Places to visit in Ladakh

Ladakh, formerly known as ‘Maryul’ was declared a Union Territory on 31st October 2019. Leh and Kargil are the two districts of Ladakh. The region is blessed with spectacular views of mountain ranges and throbs with distinct cultures. The Indus, Shyok and Nubra river valleys form the drainage system of Leh. While Suru, Dras and Zanskar river valleys flow through the district of Kargil. The population of Ladakh is scattered in small numbers and the culture is more inclined towards Tibetan customs and values. Ladakh is best known for Trekking, river rafting and Tibetan handicrafts. But its monasteries are surely what makes Ladakh stand out. Untainted by commercialization, the scenic excellence of Ladakh is unparallel. The region boasts of some of the world’s highest motorable passes like the Chang- La and Khardung- La that link the immaculate valleys of Nubra and Changtang to Ladakh.

• Leh – Leh is the joint capital and the largest town of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The district is surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the Zangskar and the Ladakh. Located at an elevation of 3,500 m, Leh is home to innumerable monasteries. It is dominated by colourful fluttering flags, extensive mountains and beautiful landscapes. Some of the places of tourist attraction in Leh include Leh Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Stok Palace, Hemis National Park and Shanti Stupa. The best season to visit Leh is during September and October as the landscapes come alive.

Enroute to a Monastery in Leh

Thiksey Monastery

• Nubra Valley – It takes around 4-5 hours to cover 120 km and reach Nubra valley from Leh via Khardung-La pass. Located at an elevation of 5,359 m, Khardung-La pass is the highest motorable pass of the world and is mostly covered with snow throughout the year. Apart from being a visual retreat, Nubra valley also offers camel safari and quad biking at one of the world’s highest deserts. Hunder Sand Dunes, Diskit Monastery, Yarab Tso Lake, Samstaling Gompa and the villages of Tuktuk and Panamik are some of the places to visit in Nubra Valley.

Nubra Valley

• Pangong Lake – Pangong Tso, or Pangong Lake is located at an elevation of 4,350 m and offers crystal clear view of the water. The length of the lake is 12 km and it lies between India and China with its broadest point at 5 km. The salty water of the lake doesn’t allow aquatic animals to survive in this water body. The beauty of Pangong Lake is enhanced by low to high peaks, pristine blue waters, and large areas of land that surround it. The temperature in this region is very cold and ranges between -30 to -10 degrees. This further leads to the freezing of the lake into thick ice sheets, which is pretty contrary to salt dominated water bodies. An interesting feature of this lake is that it changes colour at times from blue to green and even grey. Migratory birds often make their way to this lake during winters owing to its brackish nature. ‘ Three Idiots’, a well-known Bollywood movie also shot its climax at Pangong Lake.

Glimpses of Pangong Lake

• Hanle Village – Located in the Hanle river valley, the village has quite many inhabitants. This hidden gem is a large historic village in the region of Ladakh and requires the permission of Government for entry. It takes usually 1-2 days to get the permission sanctioned. The village is only allowed to be visited by Indian citizens and is strictly under supervision. Hanle Observatory or Indian Astronomical Observatory is one of the highest sites of astronomical observation in the world and is near to the border of China. The village is also home to the Hanle Monastery. The fastest route include the road which runs through the Hanle valley from Loma.

On the way to Hanle

• Tso Moriri Lake – Lake Moriri or the Tso Moriri lake is a brackish mountain lake located in the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh. The area of the lake falls under the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve and is protected by the authorities. It is the largest high altitude lake in India with an elevation of 4,522 m and is fed by glacial deposits and springs. Most of the water flows into the lake from north and southwest directions. Tourists mostly visit the lake during summers while the adjacent areas are accessible year-round. On the western bank of the lake lies a 400-year-old Karzong Monastery. Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from all across the globe come to visit the Monastery. The Karzok also provides accommodation to its visitors.

Tso Moriri Lake

- Meenakshi Majumder