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Leh offers a variety of accommodation to suit almost every
pocket or preference. Most hotels are family-run establishments. Hotels
are classified into A, B, C and Economy categories while Guest Houses fall
under Upper, Medium and Economy class. Tariff quoted in the meals, a
system followed by most establishments. Tariff quoted in the A and B
category hotels includes all meals, a system followed by most
establishments.
The Guest House is a less formal facility offering rooms in a part of a
residential house or its annex, where the guests can share the family
kitchen for meals. As a part from the low tariff offered for accommodation
ranging from very good to merely basic, the Guest House system also
provides an opportunity for the tourists to see and experience Ladakhi
life from the inside.
In the newly opened areas of the region- Nubra, Changthang and Dah-Hanu-
tourist infrastructure is also been adequately developed. The State
Tourism Department has developed accommodation facilities like Tourist
complexes and Hikers Huts at Tangse and Spangmik on the Pangong lake
circuit, Korzok on the Tso-moriri Lake, Deskit and Panamic in the Nubra
Valley, and at Biama in the Drokpa area.
Camping Facilities in Ladakh
As an interim arrangement, the J and K Tourism Development Corporation
has started offering furnished accommodation intended camps at Search on
the Manali-Leh road, Deskit in Nubra valley and Pangong lake. Tourists can
also seek accommodation as paying guest in a few selected homes in these
places, through they would be well, advised to travel fully equipped with
personal sleeping bags and some tinned provisions to be on the safe side,
especially when visiting the Pangong and Tso-moriri lake areas.
There
are also some Government - run Tourist Bungalows located mainly along Leh
Srinagar-Leh
road. These offer the best value in the medium range, but room
availability is only if one holds a confirmed reservation. This is
possible only if a written requisition has been sent to the Tourist Office
at Leh or Kargil in advance.
Peak Season Reservations
During the peak tourist season i.e. early June to mid-September, it is
advisable to book hotel rooms in advance. By late September, as the
tourist rush starts to decline, advance booking is not necessary as
availability of accommodation becomes rather easy. However, tourists
planning winter trips may have to book accommodation in advance so as to
ensure provision of heating arrangement s during the period of their
intended stay.
Clothing:
Zanskar experiences drastic fluctuations in the daily temperature even
during the height of summer. While the days are pretty warm, even hot at
times due to the desertic effect, the evenings can become quite chilly
thus requiring additional clothing. It is advisable to be prepared for
this situation with a pullover and a down jacket. Other essential items
include a sturdy pair of walking shoes, a good sleeping bag, and a pair of
woolen socks or some thick cotton socks. It is also essential to bring a
quality tent if the intention is to travel or trek around on your own, and
a good quality rucksack for back packing. It is also important to carry
your provisions from Srinagar or Kargil, if a longer tour of the adjoining
villages is intended.
Banks:
The State bank of India with money changing facility and J&K bank
have a branch each in Kargil.
Communication:
Kargil has worldwide direct dialing telephone facility, besides post and
telegraph offices. In addition J&K Tourism operates its own wireless
Radio phone network with field stations at Kargil, Padum and Leh which are
connected with controlling stations at Srinagar, Delhi and Jammu. During
the tourist season mobile wireless stations are also established in key
places in the remote areas.
Health:
The District hospital in Kargil is fairly well equipped and staffed with
a team of specialist and general practitioners. In addition there are
Medical Dispensaries at Drass, Mulbek, Trespone, Sankoo, Panikhar and
Padum each headed by a qualified doctor and equipped with basic health
care paraphernalia.
Tourist Information about Ladakh:
The Tourist office here regularly updates its store of information on the
region. Tourists undertaking mountaineering expedition on hard trekking
along difficult routes are well advised to inform the Tourist Office at
Kargil about their routes and proposed program so as to monitor their
welfare.
INNER-LINE RESTRICTIONS
Entry of tourists beyond one mile north of
Zoji-la-Drass-Bodhkarby-Khalatse road is restricted. However, on the
Khalatse-Leh road, the monasteries of Tia-Tingmosgang, Rhizong, Likir and
Phiyang can be visited even though these fall north of the road.
Similarly, tourists are allowed to visit Shey, Thikse, Chemrey and
Thak-Thok lying north of the Leh-Upshi road.
The Leh-Manali road is also open up to one mile east of its general
alignment. Although the northeastern and northern regions of Ladakh are
now partially opened for foreign tourists, there are required to obtain
permission from the Deputy Commissioner, Leh. This is only subject to
several condition of travelling along certain identified tour circuits in
groups of four or more. Permission to enter to other restricted areas can
be sought from:
The Ministry Of Home Affairs,
Government Of India,
Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi