddha and the adjoining Diskit Monastery. The platform on top of the hill overlooking the valley of Nubra is spectacular for silent contemplation. We will visit Organic vegetable gardens, the sand dunes where you can ride the double hump Bactrian camels in the wild pastures or relish the land of Ladakh more deeply through the cultural programs, and archery. Come back to the warmth of a bonfire back at the campsite in the evening. End the day with a meditation session and a heartful delicious meal.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11000 ft
Day schedule:
7:30 – 8:30 am Yoga
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am 100 ft Buddha statue at Diskit
12:00 Sand Dunes
1:00 Lunch
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Camel Safari and cultural program optional
Day 6NUBRA VALLEY TO PANGONG LAKE
Today we will leave for Pangong Lake from Nubra valley through Shayok. On reaching Pangong Lake we will check in the campsite and spend the day enjoying the beauty of the lake. After evening tea and snacks, we will take a little walk by the vast emptiness of Pangong Tso Lake, hued in green and azure. Wrap up the day with a meditation session absorbing the silence of the place and dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11000 ft
Day schedule:
7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Leave Nubra
1:00 pm lunch at Tangse homestay
3:30 pm Reach Pangong –
4:30 walk by the lake
5:30 Tea and snacks
7:00 pm Meditation
7:30 pm Dinner
Day 7PANGONG LAKE
As the early sun dawns into the stillness of the Pangong Lake, one should make most of it. After breakfast, we will drive to the beautiful and rarely visited Mann village. We will take a silent walk by the serene lake and through the small alleys of the village, soaking in the divinity of the simple life of the locals and discover its many stories. Enjoy a scrumptious home-cooked lunch at one of the local homes of Mann village and prepare for the journey back to Leh.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11000 ft
Day schedule:
7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am to Mann village
11:00 – 12:00 Silent walk
12:30 lunch at the homestay
2:00 pm – 7:30 pm to Leh
8:00 pm Dinner
Day 8LEH DAY
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11562 ft
Day 9LAMAYURU MONASTERY RETREAT
Today is a day of celebration as the Lamayuru festival begins. The Yuru Kabgyat festival at Lamayuru is an ancient two-day festival dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava (the second Buddha) and Yama (the lord of death) and is an essential event in Ladakh and for the Buddhist worldwide. Marvel at the sacred masked dances performed as an offering to the Buddhas and the sounds from the gigantic pipe reverberating many a time during the entire festival. The festival tells a story of the journey of the Buddhas towards Enlightenment and stands for the destruction of the ego.
VISIT MOONLAND AFTER DINNER
Accommodation: Homestay in Lamayuru
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11520 ft
Road condition: Good
Day schedule:
9:00 am – 12:00 Festival post lunch
Day 10LAMAYURU, ALCHI MONASTERY POOJA
We spend the first half of the day at the Yuru Kabgyat festival at Lamayuru and post lunch leave back for Leh. On the way, we will visit the 10th century-old Alchi Monastery.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11520 ft
Road condition: Good
Day schedule:
Day 11LEH DAY
We start the day with our final yoga and meditation session. After breakfast, we will visit the famous Shanti Stupa where we can sit in silent contemplation surrounded by the awe-inspiring landscapes. Later in the day, we will visit the ancient Thikse monastery which is one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh and famous for the spectacular 15 meters high statue of Maitreya Buddha. Enjoy the rest of the day to unwind, wander around the small streets, buy souvenirs for friends and family back home, have a laid back evening in a cozy café and relax for the journey back.
Accommodation: Homestay in Leh
Meals: B/L/D Transfer: 7 seater MUV
Altitude: 11562 ft
Road condition: Good
Day schedule: 7:30 – 8:30 am Yoga
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Shanti Stupa
1:00 pm Lunch at Cloud cafe
2:00 Thikse Monastery
5:00 pm Tea and snacks
7:30 Dinner
Day 12LEH DELHI DEPARTURE
Early morning leave for the airport in time for your flights to Delhi with blessings from the mountains and fond memories of the tour which will last the lifetime.
01. ACCOMMODATION THROUGH THE TRIP ON TWIN SHARING
02. PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
03. BOILED REFILL WATER BOTTLE THROUGH THE TRIP
04. ALL HEALTHY MEALS EVERY DAY
05. PERMITS AND PASSES THROUGH THE TRIP
08. FILM SCREENINGS / TALKS
09. TRANSFERS IN INNOVA WITH 4 PEOPLE IN EACH CAR
10. FIRST AID KIT with OXYGEN CYLINDER
12. WELCOME TRAVEL KIT
EXCLUSIONS:
FLIGHTS
TRAVEL, LUGGAGE & MEDICAL INSURANCE
TOURIST VISA
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAXES
TIPS
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
ANYTHING NOT MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
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CHANGES TO YOUR ITINERARY
For your best interest, sometimes it might have to make necessary alterations to your holiday itinerary. Where practical, we will advice you before you depart from your hometown, although occasionally we may be forced to make changes en route. We will keep you informed at all times.
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT DELAYS
Bad weather in mountainous regions can cause flight delays. These problems mainly happen in Ladakh region of India. If the delay is extended it may be necessary for us to re-route the trek and tour, perhaps to an area more readily accessed by road transport. We do not accept responsibility for charges incurred as result of flight delays and missing international flight connections. However, we will make every effort to assist you.
INHERENT RISKS OR DANGERS
You understand and accept that your proposed tour may expose you to levels of physical exertion to which you may not be accustomed to or be exposed to inherent dangers when traveling through remote areas which may be subject to, among other things, unfavorable political, physical, health or climatic conditions. By agreeing to use our services, you accept these dangers and unfavorable conditions.
INSURANCE
You must purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes a provision for helicopter rescue when you pay your deposit.
YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS
We strongly recommend that you visit your doctor and dentist before your holiday. You must ask your doctor about current inoculation requirements. Full details of pre-existing medical conditions must be forwarded to us when you book. Older clients or clients with pre-existing medical conditions may require a letter from your doctor clearing them for the trek and Beyond Himalayas Pvt. Ltd. reserve the right to check these documents prior to confirmation of tours and treks
PASSPORT
A valid passport is required for all tourists. The passports must be valid for minimum of six months from the start of journey, with at least two clean pages per country to be visited.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
A valid visa is required for the entire destination. You should always consult your doctor or nearest travel clinic for the latest information on recommended health precautions, both vaccination and malaria prophylaxis.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
GENERAL
Extensive medical kits are carried on all trips. In addition, medical oxygen and Portable Altitude Chambers are carried as a precaution on high altitude treks and climbing expeditions. All meals on trek are prepared specifically for your group to strict hygiene standards, and sterile washing facilities are provided.
HIGH ALTITUDE
Sickness from altitude can affect anyone. Serious problems are avoided by building in rest and acclimatization. For normal symptoms a drop in altitude, or time in portable acclimatization chamber, leads to quick recovery.
All trips are graded. There are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Mountaineering categories.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance that includes helicopter evacuation is highly appreciated
AGE LIMITS
Client over sixty are required to complete a medical and personal travel history questionnaire. Persons under sixteen can join specified family departures and private groups.
