About
Ladakh
Getting Acquainted with the Land of Numerous Passes
Ladakh is spread over an area of 97,000 sq. kms. and lies on an average of
3,500 meters. Above the sea level. Ladakh has a population of around
1,70,000. Ladakh is popularly known as "The land of Numerous Passes",
"The Land of Mystic Lamas", "The Broken Moon" and "The
Last Shangri-La". It is a land like no other, situated in Indian
Himalaya in Jammu And Kashmir State. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest
mountain ranges, the Greater Himalaya and the Karakoram, and it lies athwart
two others, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range.
Leh is one of the favorite tourist destinations located in the northernmost
part of India. Lapped in the snow-covered fringes of the Himalayas, Leh has
been the center of Tibetan-Buddhist Culture since ages. Its colorful Gompa
have attracted the devout Buddhists from all over the globe. Besides, it is
also a favorite hiking locale and is known for some of the best hikes in the
country. Ladakh is a high altitude desert plateau, once covered by an
extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exists on its South-East
plateau of Rupshu and Chushul - in drainage basins with evocative names like
Tso-Moriri, Tsokar and Pangong Lake. With Dras, Zanskar and the Suru Valley
on the Himalayan's Northern flank.
Climate - Temperature in summer (June to September) can
touch 30C and -20C in late December and January. Annual rainfall is 6".
Credit Cards- Credit Cards are not accepted by most of the
hotels and travel agents except some antique shops.
Tourist Information about Ladakh
Best time to Visit
Ladakh is open for tourist throughout the year, while the best period for
tour and trek is from June to October. Most of the trekking routes are
closed after November due to heavy snowfall at high passes except the Liker
to Kahltsey (Sham) trek. The best period for Chadar trek is from January to
Mid-March. The festivals of Stok, Matho and New Year take place in winter.
It is possible to visit monasteries in winter, as there are many centrally
heated hotels in Leh.
Things you Should Carry
Clothing: The Temperature in mid summer is pleasant and
t-shirt and half pant in the daytime and in Evening temperature come down
and need Jacket or pullover. While trekking above 4000m, you need warm
cloth. Sometimes there is a rain or snow in early June therefore you need
Wind sheeter or raincoat.
Shoes: Good waterproof shoes are needed while trekking
and extra pair of shoes and Sandal is useful while crossing the rivers.
Ruck Sack: Two Ruck Sack is needed. One small handbag for
your Camera, Water bottle, Pack lunch and a space for Jacket. Bigger one for
carrying Clothes with extra layer to be safe from rain and dust.
Sleeping Bag: Warm sleeping Bag.
Arriving At Leh-Ladakh
By
Flight : Indian Air Lines operates regular flight to Leh from Delhi,
twice a week between Leh to Jammu and once a week from Srinagar. Jet Airways
Operates daily flight between Leh to Delhi.
By Roadways : There are two overland routes the Srinagar
to Leh road remains open from early June to November. The Jammu and Kashmir
State Road Transport Corporation operates regular deluxe and ordinary bus
services.
The Manali - Leh road remains open from mid June to early
October. Himachal Pradesh tourism, HRTC and Manali private bus union,
operates a daily bus services, which takes two days to reach Leh, after a
night halt at Sarchu or Darcha.
By Taxi- Taxies are also available at Leh, Manali and
Srinagar.
Aacclimatize your Body Properly
Acute mountain sickness can occur to any one at an altitude above 10,000
ft. from the sea level. The most common symptoms of acute mountain sickness
are headache disturb sleep loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular
breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration. Since Leh
Town is situated at an altitude of 11,500 ft. above sea level. It is
advisable to take the following precautions, so as to acclimatize your body
properly.
1. Take complete rest for the first 36 hours of your arrival at Leh.
However, this period may vary with different people.
2. Your body should get used to the lower oxygen levels.
3. Incase you develop any of the above-mentioned symptoms, please consult a
Doctor.
Rescue and precaution for mountaineering and trekking in Ladakh
Tourist undertaking mountaineering and trekking in Ladakh, whether in
groups or individual, should take some precuations. There is no private
aerial rescue agency in Ladakh and only as a life saving measure; engaging
the Indian Air Force help in evacuation.
Government of India Ministry of Defence has authorized the
station Commander, Air Force Station Leh, to airlift for rescue cum
causality evacuation of members of mountaineering expedition and trekking
parties in distress in the available IAF aircraft helicopter on the
following conditions: -
1.The evacuees should give an undertaking to the effect that payment on
account of the cost of the aircraft for rescue will be borne either by the
travel insurance company or by the individual concerned.
2.The evacuees are also responsible for reimbursements of loss/ damage to
the aircraft/helicopter while undertaking the task of rescue causality
evacuation, deviation, diversion, return to base and for the liabilities due
on above account-to IAF, as well as compensation to any individual including
the aircrew, which may become payable as a result of any accident/incident.
3.The authorities empowered to place the demand for airlift of any
causality require the following forms to be filled by the evacuess for
settlement of bills with air force headquarter.
a.Form of guarantee of full payment.
b.Form of acceptance certificate.
c.Form of indemnity bond.
d.Photocopy of insurance policy card.
e.Photo of passport.
All the above forms can be obtained from Dy. Director, TRC Leh.
Some
Do's & Don'ts
Photograhing of People: Take permission before you click a
photograph of any one. Don't take photo if they ask for money.
Water purification: Take water purification piles with
you. And you can use boiled fresh water during the trek. Dzomsa Laundry
sells high pressure boiled water for Rs.7 per liter. Bring you own water
container.
Plastic Bags: Do not use plastic bag since plastic is
officially banned in Ladakh. Always separate and properly dispose off litter
burns burnable, bury biodegradable materials while trekking.
National Parks: Don't distrub wild life during the trek;
be aware of the highly sensitive ecology and the economy of the geographical
and cultural landscape.
Books- Reach Ladakh by Tundup Dorjey is only Guidebook
providing basic, Trekking and all other tourism related information on
Ladakh. Cross road to high Asia by Janet Rizvi from oxford university press,
gives through information on Ladakhi history and culture. Ancient Feature
Learning from Ladakh by Helena Norbag gives information regarding farming
system and culture in Ladakh. Getting started to Ladakhi by Rebecca Norman
is recommended if you are interested in learning a few Ladakhi phrases. The
Monasteries of Ladakh by Ge. Thupstan provides historical background of the
monasteries.
Other Guide Books- Detail trekking information is offered
in a guidebook "Trekking in Ladakh" by Charlie Loram from Trail
Blazer Publications. Reach Ladakh, trekking in Ladakh and Zangskar and
Trekking in Indian Hilmalaya by Lonely Planet.
Maps- Trekking Map of Ladakh by Sonam Tsetan and Reach
Ladakh Trekking map provides detail information regarding trekking routes in
Ladakh region.
