![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ladakh-india-landscapes-travel-guide.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\nThe Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, a military airport cradled between lofty peaks, is bare bones. But I am dizzy with excitement that I\u2019m finally in Leh, Ladakh. Or perhaps that\u2019s just the result of having ascended 11500 feet in under five hours. <\/p>\n
The excitement and the dizziness mount as I head towards my hotel in Nimmu, 90 minutes out of Leh and some 400ft lower in elevation. I\u2019ve arranged for a pick up and I suspect my driver is as amused by my exclamations as the one driving us to Tarangire was six years ago<\/a>. <\/p>\n We pass the spot where the river Zanskar merges with the Indus \u2013 Sindhu in the vernacular \u2013 the waterbody that lends its name to my country and my religion. Its signature jade is, most disappointingly, clouded by snow melt and post monsoon debris. <\/p>\n I am too anxious to stop for photos, however. There\u2019s a tightness in my head that I\u2019m not sure whether I am imagining. The anxiety doubles when I realise I am the only occupant in the hotel set in a 400 year old traditional house with a gurgling stream in the grounds and apples and apricots dropping from trees all around me. <\/p>\n I\u2019d been told one full day would be plenty for acclimatisation. I\u2019ve given myself two and I do nothing all of the first day except come down for my meals. The discomfort in my head keeps me awake all night and worrying about it just makes the discomfort worse. <\/p>\n It is our concern over attempting a high altitude journey, especially since Ravi experienced discomfort in Cusco many years ago, that has kept us away from the Himalayas all these years. I have since come to believe in the call of place. In my best laid plans being dependent on a destination\u2019s readiness to welcome me. <\/p>\n Ravi is dismissive and claims I read meaning into the junk he routinely deletes. But when the call to Leh-Ladakh arrived in an email promotion for a photography tour, I wasn\u2019t about to ignore it.<\/p>\n Leh-Ladakh is an erroneous term. Leh and Ladakh are two separate entities. But search terms, those carelessly thrown together phrases, rule all content in this age of SEO (a rant for another day!).<\/p>\n Ladakh is the region in the extreme north of India sandwiched between heavily disputed borders with Pakistan on the west and the Chinese autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet on the east. Its villages scattered across a chain of mountain ranges: the Stok, Zanskar, Himalaya, Ladakh and Karakoram are connected by perilous high passes or La. Hence the name La + Dhak (many) = Land of High Passes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A district of the state of Jammu & Kashmir during my visit, Ladakh has since been reconstituted as a union territory with the stripping of statehood of Kashmir. Leh town is now the headquarters of the district of the same name and the access point to major tourist spots in the area. <\/p>\n As isolated as it seems today the town as well as the region have figured prominently in ancient trade routes that carried saffron, silk, embroidered woollen textile \u2013 even Buddhism \u2013 to the world over its high passes. A cultural exchange that has singularly shaped the landscape of Ladakh.<\/p>\n Later, Leh was the capital of two successive independent Buddhist kingdoms that stretched from Kashmir all the way to Tibet. An 1834 invasion by the Dogras of Jammu forced the ruling (Namgyal) family to retreat to Stok. Their descendants continue to reside in the Stok Palace.<\/p>\n I am vastly improved by the middle of the second day and bored enough to hire a taxi on impulse and head out to some monasteries nearby.<\/p>\n The barren brown landscape of Ladakh, a result of the contiguous mountain barrier that deflects rain laden monsoon winds from the south, is dramatic, even foreboding. But it also exudes a quiet spirituality that feels utterly peaceful.