Leh to Belgaum Flights

  About Leh

Leh-Ladakh is called 'Heaven on Earth' for a reason; actually, for a lot of reasons. Whether you are an avid traveller or not, Leh is one place that you must visit. Leh is a town that is located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The City has scenic views of the mighty mountain ranges of the Himalayas and Karakoram. It has become quite the vacation spot among young people who love to take their bikes out and ride to Leh. The town has a lot of beautiful monasteries, breathtaking scenic locations and a lot of activities, too. The City is a popular tourist attraction that grew considerably over the last few years. You can sit outside a tea stall and soak in the spectacular view of the mountains. Leh-Ladakh is also one of the best places to go trekking. Even if you opt for the hardest one, the view, in the end, covers up for everything and you will be overwhelmed with the surreal landscape.

The town experiences extreme weather conditions, and during certain seasons, the roads passes are closed to avoid any mishaps. It is said that the weather is so intense that you can experience sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. Well, you won't know unless you visit the place. While a lot of people prefer a road trip to Leh, you can also take a flight. Apart from the majestic mountain ranges, Leh is also famous for its lakes and valleys. The Pangong lake, Zanskar valley, Khardung La, Chadar trek, Nubra valley, Leh Palace and a lot of different monasteries; the list of things to see in Leh is pretty long.

Trekking is a popular activity that nature lovers and youngsters opt for in Leh-Ladakh. You can either go for the easy or moderate level trek or if you are up for it, choose a challenging trek. You can even go rafting in one of the rivers. It will be the experience of a lifetime. You can also visit the different animal sanctuaries in or near the town. Leh-Ladakh is also a great place to shop for souvenirs that you can take back for your friends and family. The City is famous for its handicrafts. Since there are so many monasteries also, you can probably also purchase something holy or something that brings good luck. Buddhism is the second most practised religion or way of life in Leh-Ladakh. You can learn more about Buddhism and their lifestyle. Meditating amidst the scenic mountains or by the lake or in a monastery is the best way to introspect.

For the ones who do not want to take off on their own to explore the town, you will easily find a lot of packages and activities planned by tour guides. You can either find these tour packages online or locally. Taking off to explore the City without a guide is also not that bad an option. Depending on the time and weather, make sure you pack the right clothes and shoes.

From booking a homestay to a hostel and booking a hotel room, Leh has a lot of options for you and in your budget, too. April to June is considered to be the best month to travel to Leh-Ladakh since the road passes are closed from October to May because of the weather. Thupka, which is a kind of noodle soup, is one of the most popular local cuisines in Leh. Tsampa or Ngamphe (which is roasted barley floor) and Skyu, a kind of pasta, are some of the most top-rated food items that you must try on your visit to Leh. If you are visiting the City during a festival, you might even get to try their local beer called Chang.

Best Time to Visit Leh

Like in every other season, Ladakh is beautiful to look at during summer. It is also the busiest time of the year for the town. Tourists from all over the country plan trips to experience the beautiful City between April to June. Though the roads can be pretty slippery, courtesy the melting snow from the mountains, it is not unsafe, and the view makes up for all of it. There are a lot of ways to enter Leh-Ladakh. One of the most popular domestic routes is from Manali's Rohtang Pass and the next from Srinagar. If you plan a trip during the early phases of summer, you might even get to see some of the snowmelt and come across decent flight deals to Leh.

From July to mid-September, Ladakh experiences very irregular and heavy rainfall in a lot of places. It is not the safest time to plan a trip to Ladakh since there is a possibility of landslides and snow slides during this time. Leh-Ladakh also witnesses autumn in September and October, which makes it an enjoyable time to visit Ladakh. The town, surrounded by mountains, looks magnificent in autumn and winter.

November to February is winter in Leh-Ladakh and a preferred time among tourists to visit the town, too. Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri lakes change colours during this season, courtesy the extreme cold, and this is one of the major attractions during this time. The lakes freeze soon after this. This is also an ideal time for adventure enthusiasts to put on their trekking shoes and sign up for the famous Chadar Trek.

Places to Visit in Leh

Pangong Lake, which is a 5-hour drive away from Leh, is the prime attraction of Ladakh. It is an endorheic lake and changes colours from blue to green and grey, too. You can also visit the Zanskar Valley and leave it to the mountains to cast their spell on you. Trekking and river rafting are some of the top-rated activities that are quite popular here. Khardung La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh's Jammu and Kashmir region. It is also the gateway to get to Nubra Valley.

