Question 1

How can I reach Ladakh?

Accepted Answer

Ladakh is one of the most popular destinations among adventure tourists, riders, photographers, and all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. It can be reached by rail road and train networks. However, be prepared for a lot of off roading to reach your destination.

There are a couple of routes you can take to reach the valley:  Srinagar to Leh: This road will take you to Ladakh via the Kashmir Valley ad Kargil and it would be about 434 kilometers of journey. The route is opened between early June and mid November. You will need to cross the Zoji-La Pass at about 11,500 feet to reach Ladakh. Manali to Leh: Another popular route to enter Ladakh is the Manali – Leh route. More than 473 kilometers, this route opens up from mid June and till early October. You will need to cross the Rupsho Plateau at 3,600 meters above sea level. There are several high passes including Taglang La – the second highest motorable road in the world.
By Road: Himachal Pradesh Tourism and J & K State Road Transport Corporation regularly runs deluxe and ordinary buses in both the routes and the journey takes about two days including the several stops it makes. However, many hire jeeps and gypsy taxis to be free from the timing of the bus routes. Another popular and recommended way to reach Ladakh, regardless of the route your take is to hire your own bike. Ladakh is particularly famous among riders and people hire two wheelers from Delhi to make the journey.

If you are travelling by road, it is recommended that you use the services of a registered travel agency to make the transports and camping arrangements. Driving your own vehicle is fun but at the same time it can be quite tasking and risky.
By Air: The nearest airport to Ladakh is the Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport that connects flights from Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar. Popular air carriers for this route include Jet Airways, Air India and GoAir. While the schedules of these flights are fixed, there could be changes depending on the weather conditions for the day. It is thus advised that you have a flexible itinerary if you are taking a flight.By Train: There is no train connectivity to Ladakh. The nearest you can get is Jammu Tawi station and from then you might wait to hire a vehicle or take the bus route to reach Ladakh.
Important Road Distances:
Srinagar to Leh: 434 kilometers Manali to Leh: 473 kilometers Srinagar to Kargil: 204 kilometers Delhi to Leh: 1047 kilometers Leh to Kargil: 234 kilometers Kargil to Padum: 240 kilometers Leh to Nubra Valley: 118 kilometersDon't forget to check out the Leh Ladakh bike rentals before you start planning your next trip.

Question 2

What is the best mode of transport to reach Ladakh?

Accepted Answer

The best way to reach Ladakh is hiring your own vehicle, be it a two wheeler or a four wheeler. A road trip offers you the opportunity to experience the expansive Himalayan landscape at your own pace. Depending on the season you are planning to visit Ladakh, a road trip will bring new vistas of opportunities.Check out the Srinagar to Leh road trip guide tour which gives you a chance to explore the beauty of Srinagar and Leh.

Question 3

What is the best time to visit Ladakh?

Accepted Answer

The most popular time to visit Ladakh is during the summer months between May and August. It is important to know that most of the highways leading to and around Ladakh open up in April. May would be the month when all the action would start. Though its summer, the breeze here will still carry a comforting chill and you won’t be able to do without a blanket at nighttime. The summer months are the season when most local festivals and events happen. However, trekkers also make it to Ladakh during the extreme cold of the winters. This however would be the time when most of the roads and passes are closed due to snow and gaining a permit to places too can be a problem.

Question 4

What would be day time high and night time low temperature?

Accepted Answer

Temperature extremes in night can go as low as minus fourteen degrees in Ladakh. Day time temperature in winter months can be a comfortable 20C while in the summers (months of May and June), temperature can peak to 210C.

Question 5

Which is the best route to visit Ladakh?

Accepted Answer

While there are several routes to visit Ladakh, one of the most highly recommended one is the Srinagar – Kargil – Leh route. However, you can take the Leh – Manali route for your return trip from Ladakh. This ensures that you won’t have to deal with a lot of altitude sickness in the return. Be ready for a highly mountainous journey.

Question 6

What kind of roads are there?

Accepted Answer

In the past few years, tourism across Ladakh has peaked and several visitors prefer to take their own vehicle or go on a packaged road trip. The road conditions are one of the most crucial things to understand before planning a trip. The road conditions in this valley keep on changing and it is a highly rocky terrain out there. If you are taking a four wheeler, it is important that your vehicle offers a very high ground clearance. A SUV or Hatchback with a min 4x4 would be recommended. Here’s segregating the road according to the driving conditions:Leh – Sham Valley: Most roads around the town of Leh are well maintained, barring a few sections that frequently get damaged from landslides and water. It would be easy to drive with a normal SUV or a RE Bullet. The places that you would be able to cover include Magnetic Hills, Basgo Palace, Alchi, Nimmu Confluence, Leh Palace, Namgyal Gompa, Shankar Gompa, Spituk Gompa, Hall of Fame and Main Market. Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley: Be ready for a bit of stiffness, especially in the Pullu Section of the route. Once, you reach Nubra Valley, the road widens and clears out. Leh – Karu – Chang La – Durbuk – Tangste – Pangong Tso: The road will be a mix of bad, very bad and impossible! The section between Shakti to Changla La is especially challenging, even for pro riders. The same can be said about the decent from Durbuk to Changla La. Leh – Upshi – Chumathang – Mahe – Sumdo – Kiagar Tso – Tso Moriri: This is mostly a mix of average road and dirt tracks. While the road cannot be said to be risky, it does involve a lot of challenge, especially after you have driven for so long. Pangong Tso – Man – Chusul – Loma – Mahe – Kiagar Tso – Tso Moriri: This road goes from remote and beautiful Himalayan villages but you will come across certain very bad sections that will require high ground clearance vehicles. Nubra Valley – Agham – Wari La – Chang La – Tangste – Pangong Tso: One of the most popular routes, this is a very tough road. The more challenging part is you will rarely spot any other tourist vehicle or villages that would be able to help in case of a breakdown.

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