Ladakh
General information:
Area: 97000 sq.km.
Altitude Average elevation 3,500 meters.
Climate Dry cold during winter and dry hot during summer .
Tmeperatures in winter at -35 degree C are not unknown.
Best season May to November.
Clothing Summer: Light Woollen; Winter: Heavy woolen.
Language Ladakhi, Purik, Balti, English and Tibetan.
Getting There:
By Air Ladakh, the capital of Leh is connected with regular flights from
Delhi, Chandigarh and Srinagar. The Leh airport offers one of the most
spectacular landings in the entire world.
By Road The 434 kilometer long journey from Srinagar to Leh takes two days
with an overnight halt at Kargil. The road is open from June to October.
There is also a road from Manali to Leh via Keylong, which remains open from
June to October.
Ladakh has been described as “The Last Shangrila”, a living museum of
Tibetan Culture. Nestled high in the Himalaya and surrounded by two of the
world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, it
lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range. Accessible
by road just 2 months out of the year, this isolated ancient Tibetan Kingdom
is home to one of the last surviving authentic Tibetan Buddhist cultures. It
is magical, remote, with delightful gentle people. It is an otherworldly
place with strange monasteries perched on soaring hilltops, ancient palaces
clinging to sheer rock walls and landscapes splashed with small but
brilliant patches of green. Ladakh beckons for more than one reason. The raw
beauty of its barren landscape ,its unique flora and fauna, its culture ,its
clear blue skies and clean air ,’ the land where snow never melts and only
corn ripens’, has more to offer : a good holiday.
Leh Town and around
Leh town offers a number of sightseeing options for the visitors. A historic town that served as the royal capital of the Old Kingdom, it is dominated by the nine-storey palace built by King Singge Namgyal in the grand tradition of Tibetan architecture, it is said to have inspired the famous Potala in Lhasa which was built about half a century later.
Monasteries of Ladakh
Thiksey Monastery
Built some 600 years ago, Thiksey monastery consists of 12 levels ascending a hillside, culminating in an incarnate lama’s private abode at the summit. The Gonpa contains 10 temples, below the monastery itself is chapels and houses of monks stretching down the hillside. There are about 100 monks of the yellow- hat sect of Buddhism.
Hemis Monastery
Hemis monastery is one of the most famous and largest of all monasteries in Ladakh, 45 Kms south of Leh founded in 17th century belongs to the Drukpa order. the monastery was founded by Stagsang Raschegn who was invited to Ladakh by king Singee Namgyal. The king offered him religious estates and attended him as his principal guru. Hemis Tsechu (festival) assemble annually from 9th to 11th day of the 5th Tibetan month. The Gompa has well preserved Thankas and copper gilt statue of the lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver and many auspicious objects. The largest thanka in Ladakh over 12 Mtrs. Long is at Hemis.
Spituk Monastery
Gompa is on the hill top near Indus, around 18 Kms from Leh. Which was
founded in 11th century by Od-De the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub-od,
the Gompa named Spituk (exemplary) when Rinchen Zangpo translator came to
that place and said that exemplary religious community would rise. Initially
it belonged to the Kadampa school then during the life time of king Gragspa
Bumide made it Gayluk Pa order. the Spituk festival held every year from
17th to 19th days of the 11th month.
Phyang Monastery
Phyang is 17 Kms west of Leh on the blue hill, belongs to Dingung order,
founded in 15th century by Chosje Danma Kunja Dragpa in the time of king
Jamjang Namgyal. Phyang monastery is also called Tashi Chosang, which mark
the first established of the Dingung to teachings in Ladakh. The festival of
Gang-Sgnon Tsedub are held every year from 17th to 19th of the 1st month.
Lekir monastery
Located around 52 Kms from Leh, know as Klu-Kkhjil (water spirits) founded in the 14th century by Lama Dhwang Chosje a great champion of meditation. The site of the monastery was encircled by the bodies of two great spent spirits. Therefore, name became widely renowned as Lekir. In the 15th century the disciple of Khasdubje know a lhawang Lodos Sangphu caused the monastery to flourish. This monastery also belongs to Gaylukpa school. Every year from the 17th to 19th of the 12th month the Lekir festival is held.
