Leh - India HillTop Trips - Cool and pleasant weekend trips

Leh from the plains of India by air are required to allow time for acclimatization before engaging in any physical activity. The S.N.M Hospital at Leh is fully equipped and staffed with a team of specialists to take care of any eventuality arising out of high altitude ailments caused by the rarified atmosphere of the area.

Hill Resort | Elevation | Travel | Season | Tourist places | Accommodation | Location | Leh Map

The Hill Resort

The historic town of Leh is on the north side of the River Indus in Jammu and Kashmir State, northwest India. Leh at an altitude of 3,500m is surrounded by the Himalaya Mountains. The ruins of the nine storey Leh Palace, which resembles and was put up around the same time as Tibet's Potala Palace, dominate the old inner town here.

Leh is the former capital of the Ladakh Kingdom and is at the end of the 1D road from Srinagar, the state capital. Leh boasts narrow alleys lined with bustling market stalls, old religious buildings and small caf�s that serve Kashmiri specialities such as momos (dumplings) and great Indian cuisine.

The principal reasons for visiting Leh are the amazing views of the Himalaya and access to a varied choice of outdoor pursuits. Leh is the place to start a multi- day trek into the mountains, go mountain climbing or white water rafting. Tailor made wildlife tours or guided treks can be booked in Leh. Other unusual activities here include observing archery tournaments or a game of polo.

Some entertainment

The Cultural and Traditional Society puts on a cultural show each evening opposite the Hotel Yak Tail. The Mahabodi Society has a daily group meditation session at 5 pm and sometimes runs meditation courses at Choglamsar. At Ecological Development Centre, headquarters of the Ladakh Ecological Development Group, visitors are allowed to use library and the restaurant. Ecological Centre shows occasional films. Polo is popular in summer and is played in Polo ground beyond the main bus stand. In the nearby Archery Stadium, winter competition attracts large crowds.

White water rafting and kayaking is possible on the Tsarap Chu and Zanskar rivers from mid-June.

Shopping

Once you are free from sightseeing and adventure tour, get to visit the bustling and colorful markets of Leh India. Shopping here is a fascinating experience. Shopaholics can shop for fine collection of souvenirs and curios. Look for some traditional Tibetan items while you are in market of this enchanting land. Visitors can take back home souvenirs like Persian and Kashmiri motifs. The other interesting shopping items include Thangka paintings, jewelery made from semi-precious stones, Ladakhi carpets, shawls, stoles, rugs and music bowls. The Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan and rubies from Burma dominates the bazaars of Leh.

It is good to shop for tea vessels, cups and butter churns, knitted carpets with Tibetan motifs, Tibetan jewellery from Leh.

Activities

Leh India has abundant options for the adventure lovers to enjoy some enthralling adventure sports. The hilly terrains of the hill town offers some excellent trekking routes, that will surly delight the trekkers. Trekking along the mountain path is a great experience that offers some life long memories to be cherished. Indulge yourself in thrilling adventure of rafting in Indus river. The high rugged mountain ranges allures the tourist for mountain climbing.

Leh is the place to prepare for a trekking in Ladakh, which offers a huge number of possible trekking routes.

White-water rafting : on the Zaskar and Indus rivers is also organised from Leh. Please be advised that the Indus rafting route from Nimmu towards the Pakistani border has rapids of increasing severity which run along the grades of 4, 4+, and 5; the latter two grades being not for the very faint of heart.

Elevation

Leh - 3,500 m.

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Location Details

Leh, situated at an altitude of 3,500 m, is in a fertile side valley of the Indus about 10 Km from the river. Located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, it developed as a trading post and market. It's population size is 90,000., while It receives annual rainfall of 1,780 mm. It's quite hot when sun is up but in the shade it can still be very cold. Leh has worldwide direct dial telephone facility. Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert with a low level of atmospheric oxygen.

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How to Reach There and Distances

Air

Alliance Air (a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines) flights connect Leh with Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar. The airport, with it's steeply sloping runway is several Km out of town near Spitok Gompa. Indian Airlines office is near the Hotel Lha-ri-Mo, not far from the centre of town.

Road

There are two overland routes into Leh, the road from Srinagar, and the road from Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The Srinagar-Leh road usually open by beginning of June till October. The Manali-Leh road is openly from July to September. There is a extensive network around Leh of both state road transport and private buses.

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Best Season to Visit/Weather

Leh Weather The weather in Leh tends to be extremely arid, with only 90mm of rain annually, and cold. There are only two main seasons in Leh: summer (March to September) and winter (October to February). The early summer months, up to May, are very hot and dry with temperatures usually hovering around 33?C and sometimes as high as 40

In summer maximum temperature can rise to 25 degree Celsius and minimum 12 degree. Protection against sunburn is required.

