Apricot season in Leh: Flights increased from eight to 18

April to June is the best time to visit Leh and Ladakh, with the region's valleys turning white and pink with apricot blossoms. Regions like Turtuk, Achi, Saspol and Sham Valley became tourist havens, with visitors vying to click photos of the pink blooms against the brown mountains and blue skies. This year's Ladakh Apricot Blossom Festival, aka Chuli Mendok, which features cultural shows, local food-tasting events, handicraft stores, and more, is set to be held from April 8 to 16. In the meantime, the government is all set to increase its daily flights from eight to 18. Here are the details. 

New flights and destinations
Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said on X, "With our concerted efforts, the flight operations at Leh Airport (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport) have significantly increased from eight flights to 18 flights a day, as on April 2, connecting major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and Chandigarh. Two more flights are expected to begin operations soon, thereby providing greater flexibility to visitors to plan their journey." Last year, tourist arrivals in the area dipped sharply due to security concerns, political unrest, and repeated weather disruptions and restrictions. 

Other spots to club with trip
1) Pangong Tso Lake
2) Khardungla Pass (subject to snow clearance)
3) Various monasteries like Hemis, Alchi and Thiksey
4) Nubra Valley
5) Leh palace
6) Shanti Stupa
7) Gurudwara Pathar Sahib