Ladakh Travel Guide
Ladakh means the “land of high passes”. The other name of Ladakh is Khapa- chan which means snow land, which truly defines the place as it is known for culture and mountainous beauty.
Ladakh is also known as ‘The Land of the Mystic Lamas’, ‘The Broken Moon land’, or ‘The Last Shangri-La’. It is also known as ‘Little Tibet’ because of the cultural & geographical similarities with Tibet.
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Sightseeing in Ladakh
Ladakh is known for its unique culture and awe-inspiring landscapes. The snow-clad high peaks, cold deserts, and massive glaciers define the topography of the region. And then there are some breathtaking lakes & rivers that captivate the visitors and offer ample opportunities for rafting.
Travelling to Leh-Ladakh is one of the most thrilling experiences, as its harsh climate is one of its kinds of adventures.
Summers are considered to be the best time to visit the place as the weather is most exciting and amiable. The snow has melted and there is a buzz of activity with the colourful HEMIS FESTIVAL.
Winters on the other hand have their own charm when only a handful of travellers visit the place. The site is all covered with snow and the views are most breathtaking. This is also the time when one of the most adventurous treks of the world, the Chadar-Trek starts.
Here we are suggesting the sightseeing along with the best time to visit.
Zanskar Valley
Zanskar valley is one of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh. It is amongst the most desolate places in the Himalayan range. Zanskar River is famous for seasonal white river rafting.
Best Time to Visit: Zanskar is best visited between June to September when the road is clear of the snow and the leh temperature is at moderate. It’s closed for a significant time due to extreme snowfall and winter.
Pangong Tso Lake
Pangong Tso lake is situated on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh region. The lake offers an awesome site for camping and is the current hotspot for all people traveling to Ladakh.
Best Time to Visit: June to September is the best time to travel.
Kargil
This is the second largest town in Ladakh, situated on the banks of Indus River. It is a transit hub with roads leading to Leh, Padum (Zanskar) and Srinagar. Also, it is a haven for adventure enthusiast’s .Here sports such as trekking and mountaineering makes this very popular.
Best Time to visit: The summer season between May to July is the best time to visit Kargil as the temperature is cool with frigid nights.
Khardung-la Pass
Khardungla Pass is a gateway which leads to Nubra and Shyok valleys. Kardung-la Pass is the gateway to the north and one of the most difficult yet thrilling passes to ride on.
Best Time to visit: The best time to visit Khardung-La pass is during the summer season, between May to September.
Nubra Valley
One of top 5 places in Ladakh is Nubra valley A tri-armed valley towards the northeast. The sand dunes of the Nubra Valley offer Arabian Nights like experience.
Best Time to visit: As per the climatic conditions, the best time to visit Nubra valley is during the autumn season which is between the months of July to September.
Magnetic Hill
One of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh is Magnetic Hill. The science behind the phenomenon is unknown but it has been observed that if you leave your vehicle at the base of the hill with the brakes unlocked, it will start moving uphill slowly on its own. Magic? Definitely not. It’s simply the superpowers you get when you reach this place. This makes it really important to be included in your list of places in Leh Ladakh!
Spituk Gompa
Ladakh is known as the land of the monks and monasteries. Spituk is one of the many tourist places to visit in Ladakh. This is famous for its beautifully carved location at the top of a hill. The winds at the night, however, may chill you to the bones.
Best time to visit: Between June to October
Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park has the distinction of being the largest national park in South Asia. The park is protected home for endangered mammals like leopards, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian brown bear, and the red fox. For nature lovers and bird watchers, this has to be on your list of places to see in Ladakh. Pollution free environment and noise free surroundings make bird watching a joyful experience.
Best time to visit: Between May to September
Hemis Monastery
One of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in India, Hemis Monastery is known for its annual mask festival. This is a two-day spiritual celebration taking place on Tse Chu, the tenth month in Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava, who is believed to be the Gautam Buddha’s reincarnation.
Best time to visit: This is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh in June
Royal Leh Palace
Resembling the essence of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Royal Leh Palace is situated on a cliff overlooking the charming town of Leh. A prominent symbol of the royal family’s glory living in this town in the old days. The stunning statue of Buddha at the back of this palace adds more to the charm of this place.
