A motorbike trip to Ladakh is the ultimate challenge for adventure seekers. The high altitude, the harsh climate, the rough terrain and the narrow roads make it very difficult to travel in Ladakh. Additionally, the area is sparsely populated, and the bikers are not always close to civilization.
The craggy terrains and the high altitude demand a focused attitude and strong determination. The 10 day long ‘Ladakh Bike Tour from Manali’ will cover Manali, Jispa, Pang, Leh, Pangong Lake and Sarchu. Read the itinerary given below for your kind perusal.
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy riding the very regal Royal Enfield through the rugged Leh terrains
- Drive past popular passes like Rohtang Pass, Chang la and Baralachha La
- Relish sumptuous delicacies of the region
- Visit to Shey and Thiksey monasteries
- Absorb the sights and sounds of Ladakh’s culture
- Sightseeing in Leh including Shanti Stupa
- Explore the scenery near Pangong Lake
- Enjoy a ride on the challenging roads of Srachu, Manali, Jispa and Pang
This Post is in regards to the list of Must Visit Places at LEH
Monasteries & Palace:
-Hemis Monastery, 40 kms towards the south-east of the main city of Leh is the largest as well as the most well-known monastery (Gompa) in Ladakh. This monastery was built by under the reigns of the King Singge Namgyal, in 1672 AD. This monastery plays host to an annual festival that is held in the month of which is also a major tourist attraction. This colorful day-long festival is called Hemis Tsechu which is also a state holiday. During the course of the festival, the local resident Lamas perform a holy masked dance to glorify the victory of good over bad. Today it is taken care off by the Drukpa sect of Buddhism. The monastery has beautiful paintings and a statue of Lord Buddha, which are the highlights too.
-Diskit Monastery, also known as Deskit monastery is not only the oldest but also the largest Buddhist Gompa in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh. The prayer hall of the monastery consists of a statue of Maitreya Buddha, various images of other guardian gods as well as huge drum. This monastery is of the Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa, during the 14th century. The monastery’s cupola is same as the Tashilhunpo Monastery of Tibet.Every year this monastery plays host to the popular Dosmoche festival, held during the month of February, which is a famous tourist attraction.
-Alchi Monastery, located in the Alchi village in Leh, was built by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958 and 1055. Today it is being monitored by Likir Monastery. This monastery is actually a complex of temples consisting of 4 separate portions that has monuments built at different times. The main complex has three temples- gTsug-lag-Khang (main temple), 'Jam-dpal lHa-Khang (Manjushri temple) and Dukhang (assembly hall).Alchi monastery is one of the most well-known ones. The walls of the site are adorned with paintings depicting the details of Hinu kings as well as the teaching of Buddhism. There is also a huge Buddha statue in the complex, a famous tourist attraction.
-Lamayuru MonasteryLocated on the main highway between Bodhkhabru and Kha-la-che, at an altitude of 3.510 meters, Lamayuru Monastery is amongst the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. It is said to have been built around the same time as Alchi monastery. It was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in the 11th century and belongs to Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. There are several legends associated with this Gompa. One such legend is that Lamayuru was a lake that drew back up to the mountains after blessings from a lama, in order to evacuate space for this monastery. It features a rich collection of wall paintings and Thangkas.
-Likir Gompa, around 62 kms to the West of the main city of Leh. The 5th king of Ladakh, Lhachen Gyalpo ordered the establishment of this monastery and thus it was established in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje. The monastery is of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In the times of today, Buddhist teachings and the three basic Pratimoksa disciplines are preached on the site.The monastery also plays host to the annual festival that is in the 12th months of the Tibetan Calendar, from the 27th to the 29th . During the festival, religious dance performances are given by the local artists.
-Thiksey Gompa: 19Kms from Leh, spectacularly sited, Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompas, containing images, stupas and wall paintings of Buddha, which are exquisite.
-Shey Palace and Gompa: Situated on a hillock 15Kms upstream from Leh, it was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kinds. A 7.5 mts high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind, is installed here.
-Shanti Stupa built by the Japanese government in 1995 and inaugurated by H.H.Dalai Lama of Tibet. Enjoy panoramic views of Leh and surrounding areas of Indus valley from here.
-Sankar Gompa is a small Gelukpa Buddhist monastery at upper Leh and it is the monastery of Head lama of Ladakh.
-Namgyal Tsemo or the Victory peaks as it is popularly known is on the top of the Leh. It is an ancient Castle of Ladakh King Rakpa Bumde and Lehche Spakar.
-Leh Palace is a nine storey structure built in 17th century by Ladakhi King Senge Namgyal. At present preserved and protected by the Archeological survey of India.
to be cont...
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