Best Places to visit in Leh Ladakh

Best Places to visit in Leh Ladakh 2024

Best Places to visit in Leh Ladakh 2024: Leh Ladakh is a region in northern India known for its dramatic landscapes, Tibetan Buddhist culture, and adventure activities. Leh is the largest town and the joint capital of Ladakh. It’s a great base for exploring the region, with its many monasteries, bazaars, and cafes.

The best time to visit Ladakh is from June to September, when the weather is pleasant and the roads are open. However, if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience, you can visit during the shoulder seasons (April-May and October-November) when there are fewer crowds. Just be aware that some roads may be closed during these times. Some popular tourist destinations in Leh Ladakh include:

1. Shanti Stupa Leh Ladakh

The Shanti Stupa is a magnificent white-domed Buddhist monument located atop a steep hilltop in Leh, Ladakh, India. It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura, as part of the Peace Pagoda mission. The stupa is a symbol of peace and prosperity, and it holds the relics of the Buddha, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama.

The Shanti Stupa is a popular tourist destination, not only for its religious significance but also for its stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The stupa is located at a height of 11,841 feet, and it offers panoramic views of Leh city, the Changspa village, the Stok Kangri mountain range, and the Indus River valley.

• Here are some additional details about the Shanti Stupa:
  • Architecture: The stupa is built in a traditional Tibetan style, with a white dome and four smaller domes at the corners. The stupa is decorated with Buddhist symbols, including the Dharmachakra (wheel of life) and the lotus flower.
  • Significance: The Shanti Stupa is a symbol of peace and prosperity. It was built to promote world peace and to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of Buddhism.
  • Activities: Visitors to the Shanti Stupa can enjoy the views, walk around the stupa, and learn about Buddhism. There is also a small museum on the site that tells the story of the stupa and its construction.

2. Thiksey Monastery Leh Ladakh

Thiksey Monastery, also known as Thiksey Gompa, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Thiksey, Ladakh, India. It is affiliated with the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as the Yellow Hat sect. Founded in the 15th century, Thiksey Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in central Ladakh, and is notable for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, which is why it is also called ‘Mini Potala’.

The monastery is situated on top of a hill, with views of the Indus Valley and the Stok Kangri mountain range. The buildings of the monastery are arranged in a tiered fashion, with the most important structures located at the top. The monastery houses a number of temples, stupas, and statues, as well as a large collection of thangkas (Tibetan scroll paintings).

• Here are some of the interesting things to see at Thiksey Monastery:
  • The Maitreya Temple:This temple houses a massive statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. The statue is 15 meters (49 ft) tall and is made of clay and mud.
  • The Assembly Hall: This hall is used by the monks for prayers and ceremonies. It is decorated with colourful murals and thangkas.
  • The Roof: The roof of the monastery offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

3. Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso, also referred to as Pangong Lake, is a breathtaking high-altitude lake in the Ladakh region of India. It is divided between India and China, with about one-third of the lake lying in India. The name Pangong Tso comes from the Tibetan word “Pangong Tso”, which means “high grassland lake”.

Here are some interesting facts about Pangong Tso:

• It is the world’s highest saltwater lake, sitting at an elevation of 4,350 meters (14,270 ft).
• The lake is famous for its changing colors, appearing blue, green, and red at different times of the day.
• Pangong Tso is a popular tourist destination, especially for those seeking adventure and stunning scenery. Visitors can enjoy activities like camping, horseback riding, and yak safaris.
• The lake is also an important breeding ground for migratory birds.

4. Nubra Valley

The Nubra Valley is a high-altitude cold desert located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It is a beautiful region known for its stunning scenery, unique culture, and friendly people.

Here are some of the highlights of Nubra Valley:

• The landscape: The Nubra Valley is a unique landscape that combines desert, mountains, and rivers. The most famous attraction is the sand dunes of Hunder, where you can ride Bactrian camels (double-humped camels).
• The Shyok River: The Shyok River flows through the Nubra Valley and is a popular spot for camping and rafting.
• The Diskit Monastery: The Diskit Monastery is one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh. It is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Nubra Valley and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
• The villages: The Nubra Valley is home to a number of small villages, each with its own unique culture and traditions. Some of the most popular villages to visit include Turtuk, Tyakshi, and Sumur.

Nubra Valley is a great place to visit for those who are looking for an adventure. The scenery is stunning, the culture is unique, and the people are friendly. If you are planning a trip to Ladakh, be sure to include Nubra Valley on your itinerary.

5. Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park is a high-altitude national park in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It is located approximately 50 kilometers from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The park is world-famous for its snow leopards, and it is believed to have the highest density of them in any protected area in the world. It is the only national park in India that is north of the Himalayas, the largest notified protected area in India (largest National Park), and the second largest contiguous protected area, after the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and surrounding protected areas.

The park was founded in 1981 by protecting the Rumbak and Markha catchments, an area of about 600 square kilometers (230 sq mi). It grew in 1988 to around 3,350 square kilometers (1,290 sq mi), by incorporating neighboring lands, before increasing in 1990 to 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 sq mi), and is the largest national park in South Asia.

6. Khardung La Pass

The Khardung La Pass, also known as Khardung La or Khardung Pass, is a mountain pass in the Leh district of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. It is on the Ladakh Range, north of Leh, and connects the Indus Valley to the Shyok Valley. It is also the gateway to the Nubra Valley, beyond which lies the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

The pass is famous for being one of the highest motorable roads in the world, with an elevation of 5,359 meters (17,582 ft) above sea level. The road was built in 1976 by the Border Roads Organisation and opened to public motor vehicles in 1988. It is an important route for transportation and tourism in the region.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re planning to visit the Khardung La Pass:

• Acclimatization: Because of the high altitude, it is important to acclimatize to the conditions before visiting the pass. This means spending a few days in Leh or another lower-altitude location to allow your body to adjust to the thinner air.
• Permits: You will need a permit to visit the Khardung La Pass. These can be obtained from the local authorities in Leh.
• Road conditions: The road to the Khardung La Pass can be challenging, with steep climbs, sharp turns, and loose gravel. It is important to be an experienced driver and to be in good physical condition before attempting to drive to the pass.
• Weather conditions: The weather at the Khardung La Pass can be unpredictable. It is important to be prepared for cold temperatures, strong winds, and snow.

7. Tso Moriri

Tso Moriri is a beautiful high-altitude lake located in the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh, India. It is known as the “Mountain Lake” and is the largest of the high altitude lakes entirely within India. The lake is at an altitude of 4,522 meters (14,836 ft) and is about 16 miles (26 km) long and 2 to 3 miles (3 to 5 km) wide. The lake is fed by springs and snowmelt from the adjacent mountains.

Tso Moriri is about 219 kilometers from Leh. There are three routes that lead to Tso Moriri from Leh. The most direct route is via Chumathang. This route is about 213 kilometers long and is accessible throughout the year. The second route is via Tso Kar. This route is slightly longer (233 kilometers) and takes more time to complete because it goes through Taglang La pass, one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The road in the Tso Kar lake area is also very rough.

Places to visit in Leh Ladakh

By Yogender Thakur

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