Alchi monastery
Alchi Choskor is the only monastery in the Ladakh on flat ground, around
69 Kms west of Leh. Largest and most famous of all of the temples and built
by the great translator Ringchem Zangpo. The temple was founded in 11th
century which accounts for the Indian and particularly Kashmiri influences.
Rizong monastery
Rizong is also known as Yuma Changchubling about 73 Kms from Leh and around 6 Kms from main road, founded about 138 years ago by the great Lama Tsultim Nima. Gompa belong to Gelukpa order. Dress and food provisions are provided for all member of the community by the Governing body of the monastery. The monastery is sited in a most solitary positions and there is a nunnery place called chulichan down the monastery. The work of spinning wool, milking, extracting oil for the temple lamps has to be performed by all the nuns.
Lamayuru monastery
The oldest and spectacularly set Lamayuru monastery is about 125 kms. West of Leh, founded in the 10th century in 11th century the Mahasiddha Naropa came to this place. Then Rinchen Zangpo translator came and built many temples and stupas and then teaching of the Kadampa school came to flourish. Later Jamyang Namgyal offered it to Chosje Danma and Digung Kargyut school were introduced and named Yungdrung Therpalling. The Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.
Ladakh Festival Dates:
Name of Festival |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
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Spituk Gustor |
Jan17,18 |
Jan.6-7 |
Jan 23-24 |
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Stongdey Gustor |
-do- |
- do |
-do- |
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Dosmochey Leh |
Feb15,16 |
Feb4-5 |
Feb 22-23 |
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Likir/Diskit |
-do- |
-do- |
-do- |
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Stok Tsechu |
Feb25,26 |
Feb 15-16 |
Mar. 5-6 |
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Matho nagrang |
Mar3,4 |
Feb.20-21 |
Mar.10-11 |
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Sindhu Darshan |
June 1-3 |
June.1st-3rd |
1st-3rd June |
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Buddha Purnima |
May 31 |
June 18 |
June 6 |
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Hemis tseschu |
June25,26 |
July 12-13 |
July 1-2 |
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Yuru Kabgyat |
Jul 2,3 |
July 20-21 |
July 8-9 |
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Karsha Gustor |
Jul.11,12 |
July 29-30 |
July 18-19 |
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Phyang Tsedup |
Jul.16,17 |
Aug.4-5 |
July 22-23 |
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Korzok Gustor |
July.17,18 |
Aug.4-5 |
July 23-24 |
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Dakthok Tsechu |
Jul.24,25 |
Aug.11-12 |
July 30-31 |
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Sani naro Nasjal |
Jul.29,30 |
Aug.15-16 |
Aug.3-4 |
|
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Shachukulgustor |
Aug10,11 |
Aug. 27-28 |
Aug. 16-17 |
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Ladakh Festival |
Sep 1to15 |
Sep.1-15 |
Sep.1–15 |
|
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Thiksay Gustor |
Oct28,29 |
Nov.15-16 |
Nov.4-5 |
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Angchok |
Nov. 7,8 |
Nov.25-26 |
Nov.13-14 |
|
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Galdan Namchot |
Dec. 4 |
Dec.21 |
Dec. 10 |
|
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Losar |
Dec.10 |
Dec.28 |
Dec.16 |
The Drok-pas
Down the Indus, in the sun drenched gorge, between Khalatse and the Shayok-Indus confluence, live an ancient people, known as Drok-pa,a people of unknown origin but many scholars link them with off-shoots of some tribes who migrated from Gilgit on account of the language they speak1. .Drok-Pa are Buddhists by faith, but ethnically and culturally distinct from the rest of the Ladakhis.
Unlike the mongoloid Ladakhis Drok –Pa have pure Indo-Aryan features which they have preserved to this day. One curious feature is their abhorrence of the cow or any of its products.
The Nubra Valley
Nubra is applied to the region comprising the valley of the river Nubra and that of the Shayok. The route from Leh crosses over the Khardung-la, the highest motorable road in the world at an altitude of 18,300 ft. The view from the top is amazing. One can see all the way south over the Indus valley to the seemingly endless peaks and ridges of the Zanskar range, and north to the giants of the Sasers massif (25000 ft)
The main village is Diskit. From Diskit, the route follows
the course of the Shayok to Hundar, past an area of rolling sand dunes.
