Trekking in Ladakh

“Imagine a world as a book and the destinations are the chapters which you should cover to explore your knowledge, experience and joy. If you will leave the chapters just because of being lazy, you won’t be able to discover the true beauty of nature, culture and adventure.”

Destination At Doorstep offers adventurous trekking tours for its guests. The magnetisms in Ladakh for the tourists are snow clad peaks, translucent lakes, barren terrain, etc. The best time to visit on trekking in Ladakh is during between July and September.

So, this is the time you should start packing your bags and allow us to assist you.

Leh Ladakh tours propose the exploration trekking trips also. This is a setup sandwiched between two of the world’s utmost mountain ranges, Himalayan and the Karakoram. This valley barred initially for the reason that of the rival and then for its tactical geographic location.

The major obstacle in the trekking in Ladakh is by reason of frosty waves and snowstorm. Therefore, particular clothing is mandatory for trekking in this county. You require following items before you start trekking:

• Pullovers and anorak must be reserved handy,
• A pair of walking shoes along with tough rubber or synthetic soles for hold,
• Thick strand socks,
• Good sleeping shoulder bag,
• Awater – resistant tent,
• Afine quality water container,
• Flash light with ample stock of batteries,
• A sun – hat,
• First – aid and
• A pair of good quality sunglasses 

These are necessary gear for arrival on a trek and all should be back packed in a good quality bag.

Apart from these necessary things, in proportion to the time and budget; the traveller offices at Leh, Kargil or Padum plan trekking programs for the visitors but the accurate and simplest means to go on trek is by contacting us, we will take care of each and every arrangements including:

• Camping gear,
• Provisions,
• Staff and all other matters.

It is sensible to have each & every necessary thing with you however, we will help you in providing all the necessities.

Our Involvement

We have capability in providing the day-trippers, the promising trek trip packages at bazaar leading prices. In addition, we as wellgiveconsideration on the facilities and backing provided by us throughout the completeexpedition to give surety a safe and memorable venture touring experience. We also have best hotels in Ladakh, Nubra, etc. to reside with comfort.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

Leh Ladakh Tour in Jeep Safari

If you are enthusiastic to acquire true way into the heart of Ladakh and want to travel around its rowdiness and get pleasure from its rural villages and picturesque majesty, a jeep safari is just the right thing for you. Destination At Doorstep offers one of the best, relaxing and most thrilling ways for seeing the sights of the Himalayas. Ladakh and adventure go simultaneously. When we talk about adventure, jeep safari turns out to be one the luxury opportunities to travel around the landscape surprises and the distant areas of Ladakh. 

The Trans Himalayan county of Ladakh recommends both modest and rough landscape. However, depending on your potential, you can go for a jeep safari preference if you desire or if it suits you. We have a task force of well maintained and good conditioned jeeps operated by professional drivers. The jeep drivers have the complete knowledge of the entire landscape as they travel in like the rear of their hands. Arrangements for feast, staying, guides and caretakers throughout jeep safaris in Ladakh are particularly considered and implemented from our side however, we request our guests to contact us for more details.

Whether its Leh Ladakh expedition or trekking in Ladakh, jeep safari is ultimate to provide you the thrill of connection with the wild beast and also takes you into the utter niches and spots of Ladakh.

We are offering ultimate Ladakh packages with the bizarre jeep safari routes during Leh Ladakh tour ranging from extended distance route into Zanskar or to the adjoining states of Himachal Pradesh to small distances into the well-known Nubra valley, bazaars, etc:

• Leh – Mahe Bridge – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Tanglang La – Rumtse – Leh A five days tour, Altitude is 17, 469 feet per 5325 metres stretch.
• Leh – Khardung La – Diskit in Nubra valley 12 days package, Altitude is 18,000 feet per 5500 metres stretch.
• The Trans Himalayan this jeep safari packages is of 12 days, Altitude is 17,469 feet per 5325 metres.
• The Dha Hanu and Pangong Lake this is a combined jeep safari involves 9 days. Altitude is 18,000 feet.
• Rangdum – Mulbekh the tour takes 8 days to complete. Altitude is 4400 metres.
• The source of the Ganges Safari  takes 12 days of beautiful voyage. Altitude is 3500 metres.
• The Monastery and Lake Safari involves 11 days. Altitude is 12,000 feet.

