Best Places To Visit In Ladakh
1. Leh:
Leh is the capital of Ladakh and also the largest town there. Leh was
once the capital of Ladakh Kingdom and therefore has many historical
places and monasteries. It has become a tourist hub and is connected
with Srinagar and Manali by road and can even be reached by air. It is a
pack packer’s heaven; cheap hotels, good food, hospitable locals and
exotic culture and destination. You would find decent commuting options
in Leh to visit most of the places in Ladakh.
2. Kargil:
Kargil is the second largest town in Ladakh. The town is a valley
surrounded by mountain on all sides. There is not much to see in Kargil
but it has an old world charm. There are many places to explore around
Kargil.
3. Pangong Lake:
Pangong Lake seemed to be the favourite destination for many tourists
visiting Ladakh. Few years back it was a beautiful brackish lake known
to very few people. It was relatively unknown before it got popularised
by the blockbuster film 3 Idiots. After that tourists have increased
manifold. Pangong Lake may be perhaps one of the most beautiful high
altitude lakes in the world. It can be reached after 6 hours drive from
Leh.
4. Lamayuru Village and Monastery:
The Lamayuru monastery is the most beautiful monastery I have ever
seen. The village is centered around this ancient monastery and is worth
a visit. It is the centre of Buddhism and is one of the most revered
Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. The small village is also the host for
many annual events and religious festivals. Don’t miss the strange, out
of this world ‘moonscape’ just near the village.
5. Tsomoriri Lake:
This is another high altitude Lake but less frequented than Pangong.
The Lake is pristine and exotic. It is also a breeding ground for many
migratory birds and so a good place for bird watchers.
6. Sand Dunes at Hunder:
Nubra valley is full of surprises. It is also one of the greenest
valleys you will come across in Ladakh. Hunder is beautiful village in
the middle of this valley known for its mysterious sand dunes. It is
believed to have been formed out of a river bed that dried or got washed
off by forces of nature like rain and wind. It also offers camping
facilities. It has a small population of two-humped camels called
Bactrian camels, that can be spotted and are like an attraction of
Hunder.
7. Khartungla Pass:
Located at an altitude of 5,360 meters, Khartungla Pass is among the
highest motorable roads around the world. It is continuously overflown
with slush of mud and melted ice water. The 2,000 meters climb from Leh
to Khartungla will offer some exciting view of Leh and the mountains
beyond, i.e., the Zanskar Range. Some adventurous folk prefer to paddle
down on cycle rather than hiring a taxi. Other than the snow covered
peak and the cold, there’s nothing much to see but the view is
rewarding.
8. Gompas and Stupas:
Literally there are forests of gompas everywhere in Ladakh. Sometimes
you would see stupas even at the most unexpected places. These
religious monuments are an integral part of the land. They are as old as
their civilization and have experienced the test of time. These holy
structures against the desolate landscapes add dimension and certain
mysticism to the region.
9. Vast open space and mountains:
This may come as a surprise but you’ve to cover around 500 km from
Manali to reach Leh and this road is a quite an experience for bikers.
The diverse landscapes are just amazing to watch. After a hundred
kilometers or so from Manali, the conditions became too harsh for
habitation. So there’s a vast stretch of mountains unoccupied. It was a
relieving sight to me after the suffocating and overburdened plains of
Central and North India. There are no inhabitants for some 300 km or so.
It is just you and the road.
10. Zanskar:
Zanskar is a sub-district of Kargil and one of the most remote parts
of Ladakh. It is also the least visited place in Ladakh. In winter
Zanskar is accessible only by foot through a frozen river. The
remoteness has preserved its old traditions and so far kept them
authentic and unadulterated. Residents of Zanskar are colourful people,
rich in tradition and culture. You wouldn’t see such people in other
parts of Ladakh. Padum is the largest town but have a meager population
of around 700 inhabitants. The rest are distributed in small villages
and on highlands. They keep cattle and sometimes live a semi-nomadic
life especially during summer.
Note: Both Indian and Foreign tourist are required
to carry tourist permit while travelling to Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri,
Nubra Valley and other destination bordering Tibet. The permit is valid
for 7 days and can be acquired from any travel agency in Leh.