There is a small population of the woolly double-humped Bactrian camels in
Hunder which were used as pack animals on the Central Asian trade route,
popularly known as ‘The Silk Route’. Today visitors to Nubra can use these
animals for going on camel safaris. Up the Nubra River and above village
Summer, is the last human settlement of Panamik which was once a major
trade centre and a resting place for caravans before crossing over the
mighty Karakoram pass.
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake is situated at an altitude of 14,000 ft.,6 to
7 kms at its widest point, and over 130 kms long, and bisected by the
international border between India and China. Pangong Lake is the home of
Chang-Pa, the sturdy gypsies who spend their summers on its northern shore
with their flock of pashmina goats.
Acclimatization and altitude sickness
Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert with a low level of atmospheric oxygen. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that visitors reaching Leh from the plains of India by air, give themselves sufficient time for acclimatization before engaging in any physical activity. The rarefied atmosphere may cause high altitude ailments like Acute Mountain Sickness, necessitating instant evacuation of visitors who are unable to get acclimatized.
Anyone travelling to altitudes above 10,000 ft (2,700 m) is liable to suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) unless properly acclimatized. The most common symptoms of acute mountain sickness are headache, disturbed sleep and loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration. If you are reaching Leh by air, it is important to take complete rest for the first 24 hours after arrival. Any kind of physical exertion is to be avoided. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided till you are fully acclimatized. The symptoms of acute mountain sickness generally develop during the first 36 hours, and not immediately upon arrival. Your body should get used to the lower oxygen level of Ladakh after 2 or 3 days if you have taken complete rest for the first 24 hours and as much rest as possible during the next 12 hours.
High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPO) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACO) are very serious forms of acute mountain sickness. These are life-threatening ailments and warrant immediate medical attention. As a preventive measure, Tab Dismox 250 mg should be taken at the rate of 1 tablet twice a day for 3 days, atleast 2 days before coming to Ladakh or any high altitude area.
Healthcare & Medical Assistance
The main centre for health care in Leh is the SNM Hospital, which is well equipped and staffed by specialists to handle all problems. Elsewhere in the region, there are sub-district hospitals at block headquarters and medical dispensaries in major villages, which are staffed by qualified doctors. In addition, services of the following private clinics and associated facilities are also available in Leh.
Meditation Facilities
The Mahabodhi International Meditation (MIM) Centre situated near Choglamsar,
Leh, offers regular courses in various forms of meditation under the
supervision of trained teachers. The MIM Centre’s facilities are quite good
and the charges are nominal, sufficient to cover the cost of food. The
Centre also runs a branch within Leh town at Changspa. Meditation facilities
are also available in Hotel Agling Resort on commercial basis in a package
covering accommodation and courses.
Foreign Exchange
The State Bank of India and the J&K Bank have branches at various places in Ladakh, with main branches in Leh and Kargil, where foreign exchange facilities are also available. The State Bank of India also operates an extension counter at the Tourist Information Centre located in the Dak Bungalow Complex, Leh. Some hotels in Leh are also licensed to deal in foreign exchange, though these mainly service in-house clients. There is no foreign exchange facility outside these two towns.
Communication
Leh and Kargil towns have worldwide direct dial telephone facility and there
are a number of public call offices operating in Leh town for the
convenience of the tourists. There is also a General Post Office and a
Telegraph Office in Leh.
The State Tourism Department has its own wireless radiophone network linking
its offices at Leh, Kargil and Padum, with those at Srinagar, Jammu and
Delhi. This facility is mainly used to monitor the movement and welfare of
tourists in the State. It is especially useful in ensuring timely rescue
arrangements for tourists falling ill or injured in accidents.
Popular Packages for Ladakh
An Introduction To Ladakh (AIL) – 2 nights/3 days.
2 nights stay at Leh in a 3 star hotel on (full board). Sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey, Hemis and Shanti monasteries; Airport transfers, guide, monument entrance fee. Vehicle Toyota Qualis /Scorpio/Innova for transportation.
