Location :
Jammu & Kashmir
Best time to Visit : July to September
Languages : Ladakhi & Urdu
STD Code : (91) - 1982
About Leh-Ladakh
If you have heard of yak, you surely have heard of Ladakh, located in the
northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. The cold deserts of Ladakh
have been attracting travellers for years; it's due to the Buddhist culture
that breathes here and due to the options of thrilling adventure in this
trans-Himalayan region. Summers can be harsh and winters are freezing, so
you need to be prepared in advance to ward off any hassles caused due to
weather conditions. Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, is the centre-point
that offers you an opportunity to see and the explore the many Buddhist
gompas that dot the landscape of the city, from one corner to the other. The
nature beauty of the place will take your breath away while the people will
warm your heart, at every corner. Jeep safari in Ladakh is one of the nicest
options to penetrate the rugged desert of Ladakh and feel that adrenaline
rush. There is much more, if you have decided to make a trip to Leh Ladakh.
Climate & Best time to Visit Ladakh
Ladakh is known as the cold desert for the climate in this part of the world
can be extremely harsh with temperatures dropping several degrees below
zero, especially during winters. While at one end you will have to wear
loads of warm clothes to protect yourself from getting frost bite, another
danger is sunburn as the sun rays can be exceedingly rough at such a high
altitude. Summers, therefore, lasting from July to September is the best
time to visit Leh-Ladakh.
Major Tourist Attractions in Leh-Ladakh
If you are in Ladakh, you are also on your Buddhist pilgrimage. The city of
Leh in Ladakh remains surrounded by a number of Buddhist gompas or
monasteries. Apart from that, you will be visiting the Leh Palace, one of
the biggest attractions in Ladakh.
Leh Palace
The most talked about attraction, besides the natural wonders, is the
beautiful Leh Palace. Rising on a hill overlooking Leh city, this 17th
century architectural marvel, though mostly in a decayed state, beautifully
showcases the architectural expertise of those times. The top of the palace
affords a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
Buddhist Monasteries
A number of Buddhist monasteries are dotted all over Leh city, some of them
dating back centuries. The most important monasteries or Gompas include the
Namgyal Tsempo Gompa, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Gompa, Alchi Gompa, Hemis Gompa,
Matho Gompa and Shey Gompa.
Popular Getaways from Leh-Ladakh
If you have a few more days in hand, you should also explore the wildlife of
Ladakh. Plan a trip to the Hemis National Park where you can watch the
vulnerable species of wild yak among other animal species. Bird watching can
be done at selected spots.
Hemis National Park
Wildlife enthusiasts have a treat in store for them at the Hemis National
Park, situated just 40 Km from Leh on the banks of river Indus. The park
spreads over a huge area and is home to some of the most exotic species of
plants and animals such as the rare snow leopard, Tibetan antelope. ibex,
serow etc, besides some variety of birds.
Nubra Valley
Another exotic locale, Nubra Valley lies just a five hour drive from Leh.
The route to Nubra is as thrilling as the place itself with breathtaking
environs throughout the route including the Khardung-La pass, the world's
highest motorable pass. The place can be accessed by a two wheeler or a
jeep, both of which can be conveniently hired from Leh, however, driving in
these conditions yourself is not highly advisable, especially when the roads
are slippery.
Stok Palace
The ancient palace is located just 17 km from Leh and was once the home to
the Namgyal rulers. The opulent palace has now been converted into a museum
that houses a rare collection of old weapons, jewellery etc. Museum timings
are May to Oct between 8 AM to 7 PM.
Adventure Sports in Ladakh
Leh is like a one-stop shop for a complete vacationing experience. Adventure
sports options at the city abound with thrilling picks waiting to magnetize
you such as extreme river rafting in the Indus and Zanskar rivers, trekking
and rock climbing in the Himalayan mountains and para gliding etc.
Popular Shopping Centres in Leh-Ladakh
The shopping options at Leh are also as exotic as the environs. The unique
items on the shopping list include hand woven woolen garments, Kullu caps,
beautiful carpets and Kashmiri shawls. Traditional silver jewellery, Tibetan
prayer wheels and Buddhist masks comprise of other must buys. Major shopping
hubs in Leh are Tibetan Handicrafts Emporium and Ladakh Art palace situated
on the Main Bazaar road and Industries Exposition in Changspa.
Leh Ladakh Travel (Airport/Railway/Road) Information
By Air : A domestic airport is situated at Leh, just 4 km
from the main city on Fort Road. Regular flights are available for Leh from
major Indian cities including Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar and Chandigarh. Indian
Airlines flight from Delhi operates three times a week on Tue, Thu and Sat
(Departure : 6:45, Arrival : 8:00). For more information on flights timings
and schedules, log on to the official website of Indian Airlines, visit
http://indian-airlines.nic.in/
By Rail : Jammu is the nearest railhead from where you
can travel to Leh either by air or rail. The city is connected to other
major Indian cities through regular trains, more information on which can be
obtained from the official website of Indian railways, visit
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
By Road : There are two routes to approach Leh, one via
Srinagar and the other through Himachal Pradesh. Both the routes offer
fantastic natural views and have their own unique attractions. It is best,
however, to check on weather conditions before leaving, as heavy snowfall
during the winters often closes down the access paths.
Distance from Leh to Major Cities
- Jammu : 434 Km
- Srinagar : 260 Km
- Manali : 473 Km
