Ladakh Range Transportation

The quickest way to get to ladakh is by plane: from Delhi the flights lasts about an hour, passing over towering mountains: two companies (2003) offered flights there - jet Aviation and Indian Airlines. I used both and I must say that Jet Aviation really has state of the art planes... Indian airlines - let's say that the plane looked older than me. As a sidenote I should add that landing at Leh is thrilling: there's mountains all around the military airport, so the plane has to find its way through them and at times it looks as if it's going to loose a wing into the side of some mountain or other. The take off, by contrast, is disappointing - the planes heads straight up over the mountains, and that's it - no thrill, no breathtaking passages...

Jeeps are the most convenient way to get around Ladakh, although it's possible (but not comfortable) to get around by normal car, motorbike or even bycicle. Roads, when paved, are bumpy - dirt roads are-... well, dirt roads! There are unionised taxis in Leh, and they all seem to use oldish Tata jeeps: which are sturdy is reasonably comfortable. They come together with a driver - and in this respect we've been highly lucky: our drver, Stensing, was not only an excellent, fast and yet careful driver, but a young man full of humour and with his jeep filled with excellent Indian music.

Big discussion here is which is the better method for acclimatization. I favor flying. You will go from Delhi to Leh at 3500 meters. But, if you take a bus, the first day from Manali has you camping at over 4000 meters! The bus trip has spectacular scenery, but if it is acclimatization that concerns you, fly. The day you fly (early morning), sleep here the rest of the day. The following day take only short walks, or just rest again.

The best way to get Ladakh is by road. Srinagar- Leh or Manali-Leh.You can enjoy everyhting, and I love all the 'leyends' on the road: 'better late than never','Small family, happy family','your family waits you, drive slow'. It is the best way but the longest so if you don't have time: short way plane.
It is an adventure too if you fly the Independence Day 15th August. No batteries, no knives(difficult after a trek), even no hand lugagge, be patient to be frisk more than 5 times!Funny, isn't it?

Jet Airways offer a comfortable flight from Delhi (daily)which last around an hour.
Indian Airlines operate a similar flight as well.

The other option is to drive up to Leh via Manali, or via Srinagar. Its a long drive though, but those who opt for the option are promised some great views en route!
The taxis rides across the daunting landscape that makes Ladakh may seem like they arent for the weak hearted. The winding blind turns, narrow roads with steep drops- often with the river Indus straight down below... it could make for some hair raising moments for the unaccustomed tourists. Travel tip- trust your driver, they have been doing the same stretches 365 days a year. Hoever, if they seem rash, thats when u reign them in...

Hiring a taxi in Ladakh is relatively expensive, but the good thing is that it is a unionised affair, and rates are standardised- you can ask for a list of rates and destinations which every taxi operator will carry.
A sample of fares- about rs.6000 return for lake Tso Mororiri, which is about 6 hours away. To stay the night, the driver will charge an added rs.475. (rates as of august 2002)
If you can travel in a larger group, it works out quite cheap, since its not per person, but per vehicle.
During the off-season, things go much cheaper.