<\/p>\n Spirituality is such an integral part of the physical landscape of Ladakh with prayer flags fluttering over sacred rivers and mani stones<\/a> and whitewashed chortens dotting hills that seem to echo the chants from those precariously perched monasteries. <\/p>\n There is a reason why the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh is inscribed into the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity<\/a>. <\/p>\n Emboldened further next morning, I scramble up one more monastery before trading apple and apricot trees for concrete buildings on my first evening in Leh: the start of eight days focused on photographing the best of Ladakh. I am the lone chronicler in the group of serious photographers with some very impressive gear. <\/p>\n These are a sampling of some of the special moments that I experienced. Moments whose recounting has prompted Ravi to throw caution to the wind and begin planning a road trip to Ladakh. <\/p>\n Alchi is a hamlet near Nimmu (off the Srinagar-Leh highway) whose monuments are distinct from the other Tibetan style monasteries \u2013 or gompas \u2013 in the region. <\/p>\n Alchi Monastery<\/strong> is considered the best preserved example of Buddhist art of the 11th century anywhere. Its insignificance during a time when contemporary structures were looted or destroyed lends it enormous significance today in deciphering what it is we have lost. <\/p>\n Its interior surfaces are completely covered in frescoes that resemble Kashmiri art more than Tantric Tibetan. The iconography of temples and palaces on the lower garment of Avalokite\u015bvara \u2013 one of three colossal Bodhisattva statues in the Sumtsek Shrine \u2013 are believed to depict actual places now lost to time. <\/p>\n Photography is prohibited. Here\u2019s a fascinating article<\/a> along with photos shot for a conservation project now stalled due to friction between the monks in charge and the ASI (Archeological Survey of India). <\/p>\n Likir village, about 20km north of Alchi, is a defiant patch of vivid green in that inhospitable terrain. Perched high above it is the picture perfect Tibetan Gompa of the same name, the \u2018mother temple\u2019 of Alchi. <\/p>\n Likir Monastery<\/strong> is as ancient as Alchi but belongs to the newest and most dominant of the four Tibetan Buddhist orders in Tibet and Ladakh: the Yellow Hat Gelugpa sect headed by the Dalai Lama. <\/p>\n I am delighted to find it deserted after having to sidestep a domestic tour group at Alchi, and spend nearly an hour exploring its many little halls and museum at leisure. A 23 m tall golden Maitreya Buddha outside the main building is its main attraction.<\/p>\n The Basgo Fort<\/strong> complex, once the base of the founder of the Namgyal dynasty and currently on the WMF 2000 World Monuments Watch list<\/a> is on the way. But I feel my headache returning and do not want to tempt any altitude sickness djinns on my very first outing.<\/p>\n Lamayuru Gompa\u2019s<\/strong> crumbling chortens, ochre wall paintings and the prayer wheels and mani stones around its lone surviving original (11th century) stupa appeal to me even more than those in the larger and restored monasteries on the tour itinerary. I regret not driving further out (on the Srinagar highway) to fully appreciate its dramatic sprawl. <\/p>\n Lamayuru (the village) is referred to as \u2018moonland\u2019 for its lunar like geological formations best viewed from the cliff top above the monastery. I am not brave enough to attempt the steep climb. <\/p>\n The splendid 12 storey Thiksey Monastery<\/strong>, often compared to Tibet\u2019s Potala Palace for its terraced architecture, is the most prominent of the monasteries near Leh. <\/p>\n The main attraction of the 15th century gompa, other than its spectacular setting, is a two storey tall Maitreya. It was installed to commemorate the 2006 visit of the current Dalai Lama (in permanent exile in Dharamsala, India, since his flight from Tibet in 1959). <\/p>\n Less dramatically situated but with an expansive courtyard and even more atmospheric prayer halls, is the 17th century Hemis Monastery <\/strong>belonging to the Drukpa order (the Red Hat Sect that is more popular in Bhutan). It is the largest of the Ladakh monasteries and houses an interesting museum, larger than those in Likir and Thiksey, in an effort to secure its sacred artefacts from theft.<\/p>\n A mid morning prayer session is in progress as we enter the assembly hall presided over by a serene gilded Buddha. Senior lamas are arrayed on low seating in the middle reading mantras aloud from printed texts. A group of novice monks practice their mandala drawing skills on the floor of the right aisle. A lone bespectacled lama begins unfurling a roll of narrow white fabric on the left as he walks around the perimeter chanting another incantation. <\/p>\n It\u2019s a fascinating window into the traditions of a religion born in my country that feels equally strange and familiar. And into the cultural influences that created these elaborate rituals to celebrate a man who had shunned his own ritual laden religion to solely propagate (compassionate) action! <\/p>\n Diskit Gompa<\/strong>, spilling photogenically down a hillside overlooking the Shyok river valley makes up the third of the major monasteries of the region. It is the largest of the Tibetan style monasteries in the Nubra district. Its gigantic open air Buddha, nearly twice as large