During last few years say year 2015 the number of domestic arrivals in Leh was much more the foreign. The tourist arrival for the year 2019 was 3. 2 lacs out of which there were about 60 thousands (approximately) foreign arrivals. Mostly European, also from Thailand in the initial stages.
That is, now the season being extended from mid April on wards with the arrival of the domestic visitors from Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal. In the foreign category the Thais and other south east Asian county visitors were arriving.
There were far less arrivals from U.S.A, U.K and Australia during last few years. Many Koreans arrived during the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. But their numbers dropped later. So we see there are unique trend of arrivals of visitors both for the domestic as well as foreign arrivals.
Even Chinese tourist’s arrivals have gone up in the last few years. There are travel restrictions for them if they belong to visitors from the mainland China or from Hongkong. They are not issue passes to visit the famous Pangong lake or the Tsomoriri where they have make inner line permits.
Now a days there is spurt in the increase in the jeep safari. The visitor’s have a variety of choices of luxury cars that take them to unique destinations most famous being the two to three nights to three to five days car safari to Nubra valley, Pangoong or Tsomoriri lake from Leh cruising over extremely high passes and driving through valleys and canyons.
If you are lucky you see Ladakh’s unique wild life such as blue sheep, Ibex, marmot, lam manger also beautiful wild mountain herbs and shrubs many having medicinal properties.
Mind you Ladakh is not like any other place. The visitors must be prepared before hand. Young must not show excitement which could be sometimes fatal during the first 24 to 48 hours. This is the crucial period, one must take rest as has been instructed by your travel company. First day is complete rest in the hotel or guest house. Young in their excitement tend to forget this and they land up in hospital for high altitude sickness ?
Ladakh provides you with pristine nature as if you are on a different planet! Your are in high altitude zone carry and drink lots of water. The place dehydrates you. There are in numeral trekking routes. Adventure sports like white water rafting, mountaineering, cycling too can be great provided you are for it otherwise be content with car safaris !
The senior visitors interested in culture and spirituality can excess many outlets. A visit to an age old monastery can be very enlightening and learning. With the help of experienced tour company one can arrange unique experiences but one must also be careful with superficial and inexperienced tours operators!
Yesterday, there was news in the local radio, that 6 foreigner and 8 to 10 domestic visitors arrived. They have been asked to undergo 2 week quarantine (which the agreed to) may be this is the first batch of arrivals. Reason being spurt in the Corona cases as many of our own people are coming back from different parts of the country or abroad.
Both the Land routes are now open that is one coming from Manali (Himachal Pradesh) and other coming from Srinagar (Kashmir valley). Every day 150 to 200 to 300 people arrive arrive by cars, mini buses, trucks and buses. they are sensitized at Upshi bridge 7o kms from Leh (arriving from Manali) and Khalatse sub town 90 kms from Leh (arriving from Kashmir valley) respectively.
Leh market is in a state of lockdown, but shops are opening everyday as per the guidelines of the administration. Cars move in even and odd numbers on similar dates of the days. Government offices are very restricted area. There are special Covid hospitals. At present there are 657 cases in Ladakh (both Leh and Kargil districts). 145 cases sent to Chandigarh city for confirmation. About 126 cases have been found negative and discharged. Not severe cases are lodged in home isolation for 1 to 2 weeks.
Just like in any part of the world Ladakh too is under going the effect of Corona pandemic. People have now understood the medical protocol so they are following all rules such as washing of hands, hand sensitizing, wearing of mask, not going out unnecessary. Keeping social distancing at shops and other essential areas of public convenience.