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Leh Ladakh Tour Packages
Does snow-capped peaks and clear blue sky mesmerize you?
Unify Holidays introduce you to a scenic destination that has continued to attract tourists from all over the world. Ladakh has maintained its spell since the region was open to tourists in the 1970s. Since then, Ladakh has become a favourite destination for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts. The rugged terrain and the majestic mountains around make an exotic cocktail for adventure enthusiasts.
Ladakh is located in India's northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is approximately 410 kilometres from Srinagar and 474 kilometres from Manali via Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.
Before you decide to fly away to the land of Buddhist monasteries, Unify Wizards presents you a guide with all the relevant information in a detailed manner.
How Can You Reach Ladakh?
It is important to remember that Ladakh is inaccessible during some times of the year. The highways leading to Leh Ladakh are open mostly from the months of May to October because they remain submerged in snow for the rest of the year. While taking a flight to Leh is the most preferred option, riding a bike to the Leh or Ladakh region is a dream for many. Let us discuss the best ways of reaching Leh Ladakh.
By Air
Leh is well connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The flight will drop you at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. From the Airport, tourists can book a cab to their respective destinations. Travellers should remember that the security checks are a bit more stringent than at other airports in the rest of the country.
By Train
Leh does not have a railway station of its own but travellers who would like to explore and enjoy the journey before reaching the destination can take a train from their city to Banihal Station. It is around 500 kms away from Ladakh. The Jammu Rajdhani, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Jhelum Express, and Malwa Express are some of the prominent trains that can be boarded from Delhi.
By Road
Ladakh is well connected by road networks with the nearest major towns, Srinagar and Manali. However, one must keep in mind that road travel to Ladakh is only possible for a duration of 6 months of the year due to snowfall.
Bike riding to Ladakh is a dream for every adventure enthusiast. Bikers can take two different routes to reach Ladakh – one is from Srinagar and the other is from Manali.
Srinagar To Leh Route
This is one of the lesser used routes to Leh. This route will require bikers to cover a distance of almost 435 km.
The route one can follow is as follows:
Srinagar- Sonmara – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil – Mulbek – Lamayaru - Saspol – Accommodation of choice in Srinagar –Leh Highway.
Manali To Leh Highway Route
Tourists appreciate the Manali-Leh road not only for its ease but also for the amazing scenic possibilities it offers. This route covers around 490 kilometres in total. The stunning beauty of the region can also be enjoyed along the route.
By Car/Jeep
Riding a jeep to Leh- Ladakh is as fun and daring as riding a bike. It is ideal for those travelling in groups of friends or families who want to experience the adrenaline pump and prefer the road over flying.
Depending on the duration of the vacation, one can drive to Leh from Srinagar, Manali, or Chandigarh. The highlight of travelling in a jeep or car is traversing the Zoji La Pass, which is situated at an elevation of about 11,500 feet. When heading to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley through Kargil, this is the same pass that would be used. This route takes travellers through numerous passes, including the Tanglang La Pass, Ladakh’s second-highest motorable pass at 17,480 feet.
By Bus
Travelling in a bus to Ladakh could be a bumpy ride. Ladakh is connected to Srinagar and Jammu through roads that can take you on a bus ride. The bus could take one of the two routes:
- From Srinagar via the Zoji La Pass
- From Manali via Rohtang Pass.
There is a direct bus route from Delhi wherein the bus will travel a distance of more than 1,205 kilometres in total.
Best Time To Visit Leh-Ladakh
The best time to visit Ladakh in your personal vehicle is during the month of June. The months of mid-September to mid-October are considered the finest months to experience the spectacular splendor of Ladakh and Leh's terrain.
The month of March is considered as the ideal month to visit Ladakh for an adventurous vacation.
The months of April to mid-May is the busiest time for Ladakh tourism. It is highly unsafe and risky to visit Ladakh between the months of August to December, as monsoon and winter take their toll on the region.
Hotels, flights and food may become extremely costly during the peak season. The team at Unify Holidays urges you to purchase your tickets well in advance if you want to travel during these months.
Bike Trip To Ladakh
The best time to go on a bike riding trip is during the summer season. Summers in Ladakh are warm and pleasant, with the sun streaming over the snow-capped mountain peaks. The clear roads, no risk of landslides and snowfall, make summers the ideal season to explore Ladakh on a bike.
Traveling by road becomes extremely tough during the winters and monsoons. Warmer weather in the summer months (May to early October) makes visiting Ladakh more fun. You will be able to visit all the major tourist attractions, such as Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley.
Mid-May to September, when the Leh Manali Highway opens via Rohtang Pass, is the finest time to explore Ladakh by road.
