Leh – Laddakh

Set amidst the epic Himalayas, Ladakh is a rustic and heavenly beautiful travel destination. The rugged valleys and mountains, winding roads coupled with the vibrant cultural life maintain the exuberance and charm of this region. The iconic Magnetic Hill, the turquoise coloured Pangong Lake, the confluence of two mystical rivers, ancient and awe inspiring monasteries and the highest passes are a few of the marvelous attractions of Leh and Ladakh in general. The wide array of trekking routes will satiate your soul and enrich the senses. The moon like desert mountains continue to be an exceptional destination for adventure seekers and admirers of Buddhism and phenomenal mountain vistas. Ladakh’s soundlessness, its cobalt blue skies, bright rainbows, and glistening lakes are pure magic. Seated high in the lap of the Indian Himalayas, a trip to this paradise is an experience of one of its own kind. A cult among the wanderlusts or the ‘Mecca’ for the thrill seekers, Leh-Ladakh is the destination that can tempt anyone to ditch the rest of the world. Remember, Ladakh has a small travel window from June to early October as the passes get blocked with snowfall.

Leh

Leh, the capital city of the Union Territory of Ladakh, offers you with a wide range of sightseeing options. It is famous for its high altitudes and numerous passes connecting various locations in this difficult terrain. One must visit this frozen paradise to explore its secrets and admire its breath-taking beauty. It is a dream destination for many travellers and the holy grail for the adventure enthusiasts. There are several monasteries, with the famous ones being Hemis, Alchi, Spituk & Matho. Other must see places are Shanti Stupa, Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pattar Sahib, War Museum & the Leh market, which is a great place for shopping in Ladakh.

 

 

Nubra Valley

Nubra valley is popular for its scenic natural beauty of white sand dunes surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The valley has scenic beauty in abundance as it lies peacefully on the slopes of Karakoram mountain range. Not just the scenic slopes of Karakoram range but also the confluence of Shyak and Siachen rivers is what makes Nubra valley an exquisite voyage. In Nubra Valley, you come across a lunar landscape, double humped Bactrian camels, villages like Hunder & Turtuk, which seem to have existed since time immemorial, and Panamik Village, famous for its hot water springs. The second highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La, which connects Leh to Nubra Valley, is a top tourist attraction. Other places to visit in Nubra Valley are Samstanling Monastery, Yarab Tso and Diskit Monastery. Within the valley are the Hundar Sand Dunes, well worth seeing. It is the only place in India where double-humped Bactrian camels are found and tourists love to enjoy camel ride in Nubra valley while admiring the view of snow-covered mountain peaks. It is necessary for a tourist to acquire an Inner line permit for entering the valley. 

 

Pangong Tso Lake

 

 

Pangong Tso A beautiful high altitude lake at 4350 meters with deep blue waters, surrounded by tall mountain peaks. This lake lies on the Indo – China boundary, with only one fourth of the lake being in India. Pangong Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Ladakh. During the winter season, the lake turns rock solid and becomes the venue of ice skating festival. Inner Line Permit can be taken from the deputy commissioner of Leh by giving a small fee.

 

Dikshet

Located at the heart of Nubra valley is this quaint Diskit Monastery. Sightseeing in Ladakh is literally incomplete without a visit to this monastery which was founded back in the 14th century. The calming aura of the gompa will definitely transport you to a whole new world.

 

Zanskar

Lying in the remote corner of Ladakh, Zanskar Valley is a pristine hill retreat with wonderful Tibetan-style monasteries, surrounded by snow-covered mountainous peaks. Strong Buddhist culture and picturesque landscape are the two allures. Although Zanskar is a top tourist place to visit in Ladakh because of the Chadar Trek which is done on the frozen Zanskar River, there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing. You could visit its famous gompas like Bardam, Karsha, Phugtal, Sani & Zongkhul, or explore the lovely landscape dotted with mountains & streams and the panoramic views that greet you everywhere you go. The views of Drang-Drung Glacier is simply mesmerizing from here. The snow-covered steep terrains of Zanskar valley beckon travellers to trek on while they are overlooked with the clear blue sky. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Ladakh, especially considering how the beautiful Zanskar river projects azure blue hues while all travellers walk on the frozen sides.