Oktatabyebye

Though there is hardly any relation between monsoons and Ladakh, the region is best visited when it rains elsewhere in India. May to October is best time to visit Ladakh region. Set between the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram Range, Ladakh spells untouched scenery with blue lakes, snow laden mountains and a clear blue sky. Ladakh is among a few destinations that are like no other.

Its magnificent towering snow-clad mountains reach up to a clear azure sky. The rhythmic chant of the monks in an ancient monastery takes you on a different plane. The icy cold waters surging down from the glacial heights look stunning as the Sun shines brightly. Their remains no sense of date and time in Ladakh. The Land of Passes and the Roof of the World as Ladakh is called; a journey through its rugged landscape is simply incredible.

Ladakh lies at altitudes that range from about 2750 m at Kargil to 7,672 m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Its altitude and hostile terrain make it compulsory for travellers to spend a day or two acclimatizing.

A visit to Ladakh is full of immense possibilities. Leh, the capital of the region is the popular base from where a journey into the region begins. In fact, Leh is where adventure in Ladakh begins. Travellers can trek through the mountainous terrain of Ladakh, enjoy a game of polo or watch an archery contest where local residents compete in a contest that has remained unchanged for years. White water rafting, wildlife tours and mountaineering are other adventure activities in Leh Ladakh.

Centuries old monasteries, colorful markets and stunning views of the Himalayas make Leh an incredible destination. There is more to Leh Ladakh then its rugged topography. The culture and the smile of the people here is something many have captured in their cameras and memories. No wonder Ladakh is such a destination of repute.

Places to see in Leh

Hemis Festival Miss the Hemis Festival on your own risk if you are in Leh in June – July. Hemis, the largest and the richest monastery in Ladakh comes alive with the beats of drums and energy of mystic mass dancers as thousands of tourists flock the Hemis Monastery to enjoy the cultural treat on offer. Leh Palace is often referred to as a miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa. The palace was built in the 17th century and is now in a very bad shape. It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. Overlooking the palace is the Namgyal Hill, where the Victory Tower stands, built to commemorate Ladakh's victory over the Balti Kashmir armies in the early 16th century. The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is another interesting place to visit that contains a three-story high Buddha image and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. There is a fort above this Gompa, which though ruined offers stunning views of Leh. Shanti Stupa, a popular landmark, built with Japanese assistance was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1985. The Stupa has calming ambience and views of the Zanskar Range are amazing from here. The Sankar Gompa is located a couple of kilometers north of Leh and is belongs to the Gelukpa order. Other places of interest include a mosque that lies at head of the Leh Market and the Soma Gompa located close to it. Places nearby South-east of the Leh town along the Indus River are Shey, Hemis, Stakna, Matho, Thiksey and the Stok Palace. Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh is about 15 km from Leh and the highlights here are the beautiful old paintings and a large statue of the Buddha that dates back to the 17th century. Not too far from Shey is beautiful Thiksey Monastery. The monastery, built like the Potala Palace in Tibet has murals and paintings worth watching. The largest monastery Hemis Gompa or Hemis Monastery is further half an hour away from Thiksey Monastery. It has the largest thangka in the world. Matho Monastery is 26 km from Leh off the main Hemis-Stok Road. Alchi, 68 km west of Leh is the ancient centre of learning, where one can spend a day enjoying the murals and taking in the beauty around.

About Leh: Leh Information & Fact File

Altitude 3500 meters Temp Summer 24 (Max) & 8 (Min) Degrees Celsius Winter 0 (Max) & -14 (Min) Degrees Celsius Best time to Go June – September Monsoon July (Scarce precipitation due to Trans-Himalayan location) Summer June-August Snowfall Dec- Jan Clothes Light woolens in summer and very-heavy woolens in winter Nearest Airport Leh (Direct flights from Delhi) Nearest Railway Station Udhampur (J&K) – 565km Bus Station Leh (Can be accessed via Manali, Himachal Pradesh or Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir) Hospital & Doctor SNM Hospital is well-equipped to handle medical-emergencies. Places to see Leh Palace, Namgyal Hill, Victory Tower, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Shanti Stupa, Sankar Gompa, Soma Gompa, Palace…