Tibetan Life in India

This Tibetan monasteries India module begins in Manali. You can arrive in Manali from Dharamsala by private transfer or from Delhi via overnight train and then car. Manali is a perfect departure point for your journey, which will take you over the second highest black-top road in the world. Set in peaceful valley, Manali is an easy-going town popular with Indian honeymooners and nature-loving hippies. The valley is a mountain Shangri-La filled with traditional farmer’s houses, orchards, fields, cows, and refreshing waterfalls. For the first time, you’ll begin to feel the altitude (2100 metres – close to 7000 feet), so try to take things easy. 

During your stay, you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs at nearby Vashisht. This is a 3km walk from Manali alongside a fast-flowing river through flower-filled grassland and having plenty of stops along the way in cosy teahouses of Manali. You can also drop in on the Hadimba wooden temple and eat in one of the lovely restaurants in Old Manali. Your welcoming hotel is located in this Old Quarter, nestled amongst thick pine trees.

You’ll make an early start on the second day of your Tibetan monasteries India module for the long drive to Jispa (about 7hrs). From Manali, you’ll climb higher and higher, leaving the green landscape behind you as you pass the tree line. This Tibetan monasteries India trip continues toward the mountain peaks and ever deeper valleys. On the way, you’ll climb over a mountain pass at a height of about 4,000 metres (13,120 feet) and you’ll really feel the altitude here as the cool wind whips about your face. You’ll be surrounded by gigantic peaks towering at over 6,000 metres (19,700 feet), stopping regularly to enjoy the jaw-dropping views. This is, quite literally, the high point of the day. Finally, you’ll descend a little into the small village of Jispa, where you’ll spend a night in a comfortable hotel.

On day 3 your Tibetan monasteries India journey set you off on the long journey into Leh (approximately 12hrs). After leaving Jispa, you’ll climb even higher into the Himalayas. Already well above the tree line, you’ll find yourself amidst a stony desert of snow. You’ll cross high mountain passes that will have your heart in your mouth, and vast sandy plains with no signs of life. When you make rest stops, you can enjoy some steaming masala chai, spiced with cardamom and cloves. Finally, at the end of the day you’ll pull into the green Leh Valley. After the exhausting trip, you’ll probably want to do absolutely nothing, and this is precisely what you can do. For this Tibetan monasteries India module we have included the next two nights in a cosy guesthouse in Leh.

As this Tibetan monasteries India trip is independent we have nothing planned on day 4 so you have plenty of time have a look around the town of Leh, get used to the altitude and to relax. The town lies at 3,500 metres (11,480 feet) above sea level and there is a nine-storey palace in the historic town that looks very similar to the Potala in Lhasa. You can also visit the bazaar, overloaded with colourful jewellery and wonderful Tibetan textiles. Alternatively, find a bench in the crisp sunshine and settle down with a good book. Most importantly, take everything at a relaxed pace.

On the fifth day of this Tibetan monasteries India module, your english-speaking guide will collect you from the guesthouse by jeep. Your first stop is the Shey Monastery, the oldest in the area. Shey Gompa Monastery stands on the far side of an extensive grass plain lined with conifers and surrounded by steep bare walls of rock. 

From here, Tibetan monasteries India module continues to one of the best places for observing religious ceremonies in India. In Thikse Monastery, you’ll see monks praying, chanting, ringing bells and blowing horns that echo around the valley. Watching the ceremony and soaking up the atmosphere, surrounded by the overpowering Himalayas, you’re sure to feel tingles down your spine. You will also visit the Hemis monastery which is the richest of the three. At the end of this remarkable afternoon, you’ll go back to your guesthouse in Leh where you can sip a cup of chai and try some Indian sweets.

Today, you can take your time to enjoy a tasty breakfast while the sun slowly warms the valley. This Tibetan monasteries India journey comes to an end. We can arrange a flight back to Delhi for you, and you can easily travel to other areas of India from there.

Looking for even more adventure? If so, you can link an exciting 4-day trek to this module. During the trek you’ll stay in local homes, giving you an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse of life in the Himalayas. You’ll walk approximately 4 hours each day and visit typical Tibetan monasteries India along the way. Click here for more information about the Himalayan homestay module.