By Sharell Cook
India Travel Expert, about.com
In the furthest far flung corner of northern India, in Ladakh near the Indus Valley, lies the town of Leh at 3,505 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level. This remote place has become a popular tourist destination since Ladakh was opened to foreigners in 1974. It's the most beautiful and most common entry point to the Ladakh region.
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Bounded
by two of the world's largest mountain ranges and surrounded by alpine
desert, Leh's dry barren landscape full of historic Buddhist monasteries
makes it an incredible sight to behold. This Leh travel guide will help
you plan your trip.
Getting There
Flights to Leh operate regularly from Delhi. Flights are also available to Leh from Srinagar and Jammu.
Alternatively,
the roads to Leh are open for a few months of the year, when the snow
has melted. The Manali Leh Highway is open from around June to October
each year, and the road from Srinagar to Leh is open from June to
November. Bus, jeep, and taxi services are all available.
The trip takes around two days because of the
difficult nature of the terrain. If you have the time and are in good
health, do travel by road as the scenery is amazing.
When to Visit
The
best time to visit Leh is between May and September, when the weather
is the warmest. Ladakh doesn't experience rain like elsewhere in India,
so the monsoon season is the perfect time to travel to Leh. Read more about the best time to visit Ladakh.
[post_ads]Attractions and Places to Visit
Leh’s
Buddhist monasteries and historical monuments are the biggest draw for
visitors. The most imposing of these is the Shanti Stupa, located just
outside the town. In the heart of the town, on top of a steep mountain,
the 800 year old Kali
Mandir houses a fascinating collection of masks. You can stop to spin a
huge prayer wheel on your way there. The 17th century Leh Palace, built
in traditional Tibetan style, offers a captivating view of town.
Southeast of Leh, Thiksey Monastery is the place for seeing amazing
sunsets. The Hemis Monastery is the wealthiest, oldest, and most
important monastery in Ladakh. Find out more about these must-see Buddhist monasteries in India.
Festivals
The Ladakh Festival
is held during September. It opens in Leh with a spectacular procession
through the streets. Villagers dressed in traditional costumes dance
and sing folk songs, backed by an orchestra. The festival also features
musical concerts, dances performed by masked lamas from selected monasteries, and mock traditional marriage ceremonies.
The two day Hemis Festival
takes place in June/July at the Hemis Gompa to commemorate birth of
Guru Padmasambhava, who founded Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. There's
traditional music, colorful masked dances, and a fair full of beautiful
handicrafts.
[post_ads]Adventure Activities Around Leh
Nature
and adventure lovers will find excellent hiking and para gliding
opportunities around Leh. There are also many longer trekking trails to
choose from, such as the ones from Likir to Temisgam, and Markha Valley
from Spituk. Mountain climbing trips can be booked to peaks such as Stok
(20,177 feet), Goleb (19,356 feet), Kangyatse (20,997 feet) and Matho
West (19,520) in the Zanskar Mountains. White water rafting is also
possible in July and August along the Indus River in the Leh area, as
well as the Shayok River in the Nubra Valley, and Zanskar River in
Zanskar. The Nubra Valley has camel safaris as well.
Dreamland Trek and Tours
is an eco-friendly adventure company that organizes a wide range of
trips in Ladakh, Zanskar and Changthang. Other reputable companies
include Overland Escape, Rimo Expeditions (costly but high quality), and Yama Adventures. It's recommended that you compare many companies to see what's on offer.
If going on a guided group trekking tour interests you, check out this 14 Day Trekking in Ladakh trip offered by G Adventures.
Side Trips Around Leh
One
of the most spectacular side trips possible from Leh is a journey along
the Zanskar River. You’ll see hanging glaciers, green villages,
Buddhist monasteries, and huge Himalayan peaks. The Nubra Valley, on
Khardung La, is world’s highest motorable road and another unforgettable
trip. As well sights of Himalayan icicles, wild yaks and horses, and
hairy double humped camels, you’ll be rewarded with water, mountains,
and desert all in the one area.
Permit Requirements
As of
May 2014, Indian citizens no longer need to obtain an Inner Liner Permit
to visit many areas in Ladakh including Pangang Lake, Khardung La, Tso
Moirri, Nubra Valley, and Changthang. Instead, government identification
such as driver's license will suffice at check posts.
Foreigners,
including PIO and OCI card holders, still need a Protected Area Permit
(PAP). This can be obtained from registered travel agents in Leh.
Permits are not required for local sightseeing around Leh, Zanskar, or
the Suru Valley.
Where to Stay
A short distance away from town in the hamlet of Changspa, the family run Oriental Guesthouse
is a charismatic place with clean rooms, hot water, Internet, library,
delightful garden, and stunning view. There's accommodation for everyone
in three buildings, ranging from economy to deluxe. You’ll also love
the home-cooked, organic, freshly prepared food. The popular Padma Guesthouse and Hotel, on Fort Road, also has rooms for all budgets and a fabulous roof top restaurant. The Spic n Span Hotel
on Old Leh Road, close to the market, is a relatively new hotel with
modern amenities and rooms from around 5,000 rupees per night. The Hotel City Palace is recommended as well. Rates also start from 5,000 rupees per night for a double.
Looking for somewhere exceptional to stay? Try these captivating luxury camps and hotels in and around Leh.
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Ladakh Trekking Home-Stays (Village to Village Treks)
An
appealing alternative to camping out while trekking around Ladakh is to
stay in people's houses in remote villages, which you reach along the
way. This will give you a fascinating insight into the life of Ladakhi
farmers. You'll even be fed traditional home cooked meals, prepared by
the farmer families. Local Ladakhi trekking expert Thinlas Chorol
organizes such trips, as well as many other custom trekking itineraries
to places off the beaten path. She's the founder of the notable Ladakhi Women's Travel Company -- the first female owned and operated travel company in Ladakh, which uses only female guides. Read an interview with Thinlas Chorol.
Travel Tips
Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to acclimatize after arriving in Leh because of altitude sickness.
Avoid doing anything for the first couple of days and drink plenty of
water. Laptops also don’t appreciate the high altitude and hard drives
are known to crash. Nights still get chilly during the summer so do
bring warm clothes to layer. Leaving Leh by flight can be a lot more
challenging than arriving. Demand for flights is high in peak season, so
book well in advance. In addition, flights are sometimes canceled
because of weather conditions, so it’s advisable not to book the last
flight of the day. Hand luggage also poses a problem. Only laptops and
cameras are permitted as hand luggage. Also keep in mind that passengers
must identify their checked-in luggage, outside the departure lounge,
before it's loaded on to the plane. It will be marked against the
luggage tags on the boarding cards.
