Leh to Silchar Air India 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 Silchar

Silchar is a small town in the state of Assam, located on the South-Eastern side from the state capital Guwahati. It has been coined as the 'Island of Peace' by the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. The city is nestled amid wide expanses of lush greenery. Much of Silchar's cultural heritage is a testament to the British influence on the town. There have been various developments in terms of building the airport to cashing in on the tea plantations, that have taken in recent years. The quaint town is one of the developing cities in India with a busy airport. The Silchar airport was initially a Royal Air Force that was built during the Second World war by the Britishers. However, after the war was over and they lost command in India, the airport was passed on to the Royal Indian Air Force, which eventually opted to open a commercial airport.

The small town enjoys a good number of tourists because of the neutral yet pleasant climate it has to offer. The flights to Silchar are also well-connected, further enhancing tourism in the city. The accommodation is not lavish, but you can still book a hotel room in Silchar and enjoy the scenic views.

Best time to visit Silchar

Silchar's location is ideal for travelling at any time of the year. There is no restriction as such to visit Silchar only in specific seasons. However, the experience of Silchar's beauty can only be experienced depending on the time you visit the small town. The climate is quite neutral and perfect for many who wish to take up an impromptu flight to Silchar and relish the serenity of the place. Winters in Silchar can be quite cold with temperatures falling down to 10 degree Celsius. The season kicks off from October and stretches on till March. The trails turn misty, and the city looks beautiful under the winter sun. This is the perfect time to visit if you wish to indulge in some exploring of Silchar while engaging in adventure activities.

Summers in Silchar are also quite pleasant as the temperature ranges between 25 degree Celsius and 35 degree Celsius. Starting from April, the summers stay with Silchar till June. The season does witness many tourists for its pleasant ambience and environment, making it the peak season. With the enchanting weather and sublime air, exploring more of Silchar definitely becomes easier. The sun isn't too harsh and helps tourists check out some of the attractions without sweating it out.

Monsoons in Silchar begin from July and stretch up to September. Due to its location and the torrent rains that the town witnesses, travelling during monsoon is not advisable. The city sees frequent showers, which could turn somewhat risky as the possibility of floods in Silchar is quite high. Not to mention how the roads turn mucky too, making transit within the town difficult. The flight tickets to Silchar might drop during the off-season. If you think you can deal with the heavy rains, then you should give it a go and also get some great deals on flights to Silchar.

Places to visit in Silchar

Silchar's fame comes from the vast expanse of teas that it grows. They have a dedicated Tea Garden which showcases how the tea plants are maintained and everything pertaining to the processing of the leaves. With its a beautiful sight and informative tour, visiting the Tea Garden is a must when in Silchar. You should also check out Haflong, which is a small but quaint hilly town which is surrounded by scintillating water streams, green hills and exquisite waterfalls. Silchar is also famous for all the temples it has, including the Kancha Kanti Kali Temple, Bhuban Temple and ISKCON Temple.

Things to do in Silchar

There are very few things that can be done in Silchar. One of the top things to do would be to go on a pilgrimage and visit all the lovely temples that are present in the town. Or you can always opt to venture out of the town, a few kilometres away and find some new travel expeditions to indulge in. Khaspur seems like an excellent option to try this out. It has relics from the Dimasa kingdom and some tourist attractions. You can visit the place and check it out. If you're looking for peace and serenity, then you should visit the Dolu Lake and go on a photography excursion. The place offers some scenic views that would make for good postcards.

Food and Restaurants in Silchar

Silchar's food culture is not as flourishing as one would expect. Assamese cuisine is known to be eccentric from the rest of the cities in the country. With the Bengali-influence interspersed with their own flavours, the cuisine is certainly one of a kind and delicious. Some of the famous authentic dishes from the Assamese culture include Khar, an exquisite meat delicacy which also has flavours of raw papaya, taro and pulses. The dish is certainly odd but worth the try.

Assamese also indulge in cooking duck and are pretty good at it. Their duck meat curry is one of the best. However, the dish is only reserved for special occasions which include festivals, weddings and more. If you do come across something called an Oou Khatta, do not hesitate to try. The sweet and sour chutney is made from elephant apple and is a blast of flavours in the mouth. There is a handful but relevant vegetarian food options too. The famous one is Xaak Aru Bhaji, which is a mix of vegetables cooked together and garnished with herbs, garlic, ginger and lemon.

There are a few good restaurants in Silchar, but none of them exclusively sell the real Assamese cuisine. In fact, to cater to the tourist crowd, they often have dishes that are famous and easy to sell. Nevertheless, you should still check out their down-to-earth dishes. Nahaz, Sudakshina, Eclipse - The Restro Lounge, Hasty Tasty, Swarupa Restaurant are some names that you should remember when you go to Silchar.

How to reach Silchar (Transportation)

By Air

Silchar Airport was originally built by the British as Royal Air Force. However, after the freedom movement, when the British left the country, the authority changed to the Royal Indian Air Force. The airport has been used for commercial purposes since then. Located about 29 km away from the main city area of Silchar in Assam, the airport does enjoy a good number of flights and passengers. Flights to Silchar regularly fly as it is one of the busiest airports in the state. Located at 338 ft above the sea level, the airport offers quite a scenic view during take-off and landing. The airport enjoys great flight connectivity from Silchar to major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. In fact, Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo airlines have dedicated flights to Silchar, enabling the city to be of reach for major Indian cities.

The airport has only one terminal and handles flights taking domestic routes to Silchar. From Silchar airport to the main city, there are Volvo bus services made available to help travellers with their travel plans. There are taxi cabs also present at the airport that you can hire. These are the only two modes of transport to reach the city centre. However, once you're in the city, you can book a hotel in Silchar and start exploring.

By Rail

Silchar railway station is also called Bhasha Shahid Railway Station, which could be a mouthful to say. The location is precisely in the middle of the city, making transport within the city easy. The railway has excellent connection from Silchar to the rest of Indian cities. There are trains from Silchar connecting with Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Vizag, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Agartala, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram and more. On a total, it is claimed that the city connects with approximately 170 cities in the country. Considering how the train connectivity from Silchar to other cities in India is so impeccable, the demand for it is also high.

Hence, you should book your tickets to Silchar in advance. It is necessary to get a confirmed ticket and for that to happen, you will have to book tickets in advance. Despite having only three platforms, the station has managed to maintain a good log of cities visiting and exiting Silchar.

By Road                                                                             

Flight tickets to Silchar could be exorbitant due to its high demand. However, in comparison, the road is believed to be the most convenient way to reach the city. The domestic road routes to Silchar are perfectly connected, leading many travellers to opt for this choice. Some travellers actually get down at Guwahati and opt for a bus journey. Since roadway is the most favourable way to reach Silchar, many visit the state capital and take buses from there.

The Assam State Transport Corporation (ATSC) provides public AC and non-AC buses to passengers heading to Silchar from Guwahati. In fact, major cities in the North-east offer to travel to Silchar via their dedicated buses.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.