Yangthang is a Village in Ladakh and is 4 kms from Likir which is a popular trekking destination. Yangthang is located in the Western part of Ladakh. This village is often frequented by trekkers who pass through it while going to Hemis sukhpachan.
Ladakh has a cold climate due to its altitude. Due to its dry weather conditions and the cool weather it is called a Cold Desert. The air is rarified and so some people may experience breathing problems. The summer temperature ranges from 8oC to 27oC. The minimum temperature in summer sometimes may go as low as -3oC. The winter is very cold. The range of temperature in winters is -20oC to -15oC. There is snowfall by late September. It is a must to rest on the day of arrival to Ladakh region to acclimatize with the environment here.
The best time to visit Yangthang is from June to September. Carry thick woolens, wind cheaters, sun glasses, sturdy shoes, caps and sun screen. The skin needs to be well protected against the harsh climate.
There are no ATMs in Yangthang. But bank branches and ATMs are there in the city of Leh. It is best to carry cash to this place. There may not be any money exchangers here so carry Indian currency only.
No permit is required for Indian nationals in Ladakh. For foreign tourists, registration is done at the airport or at Drass, Rumste and Sechru if they travel by road to Ladakh.
Leh airport is the nearest airport to Yangthang. It is at a distance of 65 km from Yangthang. There are flights to Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar. The flights are operated by Indian Airlines, Jet and Deccan. There may not be daily flights. Due to bad weather there may be delay or cancellation of flights. This should be taken into consideration when the trip is being planned.
Leh Airport is 65 km from Yangthang. The flights are mostly full in peak season and so it’s better to book in advance. From the airport one can take a taxi or a bus to reach Likhir which is 4 km away and probably a 10 mins drive. By road, Leh can be reached from Srinagar or Manali. The roads are open only from June to September and may be blocked sometimes due to landslides or other weather conditions. The journey offers breathtaking views of the desert landscape.
Yangthang is a small village, and there are no tourist spot as such, but it is quite popular among trekkers. The place is very good for scenes. One would love the snow-clad mountains and is wonderful for landscape photography.
Ladakhi food mainly consists of vegetables like Potato, Pumpkin, beans and beetroot along with meat like chicken and mutton. The flavouring is mild. ‘Thupka’, which is a thick soup and ‘Momos’ – dumplings stuffed with vegetables or meat should not be missed out. Tibetian food is also quite common in Yangthang and all around Ladakh. The capital Leh has many restaurants serving Indian and continental food. Sweet shops and bakeries serve delicacies and bread. Himalaya Café, Shangrila and Budshah Inn are good restaurants in Leh.
Where To Stay:
There is one super-low budget hotel (Rs.35/- a day) in yangthang. It offers no toilet or bathroom, just some row of beds and provides blankets. It is therefore advisable to stay at Leh which has many good hotels. Hotel Royal Palace, Hotel Lingzi, Hotel Ladakh Sarai and Hotel Shambha La are nice hotels in Leh. You can stay in Leh and take a day trip to Yangthang.
