Places To Visit In Leh

Some places to visit in Ladakh

Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Tso lake discovered notoriety because of Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots, so indeed, this spot has the right to be on your schedule of spots to visit in Ladakh. Pack a delicious picnic basket and head with your people to the lake and perhaps camp close to it as you appreciate every moment of peace and serenity. The most well-known vacation destination in Ladakh, Pangong Lake, is an endorheic (landlocked) lake arranged at 4350 meters. It is also called Pangong Tso. It is 12 kilometers in length and stretches out from India to Tibet. Approximately 60% of Pangong Lake lies in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. A remarkable element of the lake is that it doesn't stay blue consistently or even the day. Rather it changes tones from blue to light blue to green and dark as well! It is renowned among travelers as to where the Bollywood film "3 Idiots" was shot. Since the exciting Pangong Lake falls on the Sino-Indian Actual Line of Control, an inward line grant is needed to visit it. The Indian citizens can undoubtedly acquire a use permit while foreigners need to get a group permit. Within any event, three people in the gathering, joined by an authorized control. The grant can be gotten at the traveler's office in Leh for a little expense. Attributable to its elevation, the Pangong Lake temperature goes from - 5°C to 10°C because of which it freezes totally during winters regardless of its saltiness.

Thiksey Monastery

This 12-storey complex hosts more than 500 monks and is viewed as perhaps the most wonderful Buddhist monasteries on the whole of Ladakh. For Leh sightseeing, Thiksey Gompa will illuminate you with knowledge about some of the Buddhist culture, lifestyle, scriptures, statues, and even paintings.

Khardung-la Pass

Rent a Himalayan and go crazy, headed straight toward Khardung-la pass. The pass is a getaway to the Nubra, just as Shyok valley and is quite possibly the most raised motorable terrains around the world. Interestingly, the roads were opened in 1988 for vehicles to go through. Travelers and Himalayans were viewed as the best way to go here, to encounter the rough magnificence of the journey. Khardung La, otherwise called Khardzong La, is a high mountain pass in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir, close to Leh. It fills in as the doorway to Shyok and Nubra Valleys. Khardung La is famous as the highest motorable street in India at an elevation of 5602 meters. Nonetheless, as opposed to the belief, its real height is 5359 meters making Dungri La the highest motorable road pass in India. Khardung La pass is an ideal escape for adventure seekers, peace seekers, and mountain biking enthusiasts. An Inner Line Permit is needed by the tourists to enter the pass and travel through it. Because of substantial downpours and snowfall, the Khardung La pass stays shut from October to May. Khardung La was established in 1976 and was opened to the public in 1988. The pass is vital for India as it is utilized to convey supplies to the Siachen glacier. From the top, you can get beautiful views of the Karakoram range and the Himalayas.

Nubra Valley

Acclaimed for its white sand deserts and double-humped camels, Nubra Valley is absolutely one of the best spots to visit in Ladakh. The grand slopes of the Karakoram range, as well as the confluence of the Shyak and Siachen rivers, is the thing that makes Nubra valley a dazzling trip! Nubra Valley lies in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, at a distance of around 140 Km from Leh. Situated on the ancient Silk Route, the valley has Shyok and Nubra rivers winding through it and some lovely monasteries. The area is right now under military watch on the grounds that the road further prompts the Siachen headquarters, which turns out to be the highest battlefield in the world. All foreigners need to get a protected area permit, and Indian citizens need to acquire an Inner Line Permit to enter the Nubra valley. You need to give the photocopies of your authorizations to travel to the officers in the Khardung La pass. Most sightseers travel to Nubra Valley from Leh through Khardung La. With arid mountains in the setting, Nubra Valley is well known for the Bactrian camel rides. Bactrian camels are one of the most uncommon sports, having two humps and were the essential wellspring of transportation in the silk route. It is likewise acclaimed for its Hippophae shrub, prominently known as Leh Berry.

