|
|
Visit
Ladakh / Ladak
Ladakh is a mountainous region in Jammu and Kashmir, northwest India
and in the area known as the Trans-Himalaya, (the lands beyond the
Himalaya: Tibet, Xinjiang and northern Pakistan). It's slightly
smaller than Scotland, the settled population live between 2700 m
and 4500 m, and nomadic encampments even higher, and it's the
largest and the least populated region of Jammu and Kashmir. The
people are a mixture of Buddhist and Muslim 50% of each. Buddhists
are the majority in the east close to the Chinese border and a
slight majority overall while Muslims have the majority in the north
and west. Travellers are likely to see more of the Buddhists as the
majority of the tourist attractions are in the east and directly
related to Tibetan Buddhist culture.
How to go Ladakh? Mode of Transportation to Ladak.
Buses run directly to Leh from either Manali or Srinagar. Enroute to
Leh one can stop in a number of places , most will get off in
Keylong , the administrative center for Lahaul. Overlooking Keylong
is the Kardang monastery. This is the choice that most travelers
will want to take due to the tense security situaton in Kashmir,
however the road is only open from June to mid October due to snow
fall. There are shared taxis from Manali which start early in the
morning and reach Leh early next morning.Tourist buses from HPTDC
and the local HRTC buses, stop overnight in Keylong.There are also
minibuses and shared cabs that makes a overnight stop in Sarchu -
this comes with a high incidence of altitude sickness , since Sarchu
( also dubbed "The Vomit Hilton") lies more than seven hundred
meters higher than Leh , at 4253 meters. Coming from Srinagar there
are a few interesting places to stop en route : Kargil at 2693
meters ( where the buses stops , the best choice for altitude
acclimatization) , (Lamayuru and Alchi that also offer
accommodation). The opening and final closing of both roads, but no
major events in between, are announced on the the official Leh
website. Srinagar-Leh news updates are found here, Manali-Leh here
Daily flights to Leh are run by Indian, Jet Airways and Kingfisher
Red from Delhi, Srinagar, Jammu and elsewhere. These are, however,
subject to inclement weather and may be cancelled at any time, keep
your schedule flexible. Altitude sickness is also a worry given the
altitude.
You can ride in to Leh between June and Mid october (when the roads
are open) on a motorcyle too.
Bikers usually follow either of the 2 routes
1. Delhi >>> Chandigarh >>> Patni Top >>> Srinagar >>> Kargil >>>
Leh
2. Delhi >>> Chandigarh >>> Manali >>> Sarchu >>> Pang >>> Leh
Place to Visit /
Sightseeing places / Place to see in Ladakh. How to get around Ladakh
By bus
Ladakhi buses run from Leh to the surrounding villages. They are often
overcrowded and generally disorganised and poorly run. Daily buses or
mini buses run to Alchi, Basgo, Dha-Hanu, Likir, Nimmu, and Saspul;
twice daily to Chemray, Hemis, Matho, Stok, and Tak Tok; hourly or more
often to Choglamsar, Phyang, Shey, Spituk, Stakna, Thiksay.
By taxi
You will find in Leh a number of local taxis, that will take you to the
surrounding monasteries much faster and more comfortably than Public
transport. Rates are fairly steep compared to elsewhere in India.
By truck
Trucks often stop for hitchhikers, who are usually expected to pay half
the bus fare, bargaining may be necessary. They are slower than the
buses and sometimes stop for long periods to unload cargo.
By motorcycle
In Leh there are a number of shops that will rent motorbikes, mostly the
world famous Royal Enfield 1948 model, still made in India today (350
and 500 cc model). Rents are fairly cheap, and if you are are used to
old bikes and left hand side driving, it is certainly a great way to
move around if short of time, and certainly far cheaper than local
taxis. Be sure to check your rented bike before you leave so that you
don't end up getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
By bicycle
The scenery would be magnificent at the pace of a bicycle, however one
would need to be well prepared with full camping equipment. There is a
bit less than 1000 km of paved roads in Ladakh. The Manali-Leh-Srinagar
road makes up about half of that, the remainder being spurs off it. As
such it's not possible to string together a loop, and the only route
that would avoid backtracking would be to follow the Manali-Leh-Srinagar
road. You would need to check the current situation and think carefully
to decide if travling in Kashmir at bicycle pace is more of a risk than
you want to take.
