Leh Ladakh, Leh Travel Guide, Leh Tourism

Leh is the capital of the Himalayan kingdom Ladakh which is in the Indian state of Kashmir. Actually Leh is located in the crossroads of the old trading route of Tibet, Kashgar and Kashmir, which is in the Indus river valley. Leh was mainly popular because of trading, but after the partition of British India, the trading stopped and finally the borders were closed during the Sino-Indian  war in the year 1962. From the year 1974 Leh was bustling with the tourists, as it was the first time it was opened for all. But the Indian or rather the domestic tourists have stepped their foot in Ladakh, somewhat from 2000, their was a dramatic increase among the tourists in Ladakh after the release of an Indian movie 3 Idiots in 2010.

A part of Leh

Leh is a small town, and one can easily go around by your foot. The picture of old Leh town is somewhat like this, the place is quite compact, with houses made of mud and brick, and he narrow lanes which direct to the east of the main market. Another important place is Chanspa which is northwest of Leh is an agricultural suburb, and has many guest houses.

Chanspa

The elevation of the main market is almost 3524 meters, so first few days of your visit in Leh, you might suffer from altitude sickness.

Climate

  Leh has got cold desert type climate, with long and harsh winters starting from October to the beginning of March, with the minimum temperature dropping down below freezing point. Leh occasionally receives snowfall in winter. Apart from winter, other months in Leh are quite fine and day times are warm and pleasant. The average temperature in Leh ranges from -28 degree Celsius in winter to 33 degree Celsius in Summer. Average rainfall which Leh receives is around 102mm.

Places of interest

Palace of Ladakh

This former Palace of Ladakh was built in the 17th century, is now under construction. This building is one of the noticeable building in Leh. The corridors of the Palace is very dark and spooky, floors have holes. In few words this a great place to explore. A must see, is the most furnished room in the Palace. is the beautiful, mysterious Buddhist prayer room which is at the center of the Palace is worth to praise. The exterior view of this Palace is spectacular. The entry fee is Rs. 100 only.

Palace of Ladakh

Old Town

 The Old town in Leh, is one of the charming place, with old traditional touch in the architecture of the buildings standing still today. This place is seems to be forgotten by the world, a place can be called a hub for the photographers. The Old Town is just a walking distance from the Palace of Ladakh.

Old Town

  Buddhist Temples

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

This temple is above the Palace, was built during 1430, remains open during the morning puja from 7AM to 9 AM.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

Soma Gompa

Soma Gompa, is one of the large modern Gompa, is around the Main Bazar. This place is also the location of  Ladakhi Buddhist Association, which is a political organization, and has a tie with Hindutva groups.

Soma Gompa

Karma Dupgyud Choeling

 This monastery follows the style of Karma Kagyu Style.

Shanti Stupa

This modern stupa, was built by Buddhist Japanese group. This stupa, has somewhat became a little worn out, but still a worth to visit.

Shanti Stupa

Pangong Tso

 Pangong Tso, is one of the charming lake, which is located at an altitude of 4350 meters. One will be blind to the awesomeness of the deep blue water of the lake, and the mighty tall mountain peak surrounding the lake like a guardian. The lake lies on on the boundary of Indo-China, with one-fourth part of the lake being in India. There is a road to this lake, which passes through Chang-la pass, which is said to be 5424 meters, almost 149 km from Leh. On this way to this place, is where a Yak safari is done. This passage is quite tough to cross by car. Bikers those who are experienced should have any problems.

Breathtaking Pangong

Pangong Tso surrounded by mountain

Monasteries in Ladakh

Most travelers, use Leh as the central point to visit all the most happening Buddhist monasteries and numerous Gompas in Ladakh.

Monastry in Leh

Transport

Road

 Leh is connected to the rest of India, by two high altitude national highways, both are subject to deep snows and is difficult to pass during winter. The National Highway 1D which passes from Srinagar via Kargil is open for longer period of time and Leh Manali highway, is tough route due to high passes and plateaus.

Leh-Manali Highway

Air

Leh's nearest airport is Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee  airport, where daily flights ply from Delhi, atleast on Kingfisher, Jet Airways or Indian airlines.

Another important thing in Leh, is their carnival, which is worth to enjoy, this carnival attracts tourists from all the corner of the globe.

