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From 29 July to 14 August 2022
Summary Itinerary
| 1 | Day | São Paulo | London |
| 2 | Day | London | DELHI |
| 3 | Day | DELHI | DELHI |
| 4 | Day | DELHI | LEH |
| 5 | Day | LEH | LEH |
| 6 | Day | LEH | LEH |
| 7 | Day | LEH | NUBRA |
| 8 | Day | NUBRA | NUBRA |
| 9 | Day | NUBRA | PANGONG TSO |
| 10 | Day | PANGONG TSO | LEH |
| 11 | Day | LEH | AGRA |
| 12 | Day | AGRA | DELHI |
| 13 | Day | DELHI | DELHI |
| 14 | Day | DELHI | London |
| 15 | Day | London | London |
| 16 | Day | London | London |
| 17 | Day | London | São Paulo |
Detailed Itinerary
Day
Arrival
Walk
Personalized with tour
Upon your arrival, you will already be assisted by our local representatives who will be waiting with a sign with your name (or written Chörten) at the airport. We accompany the arrival of each Chörten Traveller, keeping in touch by phone with our representatives at the airport, from before their plane lands until the moment we speak, so you can be 100% confident that we are accompanying and making sure that your arrival is being taken care of . We make sure in advance, for example, if you have already contacted the hotel, informing you of your arrival time, so that your room is available as soon as possible, according to the hotel's possibilities for the day. Transfer to the hotel with assistance, located in a central region, with interesting possibilities for tours and cultural activities. On our first day, we will be arriving, adjusting to the time zone and seeking, despite the fatigue of flying hours, to sleep at the right time, not during the day like in the time zone we are used to. For these reasons, the suggestion for the first tours is that they are quite light, as well as because we are not processing the information very well yet.
Our suggested tours for this afternoon are: Rajpath with India Gate, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Lakshminarayan temple. If you're keen for more, we have some extra possibilities in mind. Please let us know and we'll talk.
Flights:
Specialist with tour
Upon your arrival, you will already be assisted by our local representatives who will be waiting with a sign with your name at the airport. We accompany the arrival of each Chörten Traveller, keeping in touch by phone with our representatives at the airport from before their arrival. Including making sure that they have already contacted the hotel, notifying them of your arrival, so that your room is available as soon as possible, according to the hotel's possibilities for the day. Once you meet our representative at the airport, we will contact you by phone or Whatsapp to find out if we can be of assistance in any way. The Brazilian travel specialist will already be at the hotel awaiting your arrival. Transfer to the hotel with our own vehicle, with assistance, located in a central region, with interesting possibilities for cultural tours. For those arriving on a flight in the morning, possibility of a short walk around the hotel in the afternoon.
For those arriving on a flight in the morning, possibility of a short walk around the hotel in the afternoon.
Day
Briefing
Specialist start first day of the program
Now, with the arrival of the whole group, we will meet for breakfast and then sit down to quickly review the important travel tips in India. Traffic, food, hygiene, cultural, logistical and safety issues are some of the subjects we will have talked about before the trip and the specialist, now in loco, will remind and clarify any doubts so that you can enjoy the trip as much as possible. These are precious minutes that will help a lot every next day in this country with a vast history, millenary cultures, a knowledge and vision of the world that we still do not understand well from our backgrounds and views of the West.
Gandhi Smriti
Another special visit for our day is the last house where Gandhi lived, known as the Birla House. We will learn a little about this important part of the history of this nation, as well as about the life and the final moment of this great leader, an example of the practice of Ahimsa (non-violence) until today throughout the world. Today, in the form of an interactive museum, with a collection of photographs and objects by Gandhi, called Gandhi Smriti. We probably won't recommend looking at the whole museum with all the weather in the world to allow time to get to know the museum, the history of Gandhi up close, like other important places in Delhi. A walk around the museum, taking a longer look at one or another part of Gandhi's life, usually works very well.
Gurudwara bangla sahib
Then, a visit to the Sikh temple, religion of the century. XVI and Punjab region in India, is certainly a good option. In the beautiful Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, we will hear your chants, we will observe how you say your prayers inside the temple and around a sacred tank. We will also be able to visit the kitchen where volunteers offer meals to thousands of people daily, regardless of social class and religion.
handcraft museum
Lodi Garden
We can also take a walk through one of the parks where locals go for their walks, very beautiful, the Lodi Garden.
A walk around one of the parks where locals go for their walks, very beautiful, with mausoleums of the various sultans of Delhi, the Lodi Garden, is a great option that combines history, nature and the opportunity to observe the daily lives of local residents .
Humayun's Mausoleum
Second of the six main Mugal emperors, Humayun (1508-1556), his mausoleum was built in Delhi, the first with architecture associated with a garden and the use of red sandstone stone on this scale in India. Thus, the predecessor and of a beauty close to the Taj Mahal, some people consider this monument even more beautiful.
National museum
A very interesting visit in Delhi is the National Museum. It is possible for us to spend many hours or days enjoying each hall and exhibition about the history, arts and people of India. A good way to take advantage of this opportunity is to visit a main hall and the Buddha relics. The backpack needs to be in a locker room before entering the museum building and then, just before going up the entrance stairs, be sure to take a look at one of if not the first human rights charter, carved in stone, according to the laws of the great Indian emperor of the century. III BC, Ashoka. Right after its entrance, one of the first rooms is the one on Mohenjodaro and Harappa, cradle of this civilization, which existed between 3500 and 1500 BC. C., with objectives of that time being the main ones: the seal with what must have come to be Shiva, and sculpture of the head of the priest and the dancing girl. Then we walked, without stopping much in order to use a shorter time of our day at the museum, through the other halls, until we arrived at the relics of the Buddha. It is common to find practitioners of this Nepali/Indian master (Sakya) method sitting in meditation around his relics. This can certainly be a beneficial mental mark that we can offer ourselves for a few minutes, in this training towards a more peaceful mind and of greater benefit to all sentient beings (simply: beings with consciousness). If you want to take a quick look at the Indian tribes' halls and the instruments on the top floor, with a certain focus and being careful with the weather, it's time!
