Today our tour guide is Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena himself and
briefing us on the journey to Tingmonsgang which is also his hometown.
Day 9 – 29 August 2015
Leh → Tingmosgang
Approximately 91 km | The Valley of Apricots: Today we left Leh and travelled west along the Kargil–Skardu Road, following the course of the Indus River towards Tingmosgang, approximately 90 km from Leh. Tingmosgang is known as the “Valley of Apricots”, and as we approached the area, the landscape gradually changed from the stark, rugged mountains of the higher regions into a surprisingly green and fertile valley.
Journey Along the Indus River
Our route took us past a number of interesting places and settlements, including:
Leh Airport → Indian Air Force Base → Gurudwara Pathar Sahib → Nimmoo → Phey → Machakka → Saspul → Uleytokpo → Khaltse → Nurla → Tingmosgang
After Khaltse and Nurla, we turned towards Tingmosgang and continued through the beautiful valley to our accommodation at the Namra Hotel. We arrived at the hotel in time for lunch. The grounds of the Namra Hotel campsite were surrounded by lush greenery and fruit trees. We enjoyed walking among the walnut, apple and apricot trees, a refreshing contrast to the dry and barren mountain scenery we had encountered during our earlier journeys.
Mahabodhi Branch School, Tingmosgang
After lunch, we visited the Mahabodhi Branch School, Tingmosgang, which was established in 1999. By the time of our visit, the school had grown to approximately 120 students, providing education and opportunities for children from the surrounding communities.
We also visited the Mahabodhi Branch School Hostel, which provides accommodation for both boys and girls. We were particularly touched to learn that the hostel had been sponsored by Sister Ramona Lai from Malaysia, reflecting the strong connection and support between our Malaysian delegation and the Mahabodhi community in Ladakh.
During our visit, members of our group also extended direct assistance to the students. Four students were sponsored for one year, at a cost of approximately US$400 per student. This was another meaningful part of our journey. Beyond visiting the spectacular scenery and ancient monasteries of Ladakh, we were able to contribute in a small but practical way to the education and welfare of local children.
An Evening in the Valley of Apricots
In the evening, we took a leisurely walk through the beautiful green valley surrounding Tingmosgang. The peaceful surroundings, with walnut, apple and apricot trees growing throughout the valley, provided a wonderful setting to relax after another long day of travel. As the evening approached, we enjoyed the tranquillity of this remote Himalayan village and appreciated the simple beauty of life in the Valley of Apricots. Overnight: Namra Hotel – Camping Tents, Tingmosgang, Ladakh
Ladakh road map
We stopped by just outside Leh for a beautiful view of the countryside oasis.
We stopped by just outside Leh for a beautiful view of the countryside oasis.
We stopped by just outside Leh for a beautiful view of the Indus River valley.
The confluence of the Zanskar River (from top) and the Indus (bottom flowing from left to right) is 3 km southeast of Nimmu village in Ladakh. We noticed that the color of the water in the river was different.
Map of the Indus River System - the Zanskar is a tributary of the Indus.
Spectacular views of the Central Valley of Zanskar in Ladakh.
Ching Neng Bin at the Central Valley of Zanskar in Ladakh.
We stopped here and walked to the top of the hill to take another beautiful view and group photo.
We stopped here and walked to the top of the hill to take another beautiful view and group photo.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) group photo at the top of a hill in the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) group photo at the top of a hill in the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) group photo at the top of a hill in the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
Today, we work with all Malaysians around the world to support Bersih 4.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) group photo at the top of a hill in the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
The long way down to Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
An oasis in the beautiful Tingmosgang Valley of Ladakh.
An oasis in the beautiful Tingmosgang Valley of Ladakh.
Sleeping at Namra Hotel Camping Tents, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Sleeping at Namra Hotel Camping Tents, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
From Namra Hotel we could see the Tingmosgang Monastery on the hill top.
The Tingmosgang Monastery on the hill top in Ladakh.
Sleeping at Namra Hotel Camping Tents, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
We stayed in this tents with attached bathroom at Namra Camp, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
We stayed in this tents with attached bathroom at Namra Camp, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Ching Bee Geok and Seow Key Me at Namra Camp, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
We stayed in this tents with attached bathroom at Namra Camp, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
We stayed in this tents with attached bathroom at Namra Camp, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
With lots of apples in the garden, this apple tree belongs to Namura Hotel in Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
An old lady was seen taking out the seeds of apricots at the Namra Hotel, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
There is a river that runs beside the Namra Hotel fruit garden in Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
A bird at Namra Hotel fruit garden in Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Today, we had chicken curry for lunch at Namura Hotel, Tingmosgang for the first time in 9 days.