Chadar Trek is a famous and one of the most challenging treks in India. It's a 6-day trek and takes place between January to March. Make sure you are physically fit to go on this trek since it happens during winter and the chilliest days that Leh-Ladakh experiences. It will help if you also get in touch with travellers who have done this trek before, so you are mentally prepared for it. Nubra Valley is about 140 km away from Leh and lies in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

You can also pay a visit to the Hemis National Park. The sanctuary is the largest park in South Asia and the highest one in the world. It's also home to snow leopards. The Spituk Monastery, the Shanti Stupa Buddhist monument, Hemis Monastery and the Phugtal monasteries are only some of the spiritual places that you can visit. Don't forget to stop by the Leh Palace, which was home to King Sengge Namgyal and is now a museum.

Things to do in Leh

Take a tour of the Zanskar valley. The view of the mighty mountains and the rivers that rush through these mountains will leave you awestruck. You can also choose to go river rafting in the white waters in the Zanskar valley. Even if it is winter, the water will be cold, so make sure you don't fall in the water if you are not ready for it.

Trekking is an activity that a lot of travellers opt for when in Leh. The Chadar Trek is one of the toughest treks in, and it's safe to go for this one in November. Try out the delicious local food in Leh. You will find a lot of Tibetan, Chinese and Korean cuisines along with Indian food. Do try the Thukpa, too; it is a kind of noodle soup that is a speciality among the locals. Visit the monasteries, take a tour of the Leh Palace, enjoy some solitude by the famous lakes in Leh. You can also attend the various festivals and events that take place in the town if at all your trip coincides with the days of the celebrations.

Food and Restaurants in Leh

The Tibetan Kitchen is one of the oldest and popular restaurants in Leh. You will have to book your table in advance, though. The ambience and the food complement each other perfectly. Gesmo Restaurant serves the best breakfast, and it might get challenging to find a seat during peak season. Chopsticks Noodle Bar is also one of the top-rated restaurants with a beautiful blend of Japanese and Chinese decor. It is also one of the few places in Leh where you get a beer. If you are craving for Italian food, Little Italy is the place to go.

How to reach Leh (Transportation)

By Air

The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the nearest one and is 5 km away from the town. Since it is a famous tourist destination, the number of flights to Leh from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and other major cities is quite frequent. You will get decent flight deals online, and you might even get cheap flight tickets, depending on offers and travel season. The flight connectivity to Leh is excellent

By Rail

There is no direct domestic route to Leh by rail. The closest stations are Chandigarh, Pathankot and Kalka. You will have to take a cab from one of these stations.

By Road

Popular routes to Leh are from Manali and Srinagar. Travelling by road is one of the best options to get to Leh. If not a private taxi, there are quite a few buses, ordinary and deluxe, that run to and from Leh.

  About Belgaum

Belgaum is a small city located in the borders of the state of Karnataka. The city, also known by the name Belgavi, rests comfortably in the northern regions of the Western Ghats. A proposal to make Belgaum the second capital of Karnataka after Bangalore is in the works. A replica of the state administrative structure Suvarna Vidhana Soudha has also been constructed in the city's outskirts. The city of Belgaum has been selected to be developed into a smart city under the flagship project of PM Narendra Modi, also called Smart Cities Mission.

Best time to visit Belgaum

Winter is considered to be the ideal season to visit Belgaum. As mountains and vast expanses of greenery surround the city, the weather is charming and cool between November to February. The city's cool ambience and serene atmosphere would make you feel calm and relaxed.

The monsoons are also not all that bad as Belgaum turns into a nature-lover's paradise, come monsoon. The clouds enveloping the city while the rains add more life to the green panorama is an image that would stay with you forever. The roads might not be all that friendly to your vehicle or back, but the air and atmosphere would certainly be lovely. You can book a hotel in Belgaum and check out the bliss that the monsoon brings.

Summers are not the best time to visit the city as the temperatures take a hike. The scorching heat would put a damper on your travel plans as the weather is known to see a spike during summers.

Places to visit in Belgaum

Belgaum specifically doesn't have exemplary tourist attractions, but the areas around the city have some fun highlights that you can explore. From sitting under the Gokak Falls to taking a stroll through the Belgaum Fort, here are some places that you can visit when in Belgaum.

Gokak Falls

The Gokak Falls is close to 60 km away from the city centre and worth a visit. The blissful scenery of the falls located on the green Ghataprabha river forms quite a visual spectacle. Not to mention how the white waters cascading through the mountains offers a beautiful feel. There is an old temple of Lord Mahalingeshwara close to the falls so you can also visit the shrine.

Shri Ramakrishna Mission Ashram

Located in the city, Shri Ramkrishna Mission Ashram has spiritual significance and hence, is a tourist attraction. It has been stated that Swami Vivekananda took solace in the ashram and resided there for a few days. The ashram's look is quite interesting as there are decked up prayer halls, a Sarada mandap and elegant appeal to the structure. It is the best spot for people who wish to seek a retreat and break from their busy lives.

Navila TirthaNavila Tirtha is originally a village nestled in the Savadatti taluk of Belgaum district. While it is away from the central city, what makes this rocky village so special is the fact that it has a majestic dam. With several names such as Renuka Sagar, Navilteerth Dam and even Malaprabha Dam, the structure has been built across the Malaprabha river. Another highlight of the dam is the size and the fact that it is the shortest dam to be found in Karnataka.