as the Maitreya in Thiksey, was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 2010. <\/p>\n These large monastic complexes include schools and nunneries and welcome visitors to witness (and even photograph) their dawn prayer rituals accompanied by clashing cymbals and blowing of horns. Each celebrates its patron deity or founder in colourful annual festivals that include masked dances and displays of festive thangkas (sacred painted scrolls). <\/p>\n The monasteries and the royal palaces of Ladakh are repositories of Tibetan Buddhist scriptural heritage. Their illustrated scriptures are the last surviving legacies of the earliest transfer of Buddhism to Tibet through translations of Sanskrit works. The cultural revolution in China wiped out much of that legacy.<\/p>\n There are so many lesser known, but no less significant monasteries dotting these mountain ranges. Lochen Rinchen Sangpo<\/a>, the \u2018Great Translator\u2019 and founder of Alchi and Lamayuru (probably the Tibetan Gompa and not the original shrine built by Naropa), is alone credited with the (magical) construction of 108 monasteries (across the Himalayas including other states in India). The majority of the surviving structures in Ladakh are from the 15th \u2013 17th centuries. I hope to get to a few of them when I return.<\/p>\n An evening at Shanti Stupa \u2013 an elaborate chorten overlooking Leh that is part of the peace pagoda mission by the pacifist Nipponzan-My\u014dh\u014dji order<\/a> \u2013 falls short of memorable due to the crowds even though the views are spectacular. <\/p>\n The journey to Nubra Valley on what is claimed to be the world\u2019s highest motorable road (it isn\u2019t, never was<\/a>) and through the treacherous 5359m (18,379ft) Khardung La (pass) is an experience in itself. Especially when you consider that it is the very same route followed by ancient Ladakhi caravans joining the Silk Road at Yarkhand beyond the even higher Karakoram Pass. <\/p>\n We can\u2019t stay long at that height and are plunging down into the Shyok and Nubra river valleys after the mandatory photo stop. <\/p>\n The Nubra is a tributary of the Shyok river and the two merge near Diskit to flow into the Indus across the border in Pakistan. Both rivers are born in the Siachen glacier \u2013 the world\u2019s highest battleground \u2013 beyond Nubra Valley. The glacier \u2013 already under strain from heavy troop presence \u2013 has just been opened to civilian tourists! <\/p>\n I expect to see more of the arid cold desert landscape of the Indus Valley (Leh and surrounds) characterised by vast stretches of scree covered slopes with random patches of green around the rivers. But the rolling sand dunes of Nubra are a delightful surprise. <\/p>\n We have ourselves an enchanted evening on an isolated stretch of the Hunder dunes that evening. It begins with a threat of rain and ends with the blessing of a double rainbow. Easily the highlight of a journey filled with special moments. <\/p>\n A night back in Leh precedes another long drive over Chang La (5360m) towards Pangong Lake<\/strong>, touted to be the highest salt water lake in the world (no, it isn\u2019t\u2026we so love superlatives!<\/a>). <\/p>\n Its name is derived from a Tibetan term for \u2018High Grassland Lake\u2019. What a bland name for a water body that takes on the most iridescent hues by the hour. I half expect \u2018Pangong\u2019 to be associated with legends of shape-shifting mountain djinns. <\/p>\n The disputed Line of Actual Control<\/em> (LAC) marking the border between India and China cuts across Pangong Tso leaving only a third within Indian territory and robbing it of the \u2018largest in India\u2019 accolade. <\/p>\n The stretch with the row of yellow \u2013 3 Idiots<\/a> \u2013 scooters is a travesty. As are the haphazardly set up refugee camp like tented lodgings (we did stay in one). <\/p>\n There was talk of the camps having been given notice to wind up. They still seem to be taking reservations more than two years on! Setting them up further inland without disturbing the fragile eco system of the lake shouldn\u2019t be so hard. <\/p>\n Is it possible to \u2018do\u2019 Pangong Tso as a day-trip? It is, technically, but the 5+ hour journey will leave you with just a couple of hours to enjoy it in and at the worst time of day with day-tripping crowds. <\/p>\n The Ramsar wetland reserve status of Tso Moriri <\/strong>on the westernmost part of the Tibetan Plateau in Changthang province saves it from the fate of Pangong Tso. Somewhat. <\/p>\n The lake and surrounds are said to be the only breeding grounds for black-necked cranes and bar-headed geese in India. (We did spot a flock of the latter but it was too far off for good photos.) Camping around the lake is prohibited and vehicles aren\u2019t allowed into the immediate vicinity. Setback for tourist accommodation is also considerably more than at Pangong.<\/p>\n At 4,522 m ( 14,836 ft) Tso Moriri, is the highest of our overnight stays in Ladakh. But it isn\u2019t the elevation I have trouble with this overcast evening as much as the biting cold, exacerbated by strong gusts of wind that nearly knock me off my feet several times and freeze my nose. <\/p>\n That lake remains incredibly calm through it all. Magical, even with its waters dulled to steel.<\/p>\n Considering Tso Moriri for a day trip would be lunacy. Elevation aside, the journey on any of the three routes takes a minimum of 7 hours each way. More if you stop for photos. How can you not?<\/p>\n NO TIME TO READ NOW? FULL DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something following a link on this page I\u2019ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Find latest travel notifications on the Ladakh Tourism<\/a> Twitter account. Their website isn\u2019t updated as often.<\/p>\n June, July and August are the most popular months due to optimal weather conditions. September is still good weather wise and considerably less crowded although there is hardly any snow left on the peaks this late in the year and the rivers are all muddied by snow melt and monsoon debris.<\/p>\n Late May-Early June would be my pick for a return visit if driving up. Even April if flying in.<\/p>\n If you can handle freezing temperatures and have the time to take snowed in roads in your stride, winter with its snow covered landscapes, trekking options on frozen rivers and colourful local festivals might be a spectacular time to visit. You\u2019ll only be able to fly in since highways will not be open until late spring.<\/p>\n Seven days at least if you want to get up to the lakes, excluding journey time and including one full day of rest for acclimatisation at the beginning. See AMS section below.<\/p>\n BY AIR: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is serviced by several domestic airlines from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Srinagar.<\/p>\n Pro Tip: Reserve window seats on the left (A) for great views from the inbound flight. Try and avoid seats above the wings (nos. 14,15,16,17).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n BY ROAD: Ladakh can be accessed via two high altitude roads:<\/p>\n 1. NH-1A: 434 km from Srinagar to Leh with an overnight halt in Dras or Kargil The former is the recommended route for the way up for a gentler acclimatisation process through mountain passes lower in elevation than those on the Manali-Leh route which is better suited for the return journey. <\/p>\n Both roads are impassable for nearly seven months of the year between November to mid May.<\/p>\n Taxi transfers or multi day packages can be pre-booked or arranged through your hotel or travel agents along the main market in Leh. <\/p>\n The Ladakh Taxi Union publishes its rate card annually so you will not have to haggle over costs. This list appears valid for 2020-21<\/a>. <\/p>\n If self driving \u2013 only private cars, rental cars and taxis registered outside Leh are not permitted beyond the town<\/strong> \u2013 remember to carry enough fuel<\/strong> for the return journey. There are no fuel stations beyond Karu on the highways leading to the lakes and along the remote connecting roads. <\/p>\n Roads are metalled most of the way with stretches of bumpy dirt track.<\/p>\n Acute mountain sickness is not to be taken lightly. Age and fitness levels have no bearing. A couple of young people in our group who hit the ground running were ill for several days. <\/p>\n Acclimatisation is key. Driving up (over two to three days) affords a gradual increase in elevation but you\u2019ll still need to allow at least a day in Leh to recover from the long journey. <\/p>\n If flying in, three days \u2013 including one full day of complete rest \u2013 in Leh (3500m) or lower \u2013 at the beginning is ideal. Head to Nubra Valley (3150m) next, followed by Pangong Tso (4350m) and finally Tso Moriri (4522m). <\/p>\n Hydration throughout your stay at high altitude is equally important. Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeinated beverages. Set reminders to drink water\/fluids through the day. My insulated flasks of hot water were a godsend. <\/p>\n Should you take diamox<\/strong>? My doctors didn\u2019t think it would make a difference so I chose not to. I know many Himalayan trek outfits make it mandatory for participants to start on Diamox two days prior to reaching high altitude<\/span><\/strong>. Taking it later is pretty much useless. Check with your doctor and take a call especially if you are on prescription medications or suffer from allergies. <\/p>\n With hindsight, my advice is not to let fear stop you from giving it a go. It isn\u2019t hard to jump into a taxi and head down to lower elevation if you continue to feel distinctly uncomfortable after two days in Leh. On no account should you proceed to the remote lake areas and high passes in the hope that you will feel better. That kind of foolishness nearly cost a close friend her life. And her story crippled me with anxiety.