Climate conditions in Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh is known as a summer destination for tourists of all over the world. The land is famous in winter for international tourists and honeymoon couples too. A large number of tourists come here to spend the summer while foreign tourists prefer the snow capped hills and the frozen lanes. Honeymoon couples rush for a winter trip here for the romantic air and the much comfortable resorts. However, every traveler to the place should know about Ladakh temperature and the weather conditions of Leh Ladakh before deciding a trip.

A famous tour operator Destination@Doorstep gives you information about climate in Leh Ladakh and the season that could be appropriate for your travel. One important part of your Ladakh tour would be to know that during extreme winters, there are landslides and road blockades dangers.

Ladakh temperature varies much due to its high altitude. Most of Ladakh is situated above 2,500 meters and the capital Leh is at 3,500 meters. The summers are hot and the winters are cold. Ladakh temperatures sometimes reach about 35 degree Celsius in summer and dropping as low as -25 degree Celsius in winter. So, you need to bring appropriate clothing for a range of conditions, because with global climate change, one may experience the occasional cool day even in summer. At an altitude of 3521 meters above the sea level, the months of December and January are freezing below minus 30 degree Celsius. Often people from the small towns of Ladakh move to mainland where the climate is still warmer. The barren locations of Ladakh are also dry and hot in the months of April to October.

One important aspect of the climate of Ladakh is the absence or scanty rainfall over the years. You wind the roads more dry, windy, and sandy. Rainfall in Ladakh amounts to around 10 cm annually.

Some parts experience snowfall from end of September and melts away faster. Ladakh temperature in winter varies from minus 25 degree Celsius and 15 degree Celsius.

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

Best Ladakh Packages for Happy Moments

When you plan for a tour with family or with your friends what you look for most is fun and happy moments. You always look for tours that give your wild, passionate and wacky thoughts the complete satisfaction. Your tours are like realizing your wishes and dreams that was never fulfilled. All these thoughts and desires can be fulfilled when you are in Leh Ladakh.

Well not all but almost all, as it is a high terrain region where of course there is no SEA, so you won’t be getting the seaside fun, but yes, you will find many lakes and river bodies. You can enjoy swimming, river rafting and many such water sports in these water bodies. These rivers and lakes are clean and healthy for your body, so no hygiene issues as well. Some famous lakes and rivers of Leh Ladakh are Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley River, and Zanskar River.

The famous Buddhist monasteries and temples that you will find at Leh Ladakh are very old and are also the golden heritage of Ladakh. When you plan to visit such places, you cannot just pack your bags and leave for fun. But yes, you can do so when you get the help of Destination@Doorstep. It is a Travel and Tour Company that pioneer the Ladakh tourism.

The company has different types of Ladakh Packages and these packages are categorized according to the choice of tour. Some packages are based on the selection of days while some simply the combination of all. Your expedition with fun and happiness is the ultimate aim of this company, so they also offer custom package options for all customers. The main areas of expedition you shall enjoy at Leh Ladakh are Jeep Safari, Cultural, River Rafting, and Mountain Rafting and Climbing.

Ladakh Tour cannot be summarized in these expeditions. The experience and fun you enjoy there is beyond speech and expression, it is just the moments to live in and remember life time. Explore your favorite expedition and let your soul free in Leh Ladakh.

Choose your favorite Leh Ladakh package plan at Destination@Doorstep, call us on 1800-103-2228 (toll free in India) or visit our website http://www.destination-doorstep.com/leh/

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 biggest festival of Leh Ladakh

Hemis Gompa is the wealthiest, best-known and biggest monastery (gompa) of Ladakh. It is located at 40 km west from Leh. The major annual festival of the monastery is Hemis festival which is celebrated in summer and is the main cause for its popularity. The major celebrations can be witnessed here at the biggest and wealthiest monastery of Leh Ladakh. Hemis monastery was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, a well-known ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty for the royalty favored the Drugpa sect. Local people call this monastery as “Chang Chub Sam Ling”, which means the single place of the passionate.

Hemis Gompa

The monastery is divided into two parts, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The hall Dukhang is also used as "green room" by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The varandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist 'wheel of life' (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters, besides the prayer wheel.

The courtyard of Hemis Gompa, the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh is the stage for the famous Hemis festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. He is said to be responsible for bringing Buddhism to Nepal and Ladakh. The occasion also celebrates the ancient victory of Lamaism over Shamanism and other religious practices.

Hemis Festival

Local people are seen dressed up in their finest traditional dress for the occasion. Lamas perform splendid masked dances and holy plays with cymbals, drums and long horns. The head lama presides over the function. This famous Thanka, richly decorated with pearls and semi-precious stones. A colorful fair of beautiful handicrafts is the special highlight of the festival. The fair is organized in the courtyard of the monastery.

