c/e, add Shey to Go next
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Revision as of 09:54, 13 October 2014
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{{pagebanner|Lehpanorama.jpg|798x114}}
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[[
Image:Leh.JPG|thumb|400px|Leh
]]
+
'''Leh''' is the capital of the
[[
Ladakh
]]
division of the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir]] in [[India]].
−
'''Leh''' is the heart of the [[Leh (district)|Leh district]] and capital of [[Ladakh]] in the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]].
==Understand==
==Understand==
+
[[Image:Leh.JPG|thumb|400px|Leh]]
Leh is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from [[Xinjiang]], [[Tibet]], and [[Kashmir]]. There is a pass that links it directly to [[Khotan]]. The city's importance as a trading town slowed down with the partition of British India, and ended with the closure of the border in 1962 during the Sino-Indian war. Since opening to tourists in 1974, it has become a bustling tourist town, with large numbers of Kashmiri traders. Since 2000, domestic (Indian) tourists have started visiting Ladakh, with a dramatic increase in 2010 after the movie ''Three Idiots''.
Leh is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from [[Xinjiang]], [[Tibet]], and [[Kashmir]]. There is a pass that links it directly to [[Khotan]]. The city's importance as a trading town slowed down with the partition of British India, and ended with the closure of the border in 1962 during the Sino-Indian war. Since opening to tourists in 1974, it has become a bustling tourist town, with large numbers of Kashmiri traders. Since 2000, domestic (Indian) tourists have started visiting Ladakh, with a dramatic increase in 2010 after the movie ''Three Idiots''.
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The route from Manali to Leh, covering a distance of 473 km (294 mi), is one more commonly taken by tourists. It takes two days, normally with an overnight stop either in Kyelong (alt. 3096) or in tent accommodation in Sarchu (4253) or Pang (4500). Making the first stop in Keylong drastically reduces the risk of altitude sickness (AMS). It traverses one of the highest road passes in the world and is surrounded by wild rugged mountains. The scenery is fantastic, though it is definitely not for the faint hearted. This historical trade route was linked to Yarkhand and was severed by the India-China war in 1962, and later was transformed in to military supply road. Reliable access is limited from mid-June to end-September, as it is blocked by snow for rest of the year.
The route from Manali to Leh, covering a distance of 473 km (294 mi), is one more commonly taken by tourists. It takes two days, normally with an overnight stop either in Kyelong (alt. 3096) or in tent accommodation in Sarchu (4253) or Pang (4500). Making the first stop in Keylong drastically reduces the risk of altitude sickness (AMS). It traverses one of the highest road passes in the world and is surrounded by wild rugged mountains. The scenery is fantastic, though it is definitely not for the faint hearted. This historical trade route was linked to Yarkhand and was severed by the India-China war in 1962, and later was transformed in to military supply road. Reliable access is limited from mid-June to end-September, as it is blocked by snow for rest of the year.
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Clearing of snow on both these roads starts sometime in early April. Once the whole road is cleared of snow and has been opened for public transport, this is announced at
:
[http://leh.nic.in/]
+
Clearing of snow on both these roads starts sometime in early April. Once the whole road is cleared of snow and has been opened for public transport, this is announced at
the
[http://leh.nic.in/
official website of Leh
]
.
===By bus===
===By bus===
−
State buses run from Srinagar and also
privately operated deluxe buses.From Manali
HPTDC
,
(
Himachal Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation)
,
operate Deluxe buses that
stop overnight in Keylong, between July and September. Costs ₹2000.
HRTC,
Himachal Road Transport Corporation, the state run buses ply the road during the officially open period, allowing you to stop in a number of places along the way. Total cost ₹130 (Manali-Keylong) + ₹513(Keylong-Leh)
. Private buses stop in Keylong, Darcha or Sarchu - the last alternative (
eight hundred
meters higher than Leh
) involving a high incidence of altitude sickness.
+
State buses run from Srinagar and also privately operated deluxe buses.
From Manali, Himachal Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation
(HPTDC
) operate Deluxe buses that stop overnight in Keylong, between July and September. Costs ₹2000. Himachal Road Transport Corporation
(HRTC)
, the state run buses
,
ply the road during the officially open period, allowing you to stop in a number of places along the way. Total cost ₹130 (Manali-Keylong) + ₹513
(Keylong-Leh). Private buses stop in Keylong, Darcha or Sarchu - the last alternative (
800
meters higher than Leh) involving a high incidence of altitude sickness.