Main points to see and sightseeing in Ladakh
1.) Leh-Karu-Chang La-Tangtse-Pangong Tso & Back: This is a pouplar trip
to Pangong Tso Lake and can be done by taxi/bike. Most people do it as a
day trip starting early in the morning and come back by the evening.
However, there are arrangements for stay near the lake in Lukung &
Spangmik and one can stay overnight to enjoy this place at a slower
pace. Camping is also possible.
2.) Leh-Khardung La-Nubra Valley(Valley of Flowers): This is another
popular trip but difficult to do in one day. Nubra Valley may not be as
beautiful as is touted to be, and is second favourite to tourists as a
trip out of Leh. Some people return from Khardung La (18380 ft), which
is claimed to be the highest motorable pass in the world. It provides
excellent views of Ladakh Range as well as Karakoram Range on the other
side. Accommodation is available along the way and in Nubra Valley at
various places.
3.) Leh-Upshi-Tso Kar-Tso Moriri: This is another trip which covers two
smaller lakes Tso Kar and Tso Moriri. There is accommodation available
in Korzok(Tso Moriri) but camping near the lake is not allowed.
4.) Leh-Lamayuru-Leh: This is an easier drive along Indus river towards
Kargil and one can also see the confluence of Indus and Zanskar on the
way. Lamayuru is a beautiful place and is home to the oldest monastery
and one of the most important in Ladakh. One can stay in the monastery
or in the surrounding village.
5.) Various monasteries-around Leh: There are 4-5 big monasteries around
Leh and can be covered in one day. Most important of them are Thiksey,
Hemis, Spituk, Stok and Shey.
One needs to acclimatize to the attitude in leh (3500 m) before heading
out as AMS (acute mountain sickness or altitude sickness) can ruin the
entire trip.
The Hemis Monastery: This is the largest monastery of Ladakh. Tourists
can found at least 150 lamas living in the monastery, at any point of
time throughout the year. Hemis is famous for a huge painting of Buddha,
which is bring to the public or displayed to the public only once in 11
years of time period.
Padum Valley: Padum is located at an altitude of 3505 m from the sea
level. It is the capital of the ancient Zanskar and presently
administrative headquarter of the Zanskar region. Padum has population
of around 1500-1600. Padum is a very scarcely inhabited valley in the
Zanskar. Padum is one of the famous trekking destinations for trekking
lovers, Zanskar.
Zanskar Valley: Zanskar is one of the remotest regions of the Ladakh.
Zanskar is spread in around 300 km of area, which is only accessible
through high passes. This valley is higher than any other valley in
Ladakh region and located in the inner Himalaya. Here rain fall is very
less and the climates is very harsh.
Parang La Trek:
Parang La Trek is one of the most challenging and adventures trekking
trail. This trek is located on an isolated route far into the mountains
with many rivers to be crossed.
Kang Yatse This trek is located to the south east part of the Leh, in
the Markha valley. This valley is a dream for every trekker and everyone
wish to trek the Markha Valley for at least once.
Ladakh is devided into 3 regions.
* Leh
* Nubra
* Zanskar
Popular cities in Ladakh
* Choglamsar - a village with a large Tibetan comunity, almost close
enough to Leh to be a suburb.
* Kargil - town with much of interest for travelers. A Budha statue
erected at Mulbekh, another one at Sankoo are the ones worthy wathching.
Kargil provides excellant sites for treking and mountaineering like the
nun kun massif, also there is large scope for river rafting in Zanskar
region op Kargil district. Kargil is known all over India for its rich
apricot orchards, during summer the entire valley changes into beautiful
orange colour. This region has very serene environment. For tourists, it
is an important transit hub. It is also noteworthy to know that it is
the only Muslim majority area and one of two districts of the Ladakh
division in India.
* Leh - a medium sized town, not many "sites", but very picturesque and
makes an excellent base for exploring Ladakh - good guest houses and
restaurants.
* Turtuk - a remote village inhabited by ethnic Muslims on the 'line of
control' between Pakistan and Tibet. Once a part of Baltistan, shared
strong economic and cultural ties with Tibet.
Hotels accommodation in
Ladakh. To find the hotels please go to city
section
|