Old Delhi
We will begin our tours with what is actually one of several Delhis, which have existed at different times and empires in a succession of neighboring cities. The last and eighth Delhi is where we stayed, built by the British, called New Delhi. The seventh was built by Shah Jahan, one of the great Mughai emperors, the same one who built the Taj Mahal, then known as Shajahanabad. Today we call it Old Delhi or Old Delhi. We will visit the great mosque of the Emperor, the Jama Masjid. In it, for those who want, there is the possibility of a walk up the minaret! From where we have a view of the city and the Red Fort from above. Talk to your guide. He doesn't need to go up. Just be very careful on the platform above, please.
Then we will walk through the alleys of its old bazaar. There is a very old shop, which passes from father to son for a long time, with essences (sandalwood, etc) and incense called Gulab Singh Johri Mal, which in itself is a tour. You can buy an oil in a box together with one of the typical bottles of this Muslim region of Delhi. Following the walk through the alleys of the bazaars, most guides like to do a bicycle rickshaw. We highly recommend that you take the tour on foot, to have more contact and to be able to see the bazaar better. Possibility of visiting a small temple of Jainism, very old, with beautiful paintings. There is more than one Jain temple in the region, this one is in a small village called Naughara Gali, in the Kinari Bazaar. We follow until we arrive in front of the Red Fort, where the important Lahore Gate is. It was there that important talks about the history of India took place, such as the independence of this country, today the largest democracy in the world, where ancient values and customs coexist at the same time with extremely modern knowledge and technologies.
Raj Ghat
On the way back to our hotel area, we will pay tribute to the memorial where Gandhi was cremated, Raj Ghat. We will see what was his last word, a sign of great accomplishment on his spiritual path. Those who like photographs, look for images made by Cartier-Bresson, one of the great photographers that ever existed, who was in Delhi that day.
Rajpath
Next to our hotel is the terrace built by the English in the XNUMXth century. XX, called Rajpath (Raj: king, path: path). In it is the India Gate, a landmark of the city, built in honor of the combatants in the great war.
Red Fort
We will save our visit to one of the Red Forts for the one in Agra, with more history, prettier and better preserved.
We will visit the Red Fort, built in red sandstone and white marble in the 200th century. XVII, also by Emperor Shah Jahan. Used by the Mughal Empire for approx. XNUMX years, we will understand how they lived, with their gardens, rooms, public and private audience halls. We will see that it was also used by the English army.
Hare Krishna Temple
In this same region, we will also visit a temple belonging to the famous ISKCON organization, known as Hare Krishna. Devotees of this eighth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, this is an opportunity to observe how this tradition practices its method, with a lot of music, here in India.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Also nearby in the area of our hotel is the Hindu temple Lakshminarayan, also known as Birla (important Indian family) Mandir (temple in Hindi). We will see many Hindu temples during the trip, from the smallest on the sidewalks and in front of the houses, to the larger ones, as in this case. They are opportunities for us to learn and reflect a little about the knowledge, wisdom and method of learning that has been practiced for millennia throughout the Asian subcontinent: from the Hindus River Valley (from Mt. Kailash in Tibet to Pakistan), extending across the Gangetic Plain ( from Rishikesh to Kolkata) via the entire Himalaya to South India. Take the opportunity and ask your guide about your doubts and curiosities about Hinduism, as well as the temple goers, including the priests here. We heard different responses, under different approaches and levels of understanding of this knowledge, from the most beginners to the most accomplished, from the most popular to the most academic.
Lotus Temple
Further south of the city, we will visit the beautiful Lotus Temple. Built in the format of its name, it belongs to the religion called Bahá'í, founded in the XNUMXth century. XIX, in ancient Persia, when visiting it everyone is invited to be silent for a moment. An interesting experience in the middle of this big bustling city. After visiting the sometimes open temple, further along the exit path (before turning right to the street gate), there are stairs that lead to an exhibition about the history and work of this religion. Interesting to take a look and have contact with brief statements about your thoughts.
We will check the cultural agenda of the city for this end of the day, as a possibility of a special activity, where great artists of the country perform.
"
3rd Day Apr 28, 2017 Fri DELHI LEH
Flight
Market
In the morning, early in the morning, we will take a beautiful flight, which will cross a good part of the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. We will land in the capital of Ladakh, a region known as Little Tibet because they share the same geography, culture, linguistic roots, ethnicities and religion. Leh is at an altitude of 3500m. So, we will rest on our first day to start a good acclimatization. Plenty of hot liquids like tea and soup, food and rest are all helpful. We can take a light walk through the city's market. “If we're lucky, we'll have the chance to see one of the most beautiful views in the world. I remember when I flew over the Himalayas for the first time, I couldn't contain my tears.” Renata Mendes
Flight: Jet Airways 9W2368Delhi 05:40 Leh 07:05
4th Apr 29, 2017 Sat LEH LEH
Shanti Stupa
Fort Palace
We will visit the city of Leh. From a beautiful stupa (tib: chörten) dedicated to peace, the Shanti Stupa, we will have a view of the entire valley and mountain range. Tibetans and Ladakhis usually do at least 3 koras (eng: circumumbulations) clockwise around stupas and monasteries. The ancient statues in the stupa recount the four main events in the Buddha's life.
Next place to visit in Leh is Fort Palace, which was used by the royal family of this region.
We will have the opportunity during our days in Ladakh to visit social and environmental projects that have very significant and innovative performances. The purpose of these visits throughout the trip is to get to know a little about the people who dedicate their lives to having a positive impact on the world, to inspire us to act more consciously, putting into action all the self-knowledge that we will have access to during the trip.
