Ladakh is a centrally administered union territory located in the northern part of India. It is also known as the “Land of High Passes.” Leh is the capital of Ladakh. Situated in the Trans-Himalayas, in the Karakoram Range, this region is not only naturally beautiful but also strategically significant. Ladakh shares borders with Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and China. The majority of the region is plateau terrain, and the weather is dry and harsh.
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Ladakh. There are many Buddhist monasteries here that are worth visiting. The main rivers flowing here are the Indus River, Zanskar River, and Shyok River. The prominent mountain passes include Zoji La, Khardung La, Chang La, and Wari La. In the local Ladakhi language, mountain passes are called “La.”
Although Ladakh has always been a popular tourist destination, Bollywood star Aamir Khan’s film “3 Idiots” has played a significant role in making it popular among the general public and youth. This film has beautifully showcased the beauty of Ladakh. We also reached Ladakh from Srinagar via National Highway – 1 (NH-1).
The weather in Ladakh was very clear, bright, and the sky had a deep blue color. The mountains here were dry and rocky, each with a different hue. Due to the extreme altitude, the oxygen level at some places becomes very low. “Julley,” which means hello in the local language, welcomes visitors to Ladakh, offering them a unique experience.
We explored Ladakh thoroughly and experienced its culture. Although I have seen many places in India, Ladakh felt the most unique and extraordinary to me. Everything here, including the food, clothing, language, monasteries, markets, weather, and natural scenery, is extremely fascinating. Let me tell you about some of the main places in Ladakh –
➥ Leh
Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is situated on the banks of the Indus River. It is a stunning city surrounded by mountains on all sides. There are many places to visit in Leh, including the Hall of Fame, Spituk Monastery, the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers, Thiksey Monastery, Druk White Lotus School featured in the Bollywood film “3 Idiots,” Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and Shanti Stupa. Exploring the Leh market was also enjoyable.
➥ Kargil
Kargil is the second largest city in Ladakh, situated in the western part. It is located in the valleys of the Suru River, Dras River, and Zanskar River. National Highway 1 (NH-1) passes through Kargil. The main mountain passes in Kargil are Zoji La, Fotu La, and Namika La. In 1999, Pakistani infiltrators illegally occupied the mountains in the Kargil region and attacked Indian Army vehicles traveling on National Highway 1 (NH-1).
Later, the Indian Army recaptured the territory with Operation Vijay, displaying immense bravery. In memory of the indomitable courage of Indian soldiers, a War Memorial has been built in Dras, Kargil.
➥ Nubra Valley
To reach the Nubra Valley located in the northern part of Ladakh, one has to cross the Khardung La pass. Khardung La is the second highest motorable pass in the world. The oxygen level here is very low. Near Nubra Valley lies the Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world. The Nubra Valley is nourished by two rivers, the Shyok River and the Nubra River, making it lush green.
There are several villages nestled in the valley, with Diskit being the oldest. Diskit houses a beautiful Buddhist monastery, where a large statue of Lord Buddha on the mountain is highly revered among pilgrims. From here, one can witness a magnificent view of the Shyok River and its valley. Nubra Valley also offers ATV rides on sand dunes, which are exhilarating and adventurous.
➥ Hunder
Hunder is the second largest village in the Nubra Valley. It is a cold desert area where one can find the famous double hump camels. Riding these camels on the sand dunes was a delightful experience. Watching these camels move in a line was quite fascinating. After enjoying the camel ride, resting by the Shyok River in Hunder relieved the fatigue of the journey. We stayed overnight in Hunder.
➥Pangong Tso
We had planned to visit the famous Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh after exploring the Nubra Valley. The word “Tso” means lake in the local language. However, we discovered that the road ahead from Nubra Valley was closed due to rain, so we had to take an alternate route, adding an extra 80 kilometers to our journey. This route included crossing the Wari La mountain pass, which is at a significant altitude, with snow visible on the surrounding mountains.
The journey to Pangong Tso was thrilling and adventurous, with several river crossings where vehicles often got stuck. Our own vehicle faced many challenges along the way. After a long journey of approximately 10 hours, we finally reached Pangong Tso. It was a massive lake surrounded by mountains, and its water appeared blue due to the clear sky.
We stayed in tents near the lake shore. Approaching closer, we found the water to be crystal clear. We captured numerous photos with our mobile phones. The water of Pangong Tso was salty and very cold. On the other side of the lake lies the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin region. Spending the night in tents by Pangong Tso was a fantastic experience.
Our journey to Ladakh was truly unforgettable in many ways. We were deeply impressed by the culture here. All the tourist spots in Ladakh are very special. The weather here is refreshing. The people and their language are fascinating. A trip to Ladakh is full of excitement. Whenever you get the chance to visit Ladakh, do come here for sure.
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➜ Don’t forget to do these in Ladakh: Enjoy a double-humped camel ride in Hunder, ATV ride in Nubra Valley, visit various monasteries, shop in Leh’s local markets, camp by Pangong Tso, and indulge in photography. ➜ How to reach Ladakh: The nearest airport is in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. There are two road routes to reach Ladakh. You can come from Srinagar via National Highway – 1 (NH-1) or from Manali. Both routes are very scenic and thrilling. Ladakh is not connected by railway yet. ➜ Best time to visit Ladakh: The best time to visit Ladakh is from April to July during the summer season. ➜ Ideal duration for a Ladakh trip: 7 days / 6 nights.
Information Source: Authentic information sources available on internet, Various Articles and books on the subject & Interaction with local public. For more information & feedback write email at : ikanchan2024@gmail.com
