Ladakh – The Best Place for Trekking in India

Ladakh is a high terrain region and is known for trekking. It is suitable for almost all types of trekking. Tourists and trekkers from across the world come to this place to experience the endless fun of watching and practicing trekking. Leh is a city of Ladakh and are mostly referred together. People who want to enjoy Ladakh trekking / Leh Ladakh trekking can do it with the help of travel and tour companies.

Trekking in Ladakh without the help of such companies can be little troublesome. In such cases the aspirant has to get the permissions and do all the registrations and this might take much time. Travel and tour companies get these passes for you without wasting your time and energy. Under their guidance people can enjoy without any perimeter and do what they really wanted to, which is trekking.

In Leh Ladakh, the two most famous types of trekking are mountain trekking and river-side trekking. Apart from these two, one can also enjoy forest trekking and sand trekking. Depending upon the choice of the trekker the track can be of 5 miles or 25 miles. As far as mountain and forest trekking are concerned they both go hand in hand i.e. most of forests in Ladakh are on mountains or cliffs. It is clear that after such a tiresome sport one needs good accommodation and dining facilities. Tired by the trekking people sleep like never-before and enjoy the meal as if never had before.

This is why the hotelsin Ladakh have wide range of national and international cuisines. There are many types of hotels and rest houses established across the regions of Ladakh. These hotels are economically divided but do stand different on geographical notes. In Ladakh one is never limited to trekking or rafting, tourists in Ladakh are well treated by local Ladakhi people. These people serve them love and expressions, custom and culture, stories and legends. One can also enjoy gudgud chai that is capable of killing the anxiety, stress and exhaustion experienced after trekking.

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 most difficult river rafting on Zanskar River

Ladakh tourism is the backbone of ladakh’s economy. This industry has provided employment to a huge number of local people. Ladakh tourism offers great scope for adventure activities amidst landscapes of breathtaking, rugged beauty. The most popular among these are trekking, mountaineering and river-rafting.

Nestled in the snowy peaks of the alarming Zanskar Range, Zanskar is a sub-division of Kargil in the interior part of the Leh Ladakh region. Its administrative center is at Padum. Zanskar is the most isolated part of the Leh Ladakh region.

River Rafting on Zanskar River

Ladakh temperature can fall to a bone-severing -30 degree Celsius during winter season. Temperature in Ladakh rises up to 30 degree Celsius in the summer months. The best time for tourists to visit Leh ladakh is between April to September.

River rafting is available on the Indus and its major tributaries. The best stretch for professionally guided rafting in white water is on the Indus River between Spituk and Saspol. River rafting in this stretch can be performed by up to grade 2 rafters. After Saspol, the river becomes very difficult and funny, so it requires technically more skilled 4+ grade participants under careful and best trainer’s organization. The easiest stretch in Lndus River is between Spituk to Karu that can be performed by below 2+ grade rafters in a day. This stretch is an ideal for basic training and full of scenic floating for amateurs. In recent years, running the Indus has become an attractive alternative to trekking and features on the itinerary of most visitors.

The most difficult but exciting option for river rafting is on the Zanskar River between Padum and Nimo through the gorge in the Zanskar Mountains. This is suitable only for well organized white-water expedition, prepared for several days of river running and camping in absolute wilderness. Participants are required to be trained rafters of grade 4+. The arrangements should be assigned to a dependable professional agency like Destination@doorstep. Sufficient rescue arrangement is an essential pre-requirement for embarking for a white -water expedition on river like the Zanskar.

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 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/

A Place On Earth That Defies Gravity

“A place on earth that defies gravity” is unbelievable!

Ladakh packages are providing the opportunity to visit and test it. LehLadakh is located in the lap of snow-capped Himalayan ranges and silver valleys of Indus River. Ladakh in Northern-India has a Magnetic hill where a vehicle moves up towards hill even its detonation is off. The Magnetic hill or Gravity Hill is situated at a distance of 30 km from the capital city Leh. It is located on the Leh-Kargil-Baltik national highway, at about 14,000 feet above sea level.

The local administration of Leh region has also put up a signboard marking the hill, to help tourists to recognize the Magnetic Hill. The whole phenomenon is clearly written on the board with instructions for tourists to follow them.

Follow the instructions on the signboard and take a drive to test the phenomenon. Turn your car in the opposite direction and repeat the steps. It will start moving uphill. This magnet magic can be experienced while you are trekkingin Ladakh.

The hill attracts all metallic objects, like vehicles, aircraft etc because the hill is believed to have some magnetic properties. Even the planes & helicopters feel the same magnetic impact. To hide from the magnetic impact of the hill in that area the pilots need to fly at a very high speed. The aircraft start to jerk if it comes within the radius of Magnetic Hill according to Locals and the Indo-Tibetan Border personnel.

Many claim that supernatural forces are at work here, causing the magnetic attractions. There are some scientific reasons behind this phenomenon as well.

The Magnetic Hill is a place where the layout of the surrounding land is very slight downhill slope but appears to be an uphill slope. Thus, a vehicle left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill. The slope of gravity hills is a visual illusion.

The tourist season in Leh Ladakh is going on. Plan a trip with any Ladakh package offered by Destination@doorstep (a reliable tour operator) and make a theory for the reason behind its magnetic property.