Tso Moriri lake

Envision a shining blue lake settled amidst tough environmental factors that is Tso Moriri lake. Being 15000 ft above ocean level in a fairly harsh climate is this little heaven. The spot is frequently not considered ideal by numerous vacationers because of the great height at which it stands gladly. However, with its immaculately undisturbed ambiance, it would be a disgrace to miss this spot. Tso Moriri Lake is the biggest high elevation lake in India, situated at the height of 4,595m. Situated among Ladakh and Tibet in the Changtang district, it is a twin to Pangong Lake. This lake offers a beautiful spot of peace and serenity flanked by mountains, estimated to be around 28 km long from north to south and 8 km wide. An inner line permit is needed for visiting Tso Moriri. The dazzling Tso Moriri can be visited uniquely throughout the late spring months beginning from April when the lake begins to melt. May, June, July, and August are the peak tourist season. Tso Moriri stays out of reach and completely frozen from January to March. Tso Moriri is a proclaimed Ramsar site which implies one can't set up a tent or build anything close to the lake. Various birds can be spotted at Tso Moriri, like the bare-headed goose, the great-crested grebe, the Brahmin duck, and the brown-headed gull. Himalayan hares are bountifully found here as well. It is additionally called the 'mountain lake,' attributable to the peaks that encompass it, transcending at a tallness of 2000 meters, shutting it from the rest of the world.

Hemis National Park

Have you at any point came across snow leopards? Indeed, Ladakh's Hemis National Park is viewed as the capital of Snow Leopard of India. What makes this national park uncommon is the way that besides possessing the celebrated snow panther, it is additionally the only national park in the northern areas of the Himalayas. It is one of the best places to visit in Leh. The Hemis National Park is situated at an elevation running somewhere in the range of 3,300 and 6,000 meters above sea level. Home to uncommon snow leopards, this park is known to be the most elevated in the world. It is the biggest park in South Asia also. Established in 1981, the Hemis National Park is additionally a site to six towns, lodging more than 1600 residents. Some of which are incredible camping sites. The park also cites the 400-year-old Hemis Monastery. This national park is additionally notable for journeying and climbing choices.

Shanti Stupa

Arranged on a hilltop in Chanspa is this wonderful dome-shaped Chorten called Shanti Stupa. What makes this white design a fascinating tourist place is a view it offers of the entire of Leh. The walls inside the Chorten have panels portraying the existence of Lord Buddha. Also, the vibe of the spot would make you want to stay for long. The Shanti Stupa in Leh is a grand white-domed Buddhist landmark situated on a lofty hilltop at a bewildering stature of 11,841 feet. It is a religious place for the Buddhists as it holds the relics of Buddha, consecrated by the fourteenth Dalai Lama. It is additionally famous among travelers as it offers a general view of Leh and the nearby Changspa village. Shanti Stupa looks particularly lovely during the full moon night when it is normally enlightened by the twilight. Shanti Stupa was developed in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The development was mutually done by the Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to check the finish of 2500 years of Buddhism and to advance world harmony. It is a piece of the harmony pagoda mission, which intends to spread harmony through the proclaiming of Buddha. Shanti Stupa is an ideal escape for both-those hoping to get harmony from offering prayers to God and those standing by to be entranced commonly's wondrous excellence. 

Magnetic Hill

Similarly, as the name goes, the Magnetic hill is really a gravity hill that has faultless magnetic properties. Try not to be frightened by the abrupt development of your vehicles in neutral going uphill as the magnetic field will get it going. Truth be told, to try not to be sucked in the magnetic field of the hill, planes frequently take their elevations up a score. The well-known Magnetic Hill of Ladakh is a cyclops hill where vehicles resist the power of gravity and move upwards on the hill when left at the checked area. To encounter this marvel, leave the vehicle in the neutral gear in the yellow box denoted a couple of meters in front of Magnetic Hill street. Starting here, the vehicle begins moving at a speed of 20kmph. Despite the fact that there are a few fantasies with respect to the mysterious magnetic hill, the truth of the matter is that the design of the zone and the encompassing hills give it an optical figment. The declining road seems, by all accounts, to be a difficult street that prompts the vehicle to gradually acquire energy which gives off an impression of being going uphill against gravity when in fact, it is moving downhill.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is yet another lovely monastery set in the coarse background of the snow-capped Himalayas. It has views of the rough terrains and lovely snow-clad mountain peaks. Witnessing something so diverse and beautiful is what makes the monastery's location ideal.