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2 pax |
3 pax |
4 pax |
5 apx |
6 pax |
7 pax |
8 pax |
|
Amount in Rs. |
7783.00 |
9818.00 |
13903.00 |
15907.00 |
21092.00 |
24534.00 |
26376.00 |
Per Person |
3892.00 |
3273.00 |
3476.00 |
3181.00 |
3515.00 |
3505.00 |
3297.00 |
Roof Top Of The World (RTW) – 3 nights/4 days.
3 nights stay at Leh on AP(full board). Sightseeing of Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Spitukh, Shanti and Shanker monasteries. Visit to Leh Palace, All transfers, guide, entrance fee to monuments.
|
2 pax |
3 pax |
4 pax |
5 pax |
6 pax |
7 pax |
8 pax |
|
13329.00 |
17664.00 |
21942.00 |
27552.00 |
33045.00 |
37550.00 |
42565.00 |
|
6664.00 |
5888.00 |
5485.00 |
5510.00 |
5507.00 |
5364.00 |
5321.00 |
Land Of Mystery (LOM) – 4 nights/5 days.
3 nights stay at Leh on AP. 1 night stay at Ulletokpo Camp on (full board). All sight seeing around Leh city including a visit to Leh Palace. Visit to Lamayuru and Alchi monasteries. Also visit Likir, monastery and Rizong nunnery .Transfers, guide and monument entrance fee.
|
2 pax |
3 pax |
4 pax |
5 apx |
6 pax |
7 pax |
8 pax |
|
20851.00 |
26461.00 |
30881.00 |
43318.00 |
47653.00 |
53432.00 |
58533.00 |
|
10443.00 |
8820.00 |
7720.00 |
8664.00 |
7942.00 |
7633.00 |
7317.00 |
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Silk Route Saga (SRS) - 5 nights/6 days.
3 nights stay at Leh in a 3 star hotels on (full board). 2 nights stay in Nubra Valley (tented accommodation available only) on AP. All sight seeing in and around Leh town. Airport transfers. Inner Line Permit fee (mandatory for Nubra)) ,guide, monument entrance fee; Transportation by Toyota Qualis/Scorpio.
|
2 pax |
3 pax |
4 pax |
5 apx |
6 pax |
7 pax |
8 pax |
|
26071.00 |
31065.00 |
38490.00 |
49048.00 |
61212.00 |
66320.00 |
73936.00 |
|
13036.00 |
10355.00 |
9622.00 |
9810.00 |
10211.00 |
9474.00 |
9243.00 |
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Ladakh Packages
Package No.: 01
Itinerary :
- Day 01 - Delhi - Leh
Early morning transfer to domestic airport in time to board flight for Leh(3500 M). Leh is situated on the banks of the river Indus. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to get acclimatized for high altitude and low oxygen levels in Leh. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
- Day 02 - Leh
Morning after breakfast leave for half day tour of Leh palace, Leh Gompa and bazaar. After lunch excursion to Spituk, Phyang and Shankar Gompas. Overnight stay in hotel.
- Day 03 - Leh
After breakfast leave for full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Gompas (monasteries).Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
- Day 04 – Leh- Delhi
Transfer to Leh airport for onward journey.
( Ask for a Quote )
Package No. 02
- Day 01 – Delhi-Leh
Early morning transfer to domestic airport in time to board flight for Leh (3500 M). Leh is situated on the banks of the river Indus. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to get acclimatized to high altitude and low oxygen levels in Leh. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
- Day 02 – Leh
Morning after breakfast leave for half day tour of Leh
palace, Leh Gompa and bazaar. After lunch excursion to Spituk, Phyang and Shankar Gompas. Overnight stay in hotel.
- Day 03 - Leh
After breakfast leave for full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Gompas. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
- Day 04 – Leh / Nubra Valley via Khardung-la
Early morning drive from Leh to Nubra (7 hrs. Drive approx). The Nubra valley lies in the north of Leh and is accessible over the Khardungla (5570 M) - The highest motorable road in the world.The valley is on trade route from Leh to Kyagar via Saser and Karakoram passes. Apart from unparalleled trekking opportunities the valley houses several Monasteries such as sumur (khagar) and 350 years old Diskit Gompa, famous for its Murals.From Khardungla Drive to village of Khardung and through starkly beautiful country side to the TCP at khalsar where permits have to be registered/checked. Arrive at Tegar Camp for dinner and overnight stay.