Best Time To Visit: It is best to visit this palace in the month of August
Timings: 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM everyday
Moonland
Its close resemblance to Moon is the main reason why this beautiful naturally occurring land is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh is hard to miss on your way to Lamayuru. If you wish to visit one of the most stunning unseen places in Leh, this is the place to be. It is best to travel to this place during the time of a full moon since it is believed to be a unique experience altogether with the moonlight reflecting on this kind of surface. Moonland is one of those unique places to visit in Leh Ladakh in April.
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit this place would be around April to May
Tso Moriri Lake
A twin to the popular Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Moriri Lake is a lesser-known lake located in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary. Its location contributes to the scenic beauty of this lake. Barren hills with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop make the sight simply breathtaking. The attribute of being a “lesser known” makes this place less crowded. The open sky at Tso Moriri Lake makes it a perfect place for star gazing at night. Moriri Tso, also known as a ‘Mountain Lake’ was declared as a wetland reserve. Various kinds of species including the Brahmin duck, bare-headed goose, the brown-headed gull, and the great-crested grebe are found here, along with Himalayan Hares that are present in large numbers. The peaks that surround this lake are so high that they shut-off this place from the outer world.
Best Time To Visit: May to August
Chadar Trek
Chadar Trek is one of the beautiful places to visit in Ladakh such unbelievable and exciting experience. ‘Chadar’ refers to a blanket, because in winter the popular Zanskar River in Leh Ladakh freezes to a blanket of ice. It is exciting to see the transformation of colours of this frozen river while trekking on it. The mild blue colour changes to light yellow when the sun shines directly on it for a few hours in the day. It looks milky white on a moonlit night. The Chadar Trek journey is said to be one of the most adventurous and toughest trek journeys.
Best Time To Visit: January and February
Alchi
Alchi is a busy village located in the Himalayan region of Ladhak, in the valley of Indus River. The model town of Alchi is home to an ancient Buddhist monastery which dates back to 900 years. The monastery proudly bears the 11th – 12th-century Indo-Tibetan paintings done in bright green, gold, ochre and azure shades. The painted state of Bodhisattva Maitreya is a major highlight of the monastery. Here one can enjoy river rafting at the Alchi Nyemo.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Thiksey Gompa
Thiksey is one of the beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. Snuggled at an altitude of 11,800 feet, this monastery is looked after by the people of Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect. It comprises a 12-story building complex and houses more than 500 monks. Thiksey has a large and precious collection of Buddhist books, journals, statues, scripts, stupas, swords, and Thangka paintings.
Best Time To Visit: October to November
Diskit Monastery
Located in the beautiful Nubra Valley, Diskit Monastery is one of the most beautiful and the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, founded in 14th century by Changzem Tsera Zangpo. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism and has various Buddha statues, images of other guardian Gods, and a huge drum. Owing to the breathtaking location, this one of the famous monasteries in Ladakh offers solemn serenity and inner peace.
Best Time To Visit: July to September
Phyang Gompa
Phyang Gompa belongs to the red hat sect of Buddhism and is perhaps the most impressive monastery in Leh Ladakh. It is located on a hilltop and thus offers stunning views of the surrounding. This white and ochre-colored structure is one of the must-visit monasteries in Ladakh and is an important hub of Digung teachings. The wall paintings at Phyang Gompa depict Buddhist culture and heritage.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
Likir Monastery
Likir Monastery is located 53 km west of Leh in the Likir village in the Indus Valley. Along with taxis, many buses travel between Leh and Likir from 5 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. Popularly known as Likir Gompa, it was founded by Lama Duwang Chosje in the 14th century. According to Buddhist mythology, this is the first construction by the Tibetan monks. The museum located inside the monastery showcases a wide array of Tibetan artefacts and relics.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
Few Things to Cosider while traveling to Ladakh
Most of Ladakh stay inaccessible during this time of the year, owing to heavy snowfall. The region is very cold, with the temperature dropping till -50. However, this is a much-awaited time for trekkers wishing to go for Chadar Trek. This trek is recommended if you’re an experienced trekker.
The best way to explore Leh Ladakh is either on an Enfield or SUV/Thar, because of the rough conditions of the road.