The Hemis festival is celebrated for two days on the 10th and 11th day in the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar. Generally this festival is celebrated in the month of June. This year the Hemis Festival is going to be celebrated on 29th and 30th June. Tibetan Monkey year is celebrated after every 11 years. The Hemis festival takes an auspicious turn in the Monkey year, when the two-storey high 'Thanka' is displayed.

Ladakh – The Mecca for Adventure Lovers

Ladakh with its arid deserts and enchanting beauty happens to be a dream destination for all the adventure lovers, whose ultimate desire is to visit this enthralling place once in their lifetime.  From poets to painters, from tourists to trekkers, all have been captivated by the alluring beauty of Ladakh.

Though Ladakh has been an independent kingdom for centuries, Tibet and the Muslim neighboring lands have a strong influence on its culture. The architecture in Ladakh, especially the monasteries and the housing complexes bear a strong resemblance to those in Tibet. As Ladakh lies in the great Himalayan range, it has a unique climate and culture. About the climate; summer here is usually bright and warm, whereas winter can be harsh. Owing to its resemblance to Tibet, Ladakh is often called as the little Tibet.

Embarking on a trekking tour is the best way to fuse adventure and natural beauty of Ladakh. Trekking here is dubbed as a lifetime experience by those, who have surrendered to the enticing rugged terrain of this land.  Ladakh adventure is not restricted to just trekking, but also river rafting, cycling, village tour, walking, and bike expedition. The famous Trekking routes in Ladakh are Stok Kangri trek, Markha Valley, Alchi - Lamayuru Trek and Rupshu valley, Nubra Valley Trek, Spituk to Markha Valley, Lamayuru Gompa to Chilling, Likir to Temisgam, Spiti valley trek and Rupshu Valley trek. June to October is the ideal time for trekking adventure in Ladakh. With every nook and corner of Ladakh offers adventure enthusiasts new vistas to get indulged in activities such as cycling, white water, rafting, and mountaineering, polo, archery, Jeep and Yak Safari.

Mountaineering in Ladakh is yet another memorable experience. The terrain is known for its exigent peaks and alps, climbing on which promises an adrenalin rush. The popular mountaineering range here are Stokkkhangri,  Khangiri, Nun, Kun, Konglacha Peak, Kantaka, and Gulap Matho West and many more. It is advisable to take the permission of the India Mountaineering Federation in Delhi, before you embark on a mountaineering expedition.

Biking in Ladakh is a good option for adventure freaks. Bike safari is the best way to explore the inaccessible regions in Ladakh. Biking proves to be a thrilling experience, is it gives the tourist an opportunity to behold astounding glaciers and steep hills. Manali to Leh route is one of the famous routes to explore the beauty of Ladakh region.

Ladakh the land of Gompas, mesmerizes the tourists with its rugged terrains and a number of passes and barren rocks. It is undoubtedly the paradise for adventure lovers with plentiful activities to please ones adventurous spirit.

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Silk Route Cottage in Nubra Valley

Ladakh is an unparallel tourism destination for adventure lover tourists in India. It is located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is bounded by the mighty mountain ranges of the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram. The beautiful land of Ladakh draws a number of travelers and tourists from all over the world. Ladakh wins the heart of adventure tourists, nature lovers and religious interest tourists. Ladakh is known for cultural tours, adventure tours, fairs & festivals, monasteries, trekking, etc. Ladakh tours attract a number of adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. Trekking in Ladakh is a rewarding experience. There are many natural trekking routes in this region. Monasteries are one of prime attractions of Ladakh tours and travels.

Silk Route Cottage is located in a quaint village Sumur in the Nubra Valley to the north of Leh. It has a very large property with lush green fields and gardens. The only A Class property in Nubra Valley with attached toilets and showers for 24x7. The rooms are fitted with modern amenities and are very spacious & comfortable. The organic vegetables grown in the garden are used for preparing the meals.

There are lots to do in this little village, from village walks to visiting the Sumur Monetary and to raft down the Shyok River. You can enjoy Bactrian Camel Safari to hot springs and fulfill your desire by searching the hidden lakes. Hundar or Deskit Monetary is in two hours bike safari. You can learn how to paint Buddhist paintings. Tourists can visit a Yak farm where they can touch yak. Enjoy a traditional meal at a village home. Spend your time in visiting the local women alliance to learn about their self help group activities and experiencing a local cultural evening dressed in the traditional clothes.

Facilities: 14 Bamboo Cottages and 5 Tents with attached toilets, Sight Seeing/Travel desk, Car on hire, hot & cold shower, Telephone and post paid BSNL mobile, TV with multi-channels, Room service, Multi-cuisine restaurant, Open air restaurant, Village Handicraft Shop, Reception cum Library, Parking, Laundry.

Facilities on demand: Doctor on call, Cultural Show on demand, Bon fire on demand, Barbeque on demand, Room heating on demand.

Silk Route Cottage, Sumur in Leh Ladakh is a favorite and suitable place for Nubra ethnic camp in affordable budget. Tariff is not so high its charges are equivalent to guest houses of Leh.

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/