<\/p>\n Another possibility, if AMS is a concern, is to skip the lake areas completely, sleep lower in a place like Nimmu and explore Leh and the monasteries from there, then head to Nubra Valley which is considerably lower even though you navigate through a high pass. <\/p>\n LEH & THE INDUS VALLEY<\/p>\n Our group was booked into Hotel The Palace<\/a>: a solid mid-range option that makes up for its lack of charm with exceptional service. The food was simple (Indian) but surprisingly good. <\/p>\n Nimmu House<\/a> (in Nimmu village) a lovely heritage property is a good place to acclimatise and visit the Sham Valley sites from (Alchi, Lamayuru, Basgo and the Zanskar confluence). <\/p>\n Indus River Camp<\/a>, situated right on the river bank just outside Leh, is where I hope to stay when I return. <\/p>\n If looking to splurge, TUTC Chamba Camp Thiksey <\/a>and their camp in Diskit are uber luxurious glamping options.<\/p>\n FIND MORE OPTIONS TO FIT YOUR BUDGET HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n NUBRA VALLEY<\/p>\n Our hotel in Nubra \u2013 Karma Inn \u2013 was newish and clean but too basic and lacking in service to recommend. I\u2019m looking at Stone Hedge Hotel<\/a> for a future trip.<\/p>\n PANGONG LAKE<\/p>\n All temporary tourist accommodation close to Pangong Lake shut shop between October to May regardless of the court order for their re-location. <\/p>\n The Pangong Inn<\/a> in Lukung village is a fair option until there\u2019s clarity on the re-location of temporary structures. Do confirm current status before you book.<\/p>\n TSO MORIRI<\/p>\n We stayed in Tso Moriri Camp & Resort<\/a>. All camps turn off generators at night and limit hot water to a bucket full each morning. It isn\u2019t that much of a hardship and more than I expect in such a remote location. <\/p>\n Travellers on tighter budgets will be able to find home-stays in Leh and also in Turtuk, in Spangmik, Tanksey and Merak (near Pangong), Karzok (near Tso Moriri) and most every village frequented by tourists. Look for signs outside village homes offering bed and breakfast facilities.<\/p>\n ENROUTE (Suggestions for overnight halts if driving in &\/or out.)<\/p>\n Kargil: Hotel The Kargil<\/a><\/p>\n Jispa: Gemoor Khar Manor House<\/a><\/p>\n Leh town has enough tourist footfall to have a fair number of eclectic free standing restaurants that even offer pizzas and pastas in addition to Indian and Tibetan dishes. Most are located along the main market street. <\/p>\n I didn\u2019t get to eat out much but these are a few restaurants recommended by friends who\u2019ve recently returned from Ladakh. All with open to sky or partly open terraces.<\/p>\n Thupka (noodle soup), Momos (steamed dumplings with meat or vegetable fillings), steamed buns and yak butter tea are some traditional foods to try. Kashmiri kahwa (tea) was plentiful in our hotel although made from pre-mix and not the authentic brew we were served on Sukoon in Srinaga<\/a>r<\/a>. <\/p>\n If you love Maggi noodles \u2013 the remote-Ladakh staple \u2013 you\u2019ll have no issues along the inner roads. I detest the stuff. Thupkas, egg fried rice or roti and rajma (red kidney bean curry) were available at the village eateries we stopped at en-route but it did take a bit longer to rustle up. Carrying snacks for the journey or getting your hotel to pack some sandwiches or wraps might be a good idea if Maggi isn\u2019t your thing. <\/p>\n Leh boasts good 4G connectivity and most hotels offer free WiFi in-room. Coverage gets spotty and limited to BSNL in the remote areas especially around the lakes. Tso Moriri is practically out of network range.<\/p>\n Pre-paid <\/em>sim cards obtained outside Ladakh will not work anywhere in the region due to security concerns. Post paid connections (both Airtel & BSNL. Jio does not work in Ladakh as of now but is due to set up shop soon) as well as pre-paid cards bought on arrival after furnishing required id proofs will work fairly well (in and around Leh). <\/p>\n![\"Distinct](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/confluence-of-the-indus-zanskar-1.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Girl](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ladakh-reflection-of-mountains-and-sky.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Prayer](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_4743-copy-2.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Chorten](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/lad_5413.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Old](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/old-buddhist-nun-in-lamayuru.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMONASTERIES Of LADAKH<\/h2>\n