Kittur Fort

The Kittur Fort and Palace is believed to be the works of Rani Chennamma. The complex now holds not just an aesthetically pleasing architecture but also has an archaeological museum within the palace. The collection is also quite exciting as the weapons, jewellery, historical sculptures, armour, costumes and more are displayed. The site would be a good place for you to learn a little more of Belgaum's history.

Belgaum Fort

It is said that the Belgaum Fort is the architecture of the rulers from the Ratt Dynasty and was constructed back in 1204 AD. While it is popularly known as Belgavi Fort, this is easily one of the tourist attractions that you can find when in Belgaum. The structure boasts some impeccable architecture with Indo-Saracenic features and an intriguing amalgamation of Deccan and Chalukyan designs. Within the fort, you will find a handful of temples including shrines of Ganpati and Goddess Durga. As you further explore the fort, you will see some beautiful mosques as well as Jain and Hindu temples.

Vajrapoha Falls

A little away from the small town of Belgaum is this pristine Vajrapoha Falls that overlooks the towering Sahayadri mountains. The scenic beauty of the place has often brought several travellers to its lap. The beauty of the falls is further amplified during monsoon. To be close to nature, one couldn't ask for a better getaway.

Things to do in Belgaum

The city has some beautiful forts and structures that can be explored. However, for outdoor activities, the best way to go about is to step out of the main city. Belgaum has several fun adventure activities that you can indulge in. From trekking at the Jamboti and Amboli ghats to picking white water rafting at the Kali river, these are some noteworthy activities that one can select when in Belgaum. As you go to the Jamboti ghat, you can also sit under the Vajrapoha falls and soak in the marvellous scenery at your perusal.

Similarly, you can also pick more trekking and hiking options and head to the Gokak and Godchinmalki waterfalls. Although the locations are a little away from the city centre, it would be an excellent way to unwind. Here's another exciting activity that you can take up when in Belgaum. The city actually has paragliding activities that you can pick up. Although the Himalayan terrains are known to offer the best of views and landscapes for paragliding, the one in Belgaum will give you a bird's eye view of the gorgeous Sahayadri mountains.

Food and Restaurants in Belgaum

The quaint city of Belgaum has an interesting melange of taste when it comes to food. Their history with Maharashtra has further led them to incorporate the same in their cuisine as well. You will find hear people speak Marathi and Kannada with a twang as they are at the border of the state. Even the cuisine is heavily inspired by Marathi culture as well as some flavours of North Indian delicacies. Not to mention how South Indian food such as the classic idli, vada, dosa and more are part of their staple food.

Over the years, thanks to impeccable development, Belgaum is seen quite a cultural twist with several big city joints such as Domino's, McDonald's, KFC and more making their way to the city. You can enjoy delicious Puri bhaji at Ajanta cafe and probably head to Belgo for some dessert. For all the tea lovers, Appolo tea bar is the place to be at to get the best tea in the city. As for those who wish to delve into scrumptious seafood, Hotel Aadinarayan is famous for their dishes.

How to reach Belgaum (Transportation)

By Air

Belgaum has decent flight connectivity from Bangalore as two dedicated airlines fly to and from Belgaum. SpiceJet and Star Air Airlines are the two services providers who have flights reserved for the city. The Belgaum airport is located in Sambra is touted to be the oldest airport in North Karnataka. Stretching across 10 kilometres, the airport is a little away from the city and close to State Highway 20. The government has included the airport in the UDAN 3 scheme which is why the city has regular flights flying in and out of Belgaum. Works to add more planes to fly from Belgaum to domestic routes of Mumbai, Pune and Mysore have also been planned out. These links will soon be added to the list of flights flying in and out of Belgaum.

By Rail

The Belgaum railway station is in the city centre and also part of the Indian Railways grid. The rail is perfectly connected with several major cities which make travelling to the city easier. Some trains go via Hubli to major metropolitan destinations such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Pune and even Delhi. The connectivity is quite good as there are not many transit changes required when travelling by train.

By Road

Belgaum is connected to major states thanks to National Highway 4. The national highway makes it easier for passengers travelling from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. This domestic route from Belgaum allows the city to connect with a majority of Southern states in India directly. Another route connecting Belgaum to Karnataka and Goa is the 4A route. Several government buses run on these routes. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and KSRTC have dedicated set numbers to connect all the places within the state.

Various private bus services have also been reaching the city thanks to the national and State highway. Many travellers also take up the Belgaum route for road trips as the roads are beautiful. Travellers heading to Goa are especially piqued by Belgaum’s beauty and often use the city as a stop-over. Overall, the city has great connectivity, making it easy for people to venture in and out of Belgaum.