Best Places to visit during Ladakh Trip

Places to visit during Ladakh trip: Ladakh is the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. It is a land of high passes, mountain lakes, ancient monasteries, breathtaking landscapes and sparkling streams. Ladakh has many attractions that will delight nature lovers, adventurers and photographers. From cycling to trekking, camping to mountaineering, Ladakh has a lot to offer to tourists.

The Buddhist monasteries, which have rested within the mighty Himalayas for thousands of years, are an important cultural centre, hosting religious festivals and offering a glimpse into the region’s rich past. It offers a range of adrenaline-pumping activities that will make your trip to Ladakh unforgettable.

Places to visit during Ladakh Trip

Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Tso Lake is located at an altitude of 4,225m above sea level, on the border between India and China. This pristine and endoreic lake is 134 km long and stretches from India to China. The main attraction of the lake is its changing colour during the day, and this crystal blue lake offers a view of the mighty peaks surrounding it, which is a unique experience.

It is home to exotic species of migratory birds that can be seen on the shores of Pangong Tso. Due to the harsh winters, the lake freezes over during this period. Camping on the lake is a real treat for adventurers.

Activities to do at Pangong Lake: camping, bird watching and nature walks.
When to visit Pangong Lake: May to Sept.
How to reach Pangong Lake: The nearest airport is Leh, 225 km away. The lake is easily accessible from Leh via the Chang La Pass.

Read more about Pangong Tso Lake

Khardung La Pass

The Khardung La Pass is one of the highest mountain roads in the world, located at an altitude of 5,349 m above sea level. This high mountain pass connects Leh to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Crossing the highest pass in the world is a unique experience that cannot be put into words.

The view from the top of the pass offers a spectacular view of the snow-capped Himalayas, making the trip to Ladakh an unforgettable experience. It is one of the most beautiful places in Ladakh and is worth visiting with family and friends. Cycling to Khardung La Pass is an exciting experience to be enjoyed with your loved ones.

Things to do at Khardung La Pass: Cycling, photography and hiking.
Time to visit Khardung LA Pass: May to Sept.
How to get to Khardung La Pass: Leh Airport is the main airport in the region, located 41 km from Khardung La Pass. It is easily accessible by taxi, bicycle or bus.

Nubra Valley

Known for its unique landscapes and breathtaking sights, the Nubra Valley is one of the main attractions of Ladakh. It is connected to Leh through the Khardung La Pass and offers countless experiences. The Nubra Valley is known for its cold desert and two-humped Bactrian camels. You can enjoy a camel ride among the barren mountains in the sand dunes of the valley.

With the Diskit Monastery as a backdrop, a camel ride makes a strong impression. At sunset, the surroundings are fascinating and offer an unforgettable experience on a trip to Ladakh. There are many eco-friendly campsites where you can camp. Khunder village, Diskit monastery, Turtuk and Panamik are the main attractions in the Nubra Valley.

Things to do in the Nubra Valley: Cycling, camel riding, photography and camping.
Best time to visit the Nubra Valley: May to September.
How to get to Nubra Valley: The nearest airport to Nubra Valley is Leh, 127 km from Nubra. It is easily reached by taxi, bicycle or bus, which are available in Leh.

Thiksey Monastery

Known for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Tibet, Thiksey Monastery is one of the most revered places in Ladakh for Buddhists. In the 15th century, Palden Zangpo constructed the monastic compound. It is the largest gompa in central Ladakh and the main attraction of Thiksey Monastery is the Maitreya Temple, built in 1970 to commemorate the visit of the Dalai Lama in the 14th century.

The monastery houses a 15 metre high statue of Maitreya Buddha, the largest statue in Ladakh, which occupies two floors of the building. The Gustor festival is the main event held here, offering a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Activities at Thiksey Monastery: sightseeing and meditation
The best time to visit Thiksey Monastery: from May to September.
How to get to Thiksey Monastery: The nearest airport is Leh Airport, 20 km away, which is easily accessible from Leh town.

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Sangam Point

The confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, also called Sangam in the Leh region, is a famous tourist attraction in Leh. Amidst the arid mountains, two of the most important rivers of Ladakh converge in one place and offer heavenly views. The Nimmu Valley is the place where these two rivers meet. One can easily distinguish these two rivers by their different colours.