Royal Leh Palace

The Leh Palace is located on the top of Tsemo Hill and has a rich history. Built of stones, wood, mud, and sand, the 9-storied palace has some beautiful artistic ruins on display to let tourists see how the royals lived. The intriguing architecture is an additional perk of visiting the palace. The Leh Palace, also known as 'Lhachen Palkhar,' is a 17th-century former royal palace and one of the central attractions in Leh. Built under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal, it used to house his family. The nine-storey dun-colored palace now houses a museum and a prayer room, while the highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountain from the rooftop. The Leh Palace is modeled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), and even though a considerable part is now in ruins due to the Kashmiri invasion that took place in the 19th century, the stately palace continues to remain a stunning place to explore. The beauty of the Leh Palace still stands in pride with a lot of ancient Buddha relics, paintings, old utensils, cutlery used by the royal family, and artifacts adorning the walls, most of which are almost 450 years old. The palace looks even more stunning when it is lighted upon certain special occasions, such as the Galdan Namchot festival, when locals gather around the palace to celebrate the local festival. The majestic palace is presently under the Archaeological Survey of India, which is working on renovating the ancient structures of that era and striving to keep intact the history of the Namgyal dynasty in Leh.

Alchi

A tiny hamlet snuggled by the banks of the Indus River is the stunning village of Alchi. The roads invite you with erect apricot trees and offer plenty of profound happiness by inhabiting monasteries and temples. Situated in the Alchi Village of Ladakh, Alchi Monastery is a complex of Buddist temples of which Alchi Monastery is the most established and most famous. Established on a level ground dissimilar to different monasteries in Ladakh, the customary architecture of the monastery is a monastic complex that has three separate temples, known as Dukhang, Sumstek, and the Temple of Manjushri. Aside from the historical and cultural factors, Alchi Monastery is additionally a place for adventure lovers. Rafting is a popular choice among travelers who visit this monastery because of its area being near the Zanskar River, which is an additional benefit for the rafters. The establishment of the monastery was set down in the 10th century by Rinchen Zangpo, a prominent Tibetan scholar.

Zanskar Valley

The snow-shrouded steep terrains of Zanskar valley entice travelers to trek on while they are overlooked with the clear blue sky. It is without a doubt perhaps the best spot to visit in Ladakh, particularly thinking about how the delightful Zanskar river projects azure blue hues while all travelers walk on the frozen sides. Situated in the Kargil district toward the east of Ladakh (around 105 km) lies the charming Zanskar Valley. Pronounced as Zahar or Zangskar locally, it is isolated from Ladakh by the Zanskar mountain range, which is a piece of The Tethys Himalayas. Zanskar is known for crude scenes and is, for the most part, headed out for traveling and river rafting. The semi-desert region is flanked by snow-covered mountains and shining clean rivers alongside particular greenery. The easiest way of arriving at Zanskar is from Kargil through Suru Valley. It is cut off from the world for more than nine months of the year due to heavy snowfall in the area. The only way of arriving at Zanskar throughout the cold weather for a long time from December to February is to embrace the difficult Chadar Trek.

Chadar Trek

What makes the Chadar trek so acclaimed is the way that you can walk up the frozen Zanskar river while the rough Himalayan range envelopes you. It positively is an exciting encounter to stroll on a frozen stream rather than trek and camp at Nerak, which gives a relieving setting for the heart. Envision walking across frozen glaciers, with mountains encompassed by snow on one side and a stream, gradually freezing or dissolving directly on the other, as you stroll close by it. And keeping in mind that appears to be entrancing, turn upward, ahead and around; to observe dreamlike excellence for as should be obvious. This is the Chadar Trek, the Frozen River Trek, only multiplied a hundred-fold. The Chadar Trek or The Frozen River Expedition is quite possibly the most exceptional and difficult trek in India. The multi-day chadar trek through the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh happens during the latter part of January till the end of February or, at times, even in the main seven-day stretch of March, contingent upon the climate. Local people, or Zanskaris as they are prominently known, typically take a road from the Zanskar to Nerak and further for work which generally comprises exchanging merchandise in the summers. During winters, the road is blocked and perilous to travel, so local people track along the Zanskar river. The thick cover of ice that the Zanskar river structures likenesses a white cover, which in the neighborhood language is called Chadar. Thus the trek along the frozen Zanskar River is known as the Chadar Trek. However, it appears to be a difficult trip, and it isn't the most troublesome, as it fundamentally is a level walk along the Chadar with negligible measures of climbing. On the off chance that you can stroll several hours absent a lot of strain, you are all set.