Flights are available from Delhi which ranges from Rs 6500-13000. Flights from Chennai to Leh costs around Rs 9000-13500, from Mumbai to Leh costs around Rs 8500-12000, and flights from Kolkata to Leh costs around Rs 9500-11000.
From Delhi, taxis are also available which cost – Indica (4 people) 12,000 and Qualis (6 people) 15,000.
The holiday season has started and we all are wondering what to do to make the holidays worth for our family and for ourselves. It’s the time to relax and charge ourselves. We all like to spend quality time with our family after all they are the ones who support us and take care of us and the reason why we earn.
The holiday season brings lot of confusion along with it as to where we have to go, what to do so that we make the best use of the time. It also requires certain budget planning for making the tour a tension-free and enjoyable one. Now in this article we will discuss the various tourist spots that will suit your needs and also the budget that you will need. This article is for those who are the adventurous types among us.
Trekking
For the people who are fond of nature, have a sense of adventure and love the freedom trekking brings here are some of the options you can explore:
Ladakh Trekking
Ladakh is a mountainous region in Jammu and Kashmir, northwest India and in the area known as the Trans-Himalaya (the lands beyond the Himalaya: Tibet, Xinjiang and northern Pakistan). This barren land is a favorite of trekkers and extreme sports lovers. Trekking options within Ladakh include short, daylong walks up and down mountains to visit remote villages or monastic settlements.
Zanskar
A totally untouched and least explored region of Ladakh is Zanskar, which is easily catching up as a favorite destination for trekkers. The trekking destination to check out in Zanskar is Padum, the centre for hard but rewarding treks to Manali via the Shingo-la, Kishtwar via the Umasi-la, and Lamayuru and Leh via difficult routes through the Zanskar range.
Suru Valley
Next comes the lower altitude region of the Suru valley, offering spectacular views of Nun-Kun and its attendant peaks. Trekking expeditions to this valley mostly take off from Panikhar village, which is also the base for long treks that takes the trekker in the direction of Kashmir and Kishtwar. Other trekking bases from Suru are the monastic settlements of Sanku, further down the valley, and Rangdum.
Kargil
Located in an ideal location within the centre of the Himalayan region, Kargil is one destination of Ladakh with tremendous potentials for adventure activities. Kargil serves as an important base for adventure tours in the heart of Himalayas. It is also the take off station for visitors to the heaven of exotic Himalayan locales, Zanskar Valley. Tourists travelling between Srinagar and Leh have to make a night halt at Kargil before starting off the second leg of their trekking journey.
Other exciting things to do At Ladakh
Meditate: There is a meditation center in Choglamsar, with an office in Leh, which offers meditation courses and retreats for various levels of experience.
Festivals: In late June and early July, the whole Ladakh region comes alive with festivals. Some are held at the local cricket and polo club in Leh, while others are held at the monasteries. Reserve a place well in advance as they get very crowded. Some of the festivals are only held every 12 years, (such as one at Hemis) and at that time the monastery will display its greatest treasure, such as a huge thangka (a religious icon painted or embroidered on cloth).
How to Reach
1. Delhi -> Chandigarh -> Patni Top -> Srinagar -> Kargil -> Leh
2. Delhi -> Chandigarh -> Manali -> Sarchu -> Pang -> Leh
Ladakh Trekking Tips
Special permits are required for visitors going to the Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Rupshu. The permits are usually valid for seven days and are issued to groups of four or more travelling together.
Although the days may be quite warm, evenings tend to get very cold, even in summer, in places like Leh. So pack sufficient protective clothing, including something to keep off the cold winds, which whoosh down the mountains; they’re extremely cold. Make sure to carry some Vitamin C and aspirin tablets for the high altitude regions. The scorching sun in the day can result in sunburn, so carry a protective lotion, hat and sunglasses. While trekking, take along your own food and plenty of fluid, preferably in the form of bottled water. The entire region of Ladakh – except for parts of the Nubra Valley is very dry, and if you’re not careful, there’s a risk of dehydration.
