Heavenly Places to Visit/ Experience in Leh Ladakh

Are you excited know places to visit in Leh Ladakh? The Union Territory of Ladakh, formulated on the 31st October 2019 off the hitherto state of Jammu & Kashmir, comprises of two distinct districts namely Leh and Kargil. Leh, of the two, happens to be the larger one with numerous places of tourist attractions that contribute, quite considerably, to its economy.

Some of the major tourist attractions in Ladakh are its Monasteries, Wild Life Sanctuaries, ancient Palaces, festivals, the ancient temples etc. It is a land of mesmerizing beauty, serenity, adventure, frozen rivers, Lakes, Valleys, exotic Landscapes, simple people and rich cultural heritage, that you need to visit and experience firsthand on a trip to this ‘Heaven on Earth’ on any one of the Leh Ladakh tour packages.

Quiet interestingly this happens to be the only place in the world, about which it is said that a man with his feet in the shade while sitting in the sun experiences, both, a sunburn and frost bite at the same time.

Places to visit in Leh:

 Cho Khan Gompa
 Chambal Temple
 Jamal Mashed
 Shanty Stupak
 Gurdwara Pathar Sahib
 Sankar Gompa and village
 Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
 War Museum
 Leh Palace
 Datun Sahib
 The Victory Tower
 Zorawar Fort

Day or longer trips from Leh and back – on one of the Leh Ladakh holiday packages

 Spituk Monastery
 Stok Palace & Stok Monastery
 Shey Monastery
 Khardung La
 Thikse Monastery
 Magnetic hill
 Alchi Monastery
 Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve (Tsomoriri Lake)
 Ti-suru
 Sand Dunes Nubra
 Trekking Trails e.g. Markha Valley
 Hemis gompa
 Basgo
 Indus River – Zanskar River sangam (confluence)
 Pangong Tso Lake
 Hunder Valley
 Siachen Glacier
 Turtuk

Pangong Lake

A landlocked water body at an amazing altitude of 4350 mtrs, and popularized by the shooting of the all popular 3-idiots, a famous and a supper hit Bollywood movie, the Pangong Tso or Lake, stretches to a total length of about 12 Kms from India into Tibet 60 % of which lies in the Tibetan Autonomous region. A very unique and a curious feature of this lake, sure to take your fancy, is the fact that the waters of this lake do not appear to be blue the year round, but in fact, its colour changes from an azure to a light blue to green and ultimately to a grey shade, and all this in the process of just one single day, unbelievable? Visit here on any one of the Leh Ladakh trip packages to see it for yourself firsthand An important factor that you need to know, while visiting here, is that you are required to obtain Inner Line Permit, to visit here, owing to its proximity to the Indo-Chinese Line of Actual control. Such a permit is quite easily obtainable at the Government Tourism office at Leh against payment of a small fee.

Though this will suffice for the Indian tourists the foreign tourists/travelers are required to be accompanied by an accredited guide while visiting here. Bear in mind that this lake freezes during the sub zero temperatures reached during the winter months, so your visit will need to be planned accordingly and that is where we can be of immense help.

Must Read: What Is So Special About Riding a Motorcycle in Leh?

Magnetic Hill

The famous place that defies all laws of gravity, approximately 30 Kms from the town of Leh, on the Leh Kargil highway, the Magnetic Hill attracts a large number of tourists from the world over.
Some enthusiasts come here, on a Ladakh package with the special purpose of experiencing this illusionary effect on a vehicle, moving uphill with the ignition switched off while in neutral gear, produced when parked in a marked box at a particular point on the road here, that too at an altitude of 4000 mtrs plus.

Have we managed to get you thinking on the why’s and how’s of this? Well the fact of the matter, as to why does one experience this, is that in all actuality it is an optical illusion produced by the surroundings and the layout of the area such that a road actually going uphill appears to be a downhill road, giving you the impression of the car moving uphill while gaining speed at the same time, whereas it is actually rolling downhill, this is all due to the presence of the magnetic rocks in the area.

Must Read: Leh Ladakh Road Trip – The Ultimate Road Adventure

To understand this phenomenon you will need to dig deep into the history of the formation of the mighty Himalayas, now that calls for a very extensive study of the geographical happenings of millions of years ago, so let’s just pack up and ensure a visit to this place, on any one of the Leh Ladakh tour packages of your choice.

Zanskar Valley

This spectacular valley also goes by the name of Zahar or the Zangskar Valley, among the locals, is approximately at a distance of about 100 odd Kms in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It is a raw and a rugged landscape, visited generally by the adventure buffs, on their visit to Ladakh, for the purpose of river rafting or trekking, having opted for the Ladakh adventure tour package.