Call on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit their website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

Markha Valley and other treks of Ladakh

A holiday in Ladakh means great adventure with mental peace. Ladakh is the land of Buddhists of Tibetan school. Ladakh is also famous as “land of high passes”, which indicates to its spiritual leanings. It is located in between Karakoram Mountain in north and the great Himalayas in south. Leh the largest town of Ladakh was the capital of Ladakh. Leh is so important for Ladakh that it is called as Leh Ladakh.

Leh is a starting place of Ladakh’s adventure. Buddhist monasteries, beautiful views of the Himalaya, charming market, and peculiar lanes make Leh an important destination. Trekking in Ladakh is a paradise for trekkers of the globe with plenty of opportunities to fulfill all type of adventure sporting desire.

Leh is one of the best trekking places of North India. There are many trekking routes in Leh Ladakh for enthusiast trekkers. 24 important treks for light trekking in Ladakh are Spiti Valley trek, Snow Leopard trails trek, etc. Some for moderate trekking are Darcha trek, Pangong Lake, Indus Valley trek, Frozen trek, Junglam, etc. Some for most challenging trekking are Nubra Valley trek, Markha Valley, Alchi to Lamayuru trek, Rupshu Valley trek, etc.

10 most famous and major treks for trekking in Ladakh are  Leh - Darcha valley trek, Frozen River trek, Leh Ladakh trek, Lamayuru Alchi trek , Indus Valley trek, Ladakh monastery trek, Stock Kangri trek , Zanskar Valley trek, Markha Valley trek, Nubra Valley trek. One of the most adventure tours inLadakh is Frozen River trek and is also known as “Chadar Trek”.

Markha Valley Trekking

After acclimatization in the high altitude hotels of Leh Ladakh, you can start to explore the heartland of the Central Ladakh Valley. This trek involves crossing of the three passes (Stok La 4848 meter, Gandla 4878 meter, Kongmaru La 5274 meter) while trekking in Ladakh on the banks of the Markha River. The highlight of the trip is the camping at the base of the Kang-Yutze peak on the plains of Nimaling.

Trekking in Ladakh along the Markha River through one of the world's highest inhabited plateaus and three high passes at elevations up to 17,400 ft. You will be mesmerized by fabulous views of the Great Himalayan, and Zanskar ranges in Leh Ladakh.

Don’t waste your time, 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/.

Five important monasteries in Ladakh

Ladakh tourism has opened his gate for the tourists across the globe. Ladakh is the land of Buddhist from ancient days. Age old monasteries (Gompas) in the arid region of Ladakh are reflecting ageless believes of Buddhism in the middle of soaring mountains. LehLadakh tour without visiting any monastery can be called incomplete tour.

All the Ladakh packages of any tour company cover the five important monasteries in Ladakh. The five monasteries are...

Hemis Monastery - Ladakh

Hemis Monastery (Gompa) is the richest and largest gomopa of Ladakh; located 48 km away from Leh on the bank of Indus River.It belongs to Gelukpa order in 1630 by Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. The most popular Hemis festival is going to be held on 29^th and 30^th June of 2012. Birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhavis celebrated in Hemis monastery’s compound as Hemis festival. As a part of this festival, a huge painting of Buddha is displayed before public only once in 11 years and that makes this monastery unique for travelers. Another highlight of this monastery is its famous sacred mask dance.

Lamayuru Monastery Ladakh

Lamayuru Monastery the oldest monastery of Ladakh was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in early 11^th Century. It belongs to Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. There are several legends associated with this Gompa. It is also believed that the place where Lamayuru gompa is situated was a lake that changes into the mountains by the blessings of a lama, to create space for this monastery. It is located125 km from Leh on a high cape overlook village and surroundings. Lamayuru Monastery has a rich collection of wall paintings and Thangkas. This monastery celebrates sacred masked dance every year on 17th and 18th day of the 5th month of Tibetan lunar calendar.

Thiksey Monastery Ladakh

Thiksey Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries of Central Ladakh is situated 20 km away from Leh at the altitude of 3600m above sea level which makes it one of the most popular monasteries in Leh Ladakh. It has a twelve storied building with 10 temples and a nunnery in its campus. Nearly 100 lamas practice their religious duty in this monastery. This gompa is seat for head of the Gelug School in Ladakh. Champa one of the largest statues of Buddha in Leh Ladakh can be found in this monastery. It is considered as a perfect example of Ladakhi architecture.

Shanti Stupa ladakh

Shanti Stupa is situated on a high elevated region overlooking the splendid Leh valley. It was constructed by the Japanese for world peace, a Japanese Buddhist Organization as a mark of respect to 2500 years of Buddhism and was inaugurated by his holiness Dalai Lama in August 1985.It is famous for its marvelous construction and magnificent views of sunrise and sunset. Stupa looks spectacular with its glittering lights in night.

Alchi Gompa Ladakh

Alchi Gompa is one of the oldest and finest monasteries of Leh Ladakh. Its main feature is thousands of small sized pictures of Buddha. Brightly painted, three large-sized images prepared with clay are its main attraction. Gompa has many Thangkas of 12th century. Other images include five Buddha families with their attendants.

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