Find below a unique tour in Zangskar and two exceptional winter programs.

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CULTURAL TOURS IN ZANGSKAR - Suru and Zangskar Valley

A spectacular tour to the valleys of Suru and Zangskar. Starting from Leh one first travels downstream the Indus, visiting Alchi and Lamayuru monasteries on the way and reaching Kargil. From there southwards into the Suru Valley, with its distinct Muslim culture and excellent views of the Nun-Kun massif.

In Suru Valley we visit a 7m high stone carved 8th century Maitreya Buddha, said to be the last one in the valley and a beautiful mosque in Sanku. We then leave the Suru Valley and cross the Pensi La pass into the Zangskar Valley, visiting Rangdum monastery and enjoying the panorama of the huge Drang Drung glacier on the way.

In Central Zangskar we visit the monasteries of Dzongkhul, Sani, Stakrimo and Karsha (including the nunnery), the temple of Pibiting and rock-carved Buddhas and Bodhisattvas besides Padum, the capital of Zangskar. In Padum there is a newly built mosque too. In Lower Zangskar we visit the old king's palace and nunnery at Zangla and the monastery of Stongde and in the Lungnak Valley Bardan and Mune monasteries. Heading back to Leh, we visit the monasteries of Shergol and Mulbekh (and nunnery), before entering the Indus Valley again.

A tour of 9 days, staying overnight in guesthouses and camping out.




CULTURAL TOURS IN THE WINTER

If you happen to come around in the winter, witnessing Ladakhi & Zangskari Losar (New Year) and several masked dance festivals (Chams) in some monasteries is definitely worth it. The dates of these celebrations go according to the moon calendar, so aren't fixed, but Losar is usually somewhere in December and the festivals in February and March.

Losar New year Tour

This beautiful tour leads to Sham (lower Ladakh), where Ladakhi Losar (New Year) is for several days most heavily celebrated in very authentic ways. A four days program visits the villages of Tingmosgam and Hemis Shukpachen and Basgo, where amongst others many traditional songs and dances connected to Losar can be seen.

A tour of four days, three nights camping out.




Chams Tour

A unique cultural winter program focusing primarily on the two important masked dance festivals in the monasteries of Stok and Matho. Besides of alternating groups of mask-wearing dancing monks, the special feature of these festivals is a pair of sword-wielding oracles, who in trance are able to predict the future and giving profound blessings. A sight-seeing to the monasteries of the Indus Valley and other places of cultural interest is included in this tour.

A 7 days program with accommodation in a guesthouse.