5 th Apr 30, 2017 Sun LEH LEH
Alchi
Lamayuru
Following the cradle river of all Indian civilization, the Indus or Indus, towards the West, we will visit two ancient and very beautiful monasteries.
Alchi is considered the oldest monastery in Ladakh, it was built in the century. X. His paintings are ancient, with characteristics from the Kashmira region, which was an important academic center of Buddhism. Further on, we will visit this incredible monastery on top of a mountain with a very peculiar rock formation, built in the XNUMXth century. XI, around the cave of a great Indian yogi named Naropa. Around the monastery is a village with very old houses and lifestyle. Here we will have the experience of being close to one of the oldest traditions of self-knowledge in the world, where people lead a simple life, dedicated to their practices.
6 th Day 1 May 2017 Mon LEH LEH
hemis
Thikse
Today we will follow the Indus upstream, now east of Leh, to visit Hemis and Thikse monasteries. In Hemis there is an interesting museum, as well as old meditation halls. In Thikse there are younger monks studying and a beautiful 15m tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. On the way we will pass by this monastery (picture) on the edge of the Indus, called Stakna.
We will have a moment to stop and do a meditation practice together, taking advantage of this auspicious place.
7th Day 2 May 2017 have LEH LEH
School
Free afternoon
In the morning, we will have some options for socio-environmental projects to choose from according to our previous days in Ladakh. There are schools with a differentiated education system and projects for the empowerment of the community in general and of women in a more specific way. We reserve this afternoon with free time to feel free, for example, to walk around the city, return to one of our favorite visits, buy some souvenirs, as each traveller prefers to enjoy our last afternoon, this time in Ladakh.
8 th Day 3 May 2017 Wed LEH RISHIKESH
Flights
aarti puja
In the morning we return to Leh airport for our return trip to Delhi. Another opportunity to contemplate the highest mountain range on our planet from a privileged point of view. From Delhi we took a quick flight to the airport near Rishikesh in Dehradun. Transfer with assistance to our hotel. After our check-in and lunch, we will take a walk past the Sivananda Ashram, the bridge over the Ganges, here with its clear waters, the Ram Jhula, to a fire ceremony on the bank of the Ganges at sunset by students of the Parnarth Niketan ashram.
Flights Jet Airways 9W2369 Leh 07:40 Delhi 09:10 and Jet Airways 9W2743 Delhi 12:05 Dehradun 13:10
3rd Day 17-Jul-2017 Mon DELHI LEH
Flight
Acclimatization
In the morning we will go to the airport for a really beautiful flight that will fly over the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas, for a long time. When descending into one of these valleys, where the capital of Ladakh, Leh, is located, we can already see some monasteries, sometimes on top of 'small hills'. Transfer to the hotel, the best way to enjoy this afternoon is to rest and acclimatize to the 3500m altitude of Ladakh. Enjoying a good book, teas, soups and noodles stewed with vegetables (thukpa), being well protected from the weather and not exerting yourself physically are common behaviors for those who are used to these regions, of great help for a good acclimatization. If, by mid-afternoon, you are feeling quite energetic, a light walk through the market can be a good option. Good meals at the hotel.
4th Day 18-Jul-2017 Tues LEH LEH
hemis
Thiksey)
Shey
After our breakfast we will ascend the Indus or Indus River above. An important river, cradle of Indian civilization between 3500 and 1500 BC a little further on (now Pakistan), it runs through Ladakh crossing the region from east to west. We will arrive at an important lineage of Tibetan Buddhism called Drukpa. Druk means dragon in Tibetan and this lineage is quite famous for its yogis. We will visit the main lakhang (meditation hall) of the Hemis monastery, see the influence of the artistic style of Kashrmira, once an important academic center also for Buddhism, and a beautiful statue of Padmashambava, an Indian master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the XNUMXth century. VIII. Hemis has an interesting museum that is worth a visit, as well as a small restaurant where we can have tea and even a bite to eat in this beautiful place between mountains. We have two more monasteries to visit: Thiksey, where there is a large and very beautiful statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, and a school for young monks. At the Shey monastery we will see a large statue of the historical Buddha, prince of the Sakya clan, born in southern Nepal, Shakyamuni.
5th Day 19-Jul-2017 Wed LEH NUBRA
Khardung La*
Sumur Village
Samstanling Monastery
Today begins with a trip towards the Karakoram mountain range, traveling along the highest road in the world, which passes through Khardung la (la: step in Tibetan) with its 5602m altitude. On the other side of the Ladakh mountain range, we will arrive in the Nubra Valley, a little lower than Leh, so be prepared for higher temperatures during the day. Our first visit is to the village of Sumur, where the Samstangling monastery is located. After visiting, we continue our journey to the village of Diskit where we will stay for the next two nights.
* Important to take our passport with us when we go to Nubra
7th Day 21-Jul-2017 Fri NUBRA LEH
Khardung La
Shanti Stupa
Possibility Festival
Time to head back to Leh, once again on the highest road in the world and pass Khardung la. Visit Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese project for peace around the world. It is always auspicious to circumambulate clockwise at least three times, with the motivation of being of benefit to all sentient beings. We will see four statues of the four most important stages and locations in the life of Buddha. Very beautiful view of Leh and the Stok range across the Indus River, including the highest mountain Stok Kangri at 6153m.
Free afternoon to rest, enjoy the cafes of Leh, bookstore, small shops with juices and organic jams! It is possible that the Ladakh road maintenance department has fixed schedules for each direction of the Nubra road. It varies from time of year to time of year, weather conditions, day by day we will know exactly how to organize ourselves in the best possible way.
