The local information below is categorized into the following fields: some cheap accomodation options, getting to Leh, transport, phone connectivity and AMS. Please read the below information carefully as it could be quite helpful for planning your travel and stay. Needless to mention, there are a lot of tourist attractions in and around Leh whose details can easily be found online, so we bypass that information here.
Accommodation: In Leh, there is a plethora of options available for accommodation that fits every pocket and luxury. For students travelling up for the school, we list a few options here that are super easy on the pocket. Details on other variety of options (with more luxuries etc.) can be easily found online. If you still find it difficult to locate them, feel free to contact us and we can help you with more options.
Here are some of the super affordable options: Zostel ( https://www.zostel.com/); Youth Hostel Association of India ( http://yhaindia.org/ ) has two hostels which one can book on YHAI website - Ecology Hostel (http://www.ledeg.org/ledeg-hostel/ ) and Jimmy Guest House; Tushita Guest House (Upper Changspa road); Juniper House (Upper Tulkha); Tsetan Guest House.
Please note that we haven't contacted any of the above mentioned places and the names provided here are based on casual information gathered from colleagues who are familiar with the place. The information is merely provided to mark that affordable options for accommodation exist in Leh and in no ways do we intend to advertise or recommend the above places. Please book after your thorough verification.
Getting to Leh: The fastest way to reach Leh is to take a flight from Delhi/Jammu/Srinagar to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh. The nearest rail head is Jammu Tawi. Buses ply from Delhi, Manali and Srinagar for Leh. We recommend that you book your flight tickets to Leh at the earliest in you plan to travel by flight as the prices may soar very quickly over time. Also, we recommend that you carefully check the hand baggage rules when you book a flight for/from Leh. In the past, hand baggage has been forbidden on flights to/from Leh.
Transportation in Leh: Uber and Ola do not operate in Leh. If you get out of Leh airport, cabs will typically cost about INR 300+ to take you to the city. But if you get out of the airport complex and cross the road, any shared bus/cab typically charges roughly INR 10 to take you to the central part of Leh. Again, please note that the above estimates are collected casually and are cited here to give you a rough idea of the expenses. By no means do we guarantee that the above mentioned charges would be applicable upon your arrival. The Zen Ladakh Resort (the venue of the school) is roughly 3km from the Leh airport.
Here are some of the super affordable options: Zostel ( https://www.zostel.com/); Youth Hostel Association of India ( http://yhaindia.org/ ) has two hostels which one can book on YHAI website - Ecology Hostel (http://www.ledeg.org/ledeg-hostel/ ) and Jimmy Guest House; Tushita Guest House (Upper Changspa road); Juniper House (Upper Tulkha); Tsetan Guest House.
Please note that we haven't contacted any of the above mentioned places and the names provided here are based on casual information gathered from colleagues who are familiar with the place. The information is merely provided to mark that affordable options for accommodation exist in Leh and in no ways do we intend to advertise or recommend the above places. Please book after your thorough verification.
Getting to Leh: The fastest way to reach Leh is to take a flight from Delhi/Jammu/Srinagar to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh. The nearest rail head is Jammu Tawi. Buses ply from Delhi, Manali and Srinagar for Leh. We recommend that you book your flight tickets to Leh at the earliest in you plan to travel by flight as the prices may soar very quickly over time. Also, we recommend that you carefully check the hand baggage rules when you book a flight for/from Leh. In the past, hand baggage has been forbidden on flights to/from Leh.
Transportation in Leh: Uber and Ola do not operate in Leh. If you get out of Leh airport, cabs will typically cost about INR 300+ to take you to the city. But if you get out of the airport complex and cross the road, any shared bus/cab typically charges roughly INR 10 to take you to the central part of Leh. Again, please note that the above estimates are collected casually and are cited here to give you a rough idea of the expenses. By no means do we guarantee that the above mentioned charges would be applicable upon your arrival. The Zen Ladakh Resort (the venue of the school) is roughly 3km from the Leh airport.
Phone Connectivity: Leh being a part of the Jammu and Kashmir state only has services to post-paid sim cards or pre-paid sim cards that are registered in Jammu and Kashmir. Pre-paid sim cards registered in other states do not work in Leh. Also, not all networks are available here. The most prevalent network is BSNL followed by Airtel and Reliance Jio (as per internet information and some local information). Having given this information, we would like to say that it is not as hard as it seems to be without a phone in today's world. We consider this as a great opportunity to enjoy algorithms and nature in their full tranquility :) (Wifi facility will be provided to the attendees of the school at the school venue though!)
Acute Mountain Sickness: It is very important to note that the venue of the school has been set up at the roof top of the world literally. We will be learning sparsifiers in algorithms with the air around us containing a little sparse levels of oxygen. Which means, one might face the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS). In many cases, there are pretty sorted ways to deal with it, but we would recommend that one comes prepared with the understanding of what it is, how it can be avoided and if one's body can take it. More information about it can be found online or from your doctor.