Carnival of Ladakh

Leh is not only a haven for the trekkers or mountaineers but also a great place for honeymoon, a perfect place to bond with your partners among the mountains.

Srinagar Tourism, Srinagar Travel Guide, Srinagar Tourist Place

Srinagar, is known as the summer capital of the Indian state Jammu and Kashmir, it is nested in the Kashmir valley, on the bank of the river Jhelum, which is the main tributary of the Indus. This city is mainly famous for its ornamental garden, beautiful lakes and attractive house boats. Apart from that, Srinagar is also famous for dry fruits and traditional Kashmiri handicrafts.

Srinagar is located on the both sides of the river Jhelum, which is also known as Vyath in Kashmir. Jhelum flows through the city and meanders through the valley, moves towards the Dal lake and deepens it. Another feature of this city is its nine old bridges, which connects two parts of the city.

Dal Lake

Near Srinagar is the wetland called Hokersar. During the month of winter, thousands of migratory birds come from Siberia. The wetland in Kashmir is used by the migratory birds as a transitory camp during the months of September to October and again during springs.

 Hokersar is near Srinagar, is a wetland. During winter, many migratory birds come from Siberia, and other regions. It is said that these migratory birds coming from Central Asia and Central Asia use wetlands in Kashmir as their transitory camps Between the months of September to October and again during spring. It is important to note that this wetland in Kashmir plays a vital role in sustaining a huge population of breeding, staging and wintering birds.

Hokersar is considered as one of the world class wetland, is almost 14 km north of Srinagar and it almost covers an area of 13.75 square kilometers which includes marshy areas and lake. Hokersar is one of the well known accessible wetland in Kashmir which includes Hygam, Shalibug and Mirgund.

Birds one will get to see in Hokersar are mainly migratory ducks and geese, which includes Tuft Duck, Brahminey Duck, Garganey,  Red-crested Pochard, Northern Pintail, Mallad Common Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Teal and many more.

Red-crested Pochard Duck

Climate

Srinagar has got humid subtropical climate, Srinagar is much cooler than rest of the country as we know that it is position in the the north and its highly elevated. Srinagar is surrounded by Himalayas and other mountains by all sides. The temperature is cool during winter with average temperature around 2.5 degree Celsius, with the temperature dropping below the freezing point at night. Moderate to heavy snowfall are expected during the months of winter. Another important fact is the only road which connect Srinagar to the rest of the country remains blocked for few days due to avalanche. Summer months are usually warm, sometimes temperature rising up to 30 degree Celsius during July. Usually Springs are wet and Autumn are dry.

Tourism

Srinagar is popularly known as the " Venice of the East" or the "Kashmiri Venice" because for its lake, especially the Dal Lake , special note for the house boats and also for Nagin Lake.

The Mughal Garden

Srinagar has got some of the lovely Mughal Gardens, other place of interest includes the royal fountain known as Chashma Sahi, the place of fairies called Pari Mahal, the garden of spring called Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Naseem Bagh. The Tulip Garden is another must visit has been recently opened by Sonia Gandhi.

The Tulip Garden

Gulab Bhavan, the palaces of the Maharajas, has turned into Lalit Grand Palace hotel now.

Transport

Road

Srinagar is being served by many highways including National Highway 1A and National Highway 1D.

Air

Regular flights ply between Srinagar to Leh, Jammu, Chandigarh and Delhi, and some internal flights ply occasionally.

Rail

 Srinagar is the railway station which is almost 119 km on Kashmir valley has started from the year 2009, it connects Baramulla to Srinagar and also Anantnag and Qazigund.

Boat

Boat is used as one of the main mode of transport as we know, that Srinagar is situated on the Jhelum river and Dal Lake.

Places of Interest in Srinagar

Like Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar too have got some wonderful blend of cultural heritage. The holy places all around  Srinagar depict the religious diversity and historical cultural of the Kashmir Valley.

The holy places in Srinagar includes:

Hazratbal Shrine

• Hazratbal Shrine
• Jama Masjid, Srinagar
• Hamza Makhdum
• Hari Parbhat
• Shankaracharya Temple

As a whole, it is very true that Srinagar will definitely make a wonderful holiday destination not only for the Indians but also for the foreigners.