Ladakh Festivals

Ladakh Fairs & Festivals

Most of the festival events in Ladakh are the annual monastic festivals. Among non-monastic events count the Losar or New Year celebrations and the notable Ladakh Festival organized by the Kashmir and Jammu government. The monastic festivals are dance-dramas in the Gompa courtyards. The performers are the lamas, the monks themselves. Wearing colorful garments and often frightful, at times comic masks, the monks perform mimes representing various aspects of the religion, be it the progress of the individual soul and its purification or the triumph of good over evil. The events draw spectators from among the local populace, from near and far, in great numbers for attending these auspicious events promises spiritual benefits aside the enjoyment of the party atmosphere. Huge crowds that gather heighten the sense of the occasion. Most monastic festivals are two-day events. Losar celebrations take close to one month and the Ladakh Festival is a two-week event. Our tours are designed around the dates of these unique events, bringing you the first hand experience of their festive atmosphere and thus broadening your insight into the cultural heritage of Ladakh.

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport meet our representative and transfer to pre booked hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi - Leh

Early morning transfer to airport to airport to board flight for Leh. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Day at leisure for high altitude acclimatization. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 : Leh Festival by Car/Jeep

Morning: Proceed to the main Bazaar to witness the Inaugural procession of the Cultural Troupes, Monks, Polo players and participants of the Silk Route trade caravan in colorful traditional costumes. The procession starts from London school, via main Bazar, to the Polo ground, where there are colorful burst of cultural dances. Afternoon: Proceed to Archery stadium to witness traditional Archery competition and cultural dances. Evening enjoy musical concert at the Archery stadium. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04 : Leh Festival

After breakfast proceed to visit Shankar monastery and Shanti Stupa (a Japanese peace pagoda which provides panoramic view of the entire Leh town. In the distant you can see snow-capped peaks of Stok and Matho.

Afternoon proceed to the Polo ground to witness the inauguration of the traditional horse polo tournament.

Evening, in the main bazaar see in reality a procession of the famous Silk Route Traders. The traders mounted on double-humped Bacteria Camels depict the early trade scenes between Yarkhand and Ladakh. Ladakh was the major trade centre on the Silk route. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05 : Leh Festival

Proceed to Saboo village or Stok or Matho village for the Archery festival (depending on where the archery festival is scheduled. The competition is made more colorful by the folk dances of the particular village. Drive to visit Stok palace and museum:- Stok Palace 10 kms from Leh has the only museum of Ladakh which houses one of the most precious belongings of the earlier Royal families. In its many halls, displays include rare precious stones, old Thanks, Queens jeweler, arms & armory and the Royal Crown of the King.

Evening you can join the Silk Route trade show at the main bazaar of Leh. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06 : Leh – Hemis - Leh: Indus Valley Monastery

After breakfast drive along river Indus to visit one of the most famous monasteries of central Ladakh. Includes visit to see palace and little further the most richest, oldest and the famous Hemis Monastery.

Afternoon free at leisure Enjoy ongoing Polo match at the polo ground. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : Leh

Proceed for halfway River Rafting in Indus. Drive to Stanka beyond Thiksey. Start on one of the most thrilling rafting to reach Choglamsar. Enroute pass through villages of Chushot, Thiksay and Shey. Return to hotel. Afternoon: Drive to Phayang village (14 kms) to see the unique Phayang monastery. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 : Leh Festival

Proceed to visit one of the most special Monastic dances of Ladakh. Join at the main Chaukhang Gompa in the centre of the town where Monks dresses in bright colorful religious robes dance slowly wearing fearful masks around the center flagpole.

Afternoon, walk down through narrow streets of Leh Bazar to enjoy the final of the Polo Tournament which concludes in a fashionable manner. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09 : Leh - Delhi

Early morning transfer to the domestic airport for flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 : Delhi Departure

Transfer to airport according to your flight schedule.

Trip & Services Ends Here.


trekking