Leh, everyone's dream destination: Finally had the opportunity to visit Leh
We scheduled our vacation to Leh for September, and believe me when I say that it was one of the most lovely and fitting seasons to visit. You can visit any time between June and September, as it is only open during this time. It is normally closed the rest of the year due to excessive snowfall and blocking of the Manali-Leh and Leh-Srinagar highways. We had previously heard so much about Leh's exotic beauty that our expectations were sky-high, and we were all set to travel to Leh.
The most convenient method to go to Leh is to fly from Delhi. So, if you are not from Delhi, you must first travel to Delhi before booking your tickets to Leh. Though the tickets can be expensive at times (our ticket to Leh costs roughly Rs. 4000/-), if you buy them in early, the possibilities of getting cheaper tickets are high. The journey to Leh normally takes 50-60 minutes, and the bird's-eye view of the entire route, which passes over mountainous and snow-capped mountains, is a sight to behold. On their way to Leh, most people record videos and take photographs. There are various options for getting to Leh from Delhi. One can take Government buses that run every other day from Delhi, however, one must check the details of these buses at the bus terminal. The tickets can be purchased in person at the bus stop. For these buses, online tickets are usually not available.
It is recommended that you take two separate routes on the way there and back so that you can see two distinct places. (For example, going from Manali to Srinagar along the Manali-Srinagar highway.) As a result, we decided to return through Srinagar.
To the best of my knowledge, train services do not operate in Leh, hence the only way to get from one point to another is by bus or taxi. Alternatively, if you enjoy driving, you can rent bikes in Leh and Manali, which are significantly less expensive (most of the voyagers travel to Leh by bike via Manali-Leh highway).
The feeling we had when we arrived in Leh was one of a kind. I felt like I was on top of the world because the airport was surrounded by mountains. To recap, you can get to Leh by flying, renting a bike, or catching the bus (you need to check the details of the buses from the bus station).
Explore the beauty of Leh
The location is beautiful, however, there is a scarcity of oxygen due to the high altitude. Once you arrive in Leh, it is recommended that you rest for a while to allow your body to adjust to the local climatic conditions. This place's seductive beauty will keep you awake at night. The only way out for all the curious and impatient folks who can't stop themselves from exploring the area is to visit the local Leh market or check out some local sights.
Visiting Leh market, in my opinion, is beneficial since it familiarises you with the local community and puts you closer to the culture that exists there. The locals are really polite, helpful, and knowledgeable on how to assist tourists in their area. They will attempt to assist you in any way they can. Following that, if you intend to visit destinations like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake the next day, you must first fulfill a few legal formalities (such as obtaining permission) before embarking on your tour. You may be required to provide a copy of permissions at several checkpoints, so make sure you have enough copies on hand. Please also look at the many travel choices available to you to get to these locations (such as taking a taxi, cab which can be availed on sharing basis). If you want to make use of the readily available shared cabs, go to the tours and travel offices/agents in the market. We pre-booked a sharing cab for the following day for roughly Rs 2500/-. This solely includes the cab fee and excludes any other costs. For a stay in Leh, you can find hotels in the market for as little as Rs 400/- per day.
Also, don't forget to bring any medications or other required items with you. The mobile network is the next most critical consideration. Except for BSNL and Airtel postpaid connections, most networks are not operational in my experience. As a result, you may not be able to use your phone in this location, however, you can notify those who need to know ahead of time that your phone is not working to avoid any unnecessary concerns. To summarise, don't get too excited on the first day, instead, give your body time to adjust to the altitude and the limited oxygen supply. What you can do is visit neighboring attractions such as Leh Palace and submit the necessary paperwork for the following plans.
Nubra Valley has it all: sand dunes, camping, and spirituality
The next day, early in the morning, we set off for Nubra Valley, where the weather was perfect. The cool breeze and picturesque mountains provided a welcome change of pace. The splendor of Leh and the panoramic views of parallel mountains cannot be described in words. The greatest way to approach Leh is to keep looking at those mountains and talking to them; they will undoubtedly respond. The road to Nubra Valley was fascinating, and it was easy to fall in love with it.
Another sensation will be when bikers pass you on the road, waving their hands to encourage you. You'll begin to feel energized. If you are driving, you should use caution and consider using a cab if you are not a skilled driver. Your journey will be adventurous due to the high curves and mountains, as well as the one-way road at times. As a result, I urge all bikers to drive safely by making frequent stops and pauses.
The road to Nubra Valley was characterized by steep curves and tight turns, with a few locations having warped roads. In some areas, finding restaurants and breakfast spots can be challenging, so make the required plans ahead of time.
We passed via Khardungala pass, the world's highest motor-able pass, at an elevation of somewhat more than 18000 feet. Almost all of the drivers appear to congregate at the pass. Biker and other passengers remain at the pass, sipping coffee and reflecting on their success of conquering the world's highest motorable pass, the Khardungala pass. At that high height, we have various coffee shops, so don't forget to stop for a cup of coffee at the highest motor-able altitude.
