Trekking in Ladakh
Click on the questions below for more information about Ladakh.
About Ladakh
Can you use credit cards in Ladakh? What about money exchanges?
Credit cards can be used in some tourist shops and a few select hotels. Government authorized money exchanges at banks are available in most banks.
There is an Automated Bank Teller (ATM) but the queue is such that you might not want to wait in line.
What are the temperatures like? What kind of clothing do you need to wear in Leh, Ladakh?
Temperature
During the peak season July-August: Temperature varies between 15 degrees Celcius and up to as high as 35 degrees Celcius. When it is cloudy the temperature can drop to between 8 degrees Celcius and 15 degrees Celcius.
Clothing
Summer – July /August: Light cotton long sleeved tops, sun hat, plenty of sunscreen.
A warm fleece like jacket is necessary as temperatures drop in the evenings and when it is cloudy.
What mobile phone networks are available in Ladakh?
The government BSNL connection works best in Leh and Nubra. Airtel and Aircel, Vodafone work in Leh and a short radius near Leh.
What medical facilities exist in Leh, Ladakh?
The Sonam Norbu Government Hospital is there for emergencies and the army hospital is there for trauma cases if they are referred by the government hospital.
As well, there are at least three flights a day to Delhi from Leh for emergency evacuations.
Where is Ladakh?
Ladakh is a region of Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of the Republic of India. Part of Ladakh is included in Pakistan. Ladakh lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in India.
Historically, the region included the Baltistan (Baltiyul) valleys, the Indus Valley, the remote Zangskar, Lahaul and Spiti to the south, Aksai Chin and Ngari, including the Rudok region and Guge, in the east, and the Nubra valleys to the north.
Contemporary Ladakh borders Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti to the south, the Vale of Kashmir, Jammu and Baltiyul regions to the west, and the trans–Kunlun territory of Xinjiang to the far north. Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture. It is sometimes called “Little Tibet” as it has been strongly influenced by Tibetan culture.
For more information, see Wikipedia.
How do you get to Leh, Ladakh?
There are three airlines GO AIR, Jet Airways and AIR India that fly to Leh but you need to book several months in advance if you want good fares. The minimum price is about Rs. 5000 one way but it can go up as high as Rs, 20000 during the during the peak season months of July and August.
The other alternative is go by road. There are comfortable overnight buses that depart from ISBT in Delhi to Manali, and from Manali it takes about two days to arrive in Leh. You can reserve a jeep to yourself or take the shared Tata Sumo cars and mini cabs on a seat basis.
What kind of accommodation is available in Leh?
Most hotels are standard “A” Class hotels with attached bathrooms ranging from Rs.1800/- to Rs.2800/- for a double room with breakfast. Guest houses are also available from Rs.500/- to Rs. 1800/- for a room with breakfast. Deluxe hotels are a bit larger and they are in the range of Rs. 4000/- to Rs.6500/- for a room with breakfast only.
