On the second day of your trekking package for Markha Valley with homestay enjoy your mouth-watering breakfast and proceed towards Shanti stupa. The Shanti stupa is a beautiful Buddhist structure built by the Japanese monk Gyomo Nakamura. The Shanti stupa or the Peace Pagoda is made by this monk on many locations as a part of a larger peace initiative all over the world. This is a two-storeyed stupa contains some of the most important relics in Buddhism which includes a relic donated by the 14th Dalai Lama. Enjoy spellbinding views of the nearby mountains from the Shanti stupa. The pure white Shanti stupa stands tall, located on a height of 3609 meters, epitomizing the tranquility of Leh.
The design philosophy of the Leh palace resembles the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Built by the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh, Leh palace is now managed by the archaeological survey of India (ASI) and the building holds a rich collection of artifacts in a museum. Do not forget to visit the victory tower which symbolizes the bravery of Ladakhi soldiers who repelled in strong Balti Kashmiri invasion in the 16 century.
After you have had your mountain views to your heart’s content, we move on and visit the local markets of Leh. Wooden handicrafts, ornamental beads, pashmina shawls, thangka paintings, silver jewelry, Ladakhi turquoise jewelry and dry fruits like apricots are the items that are famous in the markets of Leh.
Your overnight stay will be at the hotel in Leh.