Over the centuries, Ladakh has developed into a unique composite culture. The blend of landscape, culture, tradition, environment and adventure tourism makes it an ecstatic holiday destination.
Known as the land of high passes, Ladakh is home to places that will leave you spellbound. Almost every travel enthusiast and biker has this place on their wish list. Nestled between the two most impressive mountain ranges in the world, the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram, Ladakh is the Shangrila on earth. Located at an altitude of between 9,000 and 25,000 feet, the cold desert of Ladakh is undoubtedly a great summer vacation one can have.
On the western border of the Tibetan Plateau, Ladakh is located at the “Crossroads of Upper Asia”, which served as an important trade link with Central Asia and was exposed to the cultures of neighboring regions.
Over the centuries it has developed into a unique composite culture. The blend of landscape, culture, tradition, environment and adventure tourism makes it an ecstatic holiday destination. When it comes to Ladakh, the first thing that comes to mind is Pangong Tso Lake. Remember the scene from the movie ‘3 Idiots’ where the beautiful lake catches your attention. The 12 km long lake stretches from India to Tibet. The unique thing about the lake is that it changes color from blue to light blue, green and gray.
Nestled between the Karakoram mountain range, Nubra Valley is a green oasis in the cold desert. Mountainous rivers and lush greenery soothe the eyes. The valley is adorned with pink and yellow roses during the summer. You can enjoy a Bactrian camel ride in the Nubra Valley. Bactrian camels are the rarest type having two humps. They were the main means of transportation on the historic Silk Road. Visit Diskit Monastery, known for its 32-meter Maitreya Buddha statue. Plus, you can enjoy activities like ATV rides, ziplining and others.
At an altitude of 5,602 meters, Khardung La, India’s highest motorable road, is a joy for mountain bikers. From above you can witness breathtaking views of the Karakoram range and the Himalayas. About 35 km from Leh, Sangam is the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The contrast between the bluish Indus River and the greenish Zanskar River creates a spectacular sight. If you love adventure, rafting on the Zanskar River can be one of the best expeditions in Ladakh.
Hemis National Park is a wildlife lover’s delight. Located at an altitude of between 3,300 and 6,000 meters, the national park is believed to be the highest park in the world and is home to rare snow leopards. You can enjoy camping and trekking here. In addition, the 400-year-old Hemis Monastery is also located here.
Apart from them, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Monastery, Hemis Monastery and Diskit Monastery are some of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh that you can visit. Take home the memories of your visit to Ladakh by shopping in the famous Main Bazaar. You can collect Tibetan handicrafts and pieces of art, silver and stone jewelry, pashmina and wool shawls, Kashmiri rugs and carpets, apricot and others.
