The Journey so far…
- My Never Ending Journey to Ladakh
- Sham Valley – Nature, Monasteries and More
- Stakna, Hemis and Chumathang Hot Springs
- Magical Colours of Tso Moriri
- Hanle – The Cold Desert in Changthang
- Remoteness of Changthang
- Blue Hues of Pangong Tso
- Adventures of Shyok Village Route
- Sacred Yarab Tso Lake at Panamik – Nubra Valley
- Exploring Hunder and Deskit – Nubra Valley
- Khardung La Pass – Where Snow Galore
- My Maiden Bike Ride – Sham Valley
Day 9 | Leh Local Sightseeing
In Ladakh there is a local saying that “You can come to Ladakh on your own wish but you cannot get out of Ladakh without mother nature’s wish…” 🙂 … It was 7 AM flight and as I woke up in the morning and looked outside, the eyes were completely lit up seeing a white blanket all over the place outside window and it was still heavily snowing … Forgetting everything, I was immediately outside the room for some white pictures. Himanshu came out soon too to witness the pure whiteness around. It appeared no less than a wonderland and this was it, it couldn’t have ended better than this. Soon , a call came from Rigzin that he will be there in 15 minutes and we quickly packed up remaining things and got read to take off the flight back home. As we drove towards airport from the guest house, we were overjoyed to see whiteness all around the place. I always wanted to witness something like this but could never got a chance but this was it… With so many lovely experiences it could have never gone better and I felt very lucky to had been over such a trip and so were my travel mates, Himanshu and Tejas.
We reached airport, hugged Rigzin, thanked him for all the lovely time we spent together his courage to make us see some of the most treacherous routes of Ladakh. As we went in there were sure announcements of delay in flights because it was still snowing heaving. Half and hour past and an announcement for Jet Airways Cancellation 😯 but thank god ours GoAir was still delayed for 9 AM. Then, another announcement after half an hour that GoAir flight is also cancelled 😥 … And yes, I was trapped again in Ladakh but this time I didn’t fear at all 🙂 … The scenes outside were overwhelming but with sheepish smile I called up my family to give them the news and they inquired everything as they never wanted to be in a situation of 2010 but I consoled them that everything is fine it is just bad weather due to which flights got cancelled. After giving our names to the airlines, so as to ensure we get some call if possible for arrangements in other flights either today or tomorrow, we went outside and rang up Rigzin explaining him the drama and requested him to take us back to hotel. Excitement was such, instead of resting a bit out we went to grab this opportunity of clicking the amazing Leh whiteout pictures.
We first initially decided to go to Shanti Stupa to cover the white blanket over Leh but in between one other friend who was also staying there at the same road saw us from the window and joined us soon but then we decided to move towards Tsemo Castle of Leh Palace. Everything was under white color and even that looked beautiful, such is the place. There was no one out on the roads except 4 of us as if we were the only mad person in the town or as if we never saw such snow 😀 … Never mind, we kept clicking and kept enjoying snowfall as we stepped through those narrow pathways towards Tsemo Castle which looked as if we were in the age of Aladdin. The view of whole Leh city from the top looked magical where everything was covered under snow and far away the sunlight was breaking through the dark clouds. Next second the call came from Rigzin that some of the people had been called back from airport as they were accommodating them in the next flight of 11.30 which will be coming. Initially I was not interested because I had been there before pleading at that very airport in front of jerks who prefer favouritism or jugaadd from somewhere (yes, this sh***ty thing is common there in Leh as well but thankfully only limited to airport) but then thought let’s give it a try at least. Back to senses of real world from wonderland and suddenly we were shivering with cold as we were little wet due to snow, the excitement of wonderland never made us realize how cold it was outside 😀
We called up Rigzin and by the time we reached airport that group of 9 people were gone but on of the girl in that group left out alone as she was to fly in Jet Airways which was cancelled. She was crying as we reached there and Rigzin consoled him. The guys at authority kept saying that wait outside and there were two families also who were pleading the GoAir guys to let them go as they were with kids. We also started requesting, one time, two times, three times etc. but no luck. I felt at least those two families had created enough drama to be sent in that flight and yes, not to forget an idiot who came with his wife worked in some oil company, called up some staff over there and was allowed to board that flight. When I went in to request as they had refused to answer over the window, what I see that an idiot was playing some games over phone and was accommodating people accordingly and for us the answer was always, no chance of space in this flight. Meanwhile we at least re-booked (adjusted) our tickets for next to next day because there was no ticket available for the next day 😥 … Nevertheless I called up office as well and informed that I am coming two days late because of all that happened today but as soon as I land on Tuesday I will join back again…
Now, we called up Rigzin again, troubled him again and he helped us get some other room this time at Hotel Shaynam which is taken care by one of his relative only who is equally as helpful as Rigzin. By that time it was 2 PM as the 3 Hr long drama had finally ended. There was nothing to do, so we went to bed and slept for couple of hours. About 6 PM we came downstairs to explore the market, walk around there and it was pretty cold as it started snowing again!! Some more shopping for my kiddo, wifey and mom to compensate the unforeseen delay ;)… Finally, back to hotel to sleep out the extremely cold night. We were loving every bit of it.
Day 10 | Leh Local including Shanti Stupa
Aahh… After such a long period almost 9 days that we woke up late in the morning, about 9.00 AM 😀 … After all there was nothing to do there, we slowly got ready to go out and have something to eat. Our focus was to stroll to Shanti Stupa today and get the year 2012 – 13 Leh – Ladakh Taxi Union Rate List, which finally I published here. There was no other option that to proceed to Lamayuru restaurant and have something to eat, mainly sandwiches and some scrambled egg. Satisfying our tummies we went for the long walk all the way upto Shanti Stupa. It took a while to reach there as we were just following the roads leading in that direction rather asking for the directions. Changspa road was deserted at that time, thanks to the off season and only one of two restaurant were open there. We scaled the stairs all the way upto Shanti Stupa, of course with numerous breathing breaks 😀 … It was an awesome sight to watch and in off season sometimes the place becomes all yours. We shot some pictures of Aeroplanes flying out of Leh – Ladakh and then went back to the hotel to have another round of sleep.
As we woke up at night the hotel was almost full as Srinagar – Leh Highway had also opened and lot of tourist came by that route, lucky they were. It was snowing out in Leh and we decided to have a cold walk out in the market to buy few more things for our family. It was so relaxing that I can’t even think and suddenly the adventurous holiday appeared to have a romantic ending. By dark, we went to Hotel and shared few discussions with lively Rinchen who meanwhile ordered some food to be cooked for us as well in the hotel kitchen because we did not want to go out this time. It was a light dinner with yellow dal and rice and we went to sleep in the cold night praying that flight would fly next morning.
Finally, next morning, Day 11, we got the boarding pass after all the formalities not before a jerk checked in my baggage in his name and there was all sough of drama. Finally, I managed to identify my luggage in the final area with support staff and they did rest of the process and finally handed me my boarding pass. That idiot told me that he had 20 passengers with him and though ,y bag belonged to them only when security checks were being done. Wow, at last, we were in the flight which took about 90 minutes to land us in Delhi where I met my parents, kiddo and wifey before rushing to the office to join it.
Thanks for hanging with me so so so so long for this Travel Tale, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I promise I will be soon back with my Zanskar Valley trip log from where I just returned last day 😀 …
32 Comments
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Hi Dheeraj
I have planned to visit Leh from 26 Jan to 31 Jan 2017. Me 50 and my wife 46 along with our son 20 have booked tickets. Please suggest the itenry and best usage of these days to have maximum fun. Also tell the precautions and necessary things to carry for health care.
Hello Harish ji,
You can follow the below plan:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Acclimatization
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 6 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR Sham Valley tour OR Fly back home
— Overnight at Leh
— Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
— Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib
Hi, I m planning to visit manali and leh in june. 3 nights in manali 8th to 11th and 6 nights in leh 12th to 17th. I wish to see snow, try skiing and other adventure sports. Is it a good time? Are the days sufficient?
Ashish, yeah you have good amount of days in hand. I will suggest to make it 2 nights in Manali and add one night in Ladakh. You will be able to find plenty of snow at Manali – Leh Highway
Hello – We want to plan a trip to Ladakh this year along with our children. What may be the ideal month, when we can have the best of Leh and a chance of seeing snow? Any suggestions on where we can stay (best hotels). We may plan a 6 nights trip.
Shankar, in case you want to see snow as well then better make it in June else if you are not much keen on snow then best is to make it in September. 6 nights trip is less for Ladakh. Also, you need to fly in and out of Leh in that case.
Oopps!, didnt mention the month. Its April.
Hi, I plan to visit Leh between 9th to 18th along with my wife. Pls guide me on the following:-
1. Would there be sonw in Leh city as well?
2. Would the food joints and shops be open during that time in Leh city?
3. Would bikes on hire be available to cover a day trip to Lamayuru?
4. Would ample hotels and guest houses be open in April?
5. Would camping in Pangong start by Apr 15th? Based on the weather, would it be safe to stay overnight there? Does the lake looks equally beautiful when semi-frozen? If its risky, is it worth taking chance.
Hi Yatharth,
Please find my answers below. But, I will suggest that you go through the travel tale above as it is from April only.
1. Snow will be in Leh only if it snowfall on a day, else no.
2. Not completely but to some extent only.
3. Yes, bikes will be available for rent during that time.
4. Not ample, but many will be available.
5. There will not be any camps running during that time, only home stays. I will not suggest the overnight stay as it goes very very cold up there at Pangong Tso. Not really, Pangong Tso does not looks that charming when frozen. Risk is always there for any adventure trip
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning for a week trip starting 2nd may as this is the only time when we all friends have got time and would be together.
Is this a good idea to go or should we drop the plan ?
Thanks in advance
Ajitesh, well brother I would suggest that since you just have this time, then better to take flight from Delhi to Leh and come back towards Srinagar while coming back from Leh. There are 50:50 chances only that Srinagar – Leh Highway will be open in that week. In case it is open, you cancel the flights and take road journey else carry one with air journey.
Hi
we r planing from 12april to 15april we have 4 days how we plane our daye to se max places in leh and ladekh please suggest
Hi Dheeraj,
I am planning a trip by 21st April and will be taking a flight from Delhi and back on 26th April.
I have few queries and would request you to please help:
1. What is the temperature at that time.
2. Is there options for trekking, camping e.tc.
3. Is there any adventure activity we can try?
4. Is nights good or we should extend our trip.
Regards
DInesh
Hi Dinesh,
1. April is usually quite cold in Ladakh with night tempratures going below zero deg Celsius and days in sunshine are fine, around 10-12. In shade, with cold breeze, it will feel much more cold.
2. There can be options of camping which can be arranged BUT can you brave the cold during that period? Specially outside of Leh it will be around -10, at places like Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Frankly telling you, no one does unless you are into extreme adventure.
3. Again braving the cold if possible for you, you can check rafting near Leh at Nimmu.
4. I personally feel that you should make this trip in June if you really want to enjoy. Even the lakes are frozen, may be partially, at that time of the year and very less options of stay.
Regards
Dheeraj
There simply cannot be a more detailed description written with envious enthusiasm and spirit as of yours.Thanks a lot Dheeraj for helping us in so many ways , we have finally decided to go in April, irrespective of the weather conditions ,because it’s once in a lifetime opportunity and besides ,I have not experienced snowfall yet ,so hoping that I might get a chance to enjoy it.
Perhaps you should also mention your NEFT account details and people will start paying you out of goodwill for the immense help provided from your side.
Great, Gaurav !! Best wishes for the trip and feel free to drop in any queries or doubts you have. I will wish that you get to see lot of snowfall up there in Ladakh.
Also, thank you for lending your support to me. However, I will be more than happy if by chance you happen to help the local community up there in Ladakh by supporting our DoW Causes. You can check more details about them DoW Causes at the link: DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
i thoroughly enjoyed reading the entire ladakh journey, and i must say that you have captured some fantabulous scenes, awesome clicks :). i have personally traveled the kaza-kunzum pass-manali route and find a lot of similarities in the terrain. i am planning a trip for ladakh for the first week of may this year. will i be lucky to find all the passes open, specifically the one that leads to pangong lake and i will be travelling with my family so will the direct route from tso moriri to pangong via chushul cause any problems.
Thanks alot. Passes within Ladakh are kept open all round the year, so you will find them open. You will not get permits for Chusul route now as since last year DC office has stopped issuing permits and this year as well orders are pretty strict for not issuing any permits to that place.
hi,i would like to know if ladakh will be clad in snow during 1st week of july and do suggest routes from chandigarh via kullu manali to ladakh
Ayushee, no by that time of the year only Passes might have some snow leftovers, rest very far away peaks would be Snow Cladded. You might see some snow on the way to Leh or back to Manali from Leh at Baralacha La pass.
I WANT TO GO J&K SRINAGAR TO MALALI VIA LEH BY ROAD DOJ IS 4TH JUN 2013 IS IT POSSIBLE?
Highly likely, it is possible because by first week of June Manali – Leh does get open but a bit unstable for closure for intial few weeks of its opening.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I am planing fora bike trip to Ladakh on July-13…Starting from Jammu and ending at Manali- Chandigarh…
here goes the plan..
Day 5th July-13 | Howrah to Jammu ( Himgiri Sup Fast-12331)—————————– Rs- 1442.+ Rs 1000( Bike loading)
Hotel Stay at Jammu on 7th July-12.Approx cost———————————————– Rs 1000.( Lodging+ Food)
Day 7th July-13 | Jammu– Srinagar NH-44 (297 Kms- Fuel cost+ Lodging + Food)— Rs 2000.
Day 8th July-13 | Srinagar – Kargil NH-1D (205 Kms- Fuel Cost + Lodging+ Food)— Rs-2000.
Day 9th July-13 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh (235 Kms- Fuel Cost + Lodging+ Food)— Rs-2000.
Day 10Th July-13 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits (Lodging+ Food+ ILP)- Rs-1500.
Day 11th July-13 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (Nubra Valley) – Hunder – Diskit ( To and Fro)—Rs 2000.( 270 Kms Fuel Cost + Lodging+ Food)
Day 12Th July-13 | Hunder/Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh ————-Rs 1500 ( Lodging+ Food).
Day 13-July-13 | Leh – Hemis – Pangong Tso ———————————————————–Rs 1500.( 170 Kms Fuel Cost + Lodging+ Food)
Day 14-July-12 | Pang Gong Tso – Mahe Bridge – Lake Tso Moriri – Stay at Karzok ——————————————————— Rs 2000 ( 120 Kms Lodging+ Food+ Fuel).
Day 15th July-13 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Moore Plains (Manali – Leh Highway) – Pang – Sarchu —————————————————Rs 2500 ( 200 kms Lodging+ Food+ Fuel).
Day 16th-17th July-13 | Sarchu – Manali ———————————————————————————————————————————Rs 3500 (220 kms Lodging+ Food+ Fuel).
Day 18th July-13 | Manali – Chandigarh—Ambala Cant————————————————————————————————————————————Rs 3500( 340 kms Lodging+ Food+ Fuel).
Day 19th July-13 –Ambala to Kolkata.—by Kolkata Amritsar super fast train. Reach kolkata on 20-July-13.
Pls help.
Hello Rajiv,
Plan looks fine to me except Day 14 when you wish to attempt Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri. It is highly unlikely that in season time you will get the permit for that route. Plus you will need to carry fuel for about 900 KMs in that case even if you get through the permits. Plus it will be a very very very hectic day, almost a ride of about 14+ Hrs on tough/rough roads.
I will suggest add one more day. Make a day trip to Pangong Tso on Day 13th and then visit Tso Moriri on 14th with fuel for about 550 KMs and exit from there on Day 15th towards Sarchu.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Dheraaj Bhai
In June,2013 I want to cover the following( plan taken from your site):: Suggest if these possible in 1st week of june????
Day 1 | Srinagar-Gulamrg
Day 2 | Stay Near Gulmarg
Day 3 | Gulmarg – Kargil via Sonamrg
Day 4 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh
Day 5 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits
Day 6 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit (Nubra Valley) – Hunder – Diskit
Day 7 | Hunder/Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
Day 8 | Leh – Hemis – Pangong Tso
Day 9 | Pangong Tso – Thicksey – Shey Palace – Leh
Day 10 | Leh Rest Day or Sham Valley Tour around Leh including Magnetic Hills, Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Alchi, Likir, Basgo, Confluence at Nimmu
Day 11 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang
Day 12 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Moore Plains (Manali – Leh Highway) – Pang – Sarchu
Day 13 | Sarchu – Manali (Tour End)
Day 14 ,15| Manali – Delhi – Kolkata
Hi Suman,
Sorry for the delayed reply. Return to Srinagar or Sonamarg from Gulmarg because Gulmarg to Kargil will be a bit long. Otherwise, you have crafted a perfect itinerary 😀 … Please go ahead with it.
I hope that helps. Please let me know incase you need more details or have some queries or doubts.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Hi Dheeraj!! How was your trip.
Hey Varun,
Trip was amazing, just uploaded the first few set of pictures on FB page of blog in Zanskar – 2012 album. We had a great time over there along with some hiccups too. But, overall a very nice experience.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
Lovely images… love those snow covered landscapes!
Thanks alot buddy, glad you liked the pictures!! The place itself is quite astonishing.
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma
I missed this whiteout moment. It was just 3 wks since I left Leh. What a nice city!
Perhaps it is an indication for another trip in that season when it gets whiteout 🙂
Regards
Dheeraj Sharma