Shopping in Ladakh
- Main Bazaar
As the name suggests, this is the chief street lined with shops and stalls frequented by tourists and locals and selling almost everything you may require. You can buy Tibetan souvenirs, handicrafts, antiques and woollens, and Ladakhi jewellery, at the numerous outposts here, and also pashmina shawls at competitive prices.
- Tibetan Handicraft Emporium (Main Bazaar Road) and Tibetan Handicraft Community Showroom (Choglamsar)
Leh has a number of really fascinating handicraft shops run by Tibetan refugees and it is one of the best places to find handicrafts and antiques at affordable prices. These two make a one-stop shop for buying Tibetan handicrafts and wares, authentic Ladakhi jewellery in silver and stone, and exquisite gift items.
- Ladakh Art Palace (Main Bazaar Road)
The place specializes in Ladakhi and Tibetan jewellery.
- Cottage Industries Exposition (Changspa)
All the locally made handicrafts, shawls, hand-woven garments, carpets and rugs are exhibited and sold under its one roof.
- Dalai Lama Charitable Trust Handicraft Emporium
This one deserves a special mention, for the proceeds from the sale of goods at the outlet are given to the local artisans to promote their craft and provide them sustenance. Here you will find shawls, woollens, paintings and artefacts.
- Ladag Apricot Store
This store that deals only in apricots and all its derivatives – dried, fresh, jam and oil. The nutritious oil and finger-licking jam are much sought after by tourists while shopping in Ladakh.
- The Ecology Centre (Changspa)
Here’s a place where you can learn about ecology conservation and get some souvenirs as well. As part of the Ecology Centre off on Changspa, the centre has a very well stocked library as well as a handicraft shop that promotes and sells locally made clothes, thangkas, bags, purses, shoes and much more.
- Moti Market
This is one of the oldest markets in Leh and as the name suggests this is the place to go for gems, pearls(moti), precious stones. Lamo Pearls in the Moti Market is one of the oldest shops you can find there that sells authentic pearls and stones.
Ladakh Cuisine
The cuisine of Leh Ladakh is a mixture of Indian and Tibetan cuisine. Ladakh serves a variety of Tibetan, Korean, Chinese, and Continental dishes. When it comes to the traditional food of Ladakh, the use of dry fruits, spices and additive spices are a must.
- Chutagi
One of the most famous and signature dishes of Ladakh is the Chutagi (dumpling soup).
It is made of flour into a bow- tie shaped dumpling with soup consisting many vegetables.
- Paba
Paba is mixed with Tangthur and other vegetables and considered very healthy source of food.
- Gur Gur Cha/ Butter Tea/ Tsaza
Gur Gur is the name of the instrument in which the tea is made. After churning the curd/ yogurt the butter that is left is used to make this tea.
- MoMo
Momo is very famous Tibetan dish. It is a dumpling with different filling.
- Thukpa
Thukpa which is just noodle soup is also a Tibetan dish that is made in Ladakh.
- Tapu
This dish is more common in areas where apricot is grown in large numbers. The dried flour is boiled in water and then mixed with the seeds of the apricots.
Interesting Facts of Ladakh
The highest bridge in the world- A Bailey bridge is 30 meters long and was built in 1982 by the Indian Army
The rare twin humped camels-The Bactrian camel (two-humped) is a large, even-toed ungulate native. The Bactrian camel has two humps on its back, these camels are one of the main attractions of the Nubra valley in Ladakh.
This hill pulls you upwards- The mystical Magnetic Hill which is also known as the “gravity hill”, is located near Leh. The alignment of the road with the slope of the background can give the illusion that cars can drift upwards.
Dry but still home to large variety of birds-Ladakh is a desert, but it is still over 225 species of birds such as finches, robins, redstarts and Hoopoe are found here in abundance.
The most visited “high grassland lake”-Pangong Tso means “high grassland lake” in the Tibetan language. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being a salt lake.
An important astronomy centre-Due to its high altitude and clear skies, the region is popular as an important astronomy centre.
It is the highest plateau in Kashmir state-Ladakh is the highest plateau of Kashmir with much of it being over 3,000 meters.
World’s highest motor able road-Khardung La in Ladakh is claimed to be the highest motor able road in the world. It is situated at an altitude of 5359 meters.
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