Mid-September to mid-October is an excellent time to visit Leh and Ladakh since the region is permeated in flamboyance along the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh roads. The road conditions are better during this time.
For passionate motorcyclists, the finest months to explore Ladakh are July and August, when all passes and streets are open, the area becomes extremely hospitable.
Let Us Now Discuss Which Month Is The Finest To Visit Ladakh:
April - June (2°C To 19°C):
Tourist travel passes are available from the beginning of April. Hence, summer can be considered as the best time to visit Ladakh. The air is crisp, and the skies are beautiful during this time of the year, providing splendid views that a tourist can experience while riding a bike or jeep.
The Leh-Ladakh region witnesses the melting of lakes in late April, and the landscape is full of magnificent colors. With the onset of the month of June, one may also take a trip to Rohtang Pass.
July - September (3°C To 17°C):
We would caution travellers to not go on an excursion to Ladakh during the monsoon season, which begins in July and lasts up to September. It is impossible to walk or drive here due to the regular occurrence of landslides, roadblocks, and snow slides.
However, the month of September is an excellent time to explore Ladakh. During this month precipitation stops and there is no humidity.
October - March (-9°C To 2°C):
With temperatures plunging below zero degrees, planning a vacation to Ladakh during the winter season is not advisable. Driving on a snow-covered road is very dangerous.
Tourists might, however, choose to go on the Chadar Trek from the months of January to March.
Best Places To Visit In Leh – Ladakh
Leh is the largest town of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Today, the town of Leh exists as a reflection of the unique blend of Tibetan and Indian culture.
Let us talk about a few places you must include in your itinerary for a Leh- Ladakh vacation:
Leh Palace
The majestic Leh Palace, also known as Lhachen Palkhar, is one of the most stunning tourist attractions in Leh. This palace, which overlooks Leh, was established in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal and has since served as the king's home. The palace terrace offers amazing views of Stok Kangri and the Ladakh mountain range. It is also the perfect spot to get panoramic views of the entire town and its surroundings.
Nubra Valley
It is a tri-armed valley located towards the northeast of Ladakh valley. It was once known as Ldumra - the valley of flowers. The most usual route for this valley is to take the Khardung la pass from Leh. This valley is home to numerous prominent tourist destinations, including the town of Diskit, a 32-meter-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, monasteries, the pristine Ladakhi villages of Sumur, Turtuk, Kyagar (also known as Tiger), Tirith, and Panamik. There's also Hundar, which is known for its surreal combination of sand dunes and the rushing river Shyok. The iconic two-humped Bactrian camels may be found near Hundar, making for an unusual yet magnificent sight.
Thiksay Monastery
Thiksay Monastery is one of the finest tourist attractions in Leh, Ladakh. It is the biggest Gompa in central Ladakh and is located on top of a hill in Thiksay village, roughly 19 kilometres from Leh. It is notable for several works of Buddhist art, including stupas, sculptures, thangkas, wall paintings, swords, and a 15-metre (49-foot) high figure of Maitreya that spans two storeys of the temple.
Shanti Stupa
This is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Leh, resting on a hill in the Changspa area. Gyomyo Nakamura, a Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, created this white-domed stupa. There is a road running from Leh to Shanti Stupa, so you can either drive there or hike up some 500-odd stairs to reach the top of the Stupa. It's another wonderful vantage point with stunning views of Leh and mountain scenery in the background. It is a perfect place to get some spectacular sunset photographs.
Magnetic Hill
The Magnetic Hill is a popular point to stop by along your Ladakh road journey. The locals believe that the hills here have magnetic characteristics, and that the pull will propel any vehicle uphill even if the engine is switched off. There is a lot of folklore surrounding the location that describes the entire phenomenon as supernatural. The tourists will have to travel 35 kms on the Srinagar-Leh Highway to unravel the enigmatic Magnetic Hill.
Pangong Tso Lake
Pangong Tso means 'high grassland lake' in Tibetan. It is a beautiful endorheic lake in the Himalayas at a height of roughly 14,270 feet. The Tibetan Autonomous Region of China is located across this stunning azure lake. Despite the fact that it contains salty water, the lake entirely freezes over throughout the winter season. Since the production of Bollywood film 3 Idiots, the lake has become a famous tourist destination in Ladakh. Pangong Tso is a five-hour trip from Leh, with most of the journey on rugged and stunning mountain roads.
Gurudwara Patthar Sahib
This remarkable and picturesque gurudwara is a popular tourist destination in Leh and Ladakh. It was established in 1517 to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev's journey to Ladakh and is located 25 kilometres from Leh on the Srinagar-Leh route. It is famous for a massive stone that is said to bear Guru Nanak Dev's impression, as well as another stone that is said to bear the imprint of a demon he encountered here. Both of the stones are on display here.
