A land like no other with a superabundance of attractions to visit 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. 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. Formerly falling in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh was administered a union territory on 31st October 2019. Ladakh 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.
Ladakh is an adventure playground for climbing, jeeps tours, rafting and high-altitude trekking. Note that Leh Ladakh is inaccessible by road outside the summer months. The road passes close altogether from around October to May, and the only way to reach left is by air.
What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh?
The best time to visit Ladakh is from April to June when the climate is pleasant to enjoy the breathtaking landscape. This is also the tourist season in Ladakh. Leh Ladakh is inaccessible by road outside the summer months. The road passes close altogether from around October to May, and the only way to reach left is by air. However, the winter months are popular amongst adventure enthusiasts for the Chadar Trek.
How to Reach Ladakh
Ladakh is called the adventure capital of the country for a genuine reason. The geographical location of the place makes it an ultimate destination for anyone looking for an adrenaline filled vacation.
Ladakh is one of the very few destinations in the world where the entertainment starts the moment you begin your travel towards it. Thanks to the scenic routes, the travel to Ladakh is as exciting as your vacation.
The land is bestowed with mountains, valleys, snows, cold desert, frozen lakes, trekking routes, rivers, mountain passes and so on. If you have picked Ladakh as you next destination, you are in for an exciting vacation.
By Air
The easiest way to travel to Ladakh is by air. The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport located in Leh. This airport is connected with many international airports in India like Delhi. It also receives flights from Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh and other common destinations in India.
The airport is a military terminal and thus, the security is a bit strangling. It is important to have all your documents ready when you enter Ladakh via the airport. It is better to have a hard copy of your e-ticket.
You can find a few taxis outside the airport to reach required destination. Not all destinations have daily flights to Leh. It is better to book your accommodations after you book your tickets.
The most common flights to Leh fly from Delhi. The cost of an air ticket from Delhi to Leh starts from INR 8,000. The cost varies with the service provider, season and other factors.
By Bus
There are government and private buses from Srinagar and Manali. If you are choosing Srinagar, you will pass through Zoji La Pass to reach Ladakh and you will scale Rohtang Pass to reach Ladakh from Manali.
The Srinagar path is open from June to October for bus entries. The Manali route is open for bus routes from June to September. If you were planning to hire bus from New Delhi, it would take minimum 4 days to reach Ladakh
By Train
The nearest railway station to Ladakh is in Tawi, which is 700 km away from Ladakh. This railway station receives trains from many important destinations like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and others. From the station, you can find cabs to reach Ladakh.
You can also pre-book cabs. It would take two days to reach Ladakh and the trip will cost INR 10,000. Other nearest railway stations are in Chandigarh and Pathankot. It would take at least three days to reach from the railway station to Ladakh. This is the most inconvenient method to reach Ladakh.
By Bike
Most tourists visit Ladakh in bike. The place has the world’s top three highest mountain passes that can be scaled on a vehicle. Biking along the mountain passes and stopping for a steaming cup of tea is the iconic activity of this place. If you are planning to travel to Leh via bike, you can choose one of two routes.
Leh – Srinagar Highway
Srinagar is 434 km away from Leh. The route covers Sonmarg, Zozi La, Drass, Kargil, Mulbek, Lamayaru and Saspol before reaching Leh. This route is open from May to October. It is the most scenic route with many attractions in its path.
Leh – Manali Highway
This route stretches from 490 km covering Rohtang, Gramphu, Kokshar, Darcha, Baralacha La, Gata Loops, Lachulung La, Tanglang La, Gya and Karu on the way. This route is open from May to September.
If you are planning to reach Ladakh in a bike, choose a brand that can easily take you through rocky terrains. It is better to choose a bike with higher displacements.
The most common bike opted is Royal Enfield, Hero Impulse, KTM Duke, Bajaj Avenger and others. You can hire bikes from Srinagar or Manali at the cost of minimum INR 1,700 per day. The cost of the bike varies with service provider, brand, quality, season and others. The documents required for hiring a bike also varies between service providers.
By Jeep
Anyone wanting to enjoy the adrenaline rush of a bike ride but not able to handle the activity can choose jeep. Jeep ride is easier than bike and more comfortable. You can choose either one of the highway routes as mentioned before.
