White Water River Rafting India

“Untamed river is earth’s traitor, resisting magnitude, boogieing to its own melodies,for eternity breaking off away and ultimately always charming. There is not anything even half of the pleasure while sitting in a boat and enjoying, playing & messing around with white water.”

You can call the rafting as the mother of all courageous sports. White water rafting is a tough spare time bustle using a raft to steer a river or erstwhile bodies of water. This is generally done on white water or diverse levels of forceful water, so as to delight and electrify the raft folks along for the ride. Leh Ladakh is one of the best places in the world where white water rafting is practised every year.

Get ready for a breathtaking action jam-packed experience in wilderness of white water trip with Destination At Doorstep. Catch 13,000 cubic feet per second of water and include few friends with you to get this ultimate pleasure. We make available all the equipments and accessories like life jackets, plastic safety helmets, first aid kits, throw bags and winch systems for river rescues, etc.

White Water Rafting in Ladakh and Zanskar

Leh Ladakh provides ample of options for adventurous activities amongst landscapes of stunning, rocky exquisiteness. These for the most part consist of river rafting, mountaineering and trekking.

River rafting in Ladakh is pretty contrasting anywhere else in the world. The Indus River ranks from grade three to five and gives a lot of adventure. Ladakh gives a variety of rafting on the Indus and its main tributaries. The most favourable stretch in white water is on the Indus between Spituk and Nimu.

The most thrilling and adventurous rafting option is available on the Zanskar River, along its spectacular course through a gorge in the Zanskar Mountains between Padum and Nimu. We train out adventure loving guests and take care of all the adequate arrangements for rescue back up.

Ladakh package of white river rafting during Leh Ladakh tour takes you via its charming landscape, high snow-covered peaks, summit monasteries, hillside villages and exceptional wildlife. The two rivers Indus and Zanskar are the best options to raft. Indus River and its tributaries offer a wide range of rafting options.Zanskar River offers some of the most difficult and pleasurable rafting options. Its water will be frigid at six to seven degree Celsius so it is advisable to carry a wet suit.

Best Time

From June till October you can take pleasure of rafting. 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/

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/

Effigy of the evil forces is burnt in Karsha Monastery

Ladakh Tourism provides the opportunity to know the ancient culture of northern hilly area of India. Various Ladakh packages for cultural tours are announced by the tour operators of India which will take you through the Buddhist monasteries in Leh Ladakh. Mostly festivals of Ladakh is celebrated in winter season, when tourists has to face many difficulties to reach there. Some festivals are held in summer.

One of the important festivals of the region is Karsha Gustor, which is celebrated in Karsha, Stok  and Spituk monasteries in Ladakh every year as their annual festival. Karsha monastery is situated on the top of the hill in Zanskar region of Ladakh. This year, the festival is going to be celebrated for two days on 16^th and 17^th July 2012.

The fate of predictions held in Stok is commonly known as Zanskar (Karsha Gustor). The layman is predictor of the future instead of reputed forecasters, who are commonly recognized for this job. The layman is spiritually authorized by the Lamas after a formal selection, and is prepared for receiving the spirit of the Holy Deity.

During the Karsha Gustor, a Black Hat Dance is performed. The significance of this dance is to force the evil forces to leave the region and to establish the victory of good over the evil. This is also a masked dance similar to Chhams. The festival is a famous festival of the Buddhists.

This is a Masked Dance that is performed by the Monks of the Geluk-pa order because the Zanskar (Karsha Gustor) Festival is typical to that order. The masked Hat Dancers symbolizes the guardian divinities (Dharmapalas), and is a kind of help by the Geluk-pa order.

The festival finishes with the distribution of the sacrificial cake. This is also known as the Storma. The concluding part of the Black Hat Dance during the Zanskar (Karsha Gustor) is killing of the evil force by the leader of the dancers, which is known as Argham.

The main feature of this dance is the re-enactment of the assassination of the Tibetan renegade, King Lang-dar-ma, by a Buddhist Monk. The king was said to be a traitor who lived in mid 9th century, and caused a lot of harm to the state. Effigy of the evil forces is burnt at the end of the festival.

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/

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/

Ladakh - the best place in India for trekking

A land where peace, adventure and natural beauty live together is Leh Ladakh. This place is very suitable destination for adventure lover tourists of the globe. Tourists interested in adventurous sports like white water rafting, camel safari, mountaineering, jeep safari, paragliding, trekking, etc. Trekking in Ladakh is the most famous adventurous sport known to adventure tour lovers of India and abroad. One can select any one trekking route among the large list of trekking routes of Ladakh. 

India is the most visited, famous and beautiful tourist destination across the globe. It can be Kashmir in north, Rajasthan in center, Kerala in south, or any other part of the country, all the parts of the country have their own beauty and specialty. Northern part of the country in the Himalayan region is the most beautiful and adventurous part of the country.

The hilly areas of Jammu & Kashmir the northernmost state of India full of picturesque beauty is certainly the places that a tourist looks for. Leh Ladakh is a region in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, which is loved by all tourists around the world due to Buddha’s monasteries, natural beauty and environment. Tibetan culture, religion, architect is here due to presence of high percentage of Tibetan people. For these reasons, it is also famous as Little Tibet.