- Day 05 – Nubra
Visit sumur, Kyagar, Panamik hot water spring, Samasthanling, Tirith and surroundings.
- Day 05 - Nubra/Leh
After breakfast visit Diskit and Hunder gompas. Later proceed back to Leh(172kms).Overnight in Hotel Golden Continental.
- Day 06 – Leh
After breakfast visit Stok Palace and museum. Return to Leh enroute visiting SOS Tibetan Refugee camp at Choglamsar. Lunch at hotel. Rest of the day free. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.
- Day 07-Leh/Delhi (Flight)
After breakfast transfer to the airport in time to board flight for Delhi.
( Ask for a Quote )
Package No.03 (Ladakh Safari)
- Day 01 : Arrival and transfer to houseboat. After Lunch visit
Mughal Gardens.
- Day 02 : Excursion to Gulmarg.
- Day 03 : Boat ride in the morning and in the afternoon after
the lunch visit Old City.
- Day 04 : Leave for Kargil by car .Reach Kargil after crossing
the world famous Zojila Pass which divides Kashmir from Baltistan.
Transfer to hotel for overnight stay
- Day 05 : Depart from Kargil and reach Leh.crossing Futu-la Pass
, the highest point on Srinagar-Leh road at about 13000 plus feet high
from sea. Enroute visit Lamayuru and Rizong monasteries. At Mulbeck,see
the great statute of Lord Buddha carved out of a huge rock. After reaching
Leh, transfer to hotel.
- Day 06 : Sightseeing of Leh.Visit Shey,Thiksey and Hemis
monasteries.
- Day 07 : Sightseeing of Shanti stupa, Spitukh gompa and Leh
Palace.
- Day 08 : Transfer to Leh airport to board the flight for onward journey.
Trekking Packages:
Trekking Package: 01 (with Ladakh Tour combined) :- Srinagar / Kolohai
/ Kargil /Leh.
Duration: 09 nights / 10 days.
Altitude level : 1500 m – 3500 m.
Itinerary :
- Day 01 : Arrival and transfer to deluxe houseboat/s. Afternoon
boat
ride.
- Day 02 : Full day excursion to Gulmarg (100 kilometers) round
trip.
- Day 03 : Leave for Pahalgam (96 kilometers) to proceed on a 3
days trek to Kolohai Glaciers. Reach Pahalgam and then continue towards
the last village at Aru . From Aru it takes 3 – 4 hours ride to reach the
campsite at Lidderwatt.
- Day 04 : After breakfast trek to the base of Mount Kolohoi,
known as
Sunset Peak (18000 ft.). Return to the camp at Lidderwatt.
- Day 05 : Trek down to Aru village and same day return to
Srinagar
and transfer to houseboat/s.
- Day 06 : Leave for Kargil over Zoji la (11500 ft) Transfer to
hotel for
overnight stay.
- Day 07 : Check out and journey towards Leh. On the way visit
Lamayuru monastery after crossing the 13479 ft.high Futu la pass. On
arrival in Leh, check in hotel.
- Day 08 : Leh.
- Day 09 : Leh
- Day 10 : Departure from Leh by air.
( Ask for a Quote )
The above programmes include:-
1) Double sharing accommodation on deluxe houseboat/s with all meals.
2) Double fly, water proof twin sharing / single sharing imported tents
during trekking on full board.
3) Pack and riding ponies with helpers.
4) Refreshments and snacks.
5) Mineral water.
6) Cooks and waiters.
7) Rollaway foam/air mattresses.
8) Transport and all sightseeing/transfers by Taveras/Qualises/Scorpios.
9) Air/foam pillows.
10) Kitchen tents and mobile dinning hall.
11) Collapsible bath rooms.
The Programmes do not include:-
1) Sleeping bags.
2) Trekking boots.
3) Mountaineering gear.
4) Essential medicines.
5) Raincoats or wind proof jackets.
6) Things of personal effects.
7) Guide at Leh
( Ask for a Quote )