For the selection of your suitable Ladakh packages and its details along with jeep Safari in Himalayas please click Contact Us or email us at travel@destination-doorstep.com!

Beginning of New Year: Losar Festival

Losar is a Tibetan word which means “New Year”. Losar is considered as one of the most beautiful festival in Leh Ladakh. This festival is celebrated for the 15 days in which 3 days were the main days. Most of the festivals are held in winter but some popular festival take place in summer too. The monastic festivals are the heart of all the festivals. They are performed by Monks wearing colorful silk garments and different facial mask.

The Losar (New Year) celebration is followed by Galdan Namchot, the birth anniversary of Tsogkha pa who introduced Gelukpa School of order. 14^th Dec. 2012 will be celebrated as New Year day (Losar festival).

Losar Festival

The origin of Losar festival can be marked even before the beginning of Buddhist religion in Tibet. During pre-Buddhist period, Tibetans followed the Bon religion. With the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet, Bon ceremony was merged into Buddhist tradition and was renamed as Buddhist Losar festival. During the reign of the ninth king of Tibet, Pude Gungyal, this religious custom was celebrated as the Buddhist celebratory occasion.

The sheer charm of Losar festivity steals the heart of every visitor. It is a mirror of the rich and vibrant culture of Ladakh. People celebrate the festival with great pomp and splendor. The festival fever begins one month in advance and people make lots of preparations for the festival.

Losar festival is celebrated with dancing, music and laughter. People are filled with joy and excitement on arrival of Losar. Local people clean their houses and get them painted. After that they decorate their houses with beautiful decorative items to create a happy atmosphere. Every house and holy shrine is illuminated with colorful lights in the evening. Images of Ibex are hanged on the doors and walls of houses for good luck and prosperous life.

Losar Festival Celebration

On the auspicious occasion of Losar, a huge procession, “Methi” is organized in the evening. The streets and bazaars of Leh Ladakh turn out to be lively as the people walk through these streets with flaming torches (Mashal) and enchanting slogans. The procession ends with throwing of torches outside the town to offer farewell to old year and heartily welcoming the New Year.

Ladakhi people wear new bright colored clothes and visit the holy shrines, and monasteries to seek the blessing of Lord. They offer prayers and follow the tradition of 'Lama Losar' in which they give gifts to nuns and monks of the monastery. On this special occasion, people also exchange greetings by saying “Tahsi Delek”.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

The Cuisine of Ladakh Draws a Number of Tourists

The delicious food of Leh Ladakh is almost the same as Tibetan food. Farmers in Ladakh practice farming of vegetables like potatoes, pumpkins, beetroots, beans etc. These vegetables are cooked in different ways. Non-vegetarian dishes like mutton and chicken are very common and are cooked in a variety. Trying nourishing and usually mildly flavored local food of Ladakh like Thukpa, Momos. Steamed dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetable can be a different experience, when you enjoy your LehLadakh tour in India. There are many restaurants in Ladakh where you can get Tibetan, Korean, Chinese and other international dishes of your choice. A variety of recipes for chicken and dumplings, from old-fashioned to low-fat and easy to cook is one of the most popular dishes of Leh Ladakh.

Ladakh serves a variety of Tibetan, Korean, Chinese, and Continental dishes. When it comes to the traditional food of Ladakh, the use of dry fruits (walnuts, almonds and raisins), spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, etc) and additive spices (Hing, Saunf, chillies and dry ginger) are a must to provide a pleasant aroma and flavor to the food.