On 21 July 2017 the Festival of Phyang Monastery in the neighboring valley of Leh is scheduled to begin. See how they will be on the Nubra trip, mood, time they will arrive in Leh, lunch, festival time (confirmed in previous days), if you prefer to go also on the first day or leave it for the next, July 22, when you will already be awake in Really read.
8th Day 22-Jul-2017 Sat LEH LEH
Festival Cosa Sarà
Day scheduled for the Phyang festival. It's always good, in the days before, to research with our local guide and more people we meet, how is the festival schedule. The most interesting part of the festival is what we call the 'lama dance', when the monks wear costumes and masks of characters from Buddhist stories, interacting with the locals who went there to have fun, which, if given the instructions, can be a practice. of meditation, understanding and training on how our minds work at the same time. Also, in the festivals, there is the opportunity to see a moment of relaxation and meetings of the locals, some food, tea, very special.
If of interest, nearby, on the other side of the main road, towards the Indus, there is a school called SECMOL, where the students themselves manage the site, tasks, and use many of the permaculture techniques. There will also be time to enjoy a little more of Leh. Among the cafes, such as the Hands Open, there is the Women Alliance of Ladakh project, where we can request or see on the city's posters on which days and time the film from the book Ancient Futures, about the meeting of different generations, drawings of millennial life will be shown. and modern from Ladakh. Quite interesting.
9th Day 23-Jul-2017 Sun LEH LEH
Lamayuru*
Alchi
We will make a very beautiful trip along the Indus River to the Lamayuru monastery. Built by the great lotsawa (translator) Rinchen Zangpo, in the XNUMXth century. XI, this monastery of the Drikung lineage, is situated on top of a beautiful rock formation. We can ask the monk caring for the lakhang (hall of meditation and practice) to see a small door that leads to a small cave where the great yogi Naropa meditated. A walk from the monastery to the other side of the rather old village is always an interesting possibility.
On the way back, we will visit the village of Alchi, where the oldest monastery in Ladakh is located, also built by Rinchen Zangpo in the XNUMXth century. X. Your paintings, very beautiful, have Kashmira influences as well and cannot be photographed.
* Important to remember to bring your passport during this day
10th Day 24-Jul-2017 Mon LEH PANGONG LAKE
pangong lake
Very beautiful trip to this high altitude lake. Opportunity to sleep in a place like this, quite rare and special, yes? Possibility of visits on the way: Chemrey and Taktok monasteries
11th Day 25-Jul-2017 Tue PANGONG LAKE LEH
After a night in such a special place as Pangong Tso (tso means lake in Tibetan), return to Leh.
12th Day 26-Jul-2017 Wed LEH TREKKING
Langthang
An hour and a half drive from Leh is the starting point of our trekking, the village and monastery of Likir, with a large statue of Maitreya. We will have this very special opportunity to walk every one of the next 3 days, around 3 to 4 hours, approx. 10 km, between villages, beautiful views and lots of nature, at altitudes where we are already very well acclimatized. Our hike today starts at 3520m and we sleep at 3670m in Yangthang.
14th Day 28-Jul-2017 Fri TREKKING LEH
Temisgan
To conclude and enjoy our third day of trekking, after passing through Mebtak La, a little higher than Hemis Shukpachen, we will descend to Temisgan, at 3230m, with this beautiful trekking completed and our vehicle waiting for us. Return to Leh for approx. 2h
15th Day 29-Jul-2017 Sat LEH DELHI
Flight
Time to return to Delhi. I fly very early in the morning. On the way to the hotel we can visit some places like the Lotus Temple and other options that we will talk about.
"
"
5th Day 19-Jul-2017 Wed LEH NUBRA
Khardung La*
Sumur Village
Samstanling Monastery
Today begins with a trip towards the Karakoram mountain range, traveling along the highest road in the world, which passes through Khardung la (la: step in Tibetan) with its 5602m altitude. On the other side of the Ladakh mountain range, we will arrive in the Nubra Valley, a little lower than Leh, so be prepared for higher temperatures during the day. Our first visit is to the village of Sumur, where the Samstangling monastery is located. After visiting, we continue our journey to the village of Diskit where we will stay for the next two nights.
* Important to take our passport with us when we go to Nubra
6th Day 20-Jul-2017 Thu NUBRA NUBRA
Dogs
diskit
Further on from Diskit is a small village called Hundar. We can visit an old small monastery, ride a camel on the dunes of this part of the valley or walk back to Diskit along a small river in this part of the valley which is quite flat. After Hundar, visit a large statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, and Diskit Monastery.
7th Day 21-Jul-2017 Fri NUBRA LEH
Khardung La
Shanti Stupa
Possibility Festival
Time to head back to Leh, once again on the highest road in the world and pass Khardung la. Visit Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese project for peace around the world. It is always auspicious to circumambulate clockwise at least three times, with the motivation of being of benefit to all sentient beings. We will see four statues of the four most important stages and locations in the life of Buddha. Very beautiful view of Leh and the Stok range across the Indus River, including the highest mountain Stok Kangri at 6153m.
Free afternoon to rest, enjoy the cafes of Leh, bookstore, small shops with juices and organic jams! It is possible that the Ladakh road maintenance department has fixed schedules for each direction of the Nubra road. It varies from time of year to time of year, weather conditions, day by day we will know exactly how to organize ourselves in the best possible way.
On 21 July 2017 the Festival of Phyang Monastery in the neighboring valley of Leh is scheduled to begin. See how they will be on the Nubra trip, mood, time they will arrive in Leh, lunch, festival time (confirmed in previous days), if you prefer to go also on the first day or leave it for the next, July 22, when you will already be awake in Really read.
"
"
10th Day 24-Jul-2017 Mon LEH PANGONG LAKE
pangong lake
Very beautiful trip to this high altitude lake. Opportunity to sleep in a place like this, quite rare and special, yes? Possibility of visits on the way: Chemrey and Taktok monasteries
11th Day 25-Jul-2017 Tue PANGONG LAKE LEH
After a night in such a special place as Pangong Tso (tso means lake in Tibetan), return to Leh.
