Enter the gates Of Heaven with cobalt blue skies, glistening lakes, moonscape lands carved into the Greater Himalayas, meditation hills dotted with Buddhist Monastries and decorated with colourful prayer flags fluttering in the unadulterated air of Ladakh.
Roof Of the World- Ladakh Is India’s Highest plateau, seated in the state Of Jammu and Kashmir, cradled between the two highest mountain ranges in the world- Karakoram Range and the Greater Himalayas, defined by the highest cold desert crowned with arid mountains, picturesque gompas and highest motorable roads in the world.
History
The Land Of Ladakh, well known as the “Land of Gompas”, is an ancient mountain kingdom with its distinct Tibetan Buddhist heritage. Historically the region is of Tibetan descent and was located on the ancient Silk Trade Route, thus aided in the development of trade and commerce, culture and religion in the past.
Things To Do…
Leh, the capital city of Ladakh is situated at an altitude of 3500 M above sea level, spend two days acclimatizing to the weather, high altitude and low air pressure. While in Leh, take time to visit the Shanti stupa, the pristine white edifice with golden artwork and Buddhist murals and paintings, the stupa can transport any turmoiled heart to peace. Leh Palace, Once the royal residence, turned into a Museum, which houses a collection of thangkas, jewellery and ceremonial dresses.
Spiritual Monasteries Of the Land
Ladakh is artistically dotted with a number of monasteries. Thiksey monastery is a twelve storied complex, perched at the height of 3600 m, affiliated with the Gelugpa sect or Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism decorated with Buddhist art such as thangkas, stupas, wall paintings, statues, and swords. Sitting on the banks of the Indus river is Hemis Monastery, housing a copper-gilt statue of Lord Buddha, numerous stupas made of gold and silver, and sacred thangka paintings making it the biggest and the richest monastery of Ladakh and is hidden inside a gorge-like formation. Visit the 100 plus feet high statue of Maitreya Buddha at the Diskit Monastery. Other popular monasteries in the area include Alchi, Stok, Shey and Spituk.
Adventures of The Land…
The topography of Ladakh is perfectly suited to adventurous biking experiences. The winding hilly roads pass through the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La, the splendid scenic drives in the remote areas of Nubra Valley, “The valley of flowers”, is a gorgeous valley that lies at the intersection of the Shyok and Nubra rivers that features a picturesque landscape circumscribed by the Himalayan mountain ranges giving it a very “panoramic” view, surrounded by white sand dunes. One can enjoy camel rides on two humped Bactrian camels, yak safari or drive an ATV on the Cold desert trails. The more adventurous junkies can opt for Chaddar Ice Trek on the frozen Zanskar river and trekking tours for a pure mountaineering experience.
Lakes And The Rivers…
Another popular tourist attraction of Ladakh is 160 km long saltwater lake- Pangong Lake. The pristine waters of the Lake offer a serene view against the back drop of tall Himalayan ranges that calms the mind and provides a sense of peace and tranquillity. Another visual treat is Tso Moriri Lake with its azure glacial waters reflecting the surrounding ice- capped mountains. Catch the spectacular view of Indus Valley Of Lamayuru, known for its one of the oldest monasteries, and for its “lunar landscape” – quaintly claimed as a “Moonscape” Camping at night near the lakes under the bare sky, full of countless stars is a romantic experience a couple can capture in Ladakh.
Shop Till You Drop…
Spend your evenings in the Leh Main market brimmed with colourful shops of Tibetan handicrafts, woollen kashmiri pashminas, prayer wheels and Ladakhi crockery.
Scrumptious Cuisine…
Ladakhi cuisine is flavourful and aromatic, influenced by Tibet and Kashmir. Witness the delightful and mildly spiced dumplings or hot and soupy Thukpa to counter the harsh and cold weather of Ladakh. Try your hands on different types of teas– The white tea, Gur-Gur Chai loaded with butter along with Khambir or Kebabs as you sit in any road side cafe absorbing the beauty of the gushing rivers of Indus and Zanskar making its way through the sky touching Himalayas or lounge in the balcony of your room viewing the twinkling array of lights on the hills at night relishing the locally brewed beer, Chang, for a romantic evening.
Best Time To Visit
Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert in the rain shadows of the Himalayas.
In Leh, at 3,500 metres altitude, the temperature touches 25°C during the day in summer while plummet to -15°C at night in winter .
- The influx of tourists starts from the second week of May to September when all lakes start to melt and roads are all clear to complete the circuit.
- The Shoulder months , April and October- November,when temperature is still pleasant with low-season travel.
- Months of winters, mid- january to mid- March, have its own charm for the trekkers who want to do Chaddar trekking on frozen river of Zanskar and for wildlife enthusiasts who want to spot elusive snow leopards.
How To Reach
- Ladakh can be reached all around the Year by flight. The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. The airport is well connected with diffrent International Airports of India.
- Two roads that lead to Leh and Ladakh and are popular with bikers too for an adventurous bike tours like “Raid de Himalayas” are Srinagar Leh Highway, 434 km from Srinagar and Manali Leh Highway, 494 km from Manali. Both of them generally remain closed for more than six months from November to April or Mid-May every year because of heavy snowfall.
- You cannot reach Ladakh directly by train as there is no train station in Ladakh. The nearest railway station is in Jammu, Jammu Tawi, 700 km from Ladakh.
So, What are you waiting for?
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