Ladakh hosts the formal grand feast 'Wazawan' like other parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Wazawan is a rich and delicious meal, consists of mostly non-vegetarian dishes. Vegetarian specialties are dam (potato and chaman), korma sag (made from the popular Dal Lake vegetable 'lak'), saag (made from thick-leafed green leafy vegetable 'hak'), lotus root and apricot jam and Ladakh also serves all the vegetarian dishes of India.

Non-Vegetarian Specialties are thukpa (noodles cooked in mutton soup), skieu (made with veggies, mutton and flour), yakhni and tabaq naat (made of fried ribs). There are several restaurants and hotels in Ladakh that are known for their specialties. Ladakh serves the choicest selection of vegetarian and non vegetarian meals. The rich and aromatic flavor of the cuisine of Ladakh draws a number of tourists from all over the world. The special gurgur tea of the snow desert is famous which is prepared by yak-milk and special spices for the tea.

Enjoy the delicacies and taste of Ladakh. Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

Accommodation in Nubra Valley – Ladakh

The Nubra valley is one of the best agricultural areas in Leh Ladakh. The Nubra Valley is known to the world for famous Silk Route along the banks of Nubra River. There are numerous hotels in Ladakh for comfortable accommodations. Hotel Karma Inn in Nubra valley is located just 1 km from the sand dunes of Hunder village in a very scenic and peaceful atmosphere amidst poplar and apricot trees. Hotel Karma Inn is nestled in the lap of Hunder, suitable for a peaceful and relaxed holiday. It is one of the best places for ethnic camp in the region. Nubra means orchard or garden, is a picturesque green valley. It has milder climate as compared to any valley of Leh Ladakh. Karma Inn Hotel is well known for its additional service like guiding tourists and helping them with other facilities.

Hotel Karma Inn provides furnished rooms with all modern facilities and comfort, fertile garden studded with multi-colored flowers, provide an opportunity to relax and experience the best of life. Through the windows of your room you can enjoy the panoramic view of Shyok River and sand dunes. Friendly staff makes sure that that you get whatever you need in time to lead a stress free life in the hotel. Hotel can arrange and advice you the best suitable route for sight-seeing and trekking in Ladakh.

All rooms of the hotel have attached bath-room with 24 hours running hot and cold water. They provide their special Ladakhi traditional food and Gurgur tea, a special tea of Leh Ladakh. Different types of International cuisines like Chinese, Italian, Tibetan and Indian are cooked by well trained and dedicated Chefs with international taste and standard.

Other facilities provided by the hotel are airport pick-up on request, laundry facilities, cultural- show on demand, travel help desk, doctor on call, in house generator and camel safari rides.

Tariff of the hotel is similar to any standard hotels in Ladakh. They have single and double room facility. They are providing extra bed on charge in pick season. Hotel is charging room rent in four categories; EP is simple room rent, CP is room rent with breakfast, MAP is room rent with breakfast and lunch, and fourth AP is room rent with tea, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

The Nubra Valley: Valley of Flowers

The Nubra Valley is called valley of flowers in Leh Ladakh. It was on the trading route of southern Asia and central Asia via the famous Karakoram Pass. This valley has been recently opened for the tourists of India and abroad. Nubra Valley is located in the north of Leh at the average height of about 10,000 feet above the sea level. Leh to Nubra Valley is one of the best trekking routes for jeep safari and trekking in Ladakh. The Khardong village, Khalsar and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.

The valley is prime farming land in Leh Ladakh, but at the first glance it looks arid and dry area. Apples, apricots, barley and orange berries trees and plants can be seen in the valley as dotted areas of the Tsetalulu. Ancient gompas, ruined palaces and villages are very close to each other. So trekking in the valley becomes magnificent. Nature of the local people of Nubra Valley is very co-operative, friendly and hospitable.

The Nubra Valley is indeed a precious treasures of Leh Ladakh where people still living in the complete isolation for half of the year from rest of the world. The main attractions of the Nubra valley are Camel safari and sand dunes of the valley. Bactarian Camels (double hump Camel) can be seen around sand dunes. Camel safari is possible only in this valley throughout Leh Ladakh.

