Located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Leh Ladakh is an offbeat destination in India, which attracts thousands of tourists across the world every single year. Also known as the “Crown of India” Leh Ladakh is surrounded by the majestic Himalayas and Karakoram mountains.
Leh is the capital of Ladakh and has an area of 45110 km sq. It stands at an altitude of 11500 feet. Ladakh is famous for its pink tea, culture and scenic views. The distance between these two places Leh and Ladakh is of 25 km. Both places have enchanting lakes, mesmerizing rivers, ravishing snow-capped valleys, twinkling glaciers and famous Buddhist monasteries.
How to reach-
By Air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee is the nearest airport to reach Leh, which is well connected with all the major airports of India.
By Road: you can get to Leh from either Shimla or Manali via a bus or a cab or a bike.
By Railway: The nearest railway station to Ladakh is in Tawi, which is approx 700km away from there. After reaching there you can either hire a cab or opt for local transportation to get to Ladakh, which is 25 km away from Leh.
Places to visit in Leh Ladakh-
- Pangong Lake: located at an altitude of 4350 meters, Pangong Lake is 12 km long lake, covering from India to Tibet. Its one-third part is in India. The lake is famous for its crystal clear water which changes colour from blue to green to grey.
- Leh Palace: Also known as Lachen Palkhar, Leh Palace is one of the tallest buildings in Leh Ladakh region.
- Chadar trek: A 115 km long trek across the frozen Zanskar river, Chadar trek is considered the most challenging and adventurous trek. This trek is a major highlight in an avid trekker’s career.
- Zanskar Valley: Located in the eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir and separated by Ladakh, Zanskar Valley covers the area of 5000sq. km and attracts thousands of tourist all across the globe due to its ravishing beauty. It stands at an elevation of 13154 feet above sea level.
- Tso Moriri: Known as the twin of Pangong lake, Tso Moriri is surrounded by barren hills and snow-clad valleys. The place is an offbeat destination which claims to offer peace to its visitors.
The temperature of Leh Ladakh in three seasons-
Leh Ladakh in summers: The summer in Ladakh starts in the month of May and last till July. The temperature ranges from 20-degree Celsius to 30-degree Celsius during these months.
Leh Ladakh in Winters: The winter in Ladakh starts from October and lasts till February. The temperature goes as down as -20 degree celsius at nights in these months.
Leh Ladakh in Monsoon: The rain starts from June and lasts till September. The temperature stays somewhere between 15-degree Celsius to 25-degree celsius.
Essential things to carry for the trip-
- Thermal inner wears like inner pants and inner t-shirts etc
- Fleece jacket and Down jacket
- Waterproof windbreaker
- 2-3 pair of woollen socks and woollen gloves
- A warm hat, Monkey cap and Sun cap
- Sunglasses, Lotion, Lip balm and sunscreen
- Portable charger and power bank with extra batteries
- Camera (with extra memory cards) to capture the beauty of the place
- Toiletries like Shampoo, Body wipes, Face wipes, Soap paper, Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Gears like a sleeping bag, tent and mattress
- Trekking shoes- water-resistant and trekking pole
- First aid box with all the necessary medicines including water purification tablets
- Flashlight with extra batteries- There is always power cut there
Note-
- Do not litter here and there, keep your surroundings clean. Keep the trash in your backpack and take it back with you
- Do not forget to carry all your necessary medications with you along with basic medicines that are required for mountain sickness, motion sickness, anxiety and all the other possible situations.
- Consumption of Alcohol, drugs and other toxic substance is not advisable. Avoid these things and keep your body hydrated
- Carry warm clothes irrespective of seasons. The weather there is unpredictable
- Do carry all your necessary documents with you such as voter id, license, tickets, passport size photo etc. you do not know when you might need them
- Do not make fun of the local culture and traditions
