In the morning, after a hearty breakfast, drive to Hemis monastery.
Hemis Monastery: The Hemis monastery, located 40 kms from Leh is the wealthiest, best-known and biggest Gompa of Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the annual festival held here in summer in honour of Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. Within the monastery there's to be seen a copper-gilt statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver, sacred thangkas and many objects. The monastery, said to exist even before the 11th century, was re-established by the 1st incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630. Belonging to the Drukpa sect, this Tibetan monastery has a very colourful and attractive architecture.
Afterwards drive to Thiksey Monastery for a visit.
Thiksey Monastery: The Thiksey Monastery is situated at a distance of approximately 18 kms from the town of Leh. One of the most beautiful monasteries of Ladakh, it belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. Sherab Zangpo of Stod got the Thiksey Monastery built for the first time, at Stakmo. However, later Spon Paldan Sherab, the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, reconstructed the monastery in the
year 1430 AD. The new monastery was situated on a hilltop, to the north of Indus River. It has a 15 meter high statue of the Maitreya Budhha, the largest such statue in Ladakh.
After these visits to the beautiful monastries, return to Leh and you will be dropped at Leh Market / hotel for Lunch (on direct payment basis).
Post lunch you will leave for the sight-seeing tour of Shanti Stupa.
Shanti Stupa: Shanti Stupa of Ladakh is located on the hilltop at Changspa. It can be reached quite easily from the Fort Road. The Stupa