Experience Tranquility in Ladakh's High-Altitude Paradise

JULLEY!!!!

"Ladakh's Beauty Beckons: Are You Ready to Explore?"

Leh Ladakh is a region located in the northernmost part of India, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a popular destination for travelers seeking breathtaking natural landscapes, rich culture, and adventure. It is the highest plateau in India. Most of Ladakh is at an altitude above 3000 meters. Surrounded by the high Himalayan mountains Ladakh falls in the rain shadow region, making it a high altitude cold desert and one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions of India.

Ladakh is ruled by one force, and one force only – nature. That’s the first and the most important point to keep telling yourself when you plan your trip to Ladakh.

● Ladakh extends far beyond Leh. Some parts of Ladakh are so remote that they are accessible only by foot, a large part of it is beyond civilian access and all of it is a high altitude Himalayan region. As such, even a few months at a stretch might not be enough to explore the entire Ladakh region. Don’t pack too much while planning the itinerary for your trip to Ladakh.

● Being the district headquarters as well as the amalgamation point for all tourists visiting Ladakh, Leh town has the maximum tourist facilities which come close to the material comforts one is used to in cities. While enjoying these comforts, it’s important to keep reminding yourselves that Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert. Natural resources, like water (and air) are hard to come by. Wastage of anything here is a sacrilege.

Here's a guide to Ladakh travel:

How to reach Ladakh?

● You can reach Ladakh by air or by road. Ladakh does not have a rail network so you can’t reach Ladakh by train. We had booked our flight from Bangalore to Delhi(layover of 5 hrs) then Delhi to Leh.

● Reaching Ladakh by air : The airport in Ladakh is in the town of Leh. There are regular flights to Leh including direct flights to cities like Srinagar, Delhi. When the weather is clear, you get some spectacular views of the Himalayas on the flight to Leh. During the winter months, when the high altitude mountain passes are closed, flying into Leh is the only option to reach Ladakh.

● The nearest railhead to Ladakh is Jammu. A railway line to Leh is an ambitious project that has been announced. When done, it will be an engineering marvel. We are several years away from seeing this happen.

● There are 2 routes to reach Leh, Ladakh by road.

1. The Srinagar Leh highway, NH-1D

2. The Leh Manali highway, NH-22

Things to know about Leh Ladakh

1. Geography & Climate :

Ladakh is known for its high-altitude desert landscape, with stunning barren mountains, deep valleys, and pristine lakes.It is surrounded by some of the world's highest mountain ranges, including the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range. The climate is harsh, with cold winters and short summers due to its high elevation.

2. Best Time to Visit:

The ideal time to visit Ladakh is during the summer months, from May to September when the weather is relatively pleasant, and most roads and passes are open. Winters are extremely cold, and many areas become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall.

3. Main Attractions:

Leh: The capital of Ladakh, offering historic monasteries like Thiksey and Hemis, as well as a vibrant market.

Tso Moriri Lake: A lesser-known lake, offering pristine beauty and serenity.

4. Culture and Monasteries:

Ladakh has a rich Tibetan Buddhist culture, and you'll find numerous monasteries (gompas) scattered throughout the region.

5. Ladakhi cuisine is influenced by Tibetan and Indian flavors, with dishes like momos, thukpa, and butter tea being popular.

6. Adventure Activities:

Ladakh is a heaven for adventure seekers. You can indulge in activities like trekking, river rafting, mountain biking, and paragliding.

Popular trekking routes include the Markha Valley Trek, Chadar Trek (frozen river trek), and Stok Kangri Expedition.

7. Permits:

Travelers to Ladakh require Inner Line Permits (ILP) to visit certain restricted areas, especially those near the border with Tibet and Pakistan.

It's advisable to obtain these permits in advance through local authorities or tour operators.

8. Altitude Sickness:

Due to its high altitude, travelers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. It's essential to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and take it easy during the first few days of your visit. You can carry Diamox tablet for headaches and oxygen cylinder for any breathing issue.

9. Road Conditions:

The road journey to Ladakh is an adventure in itself. The region is accessible by road from Manali and Srinagar, with the Manali-Leh Highway and Srinagar-Leh Highway being the two main routes. These roads are often open from May to September.

10. Accommodation:

Ladakh offers a range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses and homestays to luxury hotels and resorts. It's a good idea to book in advance, especially during the peak tourist season.

11. Canyons and Ravines: The region has several deep canyons and ravines, such as the Zanskar Gorge, offering dramatic vistas and challenging treks

The ever-changing light and weather conditions in Ladakh make these landscapes even more enchanting. Whether you're an adventure seeker, a nature enthusiast, or a photography enthusiast, Ladakh's diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

As we have flew directly to Leh from Bangalore with layover in Delhi,but for return we had booked our flight from Srinagar. So we took a taxi which was organised by our travel agent and travelled to Srinagar. There was curfews going on just after the Leh which is quite common there, Luckily somehow we managed to take permissions from Police station and left Leh with beautiful memories.

How did we reach Srinagar and things to see and all, please read my next blog and follow me...

O LEY....