In winters maximum temperature hovers around 15 degree and minimum temperature can drop to -30 degree.
Period between March to April is best time to visit Leh.

Best Time To Visit

Between June and August the weather in Leh is conducive to an enjoyable visit. Visiting Sankar Gompa Buddhist Monastery, Ladakh Shanti Stupa and Changspa Village or trekking and climbing can be enjoyed better without bitterly cold or really hot Leh weather. Access roads from Srinagar and Manali are often closed by snowfall in winter.

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Tourist places near Leh

Leh Palace

The palace was built in the 16th century and is now deserted and badly damaged. The roof of the palace offers good views of Zanskar mountains, across the Indus river. There's a nominal entry charge.

Leh Mosque

This mosque in main bazaar is worth visiting and architecturally splendid. This Sunni Muslim mosque was constructed on land granted by King Deldan Namgyal in the 1960s.

Leh & Tsemo Gompa

It stands high above the palace and houses manuscripts and paintings. The Red (Tsemo) Gompa, built in 1430, contains a fine 3 storey high seated Buddha image. It's open from 7 to 9 pm.

Sankar Gompa

It is a couple of Km north of the town centre. It's open from 7 to 10 am and from 5 to 7 pm, and there's a Rs 10 entry fee. The gompa has an electric lightning. Upstairs is an impressive representation of Avalokitesvara complete with 1,000 arms and 1,000 heads.

Around the city

Spitok Gompa

It is 10 Km from Leh, situated on a hilltop. The temple is about 1,000 years old. There is a nominal entry fee.

Phyang

About 24 Km from Leh, on the road towards Srinagar, the gompa has 50 monks and the entry fee is Rs 10. There is an interesting village below the gompa.

Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is one of the most recently opened areas of Ladakh. It was once on the trading route which connected eastern Tibet with Turkistan via the Karakoram Pass.Along the eastern ridge of the Karakoram range in northern Ladakh is the Nurba Valley comprising of the Upper Shayok and Nubra river valleys. The trekking route to this area is demanding and traverses the Kardung-la (18,380 ft) pass along the ancient trade route from Leh to Central Asia. It is the highest motorable road in the world! The breathtaking view from the pass surveys an entire length of the Indus Valley in the south and a magnificent panorama of snow clad peaks. The route follows the valley past attractive villages to Deskit, the largest village in the valley. Onwards to Hundar down the Shayok valley, the trail wanders past rolling sand dunes. There is a small population of double humpad Bactrian camels here and visitors can avail of a marvelous moonlight camel safari on the dunes. Another trekking route proceeds up the Nubra River past pretty villages and the monastery at Samstaling to Panamik the last village on the circuit. The natural hot springs here are a bonus after the trek.

Panamik

It is 150 Km from Leh. There are two self-help crafts centres in the village, one involved with weaving, the other woodcarving. The 250 year old Ensa Gompa is atleast 6 hour walk via Hargam. There is a small guest house with a camping ground here.

Diskit

Diskit is in the Shyok Valley, and is the district headquarters. The accommodation is available at a Guest House.

Choglamsar

The Tibetan refugee camp here has become an important centre for the study of Tibetan literature and history, and Buddhist philosophy. The temporary residence of Dalai Lama stands near the river. The Mahabodi society runs meditation courses at Rde-wa Chan near Choglamsar.

Shey

This was old summer palace of the kings of Ladakh and was built 560 years ago. The Palace gompa has a 12 m high seated Buddha image. The entry fee is Rs 10 and the gompa is open from 7 to 9 pm and 5 to 6 pm.

Tikse Gompa

It is 17 Km from Leh. The monastery is very picturesque and sited on a hilltop. Beside the car park is the Zan-La Temple. It has an important collection of Tibetan style books in it's library and some excellent artwork. Entry fee is Rs 15.

Hemis Gompa

Is one of the largest and most important gompas in Ladakh, is 45 Km from Leh on the western side of Indus. It is famous for it's Hemis festival, celebrated in June-July. It has an extensive library, well preserved wall paintings and good Buddha figures. Entry Fee is Rs 15. A rest house is available for accommodation and also in local homes.

Stok

The queen of Stok, wife of last king of Ladakh, lives in the 200 year old palace. Visitors are allowed to see palace's museum only. Entry fee is Rs 20 and it is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

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Accommodation and Hotels at Leh

Book Online - Hotel Lasermo	From Rs.2,081/-
Book Online - Indus Guest House	From Rs.880/-
Book Online - Hotel Khangri	From Rs.2,090/-
Book Online - Hotel Royal Palace	From Rs.2,970/-
Book Online - Hotel Shangrilla	From Rs.4,111/-
Book Online - Spic n Span hotel	From Rs.1,408/-
Book Online - Hotel Siachen	From Rs.679/-