"
"
3rd Day Apr 28, 2017 Fri DELHI LEH
Flight
Market
In the morning, early in the morning, we will take a beautiful flight, which will cross a good part of the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. We will land in the capital of Ladakh, a region known as Little Tibet because they share the same geography, culture, linguistic roots, ethnicities and religion. Leh is at an altitude of 3500m. So, we will rest on our first day to start a good acclimatization. Plenty of hot liquids like tea and soup, food and rest are all helpful. We can take a light walk through the city's market. “If we're lucky, we'll have the chance to see one of the most beautiful views in the world. I remember when I flew over the Himalayas for the first time, I couldn't contain my tears.” Renata Mendes
Flight: Jet Airways 9W2368Delhi 05:40 Leh 07:05
4th Apr 29, 2017 Sat LEH LEH
Shanti Stupa
Fort Palace
We will visit the city of Leh. From a beautiful stupa (tib: chörten) dedicated to peace, the Shanti Stupa, we will have a view of the entire valley and mountain range. Tibetans and Ladakhis usually do at least 3 koras (eng: circumumbulations) clockwise around stupas and monasteries. The ancient statues in the stupa recount the four main events in the Buddha's life.
Next place to visit in Leh is Fort Palace, which was used by the royal family of this region.
We will have the opportunity during our days in Ladakh to visit social and environmental projects that have very significant and innovative performances. The purpose of these visits throughout the trip is to get to know a little about the people who dedicate their lives to having a positive impact on the world, to inspire us to act more consciously, putting into action all the self-knowledge that we will have access to during the trip.
5 th Apr 30, 2017 Sun LEH LEH
Alchi
Lamayuru
Following the cradle river of all Indian civilization, the Indus or Indus, towards the West, we will visit two ancient and very beautiful monasteries.
Alchi is considered the oldest monastery in Ladakh, it was built in the century. X. His paintings are ancient, with characteristics from the Kashmira region, which was an important academic center of Buddhism. Further on, we will visit this incredible monastery on top of a mountain with a very peculiar rock formation, built in the XNUMXth century. XI, around the cave of a great Indian yogi named Naropa. Around the monastery is a village with very old houses and lifestyle. Here we will have the experience of being close to one of the oldest traditions of self-knowledge in the world, where people lead a simple life, dedicated to their practices.
6 th Day 1 May 2017 Mon LEH LEH
hemis
Thikse
Today we will follow the Indus upstream, now east of Leh, to visit Hemis and Thikse monasteries. In Hemis there is an interesting museum, as well as old meditation halls. In Thikse there are younger monks studying and a beautiful 15m tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. On the way we will pass by this monastery (picture) on the edge of the Indus, called Stakna.
We will have a moment to stop and do a meditation practice together, taking advantage of this auspicious place.
7th Day 2 May 2017 have LEH LEH
School
Free afternoon
In the morning, we will have some options for socio-environmental projects to choose from according to our previous days in Ladakh. There are schools with a differentiated education system and projects for the empowerment of the community in general and of women in a more specific way. We reserve this afternoon with free time to feel free, for example, to walk around the city, return to one of our favorite visits, buy some souvenirs, as each traveller prefers to enjoy our last afternoon, this time in Ladakh.
8 th Day 3 May 2017 Wed LEH RISHIKESH
Flights
aarti puja
In the morning we return to Leh airport for our return trip to Delhi. Another opportunity to contemplate the highest mountain range on our planet from a privileged point of view. From Delhi we took a quick flight to the airport near Rishikesh in Dehradun. Transfer with assistance to our hotel. After our check-in and lunch, we will take a walk past the Sivananda Ashram, the bridge over the Ganges, here with its clear waters, the Ram Jhula, to a fire ceremony on the bank of the Ganges at sunset by students of the Parnarth Niketan ashram.
Flights Jet Airways 9W2369 Leh 07:40 Delhi 09:10 and Jet Airways 9W2743 Delhi 12:05 Dehradun 13:10
3rd Day 17-Jul-2017 Mon DELHI LEH
Flight
Acclimatization
In the morning we will go to the airport for a really beautiful flight that will fly over the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas, for a long time. When descending into one of these valleys, where the capital of Ladakh, Leh, is located, we can already see some monasteries, sometimes on top of 'small hills'. Transfer to the hotel, the best way to enjoy this afternoon is to rest and acclimatize to the 3500m altitude of Ladakh. Enjoying a good book, teas, soups and noodles stewed with vegetables (thukpa), being well protected from the weather and not exerting yourself physically are common behaviors for those who are used to these regions, of great help for a good acclimatization. If, by mid-afternoon, you are feeling quite energetic, a light walk through the market can be a good option. Good meals at the hotel.
4th Day 18-Jul-2017 Tues LEH LEH
hemis
Thiksey)
Shey
After our breakfast we will ascend the Indus or Indus River above. An important river, cradle of Indian civilization between 3500 and 1500 BC a little further on (now Pakistan), it runs through Ladakh crossing the region from east to west. We will arrive at an important lineage of Tibetan Buddhism called Drukpa. Druk means dragon in Tibetan and this lineage is quite famous for its yogis. We will visit the main lakhang (meditation hall) of the Hemis monastery, see the influence of the artistic style of Kashrmira, once an important academic center also for Buddhism, and a beautiful statue of Padmashambava, an Indian master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the XNUMXth century. VIII. Hemis has an interesting museum that is worth a visit, as well as a small restaurant where we can have tea and even a bite to eat in this beautiful place between mountains. We have two more monasteries to visit: Thiksey, where there is a large and very beautiful statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, and a school for young monks. At the Shey monastery we will see a large statue of the historical Buddha, prince of the Sakya clan, born in southern Nepal, Shakyamuni.
