General information for travellers related to travelling to Ladakh "The kingdom of Himalaya"
Ladakh is open for tourists throughout the year, while the best period for the cultural tour is between April and October ending. For adventure tours June to October is the suitable period. Most of the trekking routes are closed after November due to heavy snow at high passes except the Liker to Khaltsey trek. The best period for Chadar-trek (frozen river trek) to Zanskar is from December to February.The festivals of Stok, Matho and New Year take place in winter and it is possible to visit monasteries in winters. These days there are increasing number of hotels and guest houses with central heating facilities in Leh providing accommodation in winter as well.
Ladakh is spread over an area of 97,000 Sq. Kms and lies on an average of 3500 meters above the sea level. Ladakh has a population of around 1,70,000.
Temperature in summer (June to September) can touch 30 c and minus 30 c in late December and January. Annual rainfall is 6''
National tourist can visit Leh without any visa or permit. However, the foreign tourists are required to register themselves at Drass, Rumtse and Sarchu if they are travelling by road. Those travelling by air get themselves registered at the airport. The foreign tourist are required to get permit for some restricted areas like Tsomoriri, Tsokar, Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, Which can be obtained through registered travel agencies.
The local currency is Indian Rupees. There are authorized agencies for money exchange for USD or Euro traveller cheque and cash. You should insist for a receipt, which will help you in reconverting the money whenever you desire. Credit Cards are accepted by major Travel Agents, hotels and antique shops on paying 2.5% service charge.
The Indian Standard time (IST) is as per the calculation done in the Allahabad city. IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of London, 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Paris and about 09 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the New York City .
By Air: the following three Flights that operates regularly in Leh, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Go Air. The Indian airlines and Go Air operate every day between New Delhi to Leh. While Jet Airway operates every day from Delhi to Leh except on Saturday. The Indian Airlines has its flight operates only on Wednesday between Leh and Srinagar. It also operates from Jammu - Leh twice a week i.e on Monday and Friday. Jet airways and Go Air flights operate only between Leh and Delhi. Road: The Srinagar Leh road remains open from end of April to November. And the Manali-Leh road remains open from early June to mid-October. .
Acute mountain sickness can occur to anyone at an altitude above 10,000 feet's from the sea level. The most common symptoms of the acute mountain sickness are headache disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration, Since Leh Town is situated at an attitude of 11,500ft.above sea level, it is advisable to take the following precaution, so as to acclimatize your body properly.
On arrival please rest for 24hrs, as you travelling to high Altitude from Low, due to low oxygen.
Have plenty of drinking water or any kind of liquid (except alcohol)
In case you develop any of the above -mentioned symptoms. Please consult Doctor.
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Please note that the distance and time taken mentioned in the itinerary are to give you an approximate idea, and the same may vary according to road or weather condition and political scenario. .
The meals provided at Hotel depends totally on the occupancy level at the hotel at that point ,during high occupancy the hotel usually arrange for a buffet and if the occupancy is low the meals will be on alacarte. .
Please treat your driver respectfully and feel free to tip them, as they will assist you throughout your tour.
Please co-operate with driver and his instruction ,in hills the large vehicles need to take some sharp turns ,so the speed could varies from time to time
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Medicines:
Shoes:
Good waterproof shoes are needed while trekking and extra Pair of shoes or slippers is useful while crossing the rivers.
Ruck Sack: Two ruck sacks are needed. One small handbag for your camera, water bottle, pack lunch and a space for jacket. Bigger one to carrying clothes with extra layer to be safe from rain and dust.
Sleeping Bag:
Summer sleeping bag is enough if you are travelling between mid June
to mid September and warm winter sleeping bag is required if you are
travelling between mid September to mid June. You can also rent very
good sleeping bags from trekking companies in Leh.
Accommodation:
There are hundreds of family run hotel and Guest Houses in Leh to suit every pocket.
Food: All the hotel and restaurants serve Local Ladakhi, Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, Italian and continental cuisines.
Street Hawkers:
Generally there are no street hawkers in Leh Town, but at time you
might come across people in the street trying to lure you to their
shops. You should discourage such practices, it may cause inconvenience
to you later.
Telecommunication facility:
Telephone & Fax facilities are available in Leh, Padum, Kargil and Nubra Valley.
Internet Service:
Internet and e-mail services with wifi are available in the Leh town.
Clicking portraits of interesting people:
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 use boiled fresh water during the trek.
The Dzomsa Laundry in the main market sell high pressure boiled water for Rs 10 per liter. You can bring your water bottle or container to get it filled with the chemical-free safe drinking water at the Dzomsa Laundry.
Plastic Bags:
Ladakh is perhaps the only region in India where the use of plastic bag
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
plastics 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.
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 harbours rich but sparse wildlife. Some of the species are even endangered ones. Therefore, one should be extremely careful about not causing any disturbance to the vulnerable wildlife habitat while on trek. .
Ladakh a word which means "land of high passes", is a region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir of Northern India sandwiched between the Karakoram mountain range to the north and the Himalayas to the south. The Indian portion of Ladakh is composed of the Leh and Kargil districts. The Leh district is the largest district of India, covering more than half the area of Jammu and Kashmir, of which it is the eastern part. Adventure tourism in Ladakh started in the 19th century. By the turn of the 20th century, it was not uncommon for British officials to undertake the 14 stage trek from Srinagar to Leh as part of their annual leave. Agencies were set up in Srinagar and Shimla to specialise sport related activities — hunting, fishing and trekking. A large retinue of porters would carry huge canvas tents and collapsible string beds. Today, about 60,000 tourists visit Ladakh every year. Bounded by two mighty mountain ranges, it is a popular place for adventure tourism. The well-preserved Tibetan-Buddhist culture makes it even more attractive.
We respect and follow our clients' suggestions and ideas for planning their holiday. Our aim is to take you to a world totally different from your own and allow you to connect (or re- connect) with your own spirituality. Our hope is that all of our clients will leave Ladakh with grand tales to share with their family and friends at home and will want to return again and again with their new friends in a new found home.
We offer Trekking, Culture Tour, Jeep Safari, White Water Rafting, mountaineering and Chader Trek, Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour and special interest tours besides leisure holidays strictly according to your budget, time schedule and inclination.
English and French Speaking Guide, Locals experience food, Ladakhi - The Djule crew has traversed the untouched bends and is able to provide information, details and suggestions to truly shape up a vacation meeting needs and preferences of the vacationers. Each trip is designed carefully, which ensures journey to beautiful places in India that not only elevates mood but also offers a mix of 'must see' highlights and unforgettable cultural experiences.
Continental, Chinese, Indian & Ladakhi Cuisines served by trained staff. During the trekking & camping we always provide you hot & hygening lunch.
Contact targayzanskar@rediffmail.com or CALL +91 9469 - 2978 -66 for any tour and travel related information