Sand dunes are among the sites to explore in Nubra, and the area is home to a number of camping-based motels. Staying in tents allows one to enjoy the campfire and experience Nubra.
Near the sand dunes, there are a number of camp tents and hotels. You can also go on a safari or camel ride, both of which are unique experiences. Due to our time limits, we stopped at a monastery along the road, then toured the sand dunes before heading to the hotel for the night. The pathways offer a distinct perspective of the valley, as well as mountains of various tints and colours. They also offer a variety of views during the day, evening, and early dawn. I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy all three perspectives. The accommodations in Nubra started at Rs 700/-, which is what we paid. The lunch was adequate, and we were looking forward to our trip to Pangong the next day. This is the greatest site for you if you are a keen photographer who enjoys photographing nature. The weather is normally pleasant in this area. Because it is a desert environment, it can get quite cold at times. Make sure you've brought enough woolens.
The Lake with variant colors: “Pangong it is!”
We began our journey from Nubra to Pangong early in the morning once more. The roads were quiet and in some sections underdeveloped. However, the magnificent mountains and a few rivers awaited us once again. The constant movement of bikers added to the excitement and drew us closer to Pangong Lake. The lake, as stated by the cab driver, changes colour and shows varied colours, which has made it a popular filming location for a handful of Bollywood films.
The Pangong Lake's beauty is difficult to describe. The travellers frequently spend the night near the lake in tents so that they can see the lake first thing in the morning. However, if one observes it late in the morning, around 9.00 a.m., one might appreciate it. While admiring the beauty of the lake, it is recommended that you bring enough warm clothing with you, since the weather can get rather low at night. Furthermore, we had a plan to return to Leh (to our target), so if you wish to return to Leh, you should start early, since returning to Leh from the Pangong Lake can take up to 5-6 hours, and travelling in the dark might be problematic, so it is recommended to leave Pangong around 12-1 pm. You will cross Changla Pass on your way back to Leh, and in our case, we may encounter severe snowfall at Chang La. At Changla, one can taste good tea and coffee, which is a unique experience. Overall, the tour was a dream come true for everyone involved.
Final Destination: Srinagar
We left Leh after finishing our tour and drove to Srinagar, our last destination. From Srinagar, we were supposed to return to Delhi. In contrast to Leh, the city had a lot to offer us. Please make every effort to enjoy the entire journey from Leh to Srinagar. The path is scenic, and you'll pass by some magnetic hills along the way. It will provide you with a unique feeling and experience.
The best way to get from Leh to Srinagar is to hire a shared cab (which will cost you between Rs 2000 and 2500/-). However, there are other, less expensive options. As a result, we chose the Jammu and Kashmir Government buses, which depart every day from Leh at 2:00 p.m. and are guaranteed to be in Srinagar by 6.00 am the next day. We reached Srinagar by 5.45 am.
Buses are also a convenient way to get to Srinagar. Buses may halt in Kargil due to unforeseen circumstances and then resume service in the early morning.
The buses were inexpensive, costing approximately 1050/- per person. The motorway, as expected, was stunning and distinct from the rest of the places we visited. They were different colours, and on our route to Srinagar, we went through Magnetic Hill. Zoji la Pass, Kargil, Sonmarg, and eventually Srinagar are all on the itinerary. The journey to Srinagar should be enjoyed.
As soon as you enter Srinagar, you'll notice Dal Lake and the traditional houseboats that float around it. The lake is lengthy, and you'll pass by the famous Shalimar Garden, Mughal Garden, Pari-Mahal, and floating market along the route. The floating market, attractive flower stores, and other places may have good offers. We spent an entire day on the houseboat.Take shared cabs to Shalimar Garden and other tourist destinations along the road for some local sightseeing. Those sharing cabs are inexpensive (about Rs 20/-). Alternatively, you can take a bus from the lake to the main market.
This is how our adventure from Leh to Ladakh to Srinagar came to a end.
The Experience of Leh – Srinagar via My Eyes
The sensation was incredible. As I previously stated, words are insufficient to explain my tour experience, but talking about it makes me feel like I'm still on the road, still there. I was a frequent traveller, but the feelings I felt on this trip were unlike any other. We enjoyed, we laughed, we cried, we made new friends, we felt proud, and we documented every single feeling and emotion we experienced during the voyage.
If there is beauty, we have seen it. Throughout the excursion, I felt as if I were in a dream. Leh's inhabitants are wonderful and cooperative, and it's easy to fall in love with them. If you ask me which aspect of the trip was the most enjoyable, I'd have to answer the drive to Srinagar; it was a visual delight. Finally, I would strongly advise readers to plan a vacation to Leh-Srinagar at least once.
My future plans include exploring uncharted territory and planning another trip to Leh, this time through the Manali highway and with my brother.
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