An Indian Summer..

With the build up to the monsoon well under way in India resulting in 40 degree plus temperatures throughout the plains of India, a lot of people tend to dismiss tours to the sub-continent at this time of year due to the temperature and impending rains. Although the build up is pretty tough, once the rains arrive this can be an extremely interesting time to visit the country as the tourist sites are a lot less crowded and there is a more intimate feel to travelling at this time.

One area that really comes into its own during the monsoon is the Himalayan state of Ladakh. The capital city Leh lies at 3500m so even in the height of summer, remains cool and temperate. Because of the geography of the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush, the area sees very little rainfall while the rest of the sub-continent is being battered and drenched.
Almost exclusively Buddhist, Ladakh retains a tranquil calm and the many interesting hill monasteries and gompa’s make for great viewing. There are also various short trekking and rafting options in the region.

By far the easiest way to get to Ladakh is by flights from Delhi, which last just over an hour. The only alternative to flying is to take a jeep from Manali in Himachal Pradesh but this journey can take up to 16 hours over one of the world’s highest roads climbing up to around 5300m. I did this journey and felt the effects of altitude sickness at this height, thankfully subsiding as the car descended into the Leh valley. From October – April, flights are the only option as the elevation of the area blocks most roads and freezes over the rivers.

We can arrange fantastic and interesting trips to Ladakh throughout the summer and a good time to visit is during the Hemis festival (July 12th –13th 2009) when traditional dances are performed by the locals, culminating in the destruction of a demon meant to symbolise the human ego!

For more information, contact the team at Uncover the World.