GENERAL INFORMATION

Ladakh is a land abounding in awesome physical features, set in an enormous and spectacular environment. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalaya in the south, it is traversed by two other parallel chains, the Ladakh Range and the Zanskar Range.
 

Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 ft (2,750 m) at Kargil to 25,170 ft (7,672m) at Saser Kangri, in the Karakoram Range. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 27C in the shade, while in winter they may at times plummet to minus 20C even in Leh. Surprisingly though, the thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitudes. It is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time!

Today a high-altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing clouds of the Indian monsoon by the barrier of the Great Himalaya, Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south-east plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins or lakes of Tso-moriri, Tso-kar and Pangong-tso. But the main source of water is winter snowfall.

Dras, Zanskar and the Suru Valley on the Himalaya's northern flanks receive heavy snow in winter, this feeds the glaciers from which melt water, carried down by streams, irrigates the fields in summer. For the rest of the region, the snow on the peaks is virtually the only source of water. As the crops grow, the villagers pray not for rain, but for sun to melt the glaciers and liberate their water.

Weather Condition:
Most of Ladakh falls above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) and the capital Leh is at 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). The summers are hot and the winters cold, with temperatures sometimes reach about 30oC in summer and dropping as low as -25oC in winter. So, you need to bring appropriate clothing for a range of conditions, because with global climate change, one can experience the occasional cool day even in summer. Please free to contact us if you need advice on what to bring. And remember, you can also buy extra clothing in Leh if needed.

Visa and Permit: Tourist can reach Leh with normal Indian tourist visa and does not require any special visa or permit. However, the foreign tourists are required to register themselves at Drass, Rumtse and Sarchu if they are travelling by road. Those travelling by air get themselves registered at the airport. The tourist, both foreign and domestic are required to get permit for restricted areas like Tsomoriri, Tsokar, Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, Which can obtained through registered travel agencies.

Currency, Money Exchange & credit Card: The local currency is Indian Rupees. There are authorized agencies for money exchange for USD or Euro traveler cheque and cash. You should insist for a receipt, which will help you in reconverting the money whenever you desire. Credit Cards are accepted by major Travel Agents, hotels and antique shops on paying 2.5% service charge.

Time difference: The Indian Standard time (IST) is as per the calculation done in the Allahabad city. IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of London, 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Paris and about 10 hours and 30 minutes behind the New York City.

How to Reach?
By Air : The Indian airlines, Jet airways and Air Deccan operate regularly between New Delhi to Leh.
The Indian Airlines has its flight operates twice a week between Leh and Jammu. It also operates Srinagar-Leh once in a week. Jet airways and Air Deccan flights operate only between Leh and Delhi.

Road: The Srinagar Leh road remains open from early June to November. And the Manali-Leh road remains open from early June to mid–October.

What to bring?
What To Bring During Ladakh Visit
Clothing: The temperature in mid summer is pleasant requiring T-shirt and shorts in the daytime but in evening temperature drips and you need jacket or pullover. While trekking above 4000m, you need warm cloths. Sometimes there is rain or snow in early June and August. Therefore, you need wind sheeter or raincoat.

Shoes: Good waterproof shoes are needed while trekking and extra Pair of shoes or slippers is useful while crossing the rivers.

Ruck Sack:Two ruck sacks are needed. One small handbag for your camera, water bottle, pack lunch and a space for jacket. Bigger one to carrying clothes with extra layer to be safe from rain and dust.

LehSleeping Bag: Summer sleeping bag is enough if you are travelling between mid June to mid September and warm winter sleeping bag is required if you are travelling between mid September to mid June. You can also rent very good sleeping bags from trekking companies in Leh.

Avoid Acute Mountain Sickness:Acute mountain sickness can occur to any one at an altitude above 10,000 ft. above sea level, therefore, make it sure to take complete rest on the day of arrival.
Accommodation: There are hundreds of family run hotel and Guest Houses in Leh to suit every pocket.
Food:All the hotel and restaurants serve Local Ladakhi, Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, Italian and continental cuisines.
Street Hawkers: Generally there are no street hawkers in Leh Town, but at time you might come across people in the street trying to lure you to their shops. You should discourage such practices, it may cause inconvenience to you later.
Telecommunication facility: Telephone & Fax facilities are available in Leh, Padum, Kargil and Nubra Valley.
Postal Service: Foreign airmail rate is Rs 15 for a letter,which is not exceeding 20 grams in weight for Australia,Japan,Europe and America .For aerogramme Rs 8.50 and Post Card Rs 8/-.
Internet Service: Internet and e-mail services are available in the Leh town.
Clicking portraits of interesting people: it would be advisable to ask before clicking a picture of individual or even group of people. However, a tourist should refuse to give money if asked for.

Drinking Water: It would be convenient to carry a water purification set with you on a trek. It is even safe to use boiled fresh water during the trek. The Dzomsa Laundry in the main market sell high pressure boiled water for Rs 7 per liter. You can bring your water bottle or container to get it filled with the chemical-free safe drinking water at the Dzomsa Laundry.

Plastic Bags: Ladakh is perhaps the only region in India where the use of plastic bag is officially banned. So, the plastic carry bags that you see in other parts of India are not seen in Leh. However, market goods in readymade plastics packages are there. A trekker should ensure that the biodegradable camping wastes are buried properly and burn the non biodegradable ones before they move further.

National Park: Hemis National ParkAll the trekking routes fall under the sensitive wildlife habitat area including the Hemis National Park. In fact Ladakh is a place where villages are part of the vast wilderness that harbours rich but sparse wildlife. Some of the species are even endangered ones. Therefore, one should be extremely careful about not causing any disturbance to the vulnerable wildlife habitat while on trek.

Hiring Taxi from outside Leh: Hired taxis from outside Ladakh are not allowed to be used for local sightseeing and jeep-safari. You can book the non-local taxis only to drop you at Leh or for your return trip while leaving Ladakh. You have to hire local taxis for local sightseeing and jeep safaris. However, there is no restriction for those traveling in their own private cars.

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