Your 1 Page Handbook to Ladakh Travel : Just the Bare Essentials

Located in the vast mountain ranges of the Great Himalayas, Ladakh, is the most scenic place in Jammu & Kashmir in India. It offers an amazing opportunity to adventure lovers.

What to See in Ladakh:

Pangong Tso

Lakes: There are two lakes in Ladakh - Pangong and Tsomoriri. Pangong Lake is situated about 4350 meters above the sea level while Tsomoriri Lake considered the largest lake in Ladakh region,  situated an attitude of 15, 075 feet.

Monasteries:

Shanti Stupa

Buddhist monasteries are the most important part of the Leh Ladakh tour. It is the main center for the worship for the Ladakhi people and also it’s a unique flavor of regional beauty and ancient history. Spituk Monastery, Shanti Stupa, Tesmo, Sankar Gonpa are some of the Buddhist Monasteries in Ladakh.

Palaces:

Ladakh has a rich heritage and has been under monarchical rule since the first century, when it was a part of the Kushan empire. Consequently, Ladakh has a fair number of heritage properties including palaces, forts and other private premises of  erstwhile rulers. The Leh Palace  and the Stok Palace are the two most popular palaces in Ladakh and are a regular feature on most Ladakh itineraries.

Drass War Memorial: Dras War Memorial, across the Tiger Hill, is a tribute to the war heroes of the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. The memorial commemorates the Indian victory in “Operation Vijay” and bears the name of all Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the war.

Passes:

Zojila Pass

Due to its arduous terrain, Ladakh  has plenty of mountain passes that connect  it to the outside world. In past, these passes have served as important trade routes connecting the Indian mainland to China and Russia. All Ladakh passes are heavily guarded and only some are even not accessible for tourists. The four most popular Ladakh passes are Khardung La, Bara-lacha La, Zojila and Chang La Pass.

Confluence of Indus and Zanskar River: Indus and Zanskar together are the most important physical lifeline of Ladakh. Besides being the primary source of freshwater, the two rivers also provide plenty of camping opportunities on  their banks. The rivers’ confluence at Nimmu, Ladakh is a popular tourist landmark and the perfect camping site.

How to Get There:

By Road: Srinagar to Leh highway (414 Km), which opens June to November and  Manali to Leh (474 km) opens mid June to early October are the two highways to Leh Ladakh region.

Distances by road:

•    Srinagar - Leh : 414 Km
•    Manali - Leh : 474 Km
•    Srinagar - Kargil : 204 Km
•    Delhi - Leh : 1047 Kms
•    Leh - Kargil : 234 Km
•    Kargil - Padum (Zanskar) : 240 Km
•    Leh - Deskit (Nubra Valley): 118 Kms.

By Air: You can also reach there by taking flight, as per your preferences.

When to Go: Summer (June to September) is the best time to visit in Leh Ladakh. The most of the passes opens during April to May.

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