After breakfast at hotel visit monasteries of Hemis, Thiksey & Shey
Shey it was the ancient capital of Ladakh and even after Singge Namgyal built the more imposing palace at Leh, the kings continued to regard Shey, as their real home. The importance which was attached to Shey - the seat of Ladakh's heartland - is attested by the enormous number of Chorten about the village, particularly around the palace complex and barren plain to the north of the road.
Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive Gompas. There are several temples in this Gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two-storied statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder.
Hemis which is dedicated to Padmasambhava, what a visitor can observe a series of scenes in which the lamas, robed in gowns of rich, brightly-colored brocade and sporting masks sometimes bizarrely hideous, parade in solemn dance and mime around the huge flag pole in the center of the courtyard to the plaintive melody of the Shawn. Overnight stay at hotel in Leh.