Leh Ladakh Tourism

"India's Own Moonland" Leh Ladakh Tourism A land like no other with superabundance of attractions to visit and phantasmagoric and fabulous landscapes, amazing people and culture, Ladakh is truly a heaven on Earth. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range. Ladakh is mystical in all the spheres it covers, from nature, geography, sceneries to the modest cultures that it fosters. Right from gompas to the sensational momos, the superabundance of attractions to visit makes this city make it heaven on earth. It is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. For those of us living in the constant confusion about the difference between these twin locations, Leh-Ladakh, here is something that might help you. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is divided into three parts: Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Ladakh, further is divided into two districts: district Leh, and district Kargil. The former district has a popular town ?Leh?and is a great tourist attraction because of its beautiful monasteries, picturesque locations, and interesting markets defining the culture of the place. Download Leh Ladakh PDF Guide > What's Great? Adventure destination. Snow clad mountains throughout the year with beautiful scenery in the backdrop. What's not so Great? Climatic conditions and travel are a bit rough. Infants and older people may have some breathing problems. People living at low altitudes may take time to adapt to places at such heights. For Whom A superb destination for adventure freaks, bike riders, a group of friends seeking some activities and adventure. Not for leisure or relaxing.

The Perfect Getaway For An Adventure Ride! For someone who thrives on adventure and lives his life on the edge, Ladakh is their Mecca. There's nothing more satisfying than traversing such high peaks with nothing but daunting yet majestic snow clad mountains in the backdrop. Every minute you spend here becomes a memory. From bike riders to cycling enthusiasts, this is the place to test your endurance and skill. For those who aren't afraid of the water, do not miss the river rafting in Zanskar river at the confluence of Indus and Zanskar. The price per person is around INR 1000 for the long-distance rafting. This is an absolutely unforgettable experience for people who seek thrills. The largest city in this region is Leh and although this city has many monasteries, visit nearby cities like Nubra Valley, Pulu for magnificent views of the scenic beauty. Visit one of the highest motorable roads in the world- Khardung La while on your journey to the Nubra Valley. Innerline Permits Permits are required (also for Indian Nationals) to travel the inner line areas of Nubra Valley, the Durbuk Block, Khardung La, Dha-hanu, Tso-Moriri and Tsokar Lakes and Pangong Lake. These are available in the Leh town and you are advised to get them from trusted travel agents. Take the photocopies of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) with you wherever you go in Ladakh. Government authorities have launched a web portal http://lahdclehpermit.in/ on June 1, 2017, making it easier for the travellers to obtain a permit. A fee of INR 400 + INR 20 per day as an Inner line fee is applicable. Note: There is no online payment option on this portal. Take the printout of the permit and visit TIC Office, Opposite J&K Bank, Main Market, Leh. You can get permit signed and stamped there. The timings of the office are 9.00 AM to 03:00 PM. Validity:  The validity of the inner line permit is 21 days for Indians and 7 days for foreign nationals. 

Itinerary Day 1:Arrive at Leh in the morning by flight or road. Head towards your hotel. The place is at an altitude of 14000m above sea level, so an entire day is required to just acclimatize to the weather and steady your heads. Spend the night visiting some local shops nearby the city of Leh or just relax in your hotel rooms.Day 2:Head out to the city of Leh for some sightseeing at places in close vicinity. Witness sights such as the palatial towns of Shey and Thiksey and its monasteries, the Sindhu Ghat, Druk Padma Karpo, popularly known as ?Rancho's school? and so on. Visit the Shanti Stupa in the evening overlooking the city and the Leh market for shopping.Day 3:Head to Nubra Valley from Leh, which is a tough yet majestic five-hour journey through the Khardung-La, one the highest motorable roads in the world. Go to the Samstaling Monastery that is beautifully adorned in shades of gold, red and white. Alternatively, you can opt for the Sumur sand dunes for a camel ride.Day 4:After spending the night in Nubra Valley, head to Leh again. En route, visit the Diskit Monastery and the barren expanse of Hunder Sand Dunes for yet another camel safari if you wish. Reach Leh in the evening and spend some leisure time at your hotel.Day 5:Head to Pangong Lake from Leh early morning. This too is an enduring 5-hour journey by road. The journey will be through the Changla Pass. Arriving the lakeside, get mesmerized by the enchanting beauty of the lake and its backdrop. Spend the night in the tents near the lake and enjoy a bonfire with your friends.Day 6:Say bye to the heaven on Earth and take a load of memories back as you head to the airport to catch your flight or go to any other destination in your vehicle.

