Must see places in Leh Ladakh
Ladakh, India's newly created Union Territory. Ladakh is further subdivided into three regions: Leh, Nubra, and Zanskar, each with its own set of attractions. It has a landscape that will leave you speechless. Ladakh is a location where the scenery changes dramatically; seeing mountains, snow, cold desert, alpine meadows, and lakes all within a short distance is truly amazing. Ladakh, adorned with noble desolate mountains, is place of residence to some of the highest motorable passes, including Khardung La (5359 m), Marsimik La (5582 m), and Chang La (5360 m), as well as alpine lakes such as Pangong Tso (4350 m) and Tso Moriri (4522 m).
The gorgeous terrain of Leh-Ladakh is on almost everyone's bucket list. The cold desert is well-known for its lovely kaleidoscope as well as Buddhist monasteries. The breathtaking mountains and enthralling lakes will take your breath away. The topography of this beautiful region is diverse, with luscious green valleys and glacial lakes, quaint villages, and breathtaking Gompas. It allows you to get away from your busy life and is the ideal place to rejuvenate yourself. Ladakh tourism, in addition to its natural beauty, provides a rich cultural experience. The people, culture, and environment all work together to create a rich experience. Here are some of Adventure Tripr's top picks.
Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, is a high altitude lake famous for its beautiful blue water that appears to change colour three to four times a day from sunup to sundown due to golden mountains and sunrays. Pangong Lake has saline water. During the winter, the lake freezes completely. The lake is walkable due to a thick layer of frost covering the waters. Although the waters of Pangong Lake are unsuitable for aquatic life, thousands of migratory birds come here to breed.
The Hall of Fame Museum
The Hall of Fame, located approximately 4 kilometres from Leh on the Leh-Kargil Road, is a museum dedicated to the brave soldiers who died fighting for India during the Indo-Pakistan war. The Indian Army maintains the Hall of Fame, which displays seized Pakistani Army arms and amenities, as well as photographs and biographies of brave soldiers.
The Zankar Valley
Without the need for a doubt, Zanskar Valley is among the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh as well as one of the best tourist destinations in Ladakh. It is one of the most desolate areas of the Himalayas. The heavenly skies are reflected in the snow-covered terrains. One of India's most popular river rafting destinations is the Zanskar River's tributaries. Zanskar is best visited between June and September, when the road is clear of snow and the temperature in Leh is comfortable. It is closed for an extended period of time due to heavy snowfall and winter.
Monastery of Thiksey
Thiksey Monastery is a Tibetan-style monastery located on the Leh Manali Highway 20 kilometres south of Leh. The twelve-story monastery sits atop a hill, offering spectacular views of the town and the Indus Valley below. Thiksey's main attraction is the Maitreya Temple, which houses a 15-metre-tall Maitreya Buddha statue. It occupies two stories of the building and is the largest of its kind in Ladakh. It is reminiscent of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Hemis National Park
If you want to see the best of Ladakh, go to Hemis National Park, which is South Asia's largest national park. The park protects endangered mammals such as leopards, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolves, Eurasian brown bears, and red foxes. This must be on the list of places to visit in Ladakh for nature lovers and bird watchers. Bird watching is a pleasurable experience in an environment free of pollution and noise.
Shey Monastery and Palace
Shey Monastery, also known as the Shey Palace, is an ancient monastery located 15 kilometres from Leh. It was once Ladakh's summer capital but is now mostly in ruins. It is situated on top of a hillock and provides breathtaking panoramic views. The monastery's main attraction is the 39-foot-tall Shakyamuni Buddha statue, the second-largest Buddha statue in Jammu and Kashmir. A special permit is required to visit the monastery.
The Leh Palace
Leh Palace, perched on a hill, is one of the greatest pieces of mediaeval Tibetan architecture. The palace is made of stones, wood, mud, and sand and is frequently compared to Lhasa's world-famous Potala Palace. The palace's walls provide warmth in the winter and a cool environment in the summer. Crowns, ceremonial dresses, jewellery, and artistic paintings decorate the interiors. Some are over 450 years old and are made from powdered stones and gems.
Khardung La
Khardung La, also recognised as Khardzong La, is a high mountain pass in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region, close to Leh. It's the entry point to Shyok and Nubra Valley. It is ideal for those seeking adventure, peace, and mountain biking. Tourists must have an Inner Line Permit to enter and travel through the pass.
The Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley is located in Jammu and Kashmir's union territory, approximately 140 kilometres from Leh. It is famous for Bactrian camel rides, orchards, and monasteries, with arid mountains in the background. It is accessible via Khardung La, which is surrounded by snow-dusted Himalayan mountains. The 32-metre Maitreya Buddha statue located near Diskit Monastery in Nubra Valley is well-known. In the Nubra Valley, there are numerous activities available, such as ATV rides and ziplining.
Tso Moriri Lake
Tso Moriri Lake is the largest alpine lake in India and is the most remote lake in Leh-Ladakh. Due to its remote location, harsh climate, and rough roads, this lake attracts fewer tourists. With its blue waters, encompassing mountainous landscape, and open sky, the lake is a sight to behold. Camping here and sleeping under the stars is a must-do activity when visiting the lake.
Numerous reasons, including difficult terrain, severe weather, high altitude, and remote position, make many people wary of travelling to this magical spot, yet it will be well worth the trouble. If you want to visit Ladakh, the land of high passes to get your taste of adventure, without having to sort out all the logistics, head over to our Ladakh Trip as we have already done the legwork for you by curating the best Ladakh trip, suitable for most travellers and have picked the best local guides to show you around and share the local gems complete with stories behind them!
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