HOW TO REACH LEH – LADAK?
Leh, part of Trans Himalayas is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes and Kashmir. Since the year 2000, domestic tourists have started visiting Ladakh, with a dramatic increase in 2010 after the movie 3 Idiots. Leh town is located at an elevation of 3500 meters, so take it easy on your first two days to overcome the altitude sickness.
Leh, part of Trans Himalayas is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes and Kashmir. Since the year 2000, domestic tourists have started visiting Ladakh, with a dramatic increase in 2010 after the movie 3 Idiots. Leh town is located at an elevation of 3500 meters, so take it easy on your first two days to overcome the altitude sickness.
Other than flying in to Leh (daily flights from Delhi), one could take exciting road journey to reach Leh. There are two roads to reach Leh - one is from Manali in the south and second one from Srinagar in the west. Both routes are spectacular in its own ways. As you are gradually climbing the altitude road journey reduces the risk of altitude sickness.
First option of driving from Manali to Leh (about475 kms distance) is more adventurous. You could have one / two night breaks while driving on this road. Keylong / Jispa & Sarchu are the major halt locations in this route. This road is generally open from end Jun till mid-September. It is blocked by snow for rest of the year.
Due to good flight connectivity to Srinagar, second option is less strenuous & road is open for longer duration (May to Oct), compare to Manali – Leh Road. This road ( about 435 kms distance ) passes though many picturesque villages including Sonmarg. One night halt at Kargil is must while driving on this road.
