Leh Ladakh - 25th Sept 2009

Harshasom

Trip to Leh, Ladakh in Sept Last week

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

Me and my hubby are planning a trip to Leh and Ladakh in Sept last week. Starting from Mumbai on 25th Sept for Delhi and back in Mumbai by 5th Oct.

If anyone else is interested to travel at the same time and would like to join us please let us know.

Though we have planned a few sections of the trip we have few Queries:

1. Should we book our accommodation & travel in Leh beforehand or is it possible to reach there and get bookings done?

2. We are a bit tight on no of days, we will get effectively 6days in Ladakh - so, in 6 days duration where all we can go and which are the places are must see?

Please help us in this.

Regards,

Harsha

pip

Late September...no worries booking a good place, but best to do so from Delhi/wherever, for peace of mind. Guest houses are the real thing still, so these are recommended - check out a guide book (Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, etc), there are many, but some may be winding down; check on their websites. Many have wonderful organic gardens with seats in the sun - highly addictive to locals and visitors.

If no prior experience at altitude, just rest up for a couple of days, look out the window, sleep, drink tea/water and eat lots of carbohydrate goodies. It is easy to do, I assure you...and many places have Nepali or Bihari cooks, if they are still there then. Decent food in the main street and some cafes, also in the GHs themselves.

Then, after plenty of rest, maybe on late day two, start walking slowly. Aspirin if you feel lousy, or take some Diamox with you (sulphur drug, fine for most people). No alcohol.

Travel can be booked while you rest up, that is usual way in Ladakh.

Where you go depends on what you like...6 days is a taster, but still enough to see plenty. Most people enjoy the gompas, you can see 10-12 great ones close to Leh, including some ancient sites like Alchi. Two days up and down the valley could do these plus give you a look at the Indus valley.

Some go out to Pangong Tso over the Chang La, a very fine pass over the Ladakh range; thence a decent drive over some good road with a few rough patches to the lake. Best to stay there if you go, home stays at Spangmik. Another great drive is past Upshi to Mahe then to Tso Moriri; as near to Tibet as you can get (20-30 kms), and very high out that way, wildlife also.

Don't miss sites: Lamayuru (ask to be driven up to the high road above the gompa the 'old Srinagar to Leh highway'); Thikse Gompa, Chemrey Gompa, Alchi, Likir, Spitok Gompas. Plenty of great walks along back lanes around Leh, refreshingly quiet when you are going, climb to the Palace also.

Final word, very important. I see you are from Bombay..huge temperature drop awaits you, make sure you have serious warm clothing, you can buy in Leh cheap if needed. Watch out especially if the evening wind blows up cold; take head gear and neck warmers. best wishes...

Harshasom

Hi pip,

Thanks a lot for the valuable information.

It really found it very helpful. Will try to cover the places which you have mentioned.

Regards,

Harsha