Other major attractions are hot water spring and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet) above sea level. Tourists are advised to spend two to three nights in the valley. A permit is required to visit the valley which tourists have to handover the photocopies of the permit at North Pullu and South Pullu on Khardung la. The permit will allow you to visit the valley for seven days up to Panamik. Tourists have to submit photocopy of the permit while visiting near the bridge of Summer village.

The Jeep safari to Nubra valley leads you through Khardung la (the highest motor able road in the world) and beyond the pass is the wide, flat Nubra Valley, crisscrossed winds of the Shyok and Nubra rivers. The Diskit the administrative headquarter of the valley is about 150 km from Leh. Buses of state government and private companies are running frequently from Leh to Diskit. It is an advice to tourists to enjoy Jeep safari as it provides you the freedom to stop wherever you want to wait. The roads are under control of the Indian army. Sudden change in the climate and short term road blockage by snowfall are common. You should be prepared to face natural hazards while visiting Nubra Valley of Leh Ladakh.

The Most Important Buddhist Site in Ladakh

Ladakh tourism provides the opportunity to trek in a cold desert, nestling in the arid region of Himalayas with wide river valleys on whose fertile soil vegetation and villages have sprung up with its ancient culture. Various Ladakh Packages lead you through Alchi monastery in the remote corner of Ladakh, which is the house of rare manuscripts and ancient painting culture. Today, Alchi monastery is probably the most important Buddhist site in Ladakh.

It is reached by a short deviation from the main Leh to Srinagar road. The settlement is made up of four separate villages surrounded by fields. The trek leads you through above an older settlement with chortens, the newer settlement with guest houses, and a small row of shops. Track ends in a parking area where souvenir shops and a centuries old tree. According to local people, the tree has grown from the walking stick of Lotsava Rinchen Zango. He was the translator of many Indian Buddhist texts into Tibetan and founded Alchi Gompa in 10^th century.

You have to go round the outside of Alchi Gompa which is surrounded by a wall with small prayer wheels.  Rinchen Zango the founder of the Alchi Gompa, brought sculptors and wood carvers from Kashmir. They were abandoned in the 15^th C. The wall paintings are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh, painted with semi precious stones. They are considered to be among the rarest and most widespread examples of Buddhist art in Leh Ladakh. Photography is not allowed in any of the temples. Pictures of inside of the temples in the form of post-cards and books are for sale in the Dukhang.

Try and visit in the mornings when it is very peaceful and find a monk to unlock temples. The site consists of the Dukhang, Sumstek and Manjushri Lhakhangs were built between 12^th and 13^th century. The Lotsava and Soma Lhakhangs are built later. The Dukhang is at the heart of the complex and is the largest of the temples. In fact, there is a similarity in paintings between Alchi murals and Maharashtra’s Ajanta Caves. Alchi Monastery is a classic example of Kashmiri Buddhist art, which is different from Tibetan.

Destination@Doorstep, a reliable tour operator of India has launched various Ladakh packages in affordable cost. These packages have comfortable night-stay that gives you full entertainment and the essence of natural beauty in Leh Ladakh. All packages will take you through Alchi monastery.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

Sand Dune Magic

Leh Ladakh has beautiful monasteries for peace lovers and religious people. On the other fold Leh Ldakh invites trekkers and adventure tourists from across the globe. Leh Ladakh is bounded by two of the world’s mightiest rages, the Karakoram to the North and the great Himalaya to the south. Enjoy the adventurous trekking through the mountains and relax near the beautiful blue lakes of Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.

Get ready to explore the memories of the ancient mountain kingdom that can be seen in the old palaces and forts of Leh Ladakh, which was once a part of the legendary Silk Road. Those who seek to visit any mountainous and adventurous locations or look for some peaceful, religious and historical place are advised to browse Ladakh Packages offered by tour and travel companies.

 Destination@Doorstep is a travel and tour company which is focused to help tourists find the best locations of their choice and travel to it with peace, passion, safety, care and comfort. It offers variety of Ladakh packages suitable for different age group. The Ladakh packages can be availed from anywhere anytime in the world.

