Welcome to Leh Ladakh
welcome you to visit this beautiful part of India. Geographically surrounded by Tibet Border in North to South east and Pakistan border in North west and Kashmir valley in the west section of Leh. Down south section of Ladakh called Zanskar range which is the North section of Himachal Pradesh. Connected by air from Delhi to Leh regular flights and national highway from Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh. Though both highway may be close in winter season due to heavy snow fall at high passes.
Ladakh is a dream destination for Nature Lovers, photography tours, adventure activities such as Manali to Leh jeep safari by following Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Baralacha Pass, Namkeela Pass and world second highest pass called Tanglangla pass. Driving from west to east you can avail Srinagar to Leh jeep safari by covering a distance of nearly 475 kms, trekking in Ladakh, river rafting in Zanskar and Indus river, Mountaineering at Stok kangri peak and Kangyartse Peak, bike safari in Ladakh, mountain bike safari in Leh Ladakh, are various activities can full fill your travel requirements. In winter season frozen river trek on Indus river and Zanskar river called Chader trek will be extreme adventure for the adventure lovers.
Beautiful destinations such as Nubra valley in Ladakh by crossing world highest motorable pass called Khardungl apass, Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh, Tso Moriri Lake in the south west of Ladakh and Tso Kar lake which is close to Manali Leh highway. Following in the west of Leh towards Kargil Srinagar highway by following river Indus you can explore Alchi monastery, Likir Monastery, Basgo Monastery, Lamayuru monastery, Fatu lapass and mulbekh. Da Hanu villages considered as a pure Aryan race tribe is one of the quest to be explored.
Land of beautiful monasteries such as Shey palace and monastery, Thikse monastery, Hemis monastery, Chimre gompa, Diskit monastery in Nubra valley, Samastaling monastery in Nubra valley, Tak Tak Gompa, Leh Palace, Stok palace are within the reach and some of the major attraction in Leh ladakh region.
About Leh Ladakh
How to reach
Srinagar to Leh
Reach Ladakh from Kashmir Valley through Kargil, which is around 434 kms. This route remains open from early June to November. Zoji-La pass of the Himalayan ranges that is a gateway to Ladakh is approximately 11,500 feet (3,505 m high) above the sea level. J & K State Road Transport Corporation, J&K SRTC, runs regular deluxe and ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh. There's a night stay in Kargil. You can also hire cars, jeeps or taxis in Srinagar. If traveling in groups, you can rent deluxe buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum (Zanskar) from J & K SRTC at Srinagar.
Manali to Leh (second approach
Manali-Leh road of 473 kms, since 1989 has been another route to Ladakh. This route is open from mid-June to early October. The road passes through the desert plateau of Rupsho and is around 3,660m to 4,570m high. There are a number of high passes falling on the route, Taglang-La being second highest motorable road in the world, 17,469 feet (5,235m) above the sea level. Himachal Pradesh Tourism (HRTC) and J & K SRTC run daily deluxe and ordinary buses between Manali and Leh; that takes around hours (or two days) with night halt in camps at Sarchu or Pang. You can also hire a Gypsy or jeep taxis.
By Air
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the main airport of the area. The flights are directly connected from Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu; by the flights run by Air India, Go Air and Jet Airways. The schedules are set already though, but these are subject to change according to the weather. It is advised that you keep your plans flexible.
Intra-region Travel
The best and pocket-friendly way of traveling within the region is by public buses, which have a fixed route and schedule. They are comfortable and convenient. You can also hire a taxi by fixing a tariff. For visiting areas such as Nubra, Dah-Hanu, Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Lakes, it is necessary that you take the services of a registered travel agency that will make transport arrangements for you. You can get detailed information about intra-region transportation from the tourist office or travel guides.
Distances by Road
Srinagar":- Leh: 434 Km
Manali :- Leh: 473 Km
Srinagar :- Kargil: 204 Km
Delhi - Leh : 1047 Kms
Leh - Kargil : 234 Km
Kargil - Padum (Zanskar) : 240 Km
Leh - Deskit (Nubra Valley) : 118 Kms.
Life Style
People of Ladakh are very different in looks from the rest of the country. Due to the altitude of the place, their skin is very hard and tough with soft and plain nature by heart. Their face round shape, small eyes and nose give them different look from the rest of the world people. Their clothes and appearance are more alike to the Asian and Tibetan people. In between the 4th and 5th century, Dards migrate towards the Himalayan region and settle down there. These Dards are said to be from the Indo – Aryan race. Many people from this origin convert themselves in the Islam religion where as some remain with the Buddhist religion.
The Ladakh people are said to be the most simple and cheerful in nature. Even their lifestyle is very simple and they prefer to remain close to the nature. Dresses for Ladakh man and woman are totally different. Women wear the Goncha, which is a loose thick woolen robe that is tied on waist by a colorful band and men wear loose pyjamas with a hat. The Buddhist people wear bright brick red color robe. On special occasions, people wear bright and silk robes.
The culture of Ladakh is rich with the Buddhism culture. The main culture of Ladakh is Buddhism with other bit part of religion of Hindu, Muslims and Christians. The land has many rocks engraving of Buddhist speaking even in areas like Drss and lower Suru valley. Most of the Muslim residents will be found at the Padum, Nubra valley and nearby places of Leh. The monasteries in Leh Ladakh display the culture of Buddhism.
Even the women in Ladakh are fully affected by the religion of the place. Here, women of Buddhist and Muslim culture, works not only at home but also works outside the home. Some families also run their business in which women take the full participation. They are totally free to interact with the men outside their home
Festival
Losar Festival
Venue: All over Ladakh
Start Date: 27th February 2017 End Date: 27th February 2017
After the Galdan Namchot, is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Tsogkha pa, founder of Gelukpa School.
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Yargon Tungshak Festival
Venue: Nubra (Yarma)
Start Date: 2nd March 2017 End Date: 3rd March 2017
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Matho Nagrang Festival
Venue: Matho Monastery
Start Date: 11th March 2017 End Date: 12th March 2017
Matho Nagrang is celebrated at a Matho monastery on the 15th day of the 1st month of the Tibetan calendar.
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Saka Dawa Festival
Venue: All over Ladakh
Start Date: 9th June 2017 End Date: 9th June 2017
The Saga Dawa festival is celebrated on the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar.
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Sindhu Darshan (Visit Indus) Festival
Venue: Shey Manla
Start Date: 12th June 2017 End Date: 14th June 2017
Sindhu Darshan is celebrated in Shey Manla, located 8 kms away from the main city of Leh.
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Yuru Kabgyat Festival
Venue: Lamayuru Monastery
Start Date: 21st June 2017 End Date: 22nd June 2017
Yuru Kabgyat is a two-day festival that takes place in the month of July in the Lamayuru monastery
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Hemis Festival
Venue: Hemis Monastery
Start Date: 3rd July 2017 End Date: 4th July 2017
Hemis Gompa, the largest and richest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh plays host to the popular yearly festival day called Hemis Tsechu.
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Stongday Gustor Festival
Venue: Stongdey Monastery
Start Date: 12th July 2017 End Date: 13th July 2017
The Stonday Gustor festival is an annual celebration held in the month of June. The venue for Stongday Festival is the Stongday monastery in Zanskar region of Ladakh.
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Karsha Gustor Festival
Venue: Karsha monastery
Start Date: 21st July 2017 End Date: 22nd July 2017
Karsha Gustor festival, is celebrated at Karsha monastery, the largest one in Zanskar in terms of the resident months, as it is home to around 100 lamas.
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Ladakh Festival
Venue: All over Ladakh
Start Date: 20th September 2017 End Date: 26th September 2017
Every year Ladakh festival is celebrated from 20th to 26th September in Leh and its villages.
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Deskit Gustor Festival
Venue: Nubra
Start Date: 17th October 2017 End Date: 18th October 2017
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Thiksey Gustor Festival
Venue: Thiksay
Start Date: 6th November 2017 End Date: 7th November 2017
Thiksey Gustor, is a 2-day festival celebrated in Ladakh. This festival is celebrated at various monasteries of Thiksey.