The snow-capped Himalayan ranges stand like sentinels
guarding this `land of the high passes’ with its stunning landscapes coupled
with scenic views of mountain peaks, lakes and rivers. The mystical land of
Ladakh, with its mesmerizing beauty, draws travelers from within the country as
well as across the globe.
Welcome to this incredible land with its breathtaking
landscapes…
Local Flavors of Leh
The capital city of Leh is a travelers delight. `Juley’ the
universal Ladakhi greeting is a great way to start a conversation with the
locals, who are truly warm people. Guesthouses, shops, and restaurants line the
streets of Leh, catering to travelers of all budgets. Every nook and corner of
this city radiates the Buddhist influence. Spinning prayer wheels and
fluttering flags add to the spiritual and cultural charm of the valley.
Acclimatizing to the altitude is vital. So, give yourself a couple of days to
do this, while indulging in some local sightseeing, not sure if you’ll get it
in the
Ladakh tour packages generally available everywhere, but try to explore
the place as a nomad, interacting with locals, understanding their lives. To
pick up souvenirs, head to the main bazaar. This bustling market is known to be
the busiest place in the region. Make sure you get a taste of the local
cuisine. Around every street corner, you will find the staple diet of the
locals – Momos, Thukpa and Chai.
An Extraordinary Terrain
What sets the ancient monastery of
Lamayaru apart from all
the others in the region is its setting -the extraordinary moonscape terrain,
you can’t afford to miss Ladakh Trip. This monastery sits on a rocky ridge,
amidst stark brown mountains in the background. It’s built into and surrounded
by the moonscape-like terrain, which is unique to this region. Location wise,
this monastery is a little out of the way but definitely worth a visit. A
series of five shrines form the Lamayuru Monastery. Inside is a glassed
meditation cave of Lama Naropa. From a collection of five large buildings, only
one remains today. The monastery houses around 150 monks and also displays a
rich collection of paintings and artifacts. It’s natural beauty usually leaves
visitors captivated, especially photographers and trekkers. The annual Yuru
Kabgyat (mask festival) also draws visitors to this monastery. Held over two
days the monks dance in a procession wearing masks. From Leh, this monastery is
around 127 kms (2 ½ hours drive) and is on the scenic Srinagar – Leh highway.
The village of Alchi lies on the banks of the Indus river,
which results in the land being fertile and green. As opposed to the other
monasteries which are set amongst barren mountains, the village and the Alchi
monastery are set amidst a verdant green landscape making it a refreshing stop.
This monastery is well known for its miniature paintings. It is also said to be
the oldest Buddhist learning center. From Leh, it’s around 70 kms ( 2 ½ hour’s
drive) to reach Alchi Monastery.
Captivating Salt Water Lakes
It is hard not to be enraptured by the sparkling blue waters
of the beautiful Pangong Tso lake. This saltwater lake usually features pretty
high on every tourist’s itinerary, must for any Ladakh honeymoon packages.
Visitors can view this beautiful lake from Lukang. A larger fraction of this
lake lies in Tibet and what we see from the tip of Lukang is just one-third of
it! Resembling an ocean, the expanse of its shimmering blue waters in various
shades of blue will leave you mesmerized. This `L’ shaped lake is approximately
130 kms lengthwise and around 6 kms at its widest. On a day when the skies are
clear a faint range of mountains in the horizon indicate the Indo-China border.
Despite being a saltwater lake, the Pangong Tso freezes in the harsh Himalayan
winter. Crossing through Chang La Pass, the third highest motorable road
Pangong Tso is approximately 175 kms ( a 5 hour’s drive) from Leh.
Surrounded by wetlands and bordered by barren brown hills
and snow peaks lie the resplendent blue waters of the Tso Moriri. At a slightly
higher altitude then the Pangong Tso, the waters of this mountain lake are less
salty. It also goes by the name of the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve
as it attracts a variety of wildlife, migratory birds in the summer, Himalayan
marmots and at times the wild ass. During the warmer months, nomadic shepherds
with their flocks of sheep also camp in the surroundings of this lake. From
Leh, Tso Moriri is about 7 -8 hours by car (250 kms).
Hot Water Springs
In this cold and high altitude region, the village of
Chumathang lets you indulge in a hot water dip! The hot water springs in the
village are spread across an acre. The air is filled with the smell of Sulphur
and through the steam, boiling water pours out of sprinklers. From the hot
water springs, the water flows down to meet the freezing Indus river. You need
to find a point where the water is of the ideal temperature making it suitable
for a relaxed dip – a natural sauna in the cold dessert-like terrain. From Leh,
enroute to Tso Moriri Lake is Chumathang. It’s about 150 kms ( a 5-hour drive).
Riding Up High
It’s not often that you get to visit the world’s highest
motorable road! So, every visitor who makes it to Khardungla Pass at 18,380 ft,
is thrilled to pose for a picture. The pass leads you into the beautiful river
valleys of Nubra and Shyok. The picturesque Nubra valley attracts a lot of
trekkers. It offers plenty of trekking trails amidst mountain faces, greenery,
and flowers. Being at a lower altitude than Leh, it enjoys a warmer climate. For those who
need a few days to acclimatize to the high altitude, Diskit makes for a good
stopover. The 32 meter Maitreya Buddha statue maintained by the Diskit
Monastery is a well-known landmark of this valley. Travelers usually choose to
make a one night halt here before heading back to Leh. If time permits, you
could make a stop to see the Bactrian camels which are native to the cold
region of Hunder. These camels have two humps! To visit the Nubra Valley you
will need a minimum of 2 days in your itinerary. From Leh, Diskit is
approximately 140 kms.
Monks in Masks
If you are planning to be in Ladakh in the months of June or
July, don’t miss out on the Hemis festival, which celebrates the birth
anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. This popular cultural festival takes place
at the Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Monks in masks perform
dances ( known as Chaam) and are accompanied by the local musical instruments –
the drums, cymbals and long horns. The festival is spread over two days and the
local Tibetans look forward to this festival with much anticipation, as it
gives them an occasion to dress up and enjoy the festivities. From Leh, the
monastery is an hour’s drive (40 kms).
A Biker’s Paradise
Any biker who’s gone riding through Ladakh, always want to
come back again! Some riders bring their own bikes and start their biking
expeditions from Manali. There is also the option to rent bikes in Leh as well.
Biking gives you the independence to traverse the region at your own pace while
taking in the spectacular scenery – an adventure that has to be experienced and
cannot be recounted in words!
Trekking On A Blanket of Ice
In the winters, the Ladakh region turns into a frozen
spectacle! Roads are blocked with snow and Leh is accessible only by air. But
this frozen landscape attracts mountaineers and trekking enthusiasts, who seek
adventure in their travels. The `Chadar trek’ (`Chadar’ means blanket in the
local language) is an arduous one and involves walking over the frozen Zanskar river and at times can be a bit dicey, especially when the layer of ice turns
out to be thin! In the summer, the Zanskar river is a fast flowing one. But,
with the onset of the harsh winter completely freezes and turns into a blanket
of snow. Further, the bitter weather conditions (temperatures range between 15
to 20 degrees in the day and -25 to -35 degrees in the night) can test your
limits of endurance for trekking- a must do for the thrill seekers!
So, whether you’re a lone explorer, a trekker, a rider or on
a group tour, Ladakh has something to offer for every traveler – experiences
and adventures that will remain etched forever in your memories!
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