Our buffet lunch at Namura Hotel, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Our buffet lunch at Namura Hotel, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Our buffet lunch at Namura Hotel, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
After lunch, we visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang, founded in 1999 and has 120 students.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang, founded in 1999 and has 120 students.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Angie Ho Siew Eng and Ching Neng Bin visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Datuk Seri Victor Wee and Ven.Bhikkhu Sanghasena at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Angie Ho Siew Eng at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) visited Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Ching Neng Bin and Jerry Ong at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Opening ceremony prayers at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Opening ceremony prayers at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
The principal of Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang gave his speech.
The teacher of Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang gave his speech.
Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang entertained us with songs and dances.
Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang entertained us with songs and dances.
Very good dancing and singing performances by Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang.
Very good dancing and singing performances by Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang.
Very good dancing and singing performances by Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang.
Very interesting "Belly Dancing" by Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang.
Very good singing performances by Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang.
Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder President of MIMC at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
The overall best Mahabodhi Branch School male student is Tsering Mutup who was sponsored by Md. Lai Chuai Peng the wife of Datuk Charlie Chia.
The overall best Mahabodhi Branch School female student of 2015.
The best adult student from Malaysia was Datuk Seri Victor Wee.
From Penang, Oon Lay Kim and her sister Oon Kim Suan (right) receiving a token of appreciation from Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena for their kind services to the farmers in Ladakh.
The sisters is setting up a skin care product called "Idemo" using natural resources from Ladakh. The brand name "Idemo" is a Ladakhi word meaning “Beauty of nature". It is made from 100% organic apricot and walnut from Ladakh and then cold press in Penang so that the oil is fresh when blend into skin care. The profit made will be used to help the children education in Ladakh.
The overall best Mahabodhi Branch School female student.
Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang. 
Mahabodhi Branch School children in Tingmosgang.
Line dancing by parents for us to join in at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Distributing sweets to children by Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF) members.
School teachers at at Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Saying goodbye and thank you to Mahabodhi Branch School in Tingmosgang.
Another view of Tingmosgang Village in Ladakh.
The Mahabodhi Branch School Hostel was generously sponsored by Sis.Ramona Lai from Malaysia.
The Mahabodhi Branch School Hostel was generously sponsored by Sis.Ramona Lai from Malaysia.
The Mahabodhi Branch School Hostel was generously sponsored by Sis.Ramona Lai from Malaysia.
At the Mahabodhi Branch School Hostel, four students were duly sponsored for one year by our BGF members costing US400 per student. The sponsors were: Tai Yoke Lin, Ruby Song, Ong Siok Leng and Lilian Agumo Estolas.
Ruby Song and her protege Master Stanzin Otsal, an 11 years old boy from a very remote village bordering Pakistan and Tibet.
Welcome to Larjay Camping Site at Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
In the evening, we walked through the green valley among walnut and apricot trees at Tingmosgang.
We had the best apricots from this Larjay Camping farmhouse at Tingmosgang.
We had the best apricots from this Larjay Camping farmhouse at Tingmosgang.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship members had tea at Sonam's house in Tingmosgang Village, Ladakh.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship members had tea at Sonam's house in Tingmosgang Village, Ladakh.
Buddhist Gem Fellowship members had tea at Sonam's house in Tingmosgang Village, Ladakh.
Dinner at Namra Hotel Camping Tents, Tingmosgang, Ladakh.
Day 01 (21.08.2015) – Kuala Lumpur flight to Delhi, India
Day 02 (22.08.2015) – Delhi domestic flight to Leh, Ladakh (3,524m / 11,562ft)
Day 03 (23.08.2015) – Thicksay and Shey Monastery, Leh, Ladakh
Day 04 (24.08.2015) – Leh to Hemis Monastery (41.2km) Ladakh
Day 05 (25.08.2015) – Leh to Nubra Valley (136km) via KhardungLa Pass
Day 06 (26.08.2015) – Nubra Valley to visit Disket Monastery (14.5km)
Day 07 (27.08.2015) – Nubra Valley returned to Leh, Ladakh (136km)
Day 08 (28.08.2015) – Visit Devachan Campus, Leh, Ladakh
Day 09 (29.08.2015) – Leh to Tingmosgang (90km) Ladakh
Day 10 (30.08.2015) – Bodhkharbu on the way to Lamayuru Monastery
Day 11 (31.08.2015) – Basgo Monastery, Tekchen Chosling and Alchi Temple
Day 12 (01.09.2015) - Leh fly to Delhi to catch the night flight back to KL
Day 13 (02.09.2015) - Arrived KLIA at 6.55am
4th International festival of buddhist Heritage of Ladakh | 24 Aug 2015 (Part 2)
- Touching lives by Lee Keat Hin
- Angel of mercy by the late Tan Guat Gnoh
- Prayers for four Malaysians who died in Ladakh
- Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh
I like how these tents are engineered to handle extreme weather and rough terrain Wilderness camping Tents Wilderness camping Tents
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