“Sand Dune Magic with Airfare (06 Nights / 07 Days)” is a special Ladakh package, offered by Destination@Doorstep, especially for trekking and adventure lovers. The Sand Dune MagicTour is available for 6 nights/seven days. The package is available for all and costs INR 25,999, INR 30,999 and INR 36,999 per person (depending upon the Standard, Premium and Deluxe hotels you choose).

The tour starts from Delhi and the first destination is Leh. There on the first day after arrival on Leh Ladakh airport you will be transferred to the hotel according to your choice in the Ladakh package. Full day rest will acclimatize you to this height.  From next day the tour will lead you through Thiksey Monastery, Shey and Hemis Monastery, Rancho’s School, Sindhu Darshan (Indus River), Hall of Fame, Sunset at Shanti Stupa and Leh Fort. 3^rd day continue exploring Leh with river confluence of Indus & Zanskar, millennium monastery of Alchi, Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.

Fourth day, start your visit to Changla (Second Highest Motor-able Road) and the most Colorful Pangong Lake, one of the largest brackish lakes in Asia. Experience yourself to the “Top of the World” with amazing landscapes, as your excursion to Highest Motor-able Road of Khardong la (K-Top). Drive to Nubra Valley known for extremely mesmerizing scenes. Explore the Sand Dunes, Cold Desert and ride on Double Hump Camels. By noon start drive back to Leh over same route to your Hotel.

The tour is definitely the best Ladakh package for adventure lovers and for those who love to see and explore mountains and high altitudes. The package includes all accommodation in comfortable hotels/ guest houses or camps in scenic & off beat destinations including vegetarian meals. Wildlife fees for restricted areas and inner permits are included within the package.

Plan your vacation now, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/.

Leh Ladakh: Your search for the best holiday destination.

Leh Ladakh: Your search for the best holiday destination.

Busy in Googling for suitable tour packages!

Your search will go nowhere other than Leh Ladakh of India, and attractive holiday destination accommodated and guided under Destination@Doorstep. India is one of the most popular destinations for tourists across the globe, because of its diversified culture, geography and architecture. Ladakh was a meeting point of traders of South Asia and Central Asia through Silk Road, so, people of this area are habituated to welcome and entertain their trader guests.

Ladakh Mountains

Ladakh , comprises two districts (Leh and Kargil) of Jammu and Kashmir, is the northern most state of India, which is situated to the south of Karakoram and to the north of the great Himalayas mountain ranges; sandwiched between Pakistan and Tibet (occupied by China). Its land is arid and terrain. It is an adventurous and mesmerizing land for the wonderful sight of snow capped peaks, landscapes, valleys, high passes, lakes and monasteries.

After militant’s disturbance in 1974 India started supporting Tourism in Ladakh. The best time for cultural tour starts from April and ends in October. Best Season for Adventure tourism is May to October.

It is tough to reach to Mansarovar Lake which holds a very important position in Hindu religion, but one can visit Pangong Lake (Located 150 km north of Leh and is 10,000 ft above the sea level) which is equivalent to Mansarovar in respect of its massive size. Climax scene of Bollywood movie 3 Idiots was shot here. It is 134 kilometers long with an average of 5 kilometers in width. Water of this Lake changes its color depending upon the sun’s location.

Lel Ladkah

One can stay in PangongResort, located near Pangong Lake which has12 tents, where food and lodge with medical facility are available in affordable cost. There is a tour package with the same name Trail of 3 Idiots launched by Destination@doorstep (a travel and tour company), which helps you to visit this place along with their world famous facilities. China occupies the major portion of Pangong Lake from the northern side.

Another important destination, the Nubra Valley is a perfect destination for relaxing holidays. The valley of flowers in the arid land of Ladakh welcomes travelers with the purest and most exotic smell and greenery. The most surprising fact is the fertility in the land of Nubra Valley. The land is used for the cultivation of fruits and grains as it is nurtured by the Shyok and Nubra Rivers. So, it is called Orchard of Ladakh.

