| Ladakh With Khardungla General Information |
| |
Land of Discovery
Ladakh is the largest province within the North Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, covering approximately 60,000 square miles (100,000 sq. km). It is surrounded and bisected by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world.
The Indus River runs through Ladakh and the 30-mile (50 km) stretch of the Indus River Valley between Spitok Gompa (near Leh airport) and Hemis Gompa is the heartland of Ladakh. There are some finest gompas of the region and the town of Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The valley lies at an altitude of about 3,500 m and some of the surrounding peaks reach heights of 7,000 m. Ladakhis are Tibetan-Mongoloid in appearance although traces of Kashmiri Moslem influence can also be seen. It is most likely that early in its history, Ladakh was settled by the Mon and Dard groups of people. Traditionally, the men's dress is
|
|
|
|
|
a goncha, a long maroon or brown gown of heavy wool tied with a bright pink sash slightly below the waist, although many men now wear western clothes. Women do not wear western dress as frequently; their goncha is slightly more fitted than the men's version, gathered into small pleats near the waist and worn with a brocade or goatskin cape (fur side turned towards the wearer) on the back. Alternatively, women wear a buckoo, a sleeveless wrap-around dress, although this is more typical of Tibetans than Ladakhis.
Women usually wear their hair in two long braids and a Kantop, a sort of top hat with part of the front cut out. The Dard women of Baltistan wear distinctive head-dresses of orange ribbons curled to look like flowers, while Ladakhi women wear peroks - head-dresses with brown fur side flaps and a large band decorated with turquoise and coral reaching from their forehead to part way down their back.
At Kargil, on the Srinagar to Leh road, the Islamic influence diminishes and the region becomes predominantly Buddhist. The people follow Tibetan Tantric Buddhism which places much emphasis on magic and demons. All around Ladakh are Gompas, the Buddhist monasteries which are always fascinating to visit.
|
|
Climate :
Temperature in summer (Jun to September) can touch 30 0 C and - 20 0 C in late December and January. Annual rainfall is 6".
Access by Air :
The Indian Airlines and the private Jet Airways operate regularly between New Delhi and Leh. The Indian Airlines has its flight operation twice a week between Leh and Jammu. It also operates Chandigarh - Leh and Srinagar - Leh once in a week. Jet Airways flights operate only between Leh and Delhi. |
|
Access by Road :
The Srinagar - Leh road - it remains open from early June to November. The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation operates regular deluxe and ordinary bus services.
The Manali - Leh road - it remains open from mid June to early October. Himachal Pradesh Tourism, HRTC and J&K SRTC operates daily bus services, which take two days to reach Leh after a night halt at Sarchu or Darcha.
Taxi : Taxis are also available at Leh Manali and Srinagar.
|
|
|
Permits and Visa :
Tourists do not require any permit to go to Leh. However, the foreign tourists are required to register at Drass, Rumtse and Sarchu if they are travelling by road. Those travelling by air get themselves registered to the airport. The tourists, both foreign and domestic, are required to get a permit for restricted areas like Tosmoriri, Tsokar, Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, which can be obtained through us while after confirmation of booking. Make it sure to carry six photocopies of the permit while travelling to submit at the checking points. |
| |
|
Best time to visit ladakh ?
Ladakh is open for tourists through the year, while the beat period for cultural tour and trekking from June to October. Most of the trekking routes are closed after November due to heavy snow fall at high passes except the Liker to Khaltsey trek. The best period for chadar trek - frozen river trek to Zanskar - is from January to Mid - March.
The festivals of Stok, Matho and New Year take place in winter. It is possible to visit monasteries in winter.
Getting Acquainted :
Ladakh is spread over an area of 97,000 sq. km. and lies on an average of 3,500 meters above the sea level. Ladakh has a population of around 2,70,000.
|
Plastic Bags :
Ladakh is perhaps the only region in India where the use of plastic bags is officially banned. So, the plastic carry bags that you see in other parts of India are not seen in Leh. However, market goods in readymade plastic packages are there. A trekker should ensure that the biodegradable camping wastes are buried properly and burn the non-biodegradable ones before they move further.
|
National Park :
All the trekking routes fall under the sensitive wildlife habitat area including the Hemis National Park. In fact Ladakh is a place where villages are part of the vast wilderness that harbour rich but sparse wildlife. Some of the species are even endangered ones. Therefore, one should be extremely careful about not causing wildlife habitat while on a trek.
Money Exchange :
There are authorized agencies for money exchange including the State Bank of India and the Jammu & Kashmir Bank and some private agencies. You should insist for a receipt, which will help you in recovering the money whenever you desire. |
|
|
Credit Cards :
Only a few antique shops accept credit cards. |
| |
Telecommunication Facility :
Telephone & Fax facilities are available in Leh, Padum, Kargil and Nurba valley. |
| |
Internet Services :
Internet and e-mail services are available in the Leh town. |
| |
Photography :
It would be advisable to ask before clicking a picture of individual or even group of people, however, a tourist should refuse to give money if asked for. |
| |
Drinking Water :
It would be convenient to carry a water purification set with you on a trek. It is even safe to used boiled fresh water during the trek.
The Dzomsa in the main market sell high pressure boiled water for Rs.7 per liter. You can bring your water bottle or container to get it filled with the chemical - free safe drinking water at the Dzomsa. |
|
Ladakh Tour, Ladakh Tours, Ladakh Tourism, Ladakh Travel, Ladakh Adventure Tours India, Adventure Tours to Ladakh, leh tours, leh-ladakh tours, leh ladakh trekking tours, trekking in ladakh, package tour to ladakh, leh |
|
