Aryan Valley Ladakh
Overview
July is the best month to plan a much awaited trip to the stunning Kashmir valley. Summer officially begins now and you get the best of it during this time. July to September is the time when Kashmir tourism is at its peak. The whole place turns dreamy with vast landscapes, blooming flowers, streams with sparkling water, snow capped mountains and gorgeous lakes. Clear blue skies and balmy days are prevalent. You can enjoy every outdoor activity including water based ones too like fishing, river rafting etc.
It is the best time to undertake treks to the high altitudes and feel the energy of the mountains. You are surrounded by nothing but beauty in kashmir. It is called “heaven on earth” for a reason. Words are never enough to describe the beauty of it. It can only be felt when you are there. The valley of Kashmir in July month has everything that a traveller is looking for. One can enjoy the natural beauty of lush green landscapes and mountains during the summer. Nature lovers from across the world can visit the famous Mughal Gardens or many water springs to have a peaceful time.
Here, we have provided every detail of Kashmir in July including the places you can visit, activities to do and much more.
Things To Do In Aryan Valley
Explore The villages
The ideal way to know about Aryan valley would be by exploring its five villages. Dah-Hanu village is known to be the home of purest Aryan lineage. The village is nestled among lofty peaks and is believed to be the last of Aryans’ fortification.
Next among them would be Garkone village which is perfect for a stroll and sightseeing. Batalik village gained significance due to the Kargil War. A major portion of the war was fought here.
When you are there, you will see the locals engaging in daily-life activities such as farming and husbandry. Respect their culture, engage in some photography and just blend in the serene air of the place.
Camping
Aryan valley has numerous rivers with babbling water, stunning lakes and ever-flowing streams. They offer perfect spots to set out a camp and lie under the star-studded skies. It forms the ideal setting for stargazing or you can just light a bonfire and share stories with fellow tourists. You can meditate here and maybe light yoga.
Glaciers like Chorten Nyima and Baralacha are spreaded over with streams meandering across the valleys. They are great for camps as well as river rafting. Indus and its tributaries are some major names among them.
Visit Monasteries
There are many small monasteries scattered throughout the Valley adding religious importance to the place. Masked dance is performed there by Lamas. One of the prominent monasteries is Lamayuru Monastery, which is identified as one of the oldest and largest monasteries of ladakh.
It is located about 127 kilometres from Leh. You should keep them in your itinerary and make a visit. They are Buddhist Gompas which were built many years ago. You can attend some local festivals here and get to know about them. These sites showcase the beliefs of Buddhism and its aspects.
Enjoy Scenic Views
The valley lies in the lap of the Great Himalayas and the lofty peaks form the backdrop. To reach Aryan valley, you get to witness Khardung La Pass which is the highest motorable pass of the World on your way. The valley has stirring geography and mesmerises you with its natural beauty. You can immerse yourself here and obtain tranquillity that gives a lasting imprint.
During summer, the valley gains life after stagnant winter and so does indus and other rivers. There are fields in the valley with staple crops like wheat. Barley sown there and you can take slow walks on the edges there.
Engage In Photography
Aryan Valley is every nature photographer’s delight. With its mind boggling beauty, you can click memories of a lifetime. Every place, every water body, every snowy mountain there looks like something out of a dream. You can not resist yourself from getting clicked standing in the vast landscapes with wildflowers blooming every now and then.
Do not forget your cameras for a postcard-perfect click. If you are really into photography, then the people here happily get themselves clicked. You can capture some portraits of locals with their traditional outfits, their unique facial features etc.
Wildlife photographers can have pictures of alpine animals here in their natural habitat.
Interact With Locals
Who knows a place better than the people living there! Locals of Aryan valley are very warm and cordial and interacting with them gives a bird’s eye view into their culture, prayers, cuisine etc. They are very hospitable and you can learn about the agrarian society of the valley.
Having a talk with them, you get to know the origin of villages there, the recipes of local dishes like Skyu, Thukpa etc. Relish them as they are made from authentic locally sourced ingredients and cooked by the locals there.
Go On Trekking
Some of the most famous route treks in the Aryan valley are Padam to Hemis, Sankoo to Drass, Padum to Lamayuru. Trekking is one of the most adventurous things to do here.
It is advised to keep all the trekking gears. Pack essentials, clothes and other necessities. Summer is the best time to undertake them.
Having a proper trek leader with you is highly suggested. Choose Cliffhangers india for Ladakh Tour Packages to have a safe and stable trip to Aryan Valley and do activities there.
Best Time To Visit Aryan Valley In Ladakh
Aryan valley in Summer: Summer is the best time to visit Aryan Valley with pleasant weather and temperature ranging from 10°C to 25°C during day time. Nights can get colder but they are tolerable. Roads are cleared out and accessible during this time of the year.
