India /Jammu and Kashmir /Leh /Leh

Leh is the embodiment of natural beauty , picturesquely nestled by Karakonam and Himalayan ranges, is the headquarters of Leh District in Jammu and Kashmir. Located in the banks of the famous Indus River with its majesty and stunning sceneries, the place attracts tourists are all across the world throughout the year. Mainly populated by Buddhists and Hindus, the city offers numerous Buddhist monuments, monasteries and study centers, Shanti stupa and Sankar Gompa are some of them. Leh has grown to a best trade centre in Central Asia, where one can get Tibetan motifs and jewellery, winter woolen clothes and decorated world famous carpets. The annual tourist festival is held during the month of August attracting lots of tourists to the region. With many of the nearby attractions such as Jama Masjid and the summer palace Shey of Ladhakhi kings, the place is not to be missed by any traveling enthusiast. The climate in Leh is extremely cold and harsh during winters, thus causing frost bites. Due to the rarefied air the effect of the sun during the winter months is much harsher and as a result can cause sun burns.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Trekking

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 194xxx

STD Code: 1982

Info Website: leh.nic.in

Best Time to Visit:  June-September

HistoryEdit

Leh is known to have been a part of Greater Ladakh. Not much information is available in terms of history of Leh. However, certain historical documents pertaining to the neighbouring areas claim a fierce battle to have taken place between the Chinese and the Tibet in the 7th century.In the 8th century, Arab too joined the war, changing their sides from China to Tibet. They conquered Kashghar and established their rule in Central Asia. This led to creation of a buffer state between China and Tibet, thus narrowing the conflict between them.The ancient inhabitants of Ladakh were Dards. During the 10th century, the Tibetan prince Skyid lde Nyima Gon captured Western Tibet and built various castles and several towns. It was during the time of the Kashmiri Nawab,Delegs Namgyal, that various incidence led to the construction of the first Sunni mosque in Leh.

Places to VisitAdd

Leh Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : The Leh Airport is a domestic airport, which connect you directly to important cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Srinagar. Major airlines like Indian Airlines, Jet Airways operate regular flights to and from this airport. Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport : 01982 251 783.

By Train : Leh does not have railway station,The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawai in Jammu, about 690 km away. This railway station in the Jammu city has good rail connectivity with trains from various Indian cities, which even connect it with the Trivandrum railway station in the far south. Jammu Tawi railway station : 0191 – 2470079, 2470082, 2477865.

By BUS : JKSRTC provide service from Srinagar to Leh (700 km) which takes two days and HRTC provide service from Manali to Leh (474 km), which takes about 20 hours or two days if you halt in between. Jeep services are also available here. Buses will charge you anywhere between Rs 1,500 to 2,000 per person for a one way trip.

By Taxi : Leh is well connected by a road network and national highways. The tourist can reach to Leh by taxi. The normal Indian taxi charges of Rupees 8 to 20 will be charged for each km.

By Other : N.A.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Nezer view Guest House ; Old Road, Leh 194101. ; Ph – 01982 253 083. ; Facilities – Travel Desk , 24-hour room service , Laundry , Concierge , Doctor on call.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Holiday Ladakh ; Fort Road, Leh 194101. ; Ph – [91-1982] 257-403, 251-600. ; Facilities – Travel Desk , Laundry , Parking , Massage Services , Doctor on call.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Hotel Namgyal Palace ; Ladakh, J&K, Leh 194101. ; Ph – 01982 256 356. ; Facilities – Travel Desk , 24-hour front desk , 24-hour room service , Laundry/Valet Services.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Hotel Lasermo Leh ; Chulung Old Road, Leh 194101. ; Ph – 91-1982-252313, 257778. ; Facilities – Travel Desk , 24-hour front desk , 24-hour room service , Air conditioning , Elevators , Laundry , Parking , 24-Hour Security , Catering Services ,Wedding Services , Banquet facilities.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Penguin Garden Restaurant ;  Fort Road, Leh, Jammu & Kashmir. ; M –  “094 19 178630; Food Serve :  Indian, Kashmiri.

• Wonderland Restaurant & Coffee House. ;  Changspa Road Leh. ; M –  096 22 972826 ; Food Serve :  Tibetan.

• KC Garden Café and Restaurant ;  Changspa Road Leh. ; M –  01982 254 499 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Tibetan Food. –  Tibetan Kitchen ; Fort road Leh ladakh, Leh 194101, India. ; Ph/M –  7298543134 ; Cost –  N.A. ; Famous for – Mutton-tikka with roomali roti, Goshtaba.

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

• Hiking & Trekking, Trekking & Climbing. ; Dreamland Trek & Tour,Fort Road Town Centre Leh. ; Cost – N.A. ; Visiting Time –  N.A. ; Closed Time :  N.A.

Must ShopAdd

• Handmade woollen garments. ; Eternal Creation ;  first floor, Raku Complex, Fort Rd,Leh.; Ph/M:  96-2296-9570.
• Tibetan handicraft items. ; Ladakh Art Palace ;  Main Bazar Town Centre,Leh. ; Ph/M:  01982 252116.

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• La Pizzeria ; Changspa Lane, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. ; Ph/M: N.A. ; Cost:  Rs.300 for two onwards. ; Food Serve : Italian.
• Gesmo ; Fort Road, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. ; Ph/M: 01982 – 253153 ; Cost:  Rs.300 for two onwards. ; Food Serve : Continental Italian.

SpaAdd

• Body Care Spa ;  Ziwa Guest house, Changspa, Changspa , Leh. ; Ph/M – 01982 253350. ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Ayurvedic massages and Herbal rubs.

FestivalAdd

Hemis Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  June ; Details:  Hemis festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals in June to commemorate birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The sacred dance drama of the life and mission is performed wearing facial masks and colorful brocades robes. The three-day festival takes place from 9th to 11th. Especially the monkey year festival, which comes in a cycle of 12 years. During it the four-storey thanka of Guru Padma Sambhava is hung in the courtyard and other precious thankas are also exhibited.

Ladakh Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  September ; Details:  The grand success of the festival and the tremendous response from foreign tourists and home including the local people are due to the rich cultural heritage and variety of other attractive programmes like traditional Polo match and Village archery. The famous monastic dance in the monasteries including exhibitions of invaluable Thankas and other Ritual Instruments of the monasteries. The tourists have the opportunities to see the entire traditional cultural programme of the region like Traditional Folk dance and songs of the Nomads. The traditional folk songs and dance of Drokpas the pure Aryan race and many more different traditional folk dance and song of the village.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Beware of pickpockets as Leh is a major tourist city in India.
• Don’t flash jewelry or large sums of money.
• For tourists travelling directly by air to Leh, acclimatization to the high altitude may take time, around 48 hours, for even adults. To counter, please drink as well as carry plenty of water. It is advisable to carry Diomax and Disprin as a backup.
• During trekking do not litter the area and while touring a national park, make sure that you do not disturb the animals.
• Plastic is banned in Leh and Ladakh, so instead use biodegradable bags. Take permissions before taking a photograph of any local.
• Breathlessness due to low level of oxygen is common, so one should carry energy bars to keep boosting the system. Power cuts are very frequent in Leh and Ladakh and tourists are advised to good stock of batteries.

HelplineEdit

• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 100

ItineraryEdit

Day-1
8:30 am – Arrival ;Approx. time spent : 12 hrs
Day-2
11:30 am – PANGONG LAKE;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day-3
8:00 am – TSOMO RIRI LAKE;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
11:00 am – Moore Plains ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
3:00 pm – Shey Gompa;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Shey Gompa;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs

Gallery