starstruck

Someone suggested Ladakh was a good choice during the monsoon season. Don't know anything about that place. Any thoughts about what one would do or see in Ladakh in August ? Is it worth going?

Alan

Well, it's a fascinating city -- you'll go crazy with a camera! We went at the beginning of November, and managed to get in just before virtually everything shut down for the winter; August would probably be a great month!

Although Ladakh is in India, the particular fascination of the city is that, once you're there, you will soon forget about India and think you're in Nepal or Tibet. The only reminder we had that we were still in India was when we went into a store and the prices were in rupees!

There are some great treks in the area, and this is probably the main reason people go there (not us, as the time of year wasn't right; we just went for the ambience and a one-day walk). You will find that the town is tiny, quiet, full of shy but lovely children, and, for the most part, unchanged from the Ladakh of 100 years ago (I have heard from more knowledgeable travellers that the Ladakh of twenty years ago, before the tourists discovered it, was really something to experience, but it's still delightfully un-touristy today). We stayed at a simple but charming old guest house called the Old Ladakh; one review on indiamike warned that it was gloomy and dark, but our room was bright and sunny and full of colour, with an amazing view -- and extremely cheap.The one drawback is that they don't have a back-up electricity generator,and the power supply in Ladakh is a very hit-and-miss affair, with interruptions every day.

We didn't see any five-star hotels, so if that is what you're looking for, you may find that Ladakh is not for you. But it's an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world.

wherehk07

any updates on ladakh? would love to know if some more upscale places have opened up as well as mini-treks for an early may visit. certainly suggestions for tour companies would be great, too. also, what kind of weather, gear should one be prepared for (since otherwise, i'll be dressed for northern india -- hot, hot, hot)?

wherehk07

hi saurabh -- i'm afraid the only chance i'll have to go is in early may. what's the weather like then? (since i'll otherwise be in delhi/agra and kolkata, i'm afraid i'll have very little in the way of cold-weather gear unless i pack it well ahead of time -- i'm actually leaving on saturday from the states for india)

also, what can someone who's not interested in major trekking do in ladakh in early may? planning on flying back and forth from delhi for about five days total...

wherehk07

apologies that i didn't read saurabh's post more carefully -- sounds like there are a lot of activities for non-trekkers and daytrips! now it's just a question of how pleasant and worthwhile it would be in early may versus during the peak season you described in the last post, july-sept...

brufen

have been plugging for ladakh, as india's underrated tourist area..its been great for treks, wilderness, himalayas, rafting on the zanskar and indus, and trips to china/pakistan borders..in fact theres a huge, clear blue lake thats about a 100sq km partly in india and partly in china...all within a short distance from the capital leh which is an hours flight from delhi.

non-indians may need special permits to visit some parts which are easily granted. the city leh can be crowded with back packers though and theres no real 'star" hotels around but decent lodges.

oh, and its north of kashmir, buddhist predominant with tibetan refugees, ancient monasteries and a huge indian army presence thats responsible for building the roads there.

best time to visit would be may-end october.

cheers!