This semi-desert region experiences heavy to very heavy snowfall during the winter months resulting in it remaining cut off from the rest of the world for a good part of a year (approximately 9 months in a year). The easiest way you can reach this amazing place, invariably surrounded by snowcapped mountains, rivers with crystal clear waters and flora fauna unique to this region, is from Kargil through the Suru Valley during the summer months.
What do you do in case you have planned for a winter vacation in the region, well no need to panic as you can access this bewitching valley that remains cut off from the world during the winter months from December to ebruary, by undertaking the most challenging Chadar Trek.

Also Read: What to Expect from Kangyaste Shoulder Trek?

Chadar Trek: The Unique Frozen River Trek

An alternative route to the Zanskar Valley, as discussed above, we can assure the adrenalin junkies of a life time experience when they plan to undertake this most unique and a challenging trek in the region in order to satiate their hunger for some tough adventure, in the true sense of the word, when planning a visit here on a Leh Ladakh adventure tour package. The reason as to why it is called a high adrenalin trek, is the fact that it is conducted over a frozen river, namely the Zanskar River, which lies frozen during the winter months from January to February and at times extending into the month of March.

Since the river is frozen and the thick sheet of ice over it resembles a white blanket known as a “Chadar” in the local parlance this trek has been given the name of the “Chadar Trek”. Incidentally this trek is spread over a period of six days and is the only one of its kind anywhere in India.

Nubra Valley

At 140 Kms from Leh, in the now Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, lies another amazing and a spectacular valley, housing some beautiful monasteries, the Shyok and the Nubra Rivers and on the ancient silk route, the Nubra Valley.

The main feature of this valley lies in the fact that it is a home to the rarest breed of the famous Bacterian Camels or the camels with two humps, as they are popularly known, which were primarily used for the purpose of transportation along the Silk Route of that time and the Hippophae shrub locally known as the Leh Berry. The dry and arid mountains that surround this valley give it an amazing desert like picturesque view.
Guarded 24X7, for 365 days, as this road happens to be the base camp for the world’s highest battle field, the Siachen Glacier, it is mandatory for all the visitors to obtain special permission to visit here.
While the Indian nationals need to obtain an Inner Line Permit, all the foreign nationals are required to obtain the Protected Area Pass and to submit photocopies of the documents pertaining to their travel, to the soldiers guarding at the Khardungla Pass.

The most common route, as taken by the tourists, on a Ladakh holiday tour package, or otherwise, to reach here, is through the Khardungla Pass. It is a place that needs to be on your must visit list.

Must Read: A Week of Fun in Ladakh – Travellers of India

Tso Moriri

A twin to the Pangong Lake, spread over an area of 28 Kms long and 8 Kms in width, sandwiched between Ladakh and Tibet in the Changtan region, the Tso Morir or the Moriri lake at an amazing altitude of 4,595 mtrs is essentially a Ramsar site, meaning that setting of a camp or any sort of construction work around this lake is strictly prohibited.
The fact that it is surrounded by mountains in such a way that it is totally shut out from the outside world because of which its serenity, tranquility and its mesmerizing beauty remains intact and undisturbed. It is important to note that it is mandatory to obtain the Inner Lie Permit to visit this spectacular Lake.

Starting April through to August, which happens to be the peak season, you could plan out for a Leh Ladakh Honeymoon tour package, during this period, while at the same time also get an opportunity to watch some of the exotic and rare species of birds like the Bare-headed goose, the brown headed gull, the crested grebe and the Brahmin duck along with an abundance of the Himalayan hare that inhabit the area.

TSO KAR LAKE

Another amazing lake that you could plan to visit on a Ladakh honeymoon trip and go for a night out camping to a place that offers you a serene and a tranquil environment is the Tso Kar Lake an ideal place for such an occasion.

Not only this, when here you will also be treated to the sight of a number of migratory birds like the Black necked Crane, Bare headed geese, Bhrahminy Ducks etc. as this place also serves as a breeding ground for these birds which come here and lay their eggs during the summer months. While here you will also catch a glimpse of the local nomads continuously on a hunt for food and shelter

Leh Palace

The ‘Lhachen Palkhar’ otherwise known as the Leh Palace, a 17th century royal Palace – a must visit place during your travel to Leh on one of our Ladakh holiday packages – that came into being when it was built under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal and housed his family during the period.

