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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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.