The bright blue Zanskar River, which originates in the Zanskar Valley, meets the green Indus River, which originates in the Indus Valley near the Mansarovar Range in the mighty Himalayas. March-May is the best time to observe the colour of these rivers.

Activities at Sangam Point: Guided tours and rafting.
When to visit Sangam Point: From March to May.
Getting to Sangam Point: Leh airport is the main airport in the region. It is located 10 km from Leh and is easily accessible.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is located in the heart of the mighty Himalayas in Ladakh. Dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism. Ladakh is a predominantly Buddhist region, but this Gurdwara is one of the places revered by all religions in the region. Legend has it that during his visit, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was attacked by demons who threw a large rock at him while he was meditating at the foot of the hill.

To the demon’s surprise, the rock became as soft as melted wax and could not harm the Sikh Guru, who realised that Guru Nanak Dev was a divine person. After that, the demon stopped bothering him and the people of the town.

What to do at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: receive blessings and meditate?
When to visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: From May to Sept.
How to reach Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is located 21 km from Leh airport and can be reached by taxi.

Shanti Stupa

The Shanti Stupa is an impressive white Buddhist monument located on top of a steep hill. One of the religious sites for Buddhists. It houses relics of the Buddha, which were consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama. Consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama. From the Shanti Stupa complex, one can have a bird’s eye view of Leh city and enjoy the serene aura of the surroundings.

It is an ideal tourist spot in Ladakh for peace-lovers and photographers. The Shanti Stupa, located in Changspa village, was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomo Nakamura. It was built to commemorate the completion of 2500 years of Buddhist history and to promote world peace. It is part of the Peace Pagoda’s mission to spread harmony through the preaching of the Buddha.

What to do at Shanti Stupa: Ask for blessings and meditate.
When to visit Shanti Stupa: From May to Sept.
How to reach Shanti Stupa: Leh airport is 6 km away from Shanti Stupa and can be easily reached by taxi.

Leh City

Located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, Leh is known for its breathtaking landscapes, Buddhist temples and unspoilt nature. As a result of the strong impact of Tibetan Buddhism, Leh is also referred to as Little Tibet or the Land of Lamas. Barren mountains with brightly painted gompas (or monasteries), waving prayer flags, rocky ridges, tiny settlements and the Indus River give the region a special charm.

Leh was once the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and it is still dominated by Leh Palace. The former palace of the Ladakh royal family is built in the same style as the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Buddhist monasteries and study centres like Shanti Stupa and Sankar Gompa also attract many travellers.

Leh has become a popular destination for adventure sports, from high altitude trekking to rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers. Leh is also an important commercial centre and offers a great choice for shopping for impressive Tibetan handicrafts, jewellery, woolen clothes and exquisite carpets. Leh consists of a new town and an old town. The old town has been included on the World Monuments Fund’s list of 100 endangered sites.

The Best Places To Stay In Leh

It’s easy to find accommodation in Lech to suit any budget. During the high season from July to September there are many family-run hotels in Leh that offer personalised service. Budget accommodation is available mainly in three areas: the old town, the newer areas along Fort Road and the village of Changspa. Accommodation options include guest houses, tourist complexes, tourist huts and local paid guest houses. There are also government tourist bungalows, mostly along the road from Srinagar to Leh.

Best Places To Eat In Leh

Though there are restaurants offering all kinds of dishes in Leh, Kashmiri cuisine is the most popular in Leh. However, Tibetan and Western dishes are also readily available. Tibetan dishes such as momos, or steamed dumplings with meat or vegetable filling, and tukpa, a thick vegetable soup that is a complete meal, are popular with tourists. Local potatoes, pumpkin and beans are cooked in various ways and accompany meat dishes. There are also several bakeries selling fresh cakes, pastries and bread.

The Best Time To Go To Leh

The best time to visit Leh is from June to September

Zero Point

Zero Point is a picturesque place in winter, especially for travellers who want to experience a snowy holiday. Zero Point is located at an altitude of 15,300 km above sea level, close to the border between India and China. The splendour of Zero Point is enhanced by the stream formed by the confluence of three rivers, the breathtaking views of the valley, the snow-capped mountains topped with clouds and the vegetation consisting of maple trees.

