Best Time to Visit

Ladakh’s climate is one of sharp contrast. It experiences arctic cold in winter i.e. November- April; the temperature goes down to –20 to –30 degree Celsius. In summer most of the days are warm/hot; temperature varies between a maximum of 15- 30 degree Celsius to a minimum of 5- 15 degree Celsius, depending upon the altitude of a place.

The best season to visit is from early June to early October, when Ladakh is in full bloom. It is the best time for you to indulge in any travel and tour activity in the region. Though it does not rain very heavily in Ladakh, occasional precipitation can not be ruled out. It is, therefore, advisable to be extra cautious while you are on a trek, as sudden downpour may bring streams/rivers in spate and trigger landslides on trails

How To Get There.

By Air - Indian (erstwhile Indian Airlines) and Jet Airways operate regular flights from Delhi to Leh, with enhanced frequency during the summer season. They also operate shuttle services to Srinagar and Jammu also.

By Road - The Srinagar- Leh Highway (434 km) and the Manali- Leh (473 km) road are the two overland approaches to Leh. The time and duration for these roads to open for movement of traffic depends upon quantum of snowfall during the preceding and following winter seasons. While the Srinagar- Leh road normally opens from June to October, the Manali- Leh road opens from July to October. Both, Himachal Pradesh and J& K States are operating deluxe bus services on these routes. Jeeps owned by private owners also operate on these routes.

Where To Stay.

Leh offers a variety of accommodations to suit almost every pocket or preference. Most hotels are family run establishments and as said, the services are most personalised than professional. Hotels are classified into A, B, C and Economy categories, while guesthouses are classified into Upper, Medium and Economy class. Tariff in the high-end hotels ranges from Rs. 2,000/= to Rs. 3,500/= per double-bedded room, with all meals inclusive. In other areas Like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake/ Tsomoriri circuits, on Leh- Manali road and Leh- Kargil axis, tourist infrastructure is not adequately developed. However, some accommodation in form of resorts, hikers’ huts, guesthouses and hotels owned by the State Tourism Department and private owners exist.

It is advisable to book hotel rooms in advance and finalise your itinerary during the peak tourist season i.e. Mid June to Mid September.

Travelling and Trekking Tips

1. Visitors are advised to register themselves at Drass (on Srinagar- Leh road) and Upshi (Manali- Leh road), if travelling by road. Register at Leh airport if, travelling by air.

2. Carry protective cream for the skin, lip gloves, water-purifying pills and medicines for minor stomach ailments, travel and high altitude sickness. Seek immediate medical advice when having symptoms of any ailment.

3. Acclimatisation is mandatory for visitors travelling by air. It is important to take complete rest for 24 hours after arriving at Leh airport.

4. People travelling to altitudes above 10,000-ft (2700M) are likely to suffer from Acute Mountain sickness if not adequately acclimatised. The most common symptoms are disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration. It is, therefore, advisable to spend 2-3 days at Leh and visit surrounding areas for acclimatisation, before proceeding for trek.

5. Seek travel advisory before proceeding to Ladakh by road, as the time of opening Srinagar- Leh and Manali- Leh roads for traffic, depend upon snowfall during preceding winter. While the Srinagar- Leh road normally opens from June to October, the Manali- Leh road opens from July to October.

6. The easiest way to go on a trek or a jeep safari is through a travel agency based at Leh. They will take care of all arrangements for camping gear, portage, provisions etc.

7. For trek carry all your provisions and fuel from Leh/ Kargil/ Manali for entire duration of trip as nothing is available in the interior and villagers are as helpless to part from their meagre winter stock.

8. The environment in Ladakh is ecologically fragile and cannot take the garbage/ litters left by treks. Please ensure NO GARBAGE MUST BE LEFT AT CAMP SITES UNDISPOSED. POLYTHENE WRAPPERS AND CONTAINERS MUST BE INCINERATED.

9. Though it does not rain very heavily Ladakh, occasional precipitation can not be ruled out. Besides, melting of snow causes rise in water level in the rivers/ tributaries/ streams and trigger landslides, making certain areas totally or partially inaccessible at times to change in trekking routes. Seek travel advisory from the J&K Tourism Department Office/ a Travel Agency at Leh before embarking on a trek.

10. Respect the religious sanctity of these citadels, as these are fountainheads of Buddhist religion and culture. Do not consume alcohol or smoke within the monastery. Take shoes off before entering any chamber of a monastery. Do not touch statues, thankas or the silver plated surface of the chortens. Ensure suitably clothed while visiting a religious place.

11. Do not use photoflash inside a monastery ass it is likely to damage the colour of the frescoes.

12. Do not buy anything more than 100 years old, as they are defined as antiques and their sale and purchase is prohibited under the law.

13. Over the years, several new areas have been opened to foreigners, all within highly se4nsitive restricted border zones. These areas are the Drokpa Tribal areas of Dah Hanu, Pangong lake area, Tsomoriri Lake area. and Nubra Valley. Theses areas can be visited only after obtaining special permit from the local administration.