The whole environment is comparatively warmer and every tourist attraction is open and can be explored. May to September is the ideal time to do lots of outdoor activities like trekking, rafting, hiking etc. Climate in Ladakh is quite unpredictable, hence regular updates on current conditions must be taken to avoid unnecessary traffic and closure.
Aryan valley in winter: Aryan valley experiences extremely cold weather conditions in winters with temperature dropping to -20°C. However, the whole place turns into a winter wonderland and becomes perfect for winter-sports like skiing, snowshoeing etc. The roads are inaccessible from October to February and you need extra planning. Heavy snowfall is there with a thick layer of ice everywhere. If you are planning for a winter vacation to the Aryan valley, then keep warm clothes for proper layering and windproof jackets.
Aryan valley in spring: A gradual transition from harsh weather conditions to balmy climate is seen in spring. Temperature is moderate and fluctuates between 5°C to 20°C. With snow starting to melt, the landscapes there come alive and new energy can be felt. A new freshnes in the air is there in the spring season with flowers blooming here and there.
Local festivals are held to celebrate the onset of spring and harvest season. You can indulge yourself in farming activities during this time. It is every photographer’s favourite season for perfect natural shots.
Stay options in Aryan valley: Some guesthouses, homestays are prominent stay options in the Aryan valley. They are run by local people and staying there gives you a lifetime chance to experience the authentic Ladakhi way of life. The owners are very warm and offer great comfort. Some of them include tours to nearby attractions like monasteries, lakes, villages stc. These stay options may not be as fancy as they are in Leh city but they are cosy with delicious local food. These mouth-watering dishes like Thukpa, Skyu, momos and more are cooked from locally sourced ingredients and often included with your stays.
Due to limited numbers, it is highly suggested that you book them in advance to avoid any inconvenience. It is a must thing to do during peak season. For a more adventurous trip, camping is a good option where you can lie under the starry sky and attain serenity. It is necessary to have all the mandatory camping permits. Do not spoil the environment and practise clean hygiene.
Essential Information
Packing Tips
- Clothes: pack clothes according to the weather. Have some warm clothes like thermals, a thick jacket, sturdy shoes, a few pairs of socks, gloves and a beanie. Carry some cotton clothes if it is summer. Always carry full sleeves t-shirts and shirts and full sized bottoms.
- Trekking gears: if the main purpose of your aryan valley tour is going on treks then trekking gears like sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and an ice-axe are important to carry.
- Essentials: shops are sparse there so carrying a reusable water bottle, basic medicines along with personal ones if any, sunscreen, power snacks, moisturiser, insect repellent etc is necessary.
- Cash: ATMs are rare to find sometimes, hence keep some cash to avoid unnecessary troubles.
Tips To Visit Aryan Valley Ladakh
Some of the tips to keep in mind before planning your Aryan Valley trip
- Permits required: get updated if there are any permits needed, keep them ready in advance to visit Aryan Valley.
- Acclimatisation: Aryan Valley has alpine attractions hence proper acclimatisation is required to avoid high-altitude sickness with symptoms like Headaches, stomachaches, vomiting etc. ignoring it might cause inconvenience.
- Advance booking: book guesthouses and stays in advance especially during peak seasons.
- Stay hydrated: visiting tourist attractions, taking long walks and travelling hence drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Respect local cultures: you will see cultures and traditions of Aryan valley very different from your own hence keep a respective approach towards it.
Transportation Facilities In Aryan valley
There are two ways to reach Aryan valley. One would be from Leh which lies approx 160 kilometres from here. Roads are connected and vehicles like jeeps and SUVs are suitable for a ride. These road trips are just so adventurous and give you a peek into the mesmerising beauty of ladakh. The other way is through Kargil. From Kargil to Aryan valley, you cover Suru valley in-between with Suru river accompanying you.
To travel in and around Aryan valley, private taxis are a common transportation option.
However, accessibility to roads is limited in winter due to snowfall on roads.
Stay options In Aryan valley
Some guesthouses, homestays are prominent stay options in the Aryan valley. They are run by local people and staying there gives you a lifetime chance to experience the authentic Ladakhi way of life. The owners are very warm and offer great comfort. Some of them include tours to nearby attractions like monasteries, lakes, villages stc. These stay options may not be as fancy as they are in Leh city but they are cosy with delicious local food. These mouth-watering dishes like Thukpa, Skyu, momos and more are cooked from locally sourced ingredients and often included with your stays.
Due to limited numbers, it is highly suggested that you book them in advance to avoid any inconvenience. It is a must thing to do during peak season.
For a more adventurous trip, camping is a good option where you can lie under the starry sky and attain serenity. It is necessary to have all the mandatory camping permits. Do not spoil the environment and practise clean hygiene.
