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Road Journeys
The main overland approach
to Ladakh is from the Kashmir Valley via the 434 km Srinagar-Leh road which remains
open for traffic from early June to November. The most dramatic part of this road
journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet/3,505 m high Zoji-la, the pass in the Great
Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway to Ladakh.
Regular
bus services are available between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight
halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey.
Groups can charter buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum (Zanskar) at Srinagar. Since 1989,
the 473 km Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second land approach to Ladakh.
Open for traffic from around mid-June to early October, this high road traverses
the upland desert plateaux of Rupshu whose altitude ranges from 3,660m to 4,570m.
A number of high passes fall in route among which the highest one, known Taglang-la,
is the world's second highest motorable pass at an altitude 17,469 feet / 5,325
m. The bus journey between Leh and Manali takes about 19 hours or two days with
an overnight halt camps at Serchu or Pang. Gypsy and jeep taxis are also available,
both at Manali and Leh.
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Air Travel
Leh, the capital, has one
of the highest airport in the world. It's almost the only way to access the area
from november onwards until may, as mountain passes are closed. Indian Airlines
operates regular scheduled flights to Leh from Delhi Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar.
Some private airlines are also planning to operate air services between Delhi and
Leh in the near future.
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Internal Travel
The cheapest way to travel
within the region is by public buses which ply on fixed routes according to fixed
time schedules. The most comfortable and convenient though expensive rnode of travel,
however, is by taxis (car, Gypsy), which are available for hire on fixed point to
point tariff. For visits to the newly, opened areas of Nubra, Changthang and Dah-Hanu,
it is mandatory to engage the services of a registered /recognized travel agency
for making all the requisite arrangements including internal transport.
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Road Distances:
Srinagar-Leh
434 Km
Manali-Leh 473 Km
Srinagar-Kargil 204 Km
Delhi-Leh 1047 Kms
Leh-Kargil 234 Km
Kargil-Padum (Zanskar) 240 Km
Leh-Deskit (Nubra Valley) 118 Kms.
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