Take an early morning excursion to visit Thikse Gompa at sunrise.
The Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Thiksey is of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect. Located on top of a hill at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) in the Indus valley, it is approximately 19 kilometres east of Leh. Resembling the Potala Palace in Lhasa of Tibet, it is the largest gompa in central Ladakh. The 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, and swords. The highlight is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple established by the 14th Dalai Lama in the 1970s. The 15 metres (49 ft) high statue is the largest in Ladakh.
The monks assemble before sunrise in the main prayer hall to participate in the early morning rituals. The prayer rituals are conducted by the head monks with Lamas following with musical instruments including drums and gongs.
Breakfast will be provided in a local nearby restaurant.
After breakfast, take a two-hour walk to Shey village and Gompa.
Shey was the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Sengey Namgyal built the more imposing palace at Leh, the kings continued to regard Shey, as their real home. The importance which was attached to Shey - the seat of Ladakh's heartland - is attested by the enormous number of Chorten about the village, particularly around the palace complex and barren plain to the north of the road.
Return to the hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon take a walk up to Leh Palace. Leh Palace overlooks the Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh, modeled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century but was later abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid-19th century. The royal family moved to Stok Palace.
Later, continue to Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist white-domed stupa (chorten) on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh. It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. The stupa has become a tourist attraction not only due to its religious significance but also due to its location which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Meals – Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Overnight stay in the hotel.