Winter & Spring

   Losar

   Winter Ladakh

This tour offers an exciting overland journey to Zanskar where the first of the two festivals is held. A visit to this secluded Shangri-la is a memorable experience even if no major festival were to be part of this journey. Along with visits to other major monasteries of the region, the tour accounts for one of the most dramatic overland festival tours spanning the regions of the isolated Zanskar, the Suru Valley and the Indus river valley.

Karsha Gu-stor festival, commemorating the victory of good over evil, takes place at the largest Geluk-pa, Yellow Hat, monastery in Zanskar. It is also Zanskar's largest in terms of resident monks, counting more than 100 lamas. The monastery is built on a steep mountainside rising above the village of Karsha, a spectacular site some 12 kilometers from Padum, Zanskar's ancient capital. Gu-stor sacred dances or 'chhams' are held to commemorate the birthday of Tsongkha-pa, the founder of the Geluk-pa monastic order. 

The victory of Black hat dancers over evil.
Gustor literally means 'Sacrifice of the 29th day'. it is traditional to the monasteries of the reformist Geluk-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. This two-day ling festival is held mainly in the Spituk, Thiksay and Karsha (Zanskar) monasteries, at different times every year.

The celebration ends with the dismemberment and dispersal of the 'Storma' (sacrificial cake) by the leader of the Black Hat dancers in a ceremony called 'Argham' of 'Killing'. This symbolizes the destruction of all forms of evil. And also re-enacts the assassination of the Tibetan apostate King Lang-dar-ma, by a Buddhist monk in the mid 9th century. In some monasteries, an effigy symbolizing the strong forces of evil is burnt at the end of the festival. The masks worn by the dancers represent the guardian divinities (Dharmapalas) of the Buddhist pantheon, and the patron divinities of the Geluk-pa order.

Day 1

Early morning flight Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest.

Day 2

Morning sightseeing - Shanti Stupa, and Sangkar and Tsemo Gompas; afternoon rest.   

Day 3

Day trip to Hemis gompa, with stops to see Matho and Stakna monasteries

Day 4

Start to Zanskar, stop at Likir and Alchi monasteries, night in Uletokpo Camp.

Day 5

Continue to Lamayuru, see Lamayuru Gompa; night in camp.

Day 6

Continue to Zanskar, through Kargil, via Suru Valley to  Rangdum Gompa; night in camp.

Day 7

Arrive in Karsha; night in camp.

Day 8

Karsha Gu-stor

Day 9 

Karsha Gu-stor

Day 10  

Day trip to Zangla

Day 11

Day trip to Bardan Gompa

Day 12  

Start on return journey back to Leh, stop at Mulbek for the night.

Day 13 

Continue back to Leh.  

Day 14

Full day at your own leisure.

Day 15

Return flight to Delhi; depart India.

What's included & What is not: