Complete Travel Guide To Leh City Trip in 2024
Leh City Trip-Ladakh, the union territory is a place where the traveler can experience peace, adventure and thrill
Leh Ladakh is a kind, amiable, cordial, genial, affectionate, kind hearted mountain destination that is waiting for you this summer for a memorable leh ladakh trip. Ladakh, the union territory is a place where the traveler can experience peace, adventure and thrill. This place gives an adrenaline rush to all the travelers who visit here.
Here is the complete guide for leh ladakh trip for you, including how to reach where to stay and what to do in Leh city.
Where is Ladakh ?
Ladakh is located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. Ladakh is the highest plateau in India. It extends from Himalayan to kunlun ranges and also includes the upper Indus valley region. Ladakh is a home of a vibrant culture. Ladakh is also called “ the land of Lamas” due to strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism.
What is the best time to visit Ladakh ?
May to September is best time for your leh ladakh trip. July is the most prefered month to visit Leh Ladakh. Most of the tourists visited in this season.Hotels and guesthouses are fully functional at this time. All the passes are open. And the road conditions are also restored. But i suggest if you want to visit Leh then come in off season.At that time it is less crowded, the month of september is the best. Ladakh is blooming with colors everywhere, The entire Ladakh is in the shield of astonishing beauty.
Map of Manali To Leh Route.
How to reach Leh ladakh?
There are two ways to reach Leh Ladakh, One can reach Leh by road or by Air.
Most of the tourists prefer to fly direct to Leh to avoid long journeys.It saves time and the fastest way to reach ladakh and also saves you from all the hassle of roads. During Flight the aerial view of ladakh mountains mesmerizes you. But reaching it in one day may cause you to suffer from high altitude sickness. For acclimatization one should spend Two days in Leh and that’s compulsory by the Local administration.
It is always suggested to spend some time in Leh city to adjust to the high altitude weather and feel the vibe of the city. It has so much to offer to you.
On the other hand if you want to enjoy the astonishing views then bike riding from manali to Leh is the cheapest option unless you own the bike. It is the cheapest and not as dangerous as people think. Roads are crazy, but the landscapes are jaw- dropping. You will pass through high passes, valleys, ride along small water streams, and see red mountains. At some places there’s absolutely no sign of life but the experience you get is life long.
Journey from Manali to Leh
We completed our journey from Manali to Leh in two days. We started our journey towards Jispa early in the morning. Ride is so smooth as the road conditions are very good. After crossing the atal tunnel the terrain is completely changed. Reached Jispa timely and checked into our hotel. In the evening we went to the riverside. If you want to stay inJispa then there are few hotels and Campsites available but pre book your stay before. The next day’s journey is very long. It took us 14 hours to reach Leh. We had our breakfast in Sarchu and lunch in Pang.We reached Leh by 7 pm. The beauty of this route is undescribable. It gives me eternal happiness . The effect of that beauty on mind can never be in vain. Unlike Spiti valley you have to cross many high altitudes passes to reach leh.
Where to Stay In Leh?
There are many options in Leh From boutique hotels to Budget friendly rooms. It all depends upon your budget and choices. Well I always prefer to stay in budget hotels or home stays, it provides you the local experience of culture and food. You can also find the new places from their guidance of locals where no tourist can visit.
Top Things to Do in Leh City During Leh Ladakh Trip
Leh city has its own charm, You can not find a town like this anywhere. The city has a lot to offer from beautiful landscape to the snow covered mountains, delicious food to the beautiful people, the prayers from the Monasteries and azan from the mosque. You can see a unique mixture of Tibetan and Indian culture in this City. There are a lot of things you can do in Leh city itself. You can’t be bored in this city. If you can’t do anything just gaze at the scene
Leh Palace.
The first attraction of the city is Leh Palace. This was the home of the royal family until the mid 19th century before the attack of dogra forces to take control over Ladakh. After the attack the royal family shifted to the stock Palace. The Palace was built in the 17th century by the king Sengge Namgyal. The Leh palace is the crown of the city. You can see the whole city from There. It is a Nine story building with little artifacts.
Shanti Stupa
One of the most visited tourist destinations in Leh city. It is situated in the Changspa region on the hill top. It is one of the seven stupas built by Buddhist as a symbol of peace. One must visit this place in the evening,wait there for a little while for the transition period. You can see the whole city is decorated in the lights. The view of Leh city is worth watching and gives the feel of Calmness.
Gurudwara Pathar Saheb
Gurudawra Pathar sahib is the most visited place. It is situated on Leh Kargil highway. The Gurudwara saheb is maintained by the Indian army. It is a tradition that every vehicle that stops here pays respect at the Gurdwara.
The Gurudwara saheb Stands at the place where Guru Nanak dev ji Vanquished the demon who killed the locals and then eats them. One day Guru ji was meditating in the down hill near the river, the demon threw a large boulder towards Guru ji ,it became soft like melting wax and Failed to hurt.The demon got angered when he saw Guru Nak dev ji unhurt. In the fist of anger he kicked the boulder with all his strength to crush guru ji. But to his surprise the demon foot caused a deep impression in the boulder which turned into soft rock. Realizing his mistakes he bowed to Guru Nanak dev ji and turned into a noble man.
Magnetic Hill
A gravity hill located between the Pathar Sahib and Sangam mesmerizes many. It is nothing but the optical illusion as the surrounding and geography of the area. The hill road is actually a down hill. The cars and objects seem to go uphill in defiance of gravity but in reality they are rolling downhill. One Must visit this place early in the morning when there is no rush.
Castle Tsemo
This castle is situated high above the Leh palace. There are two sides of this castle, one is a Buddhist temple where the statue of Buddha is well Preserved. Another part is Namgyal Resmo Monastery. The view from top is worth it. The one can feel tranquil at the top, free from hustle and of the Leh city. The scenery is astonishing with fluttering prayer flags.
Hall of Fame
A war museum constructed by the Indian army in the memory of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. It is located on the leh- kargil road.In this museum you can see the various weapons used in Kargil war along with ammunition captured by the Indian army during war. There is also a wall named ”Lest We Forget” which displays the names of soldiers who laid down their life for the country.
Leh Main Market.
Like every famous tourist destination in Himachal, Leh also has a mall road.The main market has everything you wish for like restaurants, medical shops, supermarkets and art shops. In this market you can find famous stuff like silver jewelry, pashmina shawls, Tibetan handicrafts, Ladakhi shawls and many more.
You can see locals selling their fruits and vegetables there in the evenings. On weekends there are cultural events organized by the local administration.
Relish Traditional cuisines of Ladakh
One of the famous activities of food lovers is to taste the local dishes. There are so many restaurants in Leh that offer traditional cuisines. The ladakh food has its roots in tibet. The cuisines with Tibet influence are Momos, Thupka, Sku ( it is a wheat dough stew). For Tingmo ( bread) you must visit Bakers Street. Which is adjacent to the main Leh market during your leh ladakh trip.
Rancho School.
The school became famous after featuring in the climax scene of famous movie 3 idiots. The real name of the school is Druk Padma Karpo School., where padma Means Lotus and karpo means white in local language. This school is named after the great scholar Mipham Pema Karpo and It is situated on leh- manali highway. Now the school is a famous tourist destination. There is no entry fee to visit this place.
Things To Keep in Mind for leh ladakh trip
● Ladakh is a high altitude place where you move from 11,500 feet to 18,300 feet above sea level. Air is thin at these altitudes, especially at the mountain passes in leh ladakh trip. If you have Asthma and breathing problems, it is advisable to consult with your doctor beforehand if you are asthmatic.
● AMS is a concern, if you are flying to Leh and not taking the road route. It is advisable to take a two day rest in Leh. acclimatise your body according to high altitude.
● You will be covering long distance in Ladakh. Bikes and taxis are the popular modes of transport. If you are planning to go on a MotorCycle, make sure the bike is serviced and is in good condition. I’d advice you to go with 500cc bikes because you might feel the need for more power on those steep climbs and mountain passes. Bikes are available in Leh city on rent.
● Start early in the day towards your destination. There is a possibility of vehicle breakdown and riding after sunset is totally not advisable in Ladakh.
● Drink a lot of water to compensate for the less oxygen in air. Always keep some packed food with yourself while traveling. Chocolates might turn out to be a good energy snack there.
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