Padma Guest House and Hotel

When we started out in 1980 as a small guesthouse, we were simply a traditional Ladakhi family that had a few extra rooms in their ancestral home, excited at the prospect of playing host to friends from far away.

After two decades of serving guests from practically every country on the planet, we remain, essentially, what we were when we began: a Ladakhi family with a large house where we welcome friends.

While looking after our guests, we also attend to the daily responsibilities that any traditional Ladakhi household has. If it interests you, feel free to sit with our family in the kitchen and enjoy a meal with us. Or, if you are so inclined, watch us water our fields during the summer months. Perhaps you could even try to participate in the activity…!

http://www.padmaladakh.net/

Himilayan Hometsays

Local people in Ladakh, India expressed an interest in generating income from increasing numbers of visitors that passed through their villages, and wanted to offer a tourism experience that would benefit visitors, hosts and the local environment.

Our interests are to give the visitor a truly memorable experience, and to generate benefits and opportunities for local communities while protecting their rich natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

www.himalayan-homestays.com

Himalayan High Treks

Himalayan High Treks has provided treks and personal arrangements for independent, spirited travelers and small groups wishing to explore the Himalayan world and its rich culture. We have an intimate, first-hand knowledge of the majestic Himalayan region — Ladkah, Sikkim, Spiti, Lahoul, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. We offer original itineraries, experienced guidance and logistics for pilgrimages as well as independent trekking and touring — from easy day hikes and comfortable hotels, to strenuous, 20-day treks camping at high altitudes. We produce complete trek and tour packages as well as create independent custom itineraries based on your needs.. We also create Custom Treks for individuals.

http://www.himalayanhightreks.com/
http://www.hightreks.com

The Grand Ladakh Trek

A very interesting trek beginning at Lamayuru and walking up the less traveled Ripchar valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where you see a wide variety of flowers from end of July to end of August and birds too. You cross some high passes with excellent views of the Karakoram and the Zanskar ranges. The initial part of the trek till Chilling is less traveled. From Chilling you cross the Zanskar river by a pulley cable and continue into the Markha valley-most popular and considered one of the best valleys in Ladakh.
This trek is not difficult but is demanding in stages due to the terrain. The average walking time is 5-6 hours.

http://www.treknraft.com/ladakh.htm

Thikse

A Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) Buddhist monastery, comtaining a 15 meter high statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha to come), unusually portrayed as seated in the lotus position. Thikse was founded during the initial period of Gelugpa expansion about the middle of the 15th century. This 12-story gompa painted in red, ochre and white has 60 lamas in residence, plus a nunnery and a total of 10 temples.

Its top section houses a huge golden head of Buddha; colorful murals decorate the surrounding walls. The views from the monastery's rooftop terrace encompass miles of surrounding landscapes. Visitors can observe the monks at prayer at 7 a.m. daily, followed by the traditional blowing of enormous Tibetan horns.

Spituk Gompa

Three-chapel monastery, Spituk is located at a distance of approximately 8 km from the town of Leh. The name "Spituk", meaning exemplary, has been derived from a statement of a translator, Rinchen Zangpo, about the monastery. He said that an exemplary religious community would develop there, providing the name Spituk for the monastery.

The monastery's imposing statues of Buddha are only open to the public during the Gu-Stor Festival, in January (for exact dates, contact the tourist office).

Namgyal Tsemo GompaOne of the most treasured possessions of the monastery is a three-story high solid gold idol of Maitrieya Buddha (future Buddha, also known as the laughing Buddha). Namgyal Tsemo Monastery of Leh Ladakh also houses a statue of Avaloketesvara and Manjushri, approximately one story high. Near the monastery is an old fort, which, because of neglect, lies mostly in ruins now.

Also in the vicinity, are a number of associated temples. These temples remain open only during morning and evening. When the temples open up, a monk from the Sankar Gompa comes to attend to the butter-lamps in front of the images.

Hemis Festivals

Hemis festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals in June to commemorate birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The sacred dance drama of the life and mission is performed wearing facial masks and colorful brocades robes. The three-day festival takes place from 9th to 11th. Especially the monkey year festival, which comes in a cycle of 12 years. During it the four-storey thanka of Guru Padma Sambhava is hung in the courtyard and other precious thankas are also exhibited.

http://www.reachladakh.com/festivals.htm

The palace is distinguished monument and a historical building. The nine-storeyed palace was built by the 17th century illustrious ruler of Ladakh, Sengge Namgyal. It is an imposing structure, though in ruins now, situated on a hill and commands a grand view of the Leh town. The building in grand Tibetan architecture is said to have inspired the famous potala of Lahasa, built half a century later. Namgyal Tsemo, the peak overlooking the town, are the ruins of the fortbuilt, by the king Tashi namgyal in the 16th century, as a royal residence.

http://leh.nic.in/Tourism.htm