Jun-Sepis the best time to visit Leh Ladakh With unruly weather conditions, the best time to visit natures abode, is during the summers(June-September) when the temperatures are moderate and hospitable to its tourists. During the rest of the year, Manali-Leh highway is not functional and the only operational way is the Srinagar-Leh highway which also gets affected by occasional landslides. However, the Frozen River Trek, one of the most famous treks here is carried out in the months of December and January along the river Zanskar. Weather in Leh Ladakh Loading... Leh Ladakh in Summer (April-June) The sun shines brightly in Leh during this time and makes the weather warm and comfortable. The mountains remain snow-clad the lakes remain frozen showcasing a different kind of beauty altogether. However, make sure to wear a strong sunscreen as the sun rays tend to be harsh in Ladakh during these months. Leh Ladakh in Monsoon (July-August) Monsoon descends on Ladakh from late July to the end of August. During this time, landslides and cloudbursts can take place in Ladakh making it a risky time to visit the place. Leh Ladakh in Early Winter (September-October) The winter starts setting in during the months of September and October. The weather becomes pleasant with cold winds blowing during the evenings. This makes it a perfect time to go trekking in Ladakh. Leh Ladakh in Winter (November-February) The winters can get unbearable in Ladakh from November - February and people generally don't prefer to visit the place during these months. The trekking routes are closed down after heavy snowfall in November. However, the famous Chadar trek is best conducted from Mid-January to March. Monthly Weather in Leh Ladakh Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January -10 0 February -9 2 March -4 7 April 2 12 May 7 18 June 10 19 July 18 28 August 17 26 September 12 22 October 2 15 November -4 10 December -9 6

Events in Leh Ladakh Hemis Festival 23rd - 24th June This 2 day festival hosted by the Hemis Gompa monastery celebrates the birth of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The main highlight of the festival is the gathering of the lamas around the central flagpole, where they perform the mystic mask dances (Chams) and sacred plays. Dosmoche Festival 2nd - 3rd February The festival of Dosmoche is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Leh-Ladakh region. Falling right at the beginning of the Tibetan New Year, the festival is held in the majestic Leh Palace. Monks from different monasteries gather at the courtyards of the palace to perform Chams"". It marks the victory of the forces of good over evil. " Mask Dance Festivals, Lamayuru Monastery 12th - 13th June Lamayuru Monastery is one of the oldest and largest monasteries of Ladakh. Dating back to the 11th century, it has an inexplicable charm and beauty to it. Two mask dance festivals are held here, in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan Lunar calendar, in which monks surround the gompa and conduct prayers. Oracle Matho Nagrang Festival 18th - 19th February The Oracle Matho Nagang Festival is held in Ladakh each year, in the first month of the Tibetan new year. It is believed that two oracles, or Ronstang, inhabit the bodies of two specially chosen monks in order to predict the future of the village and of individual villagers. Such traditions might seem unbelievable to the outsiders, but for the people living here, it's a way of life. Activity: Mountain Biking June - September Mountain Biking is one of the most challenging adventure sports and is definitely not meant for the faint hearted. The terrain and landscape of Ladakh is perfect for the adventure sport junkies. Go for long or short trips in this beautiful place and have the time of your life. Activity: Trekking June - September Situated at an altitude of about 2750 - 7672 meters above sea level, Ladakh has an excellent topography for trekking. There are several trekking tours offered to travellers, which is one of the reasons why so many adventure fanatics visit this place. Anytime between June and September is the perfect time to visit this place as it remains unaffected by the monsoon. Sindhu Darshan Festival, Shey Manla 12th - 14th June Celebrated along the banks of the river Sindhu every eyar, the Sindhu Darshan Festival symbolizes communal harmony and unity in diversity in India. People from different parts of the country and with divergent ethno-religious backgrounds participate in this festival, giving it a multi-dimensional tinge. Karsha Gustor Festival, Zanskar 11th - 12th July Celebrated at the Karsha Monastery, this festival marks the victory of good over evil. During this festival, a Black Hat Dance is performed. Also, a masked dance along the lines of 'Chaam' is performed by the monks. It is also known as the Spitok Gutor Zanskar Festival. Ladakh Marathon 9th September Registrations for the 4th edition of the Ladakh Marathon have opened! The highest marathon event in the world, it offers a unique opportunity for runners to run in the midst of the beautiful and scenic, high mountains, rivers and valleys. The Ladakh Marathon aims to encourage the young people of Ladakh to live a healthy lifestyle and become aware of the need to protect a stunningly beautiful, yet environmentally fragile region. Ladakh Festival 25th - 28th September The Ladakh Festival is an annual fiesta organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department. Events such as folk dances, musical performances, mask dances, art and craft exhibitions, etc. form an integral part of this festival. It provides a wonderful opportunity for the tourists to experience the culture and lifestyle of the people in Ladakh. Frozen River Trek January - February In the months of January and February, the Zanskar river which flows through the Ladakh valley freezes up and that serves to be the only path connecting the main valley. This frozen river attracts trekkers from all over the world. It is popularly known as the Chadar Trek due to the formation of the thick blanket of the snow and is considered to be one of the most dangerous and challenging treks in the world.