The ruins of a temple and a stupa build by Rinchen Zangpo, the translator can also be seen. Likir lies at a distance of 62 Kms west of Leh. During the time of Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, a religious estate and the land on which to build the monastery was offered to Lama Duwang Chosje, a great champion of meditation. The Lama blessed the site and in 1065 the monastery was built. The monastery was encircled by the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the naga- rajas (Nanda & Taksako) and so its name became widely renowned as Likir (The Naga - Encircled). In the 15th Century the disciple of Khasdubje known as Lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. The monastery was brought into the order of the great Lama Tsongkhapa and up till present times the ritual and observances of the three basic Pratimoksa disciplines, which from the basic of Buddhist teachings, are preserved. There are many blessed shrines in this monastery and there resides a protective deity wearing golden armour and of stern command.Every year from the 27th to 29th of 12 th Tibetan month the votive offerings known as Dosmochey are assembled and sacred dances are performed. The successive reincarnations of Naris Rinpoche act as the incumbents of the monastery. Overnight at Ule Ethenic Resort.
DAY 04: ULE – LAMAYURU- ALCHI – LEH : DRIVE TO LAMAYURU ,
visit . LAMAYURU MONASTERY Lamayuru Monastery is situated 127 Kms west of Leh and 60 kms. In the 11th century the mahasiddha Naropa came to this place and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen today. Then Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator came to build many temples and stupas and so the teaching of the Kadampa School came to flourish greatly there. There after, for many years the monastery was administered by the Zhwa-mar-pa (Red Hats), after which the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial offered it to Chosje Danma, whom he had invited to Ladakh. The rituals and observances of the Digung Kargyud School were introduced and the monastery received the name of Yungdrung Tharpaling.The successive reincarnation of Skyabsje Toldan Rinpoche acts as the incumbents of the monastery. There is a custum whereby each year on the 17th & 18th of the 5th Tibetan month the festival of the so-called (Yuru Kabgyad) is held during which dances are performed. In this monastery there are various shrines to be seen, including thangkas and wall paintings. Visit the monastery Visit Alchi. ALCHI MONASTERY Although there are a great many temples, caves and stupas built in Ladakh by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, Alchi Choskor is the large and most famous of all of them. Alchi is situated at a distance of 67 Kms west of Leh, founded by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator, in 1000 AD. The sacred temples, to be seen there include the Principal one of the Rinchen Lhakhang, at Lotsa Lhakhang, the Jamyang Lhakhang (Manjusri temple) and the sumtsag Lhakhang. The main image is that of Vairocana but there can also been seen the five Buddha Families together with their attendant deities, The paintings are not like the Tibetan style but rather they are executive according to the Indian tradition. In order to build these temples Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator is said in the various biographies to have brought with him from Kashmir (thirty-two sculptors and wood carvers). Other temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, Translator are to be found at Mangu and Sumda each containing a sacred image of Vaironica, various most beautiful images of the Buddhas and Bodhisatvas and many kinds of lovely paintings. They are also included among the 108 temples built by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator, within the province of Naris Skorsum. Drive futher towards Leh.Overnight at hotel at Leh.
DAY 05: DRIVE TO TSOMORIRI - 210 KM EN-ROUTE VISIT SHEY PALACE & THIKSEY MONASTERY.
: Tsomoriri Lake is a beautiful mountain bound expanse of water, around in the Rupshu valley. It extends 15 miles in length and 3 - 5 miles width at a height of 14,000 ft. The water is salty and clear. Evening Explore Korzok Village and Lake shore. Korzok village is on the south - west bank of the Lake inhibited by friendly people and there is a beautiful Monastery which is about 140 years old.
DAY 06: DRIVE TO LEH VIA TSOKAR LAKE, TAKLANGLA (5350 MTS), HEMIS - 250 KM.
Tsokar (4268 mts) is another beautiful Lake, about 76 kms from Tsomoriri Lake. There is a small Monastery at Thukje Village which is a branch of Korzok Monastery. Hemis Monastery is about 43 kms before Leh and was built in 1630 and is one of the most famous and largest monasteries in ladakh. Hemis Festival which is held in the month of June or July is famous worldwide.
DAY 07: LEH-KHARDONG LA TOP ( 18380 FT).
After breakfast we leave for Khardong la , 35 km driving through Gangles village (4200m) - the highest village in the Leh valley. The road ascends to reach Khardong La (5,600m), the world's highest motor-able road. From here have spectacular birds eye view of Leh town. Snow remains through out the year on the Khardongla Pass.
DAY 08: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FLY LEH - DELHI
