places to visit in east india
Leh Ladakh
- Ladakh is a union territory in the Kashmir region of India. Formerly falling in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh was administered a union territory on 31st October 2019. Extending from the Siachen Glacier to the main Great Himalayas, Ladakh is a land like no other. Dominated by dramatic landscapes, Ladakh is known as the world's coldest desert.
- Stunning Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries), fluttering prayer flags, whitewashed stupas, Ladakh is a riot of intricate murals and red-robed monks. 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. With a culture similar to Tibetan culture, the people of Ladakh are friendly and welcoming to tourists.
- Ladakh is an adventure playground for rafting and high-altitude trekking. Note that Leh Ladakh is inaccessible by road outside the summer months. The route passes close altogether from around October to May, and the only way to reach is by air. Chadar trek on frozen Zanskar river takes place in January to the end of February.
- For those of us living in the constant confusion about the difference between these twin locations, Leh-Ladakh, here is something that might help you. Ladakh is divided into two districts: district Leh and district Kargil. The former district has a famous town, "Leh", and is a great tourist attraction because of its beautiful monasteries nearby, Shanti Stupa, cafes and Leh Bazaar defining the place's culture.
Must Know Before You Visit Leh Ladakh
- Inner Line Permits are no longer required to travel the inner line areas of Ladakh from August 2021 for Indian Nationals.
- However, those visiting Ladakh will still have to pay a green fee or environment fee of INR 300 and a Red Cross Fund fee of INR 100 will still have to be paid. This fee can be paid online or through your hotel or travel agent.
- Travellers from countries other than India will still need to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
- Government authorities launched a web portal http://lahdclehpermit.in/ on June 1, 2017, making it easier for travellers to obtain a permit.
Note
:
- Visit TIC Office, Opposite J&K Bank, Main Market, Leh to get permits signed and stamped. The timings of the office are 9.00 AM to 03:00 PM.
- The scrapping of ILP doesn't allow the movement to certain villages including the 'zero-km' villages near the border still remains accessible for the travellers.
- Indian travellers will be required to carry a valid ID proof while travelling to Ladakh
- Other Things to Know:
- Ladakh is a plastic-free union territory
- Do not click pictures of locals without their permission
- Carry sufficient cash as there are no ATMs outside of Leh and sometimes these ATMs won't be operational due to bad weather and power issues
Comments