The religious philosophy of Buddhism, however, profound and subtle doesn't preclude an immense joie-de-vivre among its Ladakhi adhe-rents, and even solemn religious enactments are made the occasion for joyous celebration. Many of the annual festivals of the gompas take place in winter, a relatively idle time for the majority of the people. They take the form of dance-dramas in the gompa courtyards. Lamas, robed in colourful garments and wearing often startlingly frightful masks, performs mimes representing various aspects of the religion such as the progress of the individual soul and its purification or the triumph of good over evil. Local people flock from near and far to these events, and the spiritual benefits they get are no doubt heightened by their enjoyment of the party atmosphere, with crowds of women and men, the opportunity to make new friendships and renew old ones, the general bustle and sense of occasion.

The biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals, frequented by tourists and local alike, is that of Hemis, which falls in late June or the first half of July, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. Every 12 years, the gompa's greatest treasure, a huge thangka - a religious icon painted or embroidered on cloth - is ritually exhibited. The next unveiling is due to take place in A.D. 2004. Other monasteries which have summer festivals are Lamayuru (also early July), Phiyang (late July or early August), Tak-thok (about ten days after Phiyang) and Karsha in Zanskar (11 days after Phiyang). Like Hemis, the Phiyang festival too involves the exhibition of gigantic thangka, though here it is done every year.

Spituk, stok, thikse, chemrey and Matho all have their festivals in winter, between November and March. Likir and Deskit (Nubra )time their festivals to coincide with Dosmoche, the festival of the scapegoat, which is also celebrated with fervor at Leh. Falling in the second half of February, Dosmoche is one of two New Year festivals, the other being Losar. At Dosmoche, a great wooden mast decorated with streamers and religious emblems is et up outside Leh. At the appointed time, offerings of storma, ritual figures moulded out of dough, are brought out and ceremonially cast away into the desert, or burnt. These scapegoats carry away with them the evil spirits of the old year, and thus the town is cleansed and made ready to welcome the new year.

Losar falls about the time of the winter solstice, any time between 8th and 30th December. All Ladakhi Buddhists celebrate it by making offerings to the gods, both in gompas and in their domestic shrines.

Day 1:Delhi/Leh:- Flight: 

Early morning transfer to airport to airport to board flight for Leh. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Day at leisure for high altitude acclimatization. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Leh Festival:- Car/Jeep: 

Morning: Proceed to the main Bazaar to witness the Inaugural procession of the Cultural Troupes, Monks, Polo players and participants of the Silk Route trade caravan in colorful traditional costumes. The procession starts from London school, via main bazar, to the Polo ground, where there are colorful burst of cultural dances.
Afternoon: Proceed to Archery stadium to witness traditional Archery competition and cultural dances. 
Evening: Enjoy musical concert at the Archery stadium. Overnight stay at the hotel.
 

Day 3:Leh Festival:- Surface: Morning:  

Proceed to visit Sankar monastery and Shanti Stupa (a Japanese peace pagoda which provides panoramic view of the entire Leh town. In the distant you can see snow-capped peaks of Stok and Matho. 
Afternoon: Proceed to the Polo ground to witness the inauguration of the traditional horse polo tournament. 
Evening: In the main bazaar see in reality a procession of the famous Silk Route Traders. The traders mounted on double-humped Bacteria Camels depict the early trade scenes between Yarkhand and Ladakh. Ladakh was the major trade centre on the Silk route. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4:Leh Festival:-Surface: Morning:  

Proceed to Saboo village or Stok or Matho village for the Archery festival (depending on where the archery festival is scheduled. The competition is made more colorful by the folk dances of the particular village. 

Afternoon: Drive to visit Stok palace and museum:-  Stok Palace 10 kms from Leh has the only museum of Ladakh which houses one of the most precious belongings of the earlier Royal families. In its many halls, displays include rare precious stones, old Thanks, Queens jeweler, arms & armory and the Royal Crown of the King. EVENING: You can join the Silk Route trade show at the main bazaar of Leh. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5:Leh/Hemis/Leh:-Surface: Moring :

  Indus Valley Monastery . Drive along river Indus to visit one of the most famous monasteries of central Ladakh. Includes visit to she palace and little further the most richest, oldest and the famous Hemis Monastery Afternoon:  Free at leisure Enjoy ongoing Polo match at the polo ground. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6:Leh:- Surface: Morning: 

Proceed for halfway River Rafting in Indus. Drive to Stakna beyond Thiksay. Start on one of the most thrilling rafting to reach Choglamsar. Enroute pass through villages of Chushot, Thiksay and Shey. Return to hotel. Afternoon: Drive to Phayang village (14 kms) to see the unique  Phayang monastery. 

Day 7:Leh Festival:-Surface: Morning :  

Proceed to visit one of the most special Monastic dances of Ladakh. Join at the main Chaukhang Gompa in the centre of the town where monks dresses in bright colorful religious robes dance slowly wearing fearful masks around the center flagpole.
Afternoon:-  Walkdown through narrow streets of Leh Bazar to enjoy the final of the Polo Tournament which concludes in a fashionable manner. Overnight stay at the hotel.