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Thiksey

Thiksey has some of the most breath-taking vistas in the whole of India: vast wind-swept plateaus, rugged snow-capped Himalayan mountains and picturesque sun-baked Ladakhi villages dotted around fertile green squares of agricultural land.

One of the biggest and most photogenic draws to Thiksey is Thiskey Gompa -the largest monastery in Ladakh. Famed for its grand architecture, the monastery is known locally as the ‘Mini Potala’ of India as it resembles the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The cube-like whitewashed buildings cling to the cliffs of the Indus valley, and preside over a sweeping view of the high-altitude desert. The ochre-capped monastery can be seen for miles in this remote and windswept terrain, and has also become a beacon for tourists wanting to experience and understand the life of the 120 Buddhist monks who live here.

Despite being built over 600 years ago, it still functions as a place of worship for its inhabitants.  Visitors often come to observe the ritualistic morning prayers at 6am, where the red-robed monks, including young boys, enter the atmospheric red-walled prayer hall, strung with Buddhist banners and script. Here they chant and pray their melodic chorus, punctuated by colliding cymbals and the deep tones of the Tibetan trumpet. These morning prayers always attract large crowds of visitors, especially during religious festivals.

Inside the 12 storey monastery are ten temples, in which is housed a huge statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha), standing at 40 feet tall, taking up two storeys of the building. This brightly coloured Buddha, made of copper, clay and gold, was built to commemorate the visit of the Dalai Lama in 1970, and took four years to construct. The roof of the monastery is one of the best places to take in the unforgettable view of the valley below, especially at dawn before prayers, when the sun emerges from behind the jagged mountain peaks, picking up colour from distant palaces, monasteries wrapped in fluttering prayer flags and shimmering barley fields.

The pristine natural beauty of the landscape around Thiksey means there are lots of low-key activities for travellers looking to enjoy the serene environment. A peaceful cycle or walk through the villages offers a glimpse of rural Ladakhi life, and perhaps a cup of yak butter tea with a local. The Indus River offers gentle rafting through settlements and whitewashed monasteries.

Nearby to Thiksey is cultural Leh, where visitors can explore Leh Palace, perched atop a hill and backed by snow-dusted mountains. The palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century and has nine storeys, some of which are in ruins, and some that bear traces of Ladakhi architecture. Leh's colourful bazaar at the end of the Shanti Stupa, has a great vantage point over Leh, with spectacular views of the stone strewn landscape.

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Client Testimonials

We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
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Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
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I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
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We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
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Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
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- Anonymous, India
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