Leh Ladakh is nicknamed India’s Shangri La, meaning a place of eternal bliss existing in the great Himalayan range. As most people know this area has breathtaking sceneries of screeching mountains and snakes through high elevation lakes. The goal of this Leh Ladakh Travel Guide is to give you all the necessary information about the places to eat, sleep, what to see and what to do in Leh Ladakh.
Overview of Leh Ladakh
Leh is the administrative and the only town that’s sufficient to be called so in the region of Ladakh. This is best done in between June and October because it’s not very wet, the roads are also good for easy travel. Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the closest airport where the town shares direct flights with major cities of India. The established medium of exchange is the Indian Rupee, while the official languages are English, Ladakhi as well as Urdu.
Why Visit Leh Ladakh?
This Leh Ladakh travel guide shows the area’s rich flavor and its scenic and adventurous attractions. Regardless of whether one is a thrill seeker coming in as an adventurer or a traveler in search of quiet, beautiful time, Leh Ladakh meets it all. The fusion of the Tibeatan, Indian, and Buddhism is an added plus making it one of the places to go on a holiday.
Hotels in Leh Ladakh
Now let us see how one can easily get accommodation in Leh Ladakh. This Leh Ladakh Travel Guide includes accommodation ranging from luxurious rooms to affordable guest house options.
Luxury Hotels
For travellers looking for luxury there are hard core luxurious hotels like Ladakh Himalayan Retreat, The Zen Ladakh and Saboo Resorts. They offer an excellent opportunity for families as well as those visitors who seek comfortable accommodation.
Budget Accommodations
For the travelers on a low budget they can opt for Atisha Guesthouse and Dorje Guest House providing reasonable and comfortable accommodation facilities. Most of the lodges are family operated, this will give one a real feel of the local people.We have all the information in this Leh Ladakh travel guide.
Homestays
Homestays are another good one if you are looking for even a more personal encounter. Homestays allow tourists to directly experience the culture of the Ladakhi families that host them.
Restaurants in Leh Ladakh
Food and eating in Leh Ladakh is an experience in its own sense. This Leh Ladakh Travel Guide brings you across some of the equally good restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Ladakhi and Kashmiri food.
Must-Try Restaurants
- The Tibetan Kitchen: Llama’s mutton momos or thukpa are famous and locals as well as tourist enjoy having their meal here.
- Gesmo Restaurant: It is well known for its speciality food by serving a delicious range of foods especially their yak cheese pizza.
- Pumpernickel German Bakery: Do not leave without trying their coconut cookies and their lemon cakes which can be arrested as a perfect dessert after a day full of fun.
Local Delicacies
Do taste foods that you can only get from local sources; try thentuk and Maggi noodles which are very tasty when taken in the cold.
Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh
Any Leh Ladakh Travel Guide would be incomplete without recommending the places you must visit while on your trip.
Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso is definitely on the hearts and map of almost everyone who visited or wants to visit Ladakh. This is a beautiful high altitude lake that has features of blue coloration of its waters and the surrounding scenery. Coming here actually becomes an obligation for any traveler.
Nubra Valley
Nubra valley has completely diverse terrain with that of Tso moriri with greenery and sand dunes. You can also have camel safari here which makes this place more special.
Monasteries
Nowadays, visiting is shocking and interesting, Ladakh has a lot of old monasteries such as Lamayuru Monastery and Diskit Monastery.
Hemis National Park
The Hemis National Park is really the place to be for fans of – and lovers of – wildlife, especially if on your wish list of the places to visit there are such specialities as the snow leopard, for instance.
Things to Do in Leh Ladakh
Anyone who is an adrenaline junky is sure to be in for the vacation of a lifetime in this stunning area. In this Leh Ladakh Travel Guide we have described some fascinations that one should go for during his tour.
Trekking
Another interesting means of visiting beautiful places of Ladakh is trekking. Some of the most sought after treks include the Stok Kangri trek as well as the Markha Valley trek that provides a test of ones ability to interact with nature.