Food To Eat In Leh – Ladakh
Culture and cuisine are inextricably linked in India, no matter where you travel. To get the most out of any vacation, tourists must taste the local food. If you are anything like the team at Unify Holidays, food will always have a special place in your heart. When visiting Ladakh, keep in mind that it is not only a destination for gorgeous mountains and beautiful valleys, but also a place for Tibetan food. Tibetan food is not the same as Indian cuisine. The meal does not have a high spice content and is more nutritious.
Here are some of the must-try dishes in Leh Ladakh.
Skyu Or Skew
Skyu, a traditional soup-based delicacy, is one of the greatest Ladakh native delicacies to taste. This delicacy, made of kneaded dough and veggies, will take your breath away. The soft kneaded dough is flattened into pasta-shaped balls and placed in a saucepan of hot boiling water with the veggies cooked on low heat. The dish is served with meat or momos as per your choice. It is usually eaten during the winter season and is popular among hikers who stay in communities. One best spot to try this deliucacy is Wanderers Terrace and Café, situated in Main Bazaar, Leh
Tingmo
When seeking traditional food in Ladakh, you must try this vegetarian meal. Tingmo, often spelled Teemo, is a steamed bun-shaped bread that can be served with vegetables, dal, or meat if desired. The meal is available in three flavours: sour, spicy, and pleasant, and may be savoured at any time of day, whether for breakfast, lunch, or supper. The best spot to try this delicacy is at Lamayuru Restaurant on Fort Road in Leh.
Chhutagi
Another popular dish from Ladakhi cuisine is Chhutagi, which literally translates as "water bread." It's produced by flattening the dough into circles and shaping them into bow ties. These are then cooked in either a saucepan of boiling thick soup or meat. The dish is considered a hefty supper that provides immediate warmth and energy. In addition, when you explore different local eateries in Leh Ladakh, you will come across several varieties of Chhutagi. One place that you must try Chhutagi at is Alchi Kitchen, Monastery Road, Alchi Village, Ladakh.
Khambir And Butter Tea
The dish's name is intriguing on its own. Khambir is a traditional bread that is used in the bulk of Ladakhi meals. The bread is brownish and has a thick crust; it is served with butter tea (also called Tsaza or Gur Gur Cha). The tea is made using boiling tea leaves, milk, butter, and salt. One of the nicest things to do in Leh Ladakh is to try a freshly made loaf of Khambir with butter tea.
Cholak
Cholak is a classic Leh Ladakh dish made of barley and roasted grains. When visiting the region, this delectable and scrumptious food will satisfy your appetite. The noodles provide a distinct touch, making it a substantial and wholesome meal. If you want to experience some amazing Ladakh cuisine, make Cholak a priority.
Mokthuk
Mokthuk is an extraordinary combination of momos and soup that has earned its place on the list of Leh Ladakh's most famous foods. When one takes a mouthful of the juicy momos and slurps the soup, a distinct flavour of spices from the hills will undoubtedly enhance your Ladakh vacation. It will definitely become a core memory.
Tapu
Tapu is primarily consumed by the Sham people. It is made from wheat flour formed into little balls, cooked in water, and mixed with crushed apricot seeds. It can be served for breakfast, lunch, or supper.
Paktsa Marku
Paktsa Marku, popular in Zanskar and Changthang, is served during the first Tibetan holy month when devotees fast. The dish is made with wheat flour moulded into little balls that are cooked in water and then topped with dry crumbled Chhurpe (Yak Cheese) and sugar. The best places to try it are at Zanskar and Changthang cafés and restaurants.
Paba And Tangtur
Paba & Tangtur, a healthy and one of the main foods of Leh Ladakh, is serverd during fieldwork in communities. Paba is a soft bread made of roasted barley flour or sattu that is eaten with Tangtur. Tangtur, on the other hand, is buttermilk served with vegetables, making this food even more delicious. If not Tangtur, Paba is eaten with Zathuk and is best enjoyed in the winters.
Chhurpe Or Yak Cheese
Chhurpe or Yak Cheese is made from the milk of dzomo (a hybrid between a domestic cow and a yak) and comes in two varieties: hard and soft. It is a popular element in Ladakh's distinct flavourful specialties such as thukpa. Yak cheese is even blended with tsampa (roasted barley flour) to make kholak. The prepared meal is then served with minced meat or veggies. Don't forget to bring back some Chhurpe for your loved ones when you return from your Ladakh vacation.