Tourists can find a short view of pink and yellow wild roses in summer and a carpet of wild lavender in the post monsoon season. Travelers will be mesmerized to see double humped Siberian camels around sand dunes. Tourists may be surprised to ride a camel with fur. The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardongla (18380 feet above the sea level); is perhaps the highest motorable road in the world. In the trekking route of Leh to Nubra valley tourists will visit Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la pass.

Pangong Lake of 3 Idiots

Ladakh the snow desert and enchanting beauty is a dream destination for all the adventure lovers. Poets, painters, writers, tourists, trekkers and others ultimate desire is to visit this unbelievable place once in their life time.

 Ladakh has been an independent state since 13^th century. Its culture has much strong influences of Tibet and Muslim neighboring lands. The architecture of the monasteries of Ladakh has a strong image of Tibetan art.

Ladakh consists two districts (Leh and Kargil) of the northern most state India Jammu & Kashmir, which lies between the great Himalayan and Karakoram Range. They obstruct Indian monsoon to bring rain in Ladakh. Summer is usually bright and warm, whereas winter gives freezing cold. All the roots of high altitudes are closed by snowfall during the winter season.

Pangong Lake is also called Pangong Tso. Tso is used for the abbreviation of Time sharing operation. It means that many persons can access the operating system concurrently. It appears to each TSO user he is the only user on the system. It is situated at the height of about 4350m in the Himalayas. It is an endorheic lake with the length of 134 km and the width is 5 km at the broadest point and extends from India to Tibet (China). 60% of the lake lies in China. During winter season the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.

Amir Khan a famous director of 3 Idiots had shot climax scene of the film on this lake. Pangong lake has been featured in a few movies and songs, because it is one of the most beautiful lakes in India and it changes its color and hues every few hours.

It is advised to spend a whole day at Pangong Lake, rather than visit it just for one or two hours. A few hotels are centrally located in Leh the heart cityof Ladakh within a walking distance from Leh market and really 10 minutes drive from Leh airport, where you can relax under the apple groves in the beautiful garden of the hotel.

Saline Lake of Ladakh

Embarking on trekking tour is one of the best ways to join adventure and natural beauty of Ladakh. Leh is an opening destination for any trekking tour, as Leh is the capital town of Ladakh. Trekking here is preserved as a lifetime experience by those who have explored the rugged terrain snow desert of this land. Ladakh adventure is not limited to just trekking, but also bike expedition, river rafting, monastery tour and mountaineering.

Saline Lake of Ladakh

Ideal time for adventurous sports as trekking and river rafting in Ladakh is summer season from middle of May to October. Every nook and corners of Ladakh invites enthusiasts of adventure lovers to be a part of activities such as: ice polo, jeep safari, cycling, archery, river rafting and trekking etc.

Pangong Lake is 160 km in the north east of Leh across the Chang la Pass. It is considered to be the largest lake of Asia. Its length is nearly 136 km and average width is more than 4 km at an elevation of 4300 meter. The water is as clear as a crystal.

Pangong Lake freezes in winter. Migrated animals such as: ponies, yaks and goats and birdswalk over the hard surface of the frozen Pangong Lake. Scanty populations of Changpas are living in Spangmik and some other villages along the southern shore of the lake in the summer season where trekkers or travelers can get the facility of Home stay system. They are nomadic tribes of Changthang Valley of Ladakh. They migrate to warmer places in winter.

The water is salty. It is said that the water was fresh in ancient age. The mountain ranges in the north-western side of the lake are of lime stones which had affected its water. The clear salty water shines in many colors of blue or green depending upon its depth. It really changes shades with sunlight and the shadow of mountain which changes the color of water.

Only 40% of the Lake lies in Indian Territory while rest in China. Its area is nearly 400 sq km or about the same size as the holy lake of Mansarovar.

Did you know: Water in the eastern portion of the Pangong Lake occupied by China is as tasty and sweet as pure drinking water.