![\"Decorative](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_1587-copy-3.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"White](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_1642-copy-2.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Main](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/likir-monastery-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Likir](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/likir-monastery-prayer-hall-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Chortens](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/img_2802-copy-1.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/lama-in-lamayuru-monastery-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_4663-1500-.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/maitreya-buddha-in-thiksey-monastery-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Hemis](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/lamas-in-hemis-monastery-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Prayer](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/prayer-rituals-at-hemis-monastery-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/diskit-monastery-2.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/diskit-view-of-maitreya-in-the-valley.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Shanti](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/shanti-stupa-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
NUBRA VALLEY<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_3099-copy-2.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/bactrian-camels-in-nubra-valley-ladakh.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Mountain](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/hunder-dunes-at-dusk.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Silhouettes](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nubra-valley-ladakh-silhouettes.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Double](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nubra-valley-double-rainbow.jpg?w=1024\")
THE ALPINE LAKES <\/h2>\n
![\"Pangong](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pnagong-lake-at-midday.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Pangong](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pangong-lake-with-wildflowers-in-foreground.jpg?w=1024\")
![\"Tso](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/tso-moriri.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/changthang-landscape-.jpg?w=1024\")
\n![\"Ladakh](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/ladakh-india-landscapes-1.jpg?w=683\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
CLICK TO PIN \ud83d\udccc FOR LATER<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nLEH-LADAKH TRAVEL LOGISTICS<\/h2>\n
CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO LEH-LADAKH<\/h3>\n
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WHICH MONTH IS BEST TO VISIT LEH-LADAKH?<\/h3>\n
HOW MANY DAYS ARE REQUIRED FOR A\u00a0LEH-LADAKH TRIP?<\/h3>\n
GETTING TO LEH-LADAKH<\/h3>\n
![\"Road](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/lad_4667-copy.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
2. NH-21: 473 km from Manali to Leh with an overnight halt in Jispa.<\/p>\nGETTING AROUND LEH-LADAKH<\/h2>\n
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PERMITS FOR LEH-LADAKH<\/h3>\n
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![\"Mother](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ladakhi-mother-and-child.jpg?w=1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAMS & Acclimatisation<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_5343-copy.jpg?w=683\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_4839-copy.jpg\")
WHERE TO STAY IN LEH-LADAKH<\/h3>\n
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![\"Traditional](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/nimmu-house-1.jpg?w=1024\")
WHERE TO EAT IN LEH<\/h3>\n
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WHAT TO EAT IN LEH-LADAKH<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theurgetowander.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/lad_4649-copy-2.jpg?w=1024\")
NETWORK COVERAGE IN LEH-LADAKH<\/h3>\n
WHAT TO WEAR IN LEH-LADAKH \u2013 PACKING CHECKLIST <\/h3>\n