Trekking in Himalaya
Himalayas are known as the one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world and is one of the sought after trekking regions in the world. With ice covered and the silence around, Himalayas are a perfect place for both adventure as well as relaxation.
Provisions for Himalayan Trekking
Trekking in the Himalayas is now quite enjoyable and has become comparatively easy with the development of lightweight equipment and clothing and a booming tourist network. There are difficult treks as well as easy treks, long and short treks. Vehicles, helicopters and aircrafts are also available to explore the Himalayas according to one’s resources, taste and leisure time.
Trek road heads
The major trek road heads in the Indian Himalayan region include Kashmir Valley, Kishtwar, Zanskar, Ladakh, Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba and Manali.
Moving a little eastward towards the Gangetic region is the renowned Corbett National Park, which reaches the Kumaon lakes of Nanital and Bhimtal. These hill stations with neighbouring Ranikhet, Almora and the Goriganaga villages still retain the flavour of the old trails to the Pindari and Milam glaciers and the Lipulekh Pass, leading to Mansarovar.
The Trekking Season in Himalayas
Himachal offers a virtual bonanza for trekkers that range from moderate to strenuous treks, which take about 11 days and the season is June to October. Among the Garhwal and Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal the ideal trekking time is best between the months of May to October. Trekking can also be done in the winter months at lower altitudes of Kumaon region.
Costs Involved
Let us now look at the various costs involved in taking a trek at Ladakh. The things to be considered will be the cost to stay, travel and support services for the trekking. There are also some packaged tours which will take care of all the costs in one shot.
Stay & Trekking Cost
Standard Trekking Costs per person / per day for a group of 15-20 People will cost Rs 2000-2500. It includes the escort charges, food and accommodation.
A budget hotel in Ladakh may cost you anywhere from Rs 800-2000. Average price in a 3 star or above hotels will cost around Rs 3500-6500.
A deluxe room including breakfast in a 3 star or above hotel will cost around Rs 3500-6500 and including 2 meals breakfast & dinner will cost Rs. 7,500. A Royal Suite Including breakfast will cost Rs. 9,000 and including all meals breakfast, lunch & dinner will cost Rs. 11,000.
Cost for Travel by Train
If you want to go by train from Delhi, Jammu is the nearest railway station, which is about 734 km from Leh. Train charge from Delhi to Jammu is around Rs 260. Jammu to Leh via Srinagar costs about Rs. 1000/- in bus and takes more than two days by bus.
By train you can reach from Mumbai to Jammu which will cost you around Rs 504, from Chennai Rs 555, and from Ernakulam it will cost you Rs 610.
Bus tickets from Srinagar to Leh cost Rupees 370/470 on ordinary/deluxe buses. Jeep is the other option available. This costs Rs 1000 and should be booked in advance of the day of departure during peak season.
Cost for Travel by Air
Flights are available from Delhi which ranges from Rs 6500-13000. Flights from Chennai to Leh costs around Rs 9000-13500, from Mumbai to Leh costs around Rs 8500-12000, and flights from Kolkata to Leh costs around Rs 9500-11000.
From Delhi, taxis are also available which cost – Indica (4 people) 12,000 and Qualis (6 people) 15,000.
Complete Package Costs
There are many packages given by the travel agents customized on your needs and wants. An average package for 5days/4nights from Delhi including Economy class airfare up to Leh, including air taxes, accommodation in the hotels, transfers & sightseeing in a non air-conditioned vehicle (Qualis/ Scorpio – maximum seating of 6 persons in one vehicle), sightseeing tours/ monument charges, daily breakfast & dinner, all applicable hotel /transport taxes, assistance at the airport at the time of arrival and departure, transfers from the airport to the meeting points will be arranged and this package will cost you around Rs 16,000/- per person.
This same package (mentioned above) from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata will cost you Rs 22,000/- per person.
The trekking charges are excluded in this package.
So if trekking, high mountains, adventure and nature excite you then just plan your holiday to Ladakh which will completely refresh you and charge you and is one of the best options available in India.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!