Ladakh & Zanskar · Western Himalaya & Trans-Himalaya
How to reach
By air
- Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (IXL) — At about 3,250 m, one of the highest commercial airports anywhere. Flights operate in the early morning because thin air and afternoon valley winds make later landings unreliable, and passengers arriving by air gain 3,000 m in an hour and should do nothing at all on the first day.
- Kargil Airport (KGH) — Scheduled service has been intermittent; check current operations rather than assuming.
By rail
- None in the region — The nearest railheads are in the Kashmir valley to the west and at Jammu, both of which then require a full day or more by road over passes that are closed for much of the year.
By road
Srinagar–Leh, about 420 km over the Zoji La and Fotu La, usually open from about May to NovemberManali–Leh, about 430 km over four passes above 4,800 m, usually open from about June to OctoberNimmu–Padum–Darcha, the newer road into Zanskar, which is progressively reducing that valley's isolationLeh–Nubra over the Khardung La, and Leh–Pangong over the Chang LaKargil–Padum up the Suru valley past Rangdum, seasonal
By water
The frozen Zanskar in January and February — the Chadar, walked rather than boatedRafting on the Indus and the lower Zanskar in summer, a modern activity rather than a transport route
Getting around
Shared taxis and a union taxi rate card from Leh, limited local buses, and hired motorcycles. Protected area permits are required for Nubra, Pangong, the Changthang and the Dah–Hanu villages and are arranged in Leh. Plan around altitude and around the daily wind, not around distance: a 150 km day here is a full day.
How to reach Ladakh & Zanskar by air, rail, road and water, and how to get around once there. (3)