This stunning nine storied dun-coloured structure, till date, is considered as an important subject of exploration and the chief highlight of this palace the spectacular views that it has to offer of Leh and the mighty Zanskar Mountains from its rooftop. The palace these days serves as a museum and remains a central point of attraction in Leh. Interestingly its architectural structure is totally based on its principle the Potala Palace in Lahasa.
Moreover the other point of attraction at this Palace are the ancient relics like the Buddha statues utensils, cutlery that was used by the royals of the time, and artifacts some as old as 450 years or more. The beauty of this Palace further enhances when it is lit during the Galdam Namchot festival, so it is preferable to plan your visit to this Palace during these celebrations.

Phugtal Monastery

All the adventure buffs, having opted for the Leh Ladakh adventure tour package, compulsorily need to add a visit to this amazing monastery, mainly because the only way to reach here is on foot and makes for an interesting trek up to the Phugtal (Puktal) Monastery, the literal translation of which is as “Phuk – cave” and “tal – at leisure”, in Zanskari dialect, meaning caves made at leisure, that constitute this monastery.
it is located on the south-eastern section of the Zanskar region of Ladakh. It is located at the mouth of a cave at the top of a cliff, the reason why you need to trek up to this place, making it one of the most secluded monasteries
of this region built around 2500 year ago.

Just imagine the fun and the excitement when trekking up to this amazing monastery through some of the exotic surroundings. Incidentally you will also come across the Phutkal School, nearby, that imparts education, to the local people here, entirely free of cost. Moreover it can cater up to 700 monks at any time and has all the facilities required to cater to for their comfortable stay at the monastery.

Hemis Monastery

Whenever you plan to visit Leh ensure that a visit to this monastery is on your itinerary of the must visit places in Leh Ladakh. The reason why it is suggested so, is that it is here alone that you get to see the spectacular statute of Lord Buddha that is made entirely out of copper, a variety of Thangka paintings depicting the Buddhist deities, murals, some very colourfull paintings of the Buddhist Kalchakra that adorn the compound walls and the verandah of this wealthiest of all monasteries in India.

This Hemis Monastery at 45 Kms from the town of Leh and built by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgyal, is the most visited monastery in Ladakh during the Hemis Festival, held annually, during the early part of the month of June.

Go ahead and book any one of the Leh Ladakh tour packages to experience the serenity and the beauty of this monastery and be witness to the colourful Buddhist prayer flags lending a distinct sense of decoration to this amazing monastery, while fluttering in the breeze, as if passing on your prayers to Lord Buddha, for his acceptance.

Rafting in Ladakh

Imagine rafting at an altitude of 4000 mtrs or above. This could be an ideal adventure spot for the adrenalin junkies visiting Ladakh for this purpose having opted for a Leh Ladakh adventure tour package.
The two major rivers for a rafting experience are the Indus and the Zanskar Rivers. While you get to experience some exotic and scenic villages and monasteries downstream the Indus rafting course, you will get to experience some massive gorges and high cliffs, also termed as the Grand Canyon of India, downstream along the rafting route on the Zanskar River.
On offer, in Ladakh, are the various categories of rafting like rapids ranging from grade one to grade four but all are dependent on the factors like the cost, your physical fitness, season, etc. So can hear a Wow and hear you planning a trip for this purpose?

CHANGTANG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Whoa whoa, what’s this a wild life sanctuary at these altitudes? Yes it is. It is only after you visit this Changtag Wild Life Sanctuary, after having chosen a Leh Ladakh Holiday tour package that you will actually learn to appreciate how the inhabitants of this sanctuary survive in the sub zero temperatures, rugged and rocky terrains with sparse vegetation. Incidentally this sanctuary is a home to species like the Wild Yak, the Tibetan Wolf, Blue sheep, the Tibetan Ass etc. that you will get to see only here in Ladakh and nowhere else in India. Moreover it also serves as a breeding ground to a wide variety of migratory birds like the Brahiminy Duck, the Bare headed goose etc.

We hope you enjoyed this short Tour de Leh Ladakh. Feel like planning a trip to this awesome destination but before you do so just bear in mind that, this has been described above is just a miniscule of the whole region, there is so much more to visit that you will need to revisit this place again and again. So let us have your choices as per your plan and leave the rest to us rest assured we shall ensure a lifetime experience for you and plan out the best
Leh Ladakh tour package for you.

Must Read: Five Things to Keep in Mind Before You Head to Ladakh

Author Bio
Rahul Arora has one year of experience in Digital Marketing. He’s currently working as a Digital Marketing Executive at Indian Travel Store. He loves to explore new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in his camera.

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