If you are choosing jeep, you ought to visit Zoji La, the door of Ladakh that is found in the way from Kargil to Ladkah in the Kashmir Valley. The price of a jeep safari can start from INR 32,000 and the price is subjected to change.
By Taxi
You can hire taxis from Manali to Leh. Bargain before you agree upon a charge. It would cost minimum INR 12,000. Hire local drivers as they have more experience in driving through the rocky terrain. If you are choosing a taxi from Manali for reach Leh, you can hire cars with Manali registration or any other registration.
If you are planning to use the same car for sightseeing inside Leh, you ought to have a car registered in Leh or a private (white board) car. Rented cars with other city registrations are not allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh.
By Shared Taxi
You can also choose to ride shared taxi, which would cost minimum of INR 1,200 per person. The frequency of the shared taxi depends on the season. You would be travelling with 6-7 people in a car including the driver.
Best Option to Reach Ladakh
The most comfortable option is air travel. However, if you are looking for an adventure time, it is recommended to try bike ride or jeep ride. Choose your travel option with at most care with regards to quality, season and cost.
Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh
1. Pangong Tso Lake
Remember the lake from the movie “3 Idiots”? Well, that’s Pangong Tso Lake in Leh Ladakh. The crystal blue waters of the lake, with the surrounding landscape of bare mountain peaks, is a photographer’s delight.
In winters though, the lake freezes and its surface attracts tourists to the Ice Skating Festival. The lake is breeding ground for migratory birds, and camping around the lake is an exciting activity.
How to reach:
160 km from Leh. A 5-hr drive from Leh.
What to do:
Camping at the banks of the lake,
Visit Ice Skating Festival, Bird watching, photography.
Entry Fee:
NA
2. Shanti Stupa
The strikingly white structure of Shanti Stupa and its dome is the most recognizable landmarks in Leh Ladakh. It was built by Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace.
The white surface looks magnificent in the daytime, but on full moon nights, it looks even more beautiful when it gets bathed in the soft glow of the moon rays. Tourists can experience the joys of meditation inside the Stupa, and also see the stunning views of sunrise and sunset.
3. Tso Moriri Lake
A remote lake, compared to the other lakes in Leh-Ladakh, Tso Moriri Lake is the largest alpine lake in India. Fewer tourists visit this lake due to its remote location, harsh climate prevailing here, and rough roads.
The lake is a beauty to behold, with its blue waters, surrounding mountainous landscape, and open sky. Camping here, and sleeping under the starry night sky, is a must-do activity near the lake.
4. Leh Palace
Built in the 17th century, Leh Palace is a splendid example of medieval Tibetan architecture and design. The ingenious structure of Leh Palace makes the interior warm in cold days and cools in the scorching summer heat. Inside, there are corridors, spacious halls and chambers.
You can have a good view of the surrounding country from the top. Though it now lies in ruins, it’s the most visited monument in Leh Ladakh.
5. Magnetic Hill
The hill is so called as vehicles seem to defy gravity and move upward on the hill when parked at a marked spot. Though it is not certain that it is a reality or an illusion, this hill attracts tourists to watch this unusual spectacle.
7. Nubra Valley
If you want to watch the true splendour of Leh Ladakh, then Nubra Valley is where you must head to. This fertile valley, nourished by the waters of the Nubra and Shyok Rivers, has pretty apple orchards, scenic landscapes, and colourful Buddhist monasteries. The vast sand dune of the cold desert lends a surreal touch to the landscape.
8:Hemis National Park
This national park is the only protected area having the maximum number of Snow Leopards found anywhere in the world. It is the largest national park in India, where you can spot such endangered animals like the Snow Leopard, Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Wolf, and the Red Fox. It’s one of the most scenic national parks where you can spot Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon Vulture and other birds.
9.Stok Palace
Built in 1825, Stok Palace is known for its architecture, beautiful gardens, and spectacular views. The palace has a collection of royal clothing, crowns, and other things. It’s located close to Indus River and is easily reachable by jeeps and taxis.
10.Kargil
Kargil, located along the banks of the Indus River, is the place of conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999. Kargil War Memorial was built by the Indian Army to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers.The names of these soldiers can be found engraved on a huge sandstone wall. Many adventure sports like mountaineering, trekking, river rafting, archery, hiking, camping, and jeep safaris can be done in Kargil.
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