I was awaiting for this getaway from a long time to spend some quality time together with my husband and what would be a better place than Leh, Ladakh for spending your holidays. It was a last moment rush affair for us. The essentials which one should keep in mind before leaving for leh, Ladakh in the month of June with my experience are:
Medicines: Carry Diamox and medicine for headache, fever and cold with you. Diamox helps you to acclimatize to the high altitude environment and prevent you from dizziness and headache. Its better to take Diamox two day before you reach Leh if you are not allergic to sulfur drugs (as told to us by a chemist at Leh).
Lip Balms: Cold and Dry weather of Ladakh make lips dry and painful due to cracking. Its good to carry your lip balm in your hand bag and moisturize them whenever you feel your lips are dry.
Sunscreen: Sunscreen with high SPF will protect your skin from the harsh ultra violet radiations. Its better to go with a sunscreen with at least 35 SPF or more.
Paper Soaps/Sanitizer: Carry paper soaps in your hand bag as you will be needing this for sure. In most of the places in Ladakh there are no proper wash rooms.
Sunglasses: Invest in a decent pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays.
Chocolates, biscuits, Fruit, cakes and nuts: They are instant source of energy, will not occupy much of space and you can munch on whenever you feel hungry as you have to do long travelling in Ladakh and you will find food corners at long distance. You can also take chewing gums with you.
Water and juices: Hydrating your body is most essential at the high altitude. To avoid the unwanted sickness hydrate yourself at regular intervals. It is wiser to take atleast one bottle of water per person in your group.
Clothes: This was our first trip to Leh and I was in dilemma what type of clothes I should pack for our trip. So to avoid all your dilemmas I am here to help you. If you guys are travelling during month of June apart from your regular clothes take sweaters, scarfs, socks, cap and air resistant jacket. In the month of June, morning are pleasant, nights are cold enough to force you to wear a jacket and in day time you will be comfortable wearing t-shirt only but its always better to dress up in layers as there are much variations in climate from one place to another in Ladakh. In case if you are not wearing sweaters at day time, it is advisable to take sweater with you in your handbag. Keep five to six under garments with you as clothes takes time to dry due to cold climate. Carry comfortable clothes with you. If you are travelling off season do take heavy woolens with you.
Shoes: Take atleast two pair of shoes with better grip and comfortable to wear.
Torch: If you have a torch in your mobile then there is no need to carry torch otherwise just take a small one in your back pack.
Charger: Fully charge your phone and camera batteries prior to your journey and carry charger with you. If you have an extra battery, carry one with you. There are some places like Pangong and Tso Moriri, where power goes off after 11 pm and restores at 6 in morning. So, its important to charge your batteries whenever you get time.
Mobile phone connection: Only post-paid connections works in Ladakh and from all those connections only BSNL surpass beyond Leh. So, unless you want to rely on STD booths, carry a post-paid SIM with you.
Identification card and documents: Most important don't forget to take your ID card and other useful documents with you like flight tickets, Government ID cards, Bills. You will be requiring all these during the issue of inner permits.
Flying towards Leh, the first thing I could see was glimpse of the beautiful snow clad mountains through the airplane window which mesmerized me completely. On reaching Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh I could feel the cold wind blowing, we took out our sweaters to keep ourselves comfortable. While my husband was collecting luggage from the single conveyor belt, I was checking the airport. At the airport, administration has mentioned the fact of taking rest on first day of arrival to acclimatize. After collecting our luggage we hired a taxi and drove to our homestay. In Leh apart from hotels you can also find homestay options depending upon your budget. People are very friendly and welcoming in Leh.
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| View of Snow Clad mountains from sky |
On the first day we decided to take rest and get acclimatized. We came to know afterwards that the homestay didn't have the facility of providing in-house meals. So, we chose to have our lunch outside. Once other group members of our group joined us at homestay, we decided to switch to some other place for our stay. After lunch I was taking rest but my husband and other male members of our group were hovering around the market area to find other options to stay. As my hubby reached homestay he complained of headache. So, its advisable to all you guys not stress yourself on the very first day and just take rest and hydrate yourself at regular intervals.
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| Traditionally carved wooden windows |
On Second day we shifted to another homestay which was far much better then the previous one and location was so captivating. It was lush green environment all around our homestay with Shanti stupa above it. That day we visited Hall of fame, Magnetic hill, Sangam point, Gurudwara Pathar Saheb and Shanti stupa.
Hall of fame is a museum which is maintained by Indian army in the remembrance of martyr soldiers who lost their lives in Indo-Pak wars. The museum make you aware of the enormous struggle and hard life, soldiers have to bear to protect our frontiers. One feels overwhelmed and proud of our country and the brave soldiers after visiting this museum. If you are curious to know about the history of Ladakh, this is a good place to visit. You can cover all these destination in one go except shanti stupa. As rest of the four are on the same route.
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Pictures depicting the history of Ladakh at Hall of Fame
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Magnetic Hill
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On the way to Sangam point one can find magnetic hill point located on the Leh-Kargil-Batalik national highway. Magnetic hill is alleged to have magnetic properties strong enough to pull your vehicle uphill. We were amazed to experience this ourselves. Sangam point where muddy Zanskar river water confluence with the bluish Indus river water. It is indeed a breathtaking view. On our return from Sangam point we went to Gurudwara Pathar Saheb, after offering our prayer, we had meals in langar there.  |
| Sangam Point |
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| Gurudwara Pathar Saheb We headed towards our homestay and decided to take rest for some time and visited Shanti stupa in the evening as it was near to the place, we were residing. Shanti stupa is situated on a hill top in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh overlooking the Leh city, it gives a spectacular view across the valley. There are two options of reaching Shanti stupa, one option is to climb the stairs which is challenging at that high altitude and second option is to reach by vehicle. It was built to promote world peace and prosperity and one would find the peace after reaching here. There is one spectacular Buddha statue and one feels spiritually enlightened looking at it. You can also have Maggie and tea there at the eating corner in shanti stupa. During sunset the view beautifies manifold. I would recommend to visit Shanti Stupa during evening before sunset and stay there after sunset to take a view of lighten up Shanti stupa. Luckily we visited Shanti Stupa on Purnima and I was awestruck to see the glory of bright full moon. It was just amazing. |
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| Shanti Stupa |
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| Moon rise view of shanti stupa at night |
There is lot more to share with you guys about my memorable Leh, Ladakh trip. Stay tuned for my next blog.
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