Tourists from all over the world come to Leh Ladakh to enjoy trekking in Ladakh. The place is regarded as one of the best trekking destinations of the globe. The place witnesses heavy snowfall throughout winter season between the months of November to April. The best time for trekking in Ladakh is between the months of May to September. One of the important factors for trekking tours in this region is the high mountain’s passes.

There are many routes for trekking in Ladakh which are as under:

• Markha Valley: This trek will lead you through the spectacular scenes of Leh Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. You can watch hidden civilization of the valleys, rich cultural heritage, monasteries illuminated with butter lamps, nomadic families with herds of yaks and many others.
• Darcha to Lamayuru: This trek starts from Darcha and leads through over 8 passes, with highest point of 5090 meters that brings you in to the Zanskar.
• Indus to Nubra Valley: This route of trekking in Ladakh will lead you through various passes, Buddhist monasteries and the remote villages between Indus to Nubra. The Nubra is a branch of the Shyok River, which is parallel to the Indus and known for sand dunes and camel safari.
• Frozen River: Zanskar people from a very long time have used the frozen river trek. The traditional name of the trek is Chadar trek. 

You can make trekking in Ladakh tour much more memorable by interacting with local people and experiencing their culture. For getting an ultimate traveling experience trust any well renowned travel agency or tour operator like Destination@doorstep.

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

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers

Ladakh is a wonderland which is artistic with incredible natural beauty and adventure sports facilities. The most famous tourist destination of India attracts nature lover and adventure sports lover from across the world. During the winter season it remains covered with snow which creates the most charming view of a desert, not of sand but snow. So, it is called Snow Desert. Ladakh Trekking is a fashion for the young enthusiast adventure sports lover of the globe. One of the most famous and charming tourist destinations of Ladakh, Nubra Valley is bordering both neighbor countries China and Pakistan.

The Valley of Flowers : Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is situated at the altitude of about 10,000 feet in north western part of Ladakh. This Valley lies along the banks of the shayok and its tributary. While traveling from Leh towards Nubra, as soon as one will reach Khardung-la top, his heart problem will increase and you may feel headache, perhaps it is due to thin air.

After traveling further down, there is grassland, called Spang Chhenmo (North Pullu). In summer season, local people come here to graze their cattle. After 10 km moving towards Nubra valley, there is a village surrounded by mountains, called Khardong which keeps it cool even during summer. There is a Public Works Department (PWD) rest-house, a primary school and state government livestock development center. Despite efforts of the State Government more than three fourth of the total population is illiterate. After trekking 30 km, you will be in a Buddhist village Khalsar, which has a government Rest House. It has been provided the same facility by the state government. But the village is suffering in the same condition.

Nubr Valley in Summar

After traveling 12 km ahead from Khalsar, you will be in a valley which consists of two rivers: Nurba and Shayok. Both rivers are flowing in opposite directions. Diskit, Hundar, Sumur, Panamik, Bogdang and Turtuk are the main villages in and around Nubra Valley. Hundar is the most beautiful among all the other villages. It may be called fruit garden as trees of cherry, apricot, walnuts, almonds etc. can be found everywhere in this village. Its population is about 1350 in which Buddhists are more than 1200 and rest is Muslims. All live peacefully as a family and all the guests are welcomed with the same eco of “Atithi Devo Bhava”.

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 Ladakh

Pangong Lake is situated in Himalayas. Its height is about 4,350 ft. It is 134 km long. It Extends from India to Tibet. 60% length of Pangong Lake lies in China. The lake is wide about 5km. Its water is saline. But lake freezes completely in winter season. But lake freezes completely in winter season.

PANGONG LAKE Ladakh

Distance between Leh and Pangong Lake can be discovered in a five hours. This route is a rough and dramatic mountain road through the village Shey and Gya and crosses Changla pass. Many Army men (guard) and Tea shops will be seen on your way. It is said that once the lake had an outlet, Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, which was destroyed by a natural dam.

After a journey full of difficulties we reached Pangong Tso from Leh. Camping at Spangmik village will give great opportunities to admire the beauty of the lake and ladscape. Spangmik is a small village, spread across a narrow stretch of earth between the lake and adjoining mountains. Spangmik village is next to Pangong Lake, where the inhabitants are now finding additional income from tourist inflow. You need nothing to enjoy yourself, the lake and the mountain make sure you are kept happy contented. The lake spread so long that I can’t see the other end.

Change of shade in Lake can be observed as the day progresses. It has deepest hues of blue when the sum I high and deeper hues in the middle of the lake. It looses colour later in the day and turns dull as the sun moves towards the west. At times when the is no wind, the clear surface of lake becomes mirror, so it reflects the brown mountains surrounding it. The water near the shore looks black when there are strong waves.

The mountains are in various shades of brown, their colours doubled by the scorching sunlight and shades come due to small patches of clouds blocking the sun. Waterways on the stopes formed by melting snow have made long thin lines.

The lake is an ideal site for bird lovers as well various migratory birds including the black- naked Siberian Crane and Brahmini ducks can be seen in the cool colourful water of the lake.  The best time to visit thin lake is between June to September. An inner permit is required to visit the lake as it lies on the line of Actual Control. Indian can get individual permit. Others must have group permits (minimum of 3 persons) accompanied by an affiliated guide. You can get permit from the tourist office of Leh. India government does not permit boating due to security reason.