7 Days Independent Travel in Leh of Kashmir from Delhi

Leh is the capital of the Ladakh region of Kashmir with Tibetans as the main residents.

► There are two ways to reach Leh:

By flight: There are planes departing from Delhi to Leh after 6 am. Air India, Jet Airways and GoAir provide daily flights from Delhi to Leh. 40 minutes are needed for a single trip. The flights are also available from Jammu and Srinagar.

By land: First of all, you need to go to Majnu Ka Tilla, a Tibet Village in Delhi to buy a coach to Manali. It usually leaves at 17:30-19:00 and arrives at Manali the next morning. Then, you can buy a mini bus ticket from a travel agent in Manali and reach Leh in 18 hours. The whole trip is rather hard.

Taking the local bus for about two days is another way to get to Leh from Manali. This bus will first stop at Kelong after 8 hours' running and then you need to stay at a hotel for one night and go on your journey the next morning. The bus will arrive at Leh before evening.

On arrival, check in the hotel and have a good rest.

► Our Friendly Tips:

Leh is often disconnected from the Internet and there is no mobile phone signal every now and then, so you are highly advised to book the hotel in advance. You cannot enter the region before the local police confirm where you live.

If you need a SIM card, there is an Airtel business hall in a small alley not far from the entrance of Leh Main Street. You need to bring your passport and photos. The monthly cost of a SIM card with internet data is less than 500 rupees and can be connected on the spot. It should be noted that the hall does not work on weekends and holidays and the SIM card cannot be used outside Ladakh.

Leh is not a big city at an altitude of 3,000 to 6,000 meters. In order to adapt to the plateau climate, the itinerary can be not so tight. After breakfast, you are advised to visit Leh Palace, a typical Tibetan Buddhism building. The ticket fare is 100 rupees. You can walk up there from the main Bazaar or take a taxi. In the afternoon, it's a nice choice to hire a car to visit Soma Gompa, the largest Tibetan Buddhism temple in Leh.

Outside the hotel, many self-employed drivers are waiting to pick up passengers. You need to hire one to continue today's itinerary. Remember to bargain about the price before getting on the car. After, ask the driver to arrive at Shey Gompa at first. The scenery along the Ladakh traffic way is beautiful. Among the mountains in the distance, are flat valleys. On both sides of the road are trees and folk houses. After visiting Shey, continue traveling southeast for 4 kilometers and passing by picturesque white towers group and villages, you will arrive at Thikse Gompa. This is a Gelug monastery in large scale. The last stop today is Hemis Gompa. In the end, return back to Leh. The restaurant Bon Appetit with delicious salad, pizza, pasta is highly recommended.

Lamayuru is 110 kilometers from Leh, about 3 hours by car. You can charter a car, or take a bus to get to Lamayuru. It is a quiet and beautiful village surrounded by snow-capped mountains and an ideal place for photography. It is recommended that you stay here for one night for the sunset in Lamayuru is very beautiful, and you can take a panoramic view of Lamayuru on the opposite hillside.

Return to Leh and then take a leisurely walk to the Leh Old Town, a very old but well-preserved living area in Ladakh.

There are many hotels in Leh where you can rent a motorbike. Most tourists choose to explore the Ladakh region by motorbike. If you have the license, you can do it too, or just take a walk in Leh to experience the local culture and custom in depth.

You may return to Delhi first, and then take a flight or train to your next destination. Have a nice journey!