[northernlight83]

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering, for India in general, and specifically for Ladakh in late August/September, how far in advance do you need to book your accommodation to be sure of getting somewhere?  If I arrive late August, with only a couple of nights booked, do you think I'll end up with nowhere to stay after that, or do you think there'll be places I can look around and choose once I'm there?

Thanks!
Nicola

[Shiver me Timbers]

You'll always find somewhere to stay. In 5 months in India the last time, I never once booked ahead. Busy tourist centers like Leh have loads of guest-houses, it's never a problem getting a cheap place to stay. Not something to worry about.

[AlanD]

Agree with Shiver me Timbers. In many travels in India we have never had to sleep out.

We only book a hotel for our arrival in Delhi and then just pick something out of whatever guidebook we are currently using or on the basis of what we have heard from others. There always seem to be enough guest houses and small hotels, especially in places of interest frequented by foreign tourists/travellers. Many locals (sometimes too many) in these places have sized up the situation and opened small family run and usually very pleasant guest houses. Quite often you won't have to find them - they will find you, at the bus or train station but it sometimes pays to check a few places out.

It also depends though on your temperament. If you are the sort of person who really needs to have things definitely arranged in advance and would feel under stress if you didn't, then by all means pre-book. The last thing you want to do is spend your days worrying about where you are going to sleep that night.

It might be of use to say here that we are a couple of senior citizen backpackers, aged 68 and 64.

By the way, we have been to Ladakh twice and found a place to stay in Leh quite easily in August - there are many small guest houses in the Changspa area, just a 10-15 minute walk away from the centre of town. Enjoy your trip!

[vistet]

I´ve been to Ladakh (& Lahaul and  Spiti)   a number of times without anything prebooked. The number of tourists  in Leh peak around mid-August : at this time you might find some of the guest houses mentioned in guide books full. Towards the end of August and early September numbers rapidly dwindle , the Ladakh festival is an attempt to prolong the season.

For a good mid-range place look for the yellow solar heated tanks on the roof , this means good showers. You´ll find up to three different kind of toilets in in many guest houses : ask for and use the Ladakhi toilet (found generally on the back, northern side upstairs ) which doesn´t add to the pollution of the water in Leh and fuels the garden. Well kept Ladkhi toilets are nearly odorless , another good yardstick for guest houses.

Edited by vistet, 17 May 2009 - 10:25 AM.

[kullukid]

Ditto! End of Aug in Leh will be no prob's & you should be able to haggle much lower prices at that time. Be sure to get there for the start of the Ladakh 15 day festival which usually starts 1st Sept. KK

[cyberhippie]

I book only my first night in India, just to ease myself into things without too much effort on arrival.
Never booked ahead any other time, sometimes I've had to pay a little more than I would have wanted but other than that no problems to relate.