The summer is quite pleasant but in winter it touches the extreme. The winter temp touches as low as minus 30 degree (Leh & Kargil) and minus 60 degree in Drass. Subzero temp prevails from December to February throughout Ladakh, whereas, zero degree temp is experienced during rest of winter months. This results in freezing of all conceivable water resources. During summer the maximum temp rises from 20 to 35 degree Celsius in July and August.
Languages Spoken:
Boti is the main language of Ladakh; other languages spoken are Balti, Shina, Brokshat and Changshat. In schools, offices and restaurants English and Hindi are also used.
Clothing:
Single T-shirt or shirt in peak summer months (mid June-August), in winters (November-Feburary) heavy woolen and warm jackets and in rest of the months light/medium woolen and light coats/jackets.
Permit and Passport:
Tourists do not require permit for Leh, however, all foreigners are required to get themselves registered at Drass, Rumtse and Serchu if they are traveling overland. Those traveling by air get the registration done at the airport. Tourists are required to get permit for some of the restricted areas like Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, which can be obtained from District Magistrate, Leh, through Travel Agents at Leh.
Credit Cards & ATM Machine:
Credit cards are accepted by very few hotels and tour operators but there will be 2.5% service charge. The Jammu and Kashmir Bank and State Bank of India have placed ATM Machine in main Leh city. The State Bank of India accepts visa and mastero but this ATM is not very reliable. J&K Bank ATM is more reliable but accepts only Mastero.
Avoid acute mountain sickness:
Acute mountain sickness can occur to any one at an altitude above 10,000 ft. above sea level, therefore, make it sure to take complete rest on the day of arrival and get you acclimatized.
How to Reach Ladakh
Leh-- the centre of Ladakh is connected with Delhi by direct flights operated by Indian Airlines / Jet Airways. One can fly to Leh any time of the year.
Leh is connected with Srinagar by road which remains closed during winter months due to heavy snow fall especially on Zojila pass. The road to Leh opens in late May or early June, & closes by mid-October every year depending upon the weather conditions. Journey from Srinagar to Leh takes 2 days with night halt at Kargil where accomodation is available in Hotels / Guest Houses etc. Jeeps and cars are also available for the journey from Srinagar to Leh.
Leh is connected with Manali also by road. This road also remains closed during winter months. Jeeps and cars are also available for the journey from Delhi/Manali to Leh.