5th Day 19-Jul-2017 Wed LEH NUBRA
Khardung La*
Sumur Village
Samstanling Monastery
Today begins with a trip towards the Karakoram mountain range, traveling along the highest road in the world, which passes through Khardung la (la: step in Tibetan) with its 5602m altitude. On the other side of the Ladakh mountain range, we will arrive in the Nubra Valley, a little lower than Leh, so be prepared for higher temperatures during the day. Our first visit is to the village of Sumur, where the Samstangling monastery is located. After visiting, we continue our journey to the village of Diskit where we will stay for the next two nights.
* Important to take our passport with us when we go to Nubra
7th Day 21-Jul-2017 Fri NUBRA LEH
Khardung La
Shanti Stupa
Possibility Festival
Time to head back to Leh, once again on the highest road in the world and pass Khardung la. Visit Shanti Stupa, built by a Japanese project for peace around the world. It is always auspicious to circumambulate clockwise at least three times, with the motivation of being of benefit to all sentient beings. We will see four statues of the four most important stages and locations in the life of Buddha. Very beautiful view of Leh and the Stok range across the Indus River, including the highest mountain Stok Kangri at 6153m.
Free afternoon to rest, enjoy the cafes of Leh, bookstore, small shops with juices and organic jams! It is possible that the Ladakh road maintenance department has fixed schedules for each direction of the Nubra road. It varies from time of year to time of year, weather conditions, day by day we will know exactly how to organize ourselves in the best possible way.
On 21 July 2017 the Festival of Phyang Monastery in the neighboring valley of Leh is scheduled to begin. See how they will be on the Nubra trip, mood, time they will arrive in Leh, lunch, festival time (confirmed in previous days), if you prefer to go also on the first day or leave it for the next, July 22, when you will already be awake in Really read.
8th Day 22-Jul-2017 Sat LEH LEH
Festival Cosa Sarà
Day scheduled for the Phyang festival. It's always good, in the days before, to research with our local guide and more people we meet, how is the festival schedule. The most interesting part of the festival is what we call the 'lama dance', when the monks wear costumes and masks of characters from Buddhist stories, interacting with the locals who went there to have fun, which, if given the instructions, can be a practice. of meditation, understanding and training on how our minds work at the same time. Also, in the festivals, there is the opportunity to see a moment of relaxation and meetings of the locals, some food, tea, very special.
If of interest, nearby, on the other side of the main road, towards the Indus, there is a school called SECMOL, where the students themselves manage the site, tasks, and use many of the permaculture techniques. There will also be time to enjoy a little more of Leh. Among the cafes, such as the Hands Open, there is the Women Alliance of Ladakh project, where we can request or see on the city's posters on which days and time the film from the book Ancient Futures, about the meeting of different generations, drawings of millennial life will be shown. and modern from Ladakh. Quite interesting.
9th Day 23-Jul-2017 Sun LEH LEH
Lamayuru*
Alchi
We will make a very beautiful trip along the Indus River to the Lamayuru monastery. Built by the great lotsawa (translator) Rinchen Zangpo, in the XNUMXth century. XI, this monastery of the Drikung lineage, is situated on top of a beautiful rock formation. We can ask the monk caring for the lakhang (hall of meditation and practice) to see a small door that leads to a small cave where the great yogi Naropa meditated. A walk from the monastery to the other side of the rather old village is always an interesting possibility.
On the way back, we will visit the village of Alchi, where the oldest monastery in Ladakh is located, also built by Rinchen Zangpo in the XNUMXth century. X. Your paintings, very beautiful, have Kashmira influences as well and cannot be photographed.
* Important to remember to bring your passport during this day
10th Day 24-Jul-2017 Mon LEH PANGONG LAKE
pangong lake
Very beautiful trip to this high altitude lake. Opportunity to sleep in a place like this, quite rare and special, yes? Possibility of visits on the way: Chemrey and Taktok monasteries
11th Day 25-Jul-2017 Tue PANGONG LAKE LEH
After a night in such a special place as Pangong Tso (tso means lake in Tibetan), return to Leh.
12th Day 26-Jul-2017 Wed LEH TREKKING
Langthang
An hour and a half drive from Leh is the starting point of our trekking, the village and monastery of Likir, with a large statue of Maitreya. We will have this very special opportunity to walk every one of the next 3 days, around 3 to 4 hours, approx. 10 km, between villages, beautiful views and lots of nature, at altitudes where we are already very well acclimatized. Our hike today starts at 3520m and we sleep at 3670m in Yangthang.
14th Day 28-Jul-2017 Fri TREKKING LEH
Temisgan
To conclude and enjoy our third day of trekking, after passing through Mebtak La, a little higher than Hemis Shukpachen, we will descend to Temisgan, at 3230m, with this beautiful trekking completed and our vehicle waiting for us. Return to Leh for approx. 2h
15th Day 29-Jul-2017 Sat LEH DELHI
Flight
Time to return to Delhi. I fly very early in the morning. On the way to the hotel we can visit some places like the Lotus Temple and other options that we will talk about.
"
1st AGRA Day
Red Fort
Baby Taj
After our breakfast, we will travel today along a new road to Agra (between 4 and 5 am).
If there's time, we'll check in at our hotel or else we'll take the time to get to know the Red Fort. This Red Fort, more beautiful and with more history than the one in Delhi, began to be built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in the century. XVI. We will visit its gardens, public and private audience halls, mosque and quarters, including where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for his son and what Akbar built for his son, with symbols from all the main religious and philosophical traditions of the time.
We'll check in, have lunch and then visit Red Fort. This Red Fort, more beautiful and with more history than the one in Delhi, began to be built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in the century. XVI. We will visit its gardens, public and private audience halls, mosque and quarters, including where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for his son and what Akbar built for his son, with symbols from all the main religious and philosophical traditions of the time.
