Today we will be travelling to Shey Palace, the former residence of the kings of Ladakh. You will be able to feel the spirit of history as you stroll through the opulent halls and squares of this majestic palace. At Shey Palace, on the 26th and 27th day of the first Tibetan month, which is July-August (Gregorian calendar), a festival called "She-du-lhu" is celebrated. This festival marks the beginning of the sowing season, and villagers flock to the monastery where monks perform special rituals, in addition to the usual services. An oracle on a black horse comes to the monastery, he prays for three days and then falls into a trance and begins to prophesy. Childless women recite special prayers at the festival so that the deities will help them to become mothers.
Next, our itinerary takes us to Thiksey Monastery, a monastery perched on a hill with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The monastery sits at an altitude of 3600 metres and is a monastery of Tibetan Buddhism of the Gelug (yellow caps) school. You will be able to immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of this sacred place and explore its history and cultural values.
We will end this busy day with a visit to Hemis Monastery, one of the most important and largest monasteries in Ladakh. Here you can learn about Buddhist culture and religion, as well as see valuable historical and religious artefacts. Khemis Monastery is famous not only for its size (about 500 monks live here), but also for its high altitude location (it is located in a mountain basin, closed from all sides) and wealth. Besides, the monastery owes its popularity to Russian traveller Nikolai Natovich, who in 1890 in the building's library found ancient works written in Tibetan about a certain Issa who travelled through these places - and suggested that they described the unknown life of Jesus Christ. The largest tanka in the world, made of silk and embroidered with figures of Padma Sambhava and saints, is kept here. Every 12 years the monastery holds a festival during which the tanka is hung from one side of the temple.
Sindhu Ghat, the place where the Indus River reveals its beautiful beauty. It will be visited at sunset. On the beautiful bank, located near Shey village in Leh, we will be able to spend time in a meditative atmosphere and enjoy peace and tranquility. The Sindhu River, known as the Indus River in English, originates in Tibet and passes through parts of India before crossing into Pakistan. It is considered one of the seven major sacred rivers of the country. It is a symbol of communal harmony. The river bank is the venue for the famous Singhey Habab festival. We will welcome sunset on this bank to the beat of drums and Ladakhi dance.