10 Best PLaces to visit in Leh Ladakh
Words cannot describe the beauty and serenity of Ladakh that the eyes can do. Pictures and videos simply do not do justice to the scenic bliss that Ladakh offers. What makes the place more special is the fact that it plays to every kind of audience. Right from quenching the thirst of motorcycle enthusiasts to offering spirituality to the ones seeking peace, Ladakh is perfect for all.
Located at an altitude of 8,370 ft from sea level, the ‘land of high passes’ gives the Himalayan range a beautiful blend of green and white. You heard that right. With vast expanses of white sand, the ruggedness of the Himalayas can be witnessed. But nothing compares to the tranquil vibe that the lakes offer. Pristine beauty is what you will find at Leh Ladakh, that is guaranteed.
The 10 Best places of leh ladakh are listed below:-
- Pangong Tso
- Khardung La
- Nubra Valley
- Shanti stupa
- Tso Moriri Lake
- Zanskar Valley
- Kargil Valley
- Chadar Trek
- Chang La Pass
- Likir Monastery
1. Pangong Tso
The most popular tourist attraction in Ladakh, Pangong lake is an endorheic (landlocked) lake situated at 4350 meters. Also known as Pangong Tso it is 12 kilometres long and extends from India to Tibet. Almost 60% of Pangong Lake lies in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. A unique feature of the lake is that it does not remain blue throughout the year or even the day, rather it changes colours from azure to light blue to green and grey too! It is famous amongst tourists as Ladakh lake, the spot where the Bollywood movie “3 Idiots” was shot.
Since the enthralling Pangong Lake falls on the Sino-Indian Actual Line of Control, an inner line permit is required to visit it. The Indian Nationals can easily obtain individual permits while other foreign nationals need to obtain a group permit, with at least 3 persons in the group, accompanied by an accredited guide. The permit can be obtained at the tourist office in Leh, for a small fee. Owing to its altitude, the Pangong Lake temperature ranges from -5°C to 10°C as a result of which it freezes completely during winters in spite of its salinity.
2. Khardung La
Khardung La, additionally called Khardzong La, could be a high pass in Ladakh region of Jammu and geographic area, near Leh. It is the entry to Shyok and Nubra vale. Khardung La is widespread because the highest motorable road in Republic of India at associate degree elevation of 5602 metres. However, contrary to the idea, its actual elevation is 5359 metres creating Dungri La the very best motorable road pass in Republic of India.
Khardung La pass could be a excellent getaway for journey enthusiasts, peace seekers and mountain biking aficionados. associate degree Inner Line allow is needed by the tourists to enter the pass and travel through it. because of serious rains and downfall, the Khardung La pass remains closed from Oct to might.
Khardung La was inbuilt 1976 and was opened for public in 1988. The pass is incredibly vital for Republic of India because it is employed to hold provides to Siachen ice mass. From the highest, you’ll get picturesque views of the chain and also the mountain chain.
3. Nubra Valley
Nubra natural depression lies within the union territory of Ladakh at a distance of around one hundred forty kilometer from Leh. set on the traditional Silk Route, the natural depression has Shyok and Nubra rivers snaking through it and a few lovely monasteries.
With arid mountains within the scenery, Hundar in Nubra natural depression is known for the camel rides. Bactrian camels area unit of the rarest type, having 2 humps and were the first supply of transportation within the silk route. Diskit cloister in Nubra natural depression is thought for the thirty two metre Bodhisattva Buddha sculpture set close to the cloister. There area unit tons of activities like ATV rides and ziplining within the Nubra natural depression.
The region is presently below military oversight as a result of the road any results in the Siachen base camp, that happens to be the very best piece of land within the world. Most tourists travel Nubra natural depression from Leh through Khardung La.
4. Shanti stupa
The Shanti Stupa in Leh could be a glorious white-domed Buddhist monument set atop a steep crest at a dizzying height of eleven,841 feet. it’s a non secular place for the Buddhists because it holds the relics of Buddha, consecrated by the fourteenth lama. it’s additionally common amongst tourists because it offers a sweeping read of Leh and therefore the close Changspa village. Shanti Stupa appearance exceptionally lovely throughout the complete moon night once it’s naturally lighted by the moonlight.
Shanti Stupa was created in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. the development was conjointly done by the japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to market world peace. it’s a vicinity of the peace temple mission, that aims to unfold peace through the preaching of Buddha. Shanti Stupa could be a excellent getaway for both- those wanting to get peace from giving prayers to God and people waiting to be hypnotized by nature’s wondrous beauty.
5. Tso Moriri Lake
Tso Moriri Lake is that the largest high altitude lakes in India set at Associate in Nursing altitude of four,595m. placed between Ladakh and Asian nation within the Changtang region, it’s a twin to the Pangong Lake. This lake offers a scenic place of peace and tranquillity flanked by mountains, measure regarding twenty eight kilometer long from north to south, and eight kilometer wide. Associate in Nursing inner line allow is needed for visiting Tso Moriri.
The gorgeous Tso Moriri is visited solely throughout the summer months ranging from Gregorian calendar month once the lake starts to soften. May, June, Gregorian calendar month and August area unit the height tourer season. Tso Moriri remains inaccessible and fully frozen from Jan to March.
Tso Moriri may be a declared Ramsar web site which implies one cannot came upon a tent or construct something close to the lake. variety of birds is noticed at Tso Moriri just like the bare-headed goose, the great-crested podicipitiform seabird, the Brahmin duck and also the brown-headed gull. chain of mountains hares area unit extravagantly found here too. it’s conjointly known as the ‘mountain lake’, because of the peaks that surround it, high at a height of 2000 meters, motility it far from the skin world.
6. Zanskar Valley
Located in the Kargil district to the east of Ladakh (around 105 km) lies the bewitching Zanskar Valley. Pronounced as Zahar or Zangskar locally, it is separated from Ladakh by Zanskar mountain range which is a part of The Tethys Himalayas. Zanskar is known for raw landscape and is mostly travelled to for trekking and river rafting.
The semi-desert region is flanked by snow-capped mountains and sparkling clean rivers along with distinct flora and fauna. The easiest way of reaching Zanskar is from Kargil through Suru Valley. It is cut off from the rest of the world for over 9 months of the year because of heavy snowfall in the region. The only way of reaching Zanskar during the winter months of December to February is undertaking the challenging Chadar Trek.
7. Kargil Valley
Usually a stopover for folks movement towards Leh from Srinagar, Kargil could be a holidaymaker hotspot that is sufficiently little to be explored by peripatetic. placed near to the road of management, Kargil is additionally a volatile region. However, except for its superb past, Kargil is conferred with natural beauty and journey. Kargil contains a war memorial that is that the main attraction of the region.
It is the house to the celebrated Nun Kun Peaks and has wonderful potential for mountain climbing and trekking. Kargil rests on the banks of watercourse Suru and conjointly offers distinctive opportunities for watercourse rafting. Kargil contains a made history geological dating back to the sixteenth century, amalgamating Buddhist and Turkish design.
It is snuggled at associate altitude of 2704 metres higher than water level and offers exemplary Himalayan Ranges views. except for business enterprise, this region is additionally referred to as a crucial centre for trade and commerce. Dotted with apricot farms, Kargil is one in all the biggest producers of apricots in Asian country. luxurious food and heat locals ar the highlights of this city. Hence, sampling the native delicacies is one in all the most effective experiences in Kargil.
8. Chadar Trek
The Chadar Trek or The Frozen River Expedition is one of the most unique and challenging treks in India. The 6 day chadar trek across the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh takes place during the latter part of January till end of February or sometimes even in the first week of March, depending on the weather.
The locals or Zanskaris as they are popularly known, usually take a road from to the Zanskar to Nerak and further for work which mostly consists of trading goods in the summers. During winters, the road is blocked and dangerous to travel so the locals tread along the Zanskar river which is frozen at this time. The thick blanket of ice that the Zanskar river forms resemblances a white blanket which in the local language is called Chadar. Hence the trek along the frozen Zanskar River is known as the Chadar Trek.
Though, it seems a challenging trek, it isn’t the most difficult; as it basically is a flat walk along the Chadar with minimal amounts of climbing. If you can walk for a couple of hours without much strain, you are good to go.
9. Chang La Pass
Chang La Pass is a high mountain pass and one of the highest motorable roads in the world. It is located between Leh and Pangong Lake and is the main gateway to the Nubra Valley region. The 15km long pass is especially popular amongst bikers. The roads are mostly paved and are driveable by any vehicle. Changla is open for tourists from Mid May to October.
To avoid high altitude sickness, doctors suggest not to stay at Changa La Pass for more than 20 minutes. The Pass is guarded and protected by the Indian Army as it is located close to the Chinese border. Reverberating with serenity and tranquility, the place remains covered with snow throughout the year. The world’s highest research station established by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) is located at Changla. The Chang La Temple, dedicated to Changla Baba, is also located here.
10. Likir Monastery
The Likir religious residence is that the oldest religious residence in Ladakh, set around fifty two klick from Leh within the scenic Likir village. happiness to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism, the most attraction here may be a seventy five feet giant seated sculpture of Maitreya Buddha gilded in gold. There are varied paintings of guardian divinities, murals and thangkas that adorn the walls of assembly halls.
The religious residence is that the seat of Ngari Rinpoche, the youngest brother of lama. ‘Likir’ means that ‘The Naga-Encircled’ that represents the bodies of 2 nice serpent spirits- Nanda and Taksako. it’s believed that these serpents had guarded the religious residence.
Currently, there is a faculty within the Likir religious residence go by the Central Institute of Buddhist studies and a library receptive guests wherever previous manuscripts, volumes and books on Buddhism and also the teachings of Tsong Khapa ar housed. A temple named Gonkhang is additionally gift within the complicated having pictures of Sakyamuni and Tsongkhapa. The associatenual Likir religious residence pageant is that the most attractive event which has Cham dance performed by lamas and an exhibition of religious residence assortment.
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