We will have the opportunity to visit a workshop with artisans descended from them who worked at the Taj, so that we will learn about this art. We suggest that we sleep early for our next morning visit.
Traveling through a very remote region for approx. 5:XNUMX, we will continue to Agra, city known for one of the most famous and visited monuments: the Taj Mahal. Upon our arrival in the city, we will visit an earlier and smaller version of the Taj, known as the Baby Taj.
Tips on starting tomorrow: – Suggestion to rest well that day, not ending too late, so that tomorrow you can visit the Taj very early. In addition to the possibility of a beautiful light, it is also calmer than during the day. It may have a fog, which will almost always open at some point (after which it can come back). But even if it doesn't open, quite rare, it's still quite beautiful. All Travellers to this day were grateful for having gone early. – To calculate the pick-up time from our hotel, we use two main pieces of information: time when the Taj gates are opening (it varies from month to month so we ask the guide and at the hotel) and time of sunrise in Agra on that day (here). They are approx. 10 min drive from hotel to car park, then approx. 5min by electric trolley to the gate where there may be a queue and we have to wait for them to open (we suggest arriving a little before opening time to avoid a queue even if there is a specific queue for foreigners), so, without queue, another 5 to 10 min for magazine and walk to the platform from where we see the Taj. – Leave food at the hotel. Talk to your guide about what you can and can't take as it also varies a lot from season to season. – Confirming the time that breakfast ends with the hotel can also be of good help to calculate time to return from the tour tomorrow.
2st AGRA Day
Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Flight
Today we will wake up very early for our visit to the Taj Mahal (see suggestions above at the end of the day before). Built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Muntaz Mahal, in the 20th century. XVII, thousands of workers and architects from different regions of the world, for XNUMX years, used the famous white marble of India and precious stones. Early in the morning, in addition to the possibility of beautiful light, it is also quieter than during the day. Our local guide will tell you many stories about this monument. Return to the hotel for a good breakfast.
Perhaps there is a little time to visit a marble inlaid (pietra dura) stoneworking workshop, such as at the Taj, on the way to the airport. Please confirm that there will be time with your guide.
Transfer with assistance to the airport for our flight to what is perhaps the oldest living city in the world to this day. The flight should descend in Khajuraho for a few minutes, to drop off and pick up some passengers, it is the only and best flight between Agra and Varanasi, and soon it will continue on its journey! Be careful not to descend and stay in Khajuraho if the flight makes this stop. Check with the flight attendants, please.
We will wake up early to watch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal, built by the fourth great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, for his great love Mumtaz Mahal. We'll return to the hotel for breakfast, check out, and then head to the Red Fort, XNUMXth century. XVI, built mainly by his grandfather and greatest of all Mughal emperors, Akbar. Lunch and then we continue our journey for approx.
5h back to Delhi.
Flight:
1st AGRA Day
Red Fort
Baby Taj
After our breakfast, we will travel today along a new road to Agra (between 4 and 5 am).
If there's time, we'll check in at our hotel or else we'll take the time to get to know the Red Fort. This Red Fort, more beautiful and with more history than the one in Delhi, began to be built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in the century. XVI. We will visit its gardens, public and private audience halls, mosque and quarters, including where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for his son and what Akbar built for his son, with symbols from all the main religious and philosophical traditions of the time.
We'll check in, have lunch and then visit Red Fort. This Red Fort, more beautiful and with more history than the one in Delhi, began to be built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in the century. XVI. We will visit its gardens, public and private audience halls, mosque and quarters, including where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for his son and what Akbar built for his son, with symbols from all the main religious and philosophical traditions of the time.
We will have the opportunity to visit a workshop with artisans descended from them who worked at the Taj, so that we will learn about this art. We suggest that we sleep early for our next morning visit.
Traveling through a very remote region for approx. 5:XNUMX, we will continue to Agra, city known for one of the most famous and visited monuments: the Taj Mahal. Upon our arrival in the city, we will visit an earlier and smaller version of the Taj, known as the Baby Taj.
Tips on starting tomorrow: – Suggestion to rest well that day, not ending too late, so that tomorrow you can visit the Taj very early. In addition to the possibility of a beautiful light, it is also calmer than during the day. It may have a fog, which will almost always open at some point (after which it can come back). But even if it doesn't open, quite rare, it's still quite beautiful. All Travellers to this day were grateful for having gone early. – To calculate the pick-up time from our hotel, we use two main pieces of information: time when the Taj gates are opening (it varies from month to month so we ask the guide and at the hotel) and time of sunrise in Agra on that day (here). They are approx. 10 min drive from hotel to car park, then approx. 5min by electric trolley to the gate where there may be a queue and we have to wait for them to open (we suggest arriving a little before opening time to avoid a queue even if there is a specific queue for foreigners), so, without queue, another 5 to 10 min for magazine and walk to the platform from where we see the Taj. – Leave food at the hotel. Talk to your guide about what you can and can't take as it also varies a lot from season to season. – Confirming the time that breakfast ends with the hotel can also be of good help to calculate time to return from the tour tomorrow.
2st AGRA Day
Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Flight
Today we will wake up very early for our visit to the Taj Mahal (see suggestions above at the end of the day before). Built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Muntaz Mahal, in the 20th century. XVII, thousands of workers and architects from different regions of the world, for XNUMX years, used the famous white marble of India and precious stones. Early in the morning, in addition to the possibility of beautiful light, it is also quieter than during the day. Our local guide will tell you many stories about this monument. Return to the hotel for a good breakfast.
Perhaps there is a little time to visit a marble inlaid (pietra dura) stoneworking workshop, such as at the Taj, on the way to the airport. Please confirm that there will be time with your guide.
