The journey in
Getting There
Ladakh is far by design. However you come — over the passes or above them — the journey is part of the gathering.
By air
Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport (IXL) connects daily with major Indian cities, with more routes opening through the summer season. Morning flights are the rule — mountain weather owns the afternoons.
Book flexible fares where you can. The descent into the valley is one of the most beautiful approaches in aviation — take a window seat.
By road
Two highways climb to Leh: the Manali route over some of the world's highest motorable passes, and the Srinagar route through Kargil with its gentler gradient. Both take around two days.
The roads open June through early October. They're long, spectacular, and kinder to acclimatisation than flying — if you have the days to spare.
Acclimatise
Leh sits at 3,500 meters. Give yourself 24 hours of ease before the gathering — it's the difference between surviving the altitude and enjoying it.
Sleep well, drink more water than feels reasonable, skip the alcohol on night one, and let walking pace be your speed limit.
Getting around
The gathering is held in Karu, roughly 35–45 minutes from Leh town — look for the parking sign near the Karu petrol station. Parking at the grounds is limited or none, so come by shuttle or taxi.
Shuttles run between Leh and the grounds on all three days, operated by Ladakh Safari — INR 5,000 per person for all three days, plus taxes. Call +91 96222 35488 or +91 60061 65686 to book and for the day's timings.
In town, taxis run on a fixed union rate card. If you rent a motorbike, ride like the mountain is watching — and remember re-entry shuts at 7 PM.