However, the path to Zero Point is dangerous, as the narrow and rocky roads are an adventure destination in themselves. The place is covered in snow for most of the year, so the best time to visit is from February to June. Keep in mind, however, that you may get a little nauseous on the way to Zero Point due to lower oxygen levels.

However, a cup of tea with lush greenery and floating pale orange and yellow clouds will instantly give you a feeling of lightness. While visiting Zero Point, you can also visit some popular attractions nearby, such as Lachung Monastery, Chungthang, Yumthang and others. Visit Zero Point, one of the most recommended tourist spots in Sonamarg to enjoy the natural beauty.

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Highlights of Zero Point

• Zero Point is located at 15,300 meters above sea level, near the India-China border.
• Zero Point is an ideal winter holiday destination and is considered the ‘Little Switzerland’ of India.
• From here, it offers magnificent views of the valleys and snow-capped mountains. The stream, formed by the confluence of three rivers, is surrounded by maple trees.
• The route to Zero Point is tricky, with narrow, rocky paths that require caution.
• Oxygen levels can drop en route to Zero Point, so it is advisable to take the necessary precautions.
• Popular attractions in the area include Lachung Monastery, Chungtang, and Yutang.
• It is also possible to ride a yak, which is highly recommended.
• The best time to visit Zero Point is from February to June.

Hundar

While Leh delights its visitors with its many majestic mountains, beautiful valleys, snow-capped peaks, charming villages, and much more, Khundar is a place that stands out for its unique and distinctive desert landscape. This beautiful, cold desert village in the Nubra Valley is not only a natural wonder, but it will surprise you with its breathtaking beauty.

Unlike most of the tourist spots in Leh, which have snow-capped mountains, Hundar, at an average altitude of 10,000 feet, boasts of being one of the highest deserts in the world. In case you are already wondering, here is everything you need to know about planning a trip to hundar.

Why should you visit Hundar?

Known for its Bactrian camels and sand dunes, Hundar is a must-see place on a trip to Ladakh. Hundar was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Nubra, and ruins of ancient buildings can be seen here, including the ruins of the royal palace of Langchen Khar. It is also home to the Gula Fort, which you can also include in your itinerary. Hundar is about 160 km from Leh, where you have to cross the Khardung La to reach this remote area. The sand dunes between Khundar and Diskit will be the highlight of your trip, we promise!

Places to see in Hundar

This beautiful village in the Nubra Valley is one of those places that is strikingly different from what most people think of as Leh. This tiny tourist spot attracts visitors from all over the world to explore, experience, and enjoy its cold desert areas. Attractions such as the sand dunes, Yarab Tso Lake, Samstangling Monastery, Panamik, and Diskit Monastery await you. All these places are close to Hundar and can be reached in a day or two.

Things to do in Hundar

The main attraction of this village is undoubtedly the sand dunes. You can sit as far away from the crowds as possible and enjoy the view of the sunset. Most visitors also come here to ride a camel. The famous Bactrian camels that came to Ladakh for trade purposes during the Silk Road, you can now ride a camel here for 15 minutes or an hour. The Shiok River that runs through the villages is a great place to relax and spend time in nature. On a clear night you can even see the Milky Way in its entirety. Just pack your wool and you can spend hours watching the shooting stars.

Where can I stay in Hundar?

You can easily find guesthouses here, but they only accommodate a few tourists. There are also several private hotels with basic facilities in the village of Hundar. If you plan well, you can also stay in guesthouses offered by the villagers for a small rent and which also serve local cuisine. If you want to camp in Hundar, go to the Nubra Organic Farm.

Conclusion

Ladakh is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers. In recent years, it has become a popular holiday destination for families, couples, honeymooners and friends. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Ladakh to help you plan a trip to Ladakh. Plan your trip, add the best sights to your itinerary, book a tour to Ladakh and have the trip of a lifetime. Make sure you visit these attractions and make your trip unforgettable. Also share your experiences with us and tell us which place impressed you the most!

Also Read Sinhagad Fort history & trek information.