Transfer with assistance to the airport for our flight to what is perhaps the oldest city in the world alive today. The flight must land in Khajuraho for a few minutes to drop off and pick up some passengers, it is the single best flight between
Agra and Varanasi, and then you'll be on your way! Be careful not to get off and stay in Khajuraho if your flight makes this stop. Check with the flight attendants, please.
We will wake up very early to watch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal, built by the fourth great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, to his great love Mumtaz Mahal. We will return to the hotel for our breakfast, check out, and then continue to visit Red Fort, 5th century. XVI, built mainly by his grandfather and greatest of all Mughai emperors, Akbar. Lunch and then we continue our journey for approx. XNUMXh back to Delhi.
Flight:
1st AGRA Day
Red Fort
Baby Taj
After our breakfast, we will travel today along a new road to Agra (between 4 and 5 am).
If there's time, we'll check in at our hotel or else we'll take the time to get to know the Red Fort. This Red Fort, more beautiful and with more history than the one in Delhi, began to be built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in the century. XVI. We will visit its gardens, public and private audience halls, mosque and quarters, including where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for his son and what Akbar built for his son, with symbols from all the main religious and philosophical traditions of the time.
We'll check in, have lunch and then visit Red Fort. This Red Fort, more beautiful and with more history than the one in Delhi, began to be built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in the century. XVI. We will visit its gardens, public and private audience halls, mosque and quarters, including where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for his son and what Akbar built for his son, with symbols from all the main religious and philosophical traditions of the time.
We will have the opportunity to visit a workshop with artisans descended from them who worked at the Taj, so that we will learn about this art. We suggest that we sleep early for our next morning visit.
Traveling through a very remote region for approx. 5:XNUMX, we will continue to Agra, city known for one of the most famous and visited monuments: the Taj Mahal. Upon our arrival in the city, we will visit an earlier and smaller version of the Taj, known as the Baby Taj.
Tips on starting tomorrow: – Suggestion to rest well that day, not ending too late, so that tomorrow you can visit the Taj very early. In addition to the possibility of a beautiful light, it is also calmer than during the day. It may have a fog, which will almost always open at some point (after which it can come back). But even if it doesn't open, quite rare, it's still quite beautiful. All Travellers to this day were grateful for having gone early. – To calculate the pick-up time from our hotel, we use two main pieces of information: time when the Taj gates are opening (it varies from month to month so we ask the guide and at the hotel) and time of sunrise in Agra on that day (here). They are approx. 10 min drive from hotel to car park, then approx. 5min by electric trolley to the gate where there may be a queue and we have to wait for them to open (we suggest arriving a little before opening time to avoid a queue even if there is a specific queue for foreigners), so, without queue, another 5 to 10 min for magazine and walk to the platform from where we see the Taj. – Leave food at the hotel. Talk to your guide about what you can and can't take as it also varies a lot from season to season. – Confirming the time that breakfast ends with the hotel can also be of good help to calculate time to return from the tour tomorrow.
2st AGRA Day
Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Flight
Today we will wake up very early for our visit to the Taj Mahal (see suggestions above, at the end of the previous day). Built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Muntaz Mahal, in the 20th century. XVII, thousands of workers and architects from different regions of the world, for XNUMX years, used the famous white marble from India and precious stones. Very early in the morning, in addition to the possibility of a beautiful light, it is also calmer than during the day. Our local guide will tell you many stories about this monument. return to
hotel for a good breakfast.
Perhaps there is a little time to visit a marble inlaid (pietra dura) stoneworking workshop, such as at the Taj, on the way to the airport. Please confirm that there will be time with your guide.
Transfer with assistance to the airport for our flight to what is perhaps the oldest living city in the world to this day. The flight should descend in Khajuraho for a few minutes, to drop off and pick up some passengers, it is the only and best flight between Agra and Varanasi, and soon it will continue on its journey! Be careful not to descend and stay in Khajuraho if the flight makes this stop. Check with the flight attendants, please.
We will wake up very early to watch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal, built by the fourth great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, to his great love Mumtaz Mahal. We will return to the hotel for our breakfast, check out, and then continue to visit Red Fort, 5th century. XVI, built mainly by his grandfather and greatest of all Mughai emperors, Akbar. Lunch and then we continue our journey for approx. XNUMXh back to Delhi.
Flight:
1st Day DELHI Extension or return to Brazil
Flight
Free day
Free afternoon
End of free day
Travel back to Delhi for the present day. We can see if there is any cultural event, classical music or dance from different regions of India, for the end of today.
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight back to Delhi. All very well set in India in general, knowing Delhi well, a very welcome afternoon for every traveller to enjoy in any way they prefer. Possibilities of visiting historical monuments, museums, art galleries, temples, markets of all kinds and restaurants is what this incredible city does not lack. We can see if there are any cultural events, classical music or dances from different regions of India, towards the end of today.
Time to return to Brazil after weeks of traveling through India, where we will have traveled the paths of the great masters of these millennia of history of Indian spirituality, until today. Depending on the time of your flight back to Brazil, you will have a morning and maybe an afternoon free to take a tour of Delhi. If you prefer an extra night to have more free time, please let us know. We hope that you have lived and are taking back to Brazil remarkable and significant experiences that greatly help our lives.
Our hotel is available until noon tomorrow. So, you can choose, according to your preferences and availability of flights, whether you fly from today to tomorrow, during the day or night of tomorrow.
Day
Final transfer with assistance
Our hotel is available until noon today. Thus, you can choose, according to your preferences and availability of flights, whether you are flying today, in the morning, in the afternoon, at night or even in the next morning. If you need a late check-out (usually available until 18pm for a fee a little less than one night) or one more night to have the room available throughout the day and the next night, please let us know in advance to check availability and value. . It is always possible to store your bags at the hotel reception, so you can take a walk around the city that day, have lunch and/or dinner out according to your flight schedule, and then proceed to the airport with assistance from our representatives and follow-up at each I pass by Chörten.