Rafting
Fun and adventurous visitors may choose river rafting in the Zanskar River to get an extreme level of fun. The rapids here are classified as easy going through to the advanced styles of rafting for new and old rafters.
Photography
Ladakh is beautiful with exciting geography and an electric culture and is perfect for any photographer. Make sure to take photographs of the beautiful sun sets and sun rises over the mountains.
Stargazing
This gives the place a natural advantage in that the sky is exceptionally clear for star gazing especially in Ladakh. Take it camping for a night and when the sky opens up for you to gaze at physically, you will be in awe.
Short Escapes to Leh Ladakh
If you are a tourist in Leh planning for a day trip this Leh Ladakh Travel Guide provides great information on great weekend getaways.
Turtuk
It is well known for its awesome terrains and that kind of culture that is rarely seen in the current world. One of the farthest venturing to the north of India, it is a perfect serene place.
Tso Moriri
The next beautiful lake is Tso Moriri located at one of the most isolated places. Again here is comparatively quiet then Pangong Tso Lake and has the plus point of being less crowded.
Lamayuru
As known as the “moon land,” Lamayuru has beautiful rocks and old monasteries and can be visited for the day trip. It is one of the most recommended in this Leh Ladakh travel guide.
Weather in Ladakh
Knowing the weather is always important while making plans for travel. This Leh Ladakh Travel Guide present an idea on the topography of the climate all the year round.
Best Time to Visit
This Leh Ladakh travel guides combines views from everywhere and curates the best time to visit for you. Ladakh is best visited from June to October when the climate is pleasant and the passes are snow free. The weather is not extremely cold during this period, and what is more important, you can go in for outdoor activities.
Winter in Ladakh
That is from November to March the climate of the place remains severely cold with the facility of snow. As much as winter is beautiful many areas become inaccessible due to adverse weather conditions.
Getting Around in Leh Ladakh
Getting an around leh and ladakh can be an experience in itself. This Leh Ladakh Travel guide includes suggestions on transportation.
Local Transport
There are local taxis, which means those with a driver, the boda-boda and the shared cabs, meaning those with a conductor, whereby one can easily book and take a tour around the surrounding areas and view other attractions. Hiring a bicycle is also another common trend that goes with it especially to adventure seeking individuals.
Road Trips
The following places are the best while touring through places such as Manali to Leh or Srinagar to Leh. The landscape along these roads is spectacular to say the least.
Important Tips for Travelers
- Permits: Get permissions before proceeding to the prohibited zones for your travel.
- Altitude Sickness: It’s necessary to acclimatize to prevent altitude sickness as it is a common occurrence of travelers. Take plenty of water and do not exert much strain on yourself during the first several days.
- Respect Local Culture: Ladakh has a beautiful true culture of the region; it is always a plus if you respect the customs and traditions of the place.
Conclusion
Leh Ladakh is a destination, like nowhere else in the world that provides adventures travelers with culture as well as panoramic beauty. I put together this Leh Ladakh Travel Guide with the intention of giving you key information to guide you for your holidays.
FAQs
1. When should one travel to Leh Ladakh?
The best time to travel is between June and October because of its good weather, but most importantly because most of the roads are passable during these months.
2. Are there any requirements needed to be met before getting into Leh Ladakh?
Yes sanctions are available but some sections of the country need permits; especially the regions close to the border.
3. This brings up the question of what kind of dishes are popular or compulsory in this area of the world?
You should not miss the mutton momos, Tibetan Thukpa and other delicacies from the Tibetan restaurants.
4. How can I reach Leh Ladakh?
To get to Leh you can take a flight to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport or by road from Manali-Leh or Srinagar-Leh.
5. Is it safe to travel to Leh Ladakh, especially for first time visitors?
Yes, however; it is relatively safe for tourists in most cases. But do observe altitude sickness and respect other people’s cultures.
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