Ladakh is exotic, remote, stunningly beautiful and one of my favourite parts of the world.
It is no ordinary place. Leh, it’s capital is built in the rarified air of 3,500 metres. It sits in a green belt surrounded by arid and desolate and lunar looking landscape Due to its remoteness and proximity (close to the Chinese/Tibet border and Pakistan) it is a sensitive place strategically for India. There is no mobile coverage for foreign visitors and limited internet connection. It is a disconnected place, and has its roots far beyond technology . It’s history is thousands of years old. You can see it in the landscape and in its buildings – the most prominent being it’s monasteries.
One such monastery is Hemis, 90 minutes drive from Leh. Hemis is famous for its festival that is 300-year-old and features lama dancing, colour parades and ancient ceremonies. It is a showcase of how its traditions can bind people from across generations. The festival organised in the honour of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, the annual two day Hemis Festival at the Hemis Monastery has become an important date in the calendars of travellers from across the world.
This year is especially different as it is the grand Naropa Festival 2016, to be held from July 1 to 31. This spiritual programme takes place once in every 12 years and one of the features will be the unveiling of the giant Thankga (Buddhist painting) of Guru Rinpoche and the display the ornaments belonging to Naropa, the 11th century Indian saint and are some of the holiest treasures of the Himalayas.
For anyone wanting to escape to somewhere completely different or simply to be part of an ancient festival, this is the place for you. As part of our festival tours we are running an 8 day 7 night package from 11-18 July 2016. Details : https://eknotravels.com/tours/hemis-festival-and-ladakh/ Contact us: tour@eknotravels.com.au
Welcome to the world of Marigolds and Exotic Hotels in India. A highlight of the tour was having New Years Eve big bash where everyone danced the night away to all the Bollywood favourites at the Exotic Marigold Hotel in Khempur (near Udaipur). They also visited other sites of the movie as the Pink City of Jaipur and the Taj Mahal in Agra. This tour/retreat for women was organized by Tammie Day from Vibrant Women www.vibrantwomen.com.au and organized by www.eknotravels.com from 29 December 2015 to 6 January 2016.
If you are looking to start 2017 with a bang, Tammie is organizing her 2016 New Years Eve extravaganza starting again in Delhi on 29 December. You can contact us for details tour@eknotravels.com.au. Thanks Tammie for sharing this video with us.