−
It is possible to book tickets direct Delhi-Leh, but the best option is to break off the journey in Manali and at the lower end of Lahaul
: Sissu, Keylong (main population center) or Jispa - all around 3100 altitude.
+
It is possible to book tickets direct Delhi-Leh, but the best option is to break off the journey in Manali and at the lower end of Lahaul: Sissu, Keylong (main population center) or Jispa - all around 3100 altitude.
+
+
Unfortunately the Leh bus station is far from a highlight, it's chaotic and poorly organised. There are two sections, one for local transportation within Ladakh, and one for the state run buses.
+
+
The local buses get exceptionally crowded, times of departure fluctuate greatly, and there is no ticket office (just board the bus, and pay to the conductor). When planing a trip to a destination in Ladakh ask around to find when the departure time roughly is, and show up at the station half an hour early; ask people there what bus to take, don't trust the destinations marked on the buses; take a seat and wait for the bus to depart. Then expect to spend at least an hour at the bus station.
+
+
The state buses run to Srinagar, Manali, and even a direct service to Delhi (3 days away), there is a ticket office, and bookings are taken days in advance. The process here is more straight forward and less time consuming.
===By jeep===
===By jeep===
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*Leh is so small that you can cover enough places with the town by just walking. Another notable exception being the airport, for which it's advisable to take a taxi for around 100 to 150 Rupees. Minimize physical exertion on first few days so as to lower the risk of becoming sick.
*Leh is so small that you can cover enough places with the town by just walking. Another notable exception being the airport, for which it's advisable to take a taxi for around 100 to 150 Rupees. Minimize physical exertion on first few days so as to lower the risk of becoming sick.
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* '''By
Bus
''': Long distance and local public buses leave from main bus station of Leh. Village buses generally leave from Leh during afternoon while return during early morning.
+
* '''By
bus
''': Long distance and local public buses leave from main bus station of Leh. Village buses generally leave from Leh during afternoon while return during early morning.
+
+
* '''By bike''': Various places on main Bazaar and Changsp road rent out motorcycles for exploration. But Leh, Phyang and Choglamsar are the only petrol stations available. Make sure you are adequately insured with third party claims before renting any private vehicle.
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* '''By
Bike
''':
Various
places
on
main
Bazaar
and
Changsp
road
rent
out
motorcycles
for
exploration.
But
Leh,
Phyang
and
Choglamsar
are
the only petrol stations
available
. Make sure
you
are
adequately
insured
with
third
party
claims
before
renting any private
vehicle
.
+
* '''By
taxi
''':
They
have
fixed
prices
(updated
every
2
years)
and
can
be
arranged
from
the
taxi
stand
along
Fort
Rd.
When
available
,
you
may
also
purchase
a
copy
of
the
fare-booklet
for
₹20
.
==See==
==See==
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==Go next==
==Go next==
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+
* [[Shey]] – a small rural village that was once the ancient capital of Ladakh, 15 km away
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Unfortunately the Leh bus station is far from a highlight, it's chaotic and poorly organised. There are two sections, one for local transportation within Ladakh, and one for the state run buses.
−
−
The local buses get exceptionally crowded, times of departure fluctuate greatly, and there is no ticket office (just board the bus, and pay to the conductor). When planing a trip to a destination in Ladakh ask around to find when the departure time roughly is, and show up at the station half an hour early; ask people there what bus to take, don't trust the destinations marked on the buses; take a seat and wait for the bus to depart. Then expect to spend at least an hour at the bus station.
−
−
The state buses run to Srinagar, Manali, and even a direct service to Delhi (3 days away), there is a ticket office, and bookings are taken days in advance. The process here is more straight forward and less time consuming.
−
−
Taxis have fixed prices (updated every 2 years) and can be arranged from the Taxi Stand along Fort Road. When available, you may also purchase a copy of the fare-booklet for ₹20.
Don't forget to explore the entire [[Leh (district)|Leh]] district.
Don't forget to explore the entire [[Leh (district)|Leh]] district.