लेह से अल्मा-अता उड़ानें

The former capital city of Kazakhstan, now a sprawling metropolis and cultural hubbub, Almaty is a hidden gem very few know about. Almaty enjoys the beautiful backdrop of snow-laden mountains of Medeo, the new tradition of ski resorts, upscale malls and restaurants. The winters here are fun and you can taste the delicious wild apples from the markets.
Best Time to Visit
The warm months of June to September are the best time to visit Almaty. During this time, the temperature is moderate and people look out for sightseeing. December to February experience harsh winters, but offer tourists ice skating and skiing activities. 
Places to Visit
The Kazakhstan Museum of Arts, Republic Square, the Central State Museum and the Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments offer a glimpse into the culture and history of the city with historic artefacts, Kazakh harps, and contemporary works of several artists. The ski resorts of Medeo and Shymbulak and Big Almaty Lake are the places to unwind and observe. Panfilov Park located in the city centre houses the Zenkov Cathedral is also a must-visit place. Some other attractions in the city you can visit include Abay Opera House, Kok-Tube Hill, The Republic Palace, Almaty Zoo and Almaty Central Mosque. There are many hiking trails that lead to beautiful mountains, so if you have a thrill-seeker inside you then you can definitely undertake this activity. While you are there, do not miss out on relaxing your traveller’s muscles with the Arasan Baths. Several shopping malls and boutiques are emerging which are relatively expensive. Green Bazaar is a good place to buy souvenirs from exotic fruit to handmade artefacts. Book best hotels in Almaty from Goibibo. 
Food and Restaurants
Kazakh people take pride in their regional dish but praise continental dishes as well. You will find many Georgian, Korean, Indian restaurants in the vicinity. Tandoor, Venetsia, My Cafe, Manga Sushi, Daredzhani, Zheti Kazyna and Khodja Nasreddin are some popular dining places in the city. Some of the recommended Kazakh dishes include Beshbarmak, Manty, Laghman, Kazy, Plov, Pelmeni, Baursaki and Shish Kebab. Kumiss and Shubat are Almaty’s traditional beverages. 
Transportation
Almaty International Airport (AIA) is located around 25 km away from the city centre. The airport receives several regular and direct flights from Amsterdam, Paris, Hongkong, Dubai, Delhi and more. Cheap flight tickets from here to other popular cities can be booked online on Goibibo. Also, flight status & other details related to international flight booking & air tickets can be easily accessed on it. So for the cheapest air tickets, it is recommended to book flights online. Buses, taxis and cabs are a viable option to reach the city from the airport. Book taxis in advance to save time and cost. Train services run between many cities of Russia and Almaty. The public transport include subways, trams, metro and buses.

If Ladakh is heaven on Earth, then Leh is the stairway to it. Nested on the Indus River Valley, it is a tiny beautiful town in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, which can be best described as an abode to many Buddhist monasteries. It is a pure representation of magnificent beauty with majestic mountains, crystal-clear water, white sand dunes and surreal landscapes. There are a number of fascinating places in and around this small town that adds on to the experience of a lifetime. What's more interesting is that you can experience short haul trips from Leh, which is certainly a bonus for the travelers.
 
Best Time to Visit
April ideally marks the beginning of tourist season in Leh and the place becomes lively. The season goes on till the mid of October, which is one of the best times of all for witnessing the amazing and picturesque locations of Leh. 
 
Places to Visit
While in Leh, Shanti Stupa, Thikse Monastery, Hall of Fame, Leh Palace, Deskit Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib are a few must-visit attractions. For compulsive shoppers and explorers, the Mall Road and the Tibetan market of Leh have various shops selling souvenirs, antiques, curios and many other items including Pashmina, for which Leh is renowned. With all this and more, you are assured to get lured to this place and the variety of things it has to offer. Hotels in Leh are famous for their hospitality. 
 
Food and Restaurants
While Leh has everything to make your vacation the perfect getaway you wished for, the food here is no exception. While strolling down the streets of Mall road, there are a number of restaurants and cafes, where you can find a variety of food to treat your taste-buds. If you’re looking for a scrumptious bite of local Ladakhi food, then Khambir and Skyu should be in the top of your list. Well, Ladakhi is not the only preferred cuisine here, apart from it, some amazingly-prepared Kashmiri Wazwan, Tibetan, Israeli, North Indian and Chinese cuisines are also the options available. Bon Appetit, The Tibetan Kitchen, Gesmo Restaurant, Norlakh Restaurant are some of the recommendations. Also, Leh stands out for a couple of German Bakeries, which is a bonus for people with a sweet-tooth.
 
Transportation
The most convenient means to travel to Leh is via flight. There are regular domestic flights from Delhi to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Leh. Flights to Leh also have connections from Jammu, Chandigarh and Srinagar. Cheap flight tickets from here to other popular cities can be booked online on Goibibo. Also, flight status & other details related to flight booking & air tickets can be easily accessed on it. So for cheapest air tickets, it is recommended to book flights online.  A road trip to Leh is a venturesome approach for those who love thrills. Via road, Leh connects to the rest of India by two high-altitude roads, i.e The Srinagar-Leh Highway via Kargil and the Manali-Leh Highway. Chandigarh and Pathankot are the possible railway stations you can get down at, if you are planning to travel via Manali-Leh route. However, Jammu or Udhampur will be the last railway stops, if you wish to drive via Srinagar-Kargil to Leh.