Best Tourist Attractions of Ladakh
The upper Indus River valley and the Ladakh Range, a southern extension of the Karakoram Range, are located within the roughly 45,000 square miles (117,000 square kilometres) of Ladakh. One of the highest places on earth is Ladakh. High plains and steep valleys make up the majority of its natural landscape.
The most notable features of Ladakh are its beautiful landscapes, clear skies, highest mountain passes, exhilarating adventure pursuits, Buddhist monasteries, and festivals.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions of Ladakh
1.Leh Palace
A vast collection of jewellery, decorations, ceremonial garments, and crowns may be found in the Palace Museum. Tibetan thangka, or paintings, date back more than 450 years and still feature vibrant hues made from crushed and powdered jewels and stones. They also feature elaborate motifs.
The Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh is visible from the erstwhile royal palace known as Leh. In the 17th century, King Sengge Namgyal constructed the palace. The nine-story building’s bottom floors were used as stables and storage areas, while the higher floors housed the royal family.
How to Reach Leh Palace
Leh Palace is conveniently located just 4.5 kilometres from Leh Airport and is accessible by road. A cab can be used to get to Leh.
2.Shanti Stupa
A Buddhist white-domed stupa (chorten) known as Shanti Stupa is located on a mountaintop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in north India.
The Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura constructed it in 1991. The 14th Dalai Lama housed the Buddha’s relics at the base of the Shanti Stupa.
The first of Shanti Stupa’s main characteristics is a hemispherical mound named Anda. The dirt mound that was used to conceal the corpse of Lord Buddha is shown by the domed-shaped Anda with green highlights.
Basic Design of the Stupa is as follows
- The Harmika square railing
- A central pillar supporting the Chattra shape, a trio of umbrellas
How to Reach Shanti Stupa
Nearest Location: Leh
How to reach: You can go by cab/Car up to its entrance
3.Sangam at Nimmu
The Sangam is located along the Srinagar-Leh highway on the way to Leh. At Nimmu, two rivers come together. Here, the emerald waters of the Indus and the brownish waters of Zanskar mix in a sight to behold.
It is a breathtaking sight, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors. If you wish to witness breathtaking natural beauty, it is one of the top 10 locations to visit in Ladakh.
How to Reach Sangam at Nimmu
Nearest Location: Sham Valley
How to reach: It is 33 kms from Leh by road
4.Lamayuru Monastery
A Tibetan Buddhist monastery called Lamayuru or Yuru Monastery is located in Lamayouro, Leh district, Ladakh, India. At a height of 3,510 metres (11,520 feet), it is located on the Srinagar-Leh route, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of the Fotu La.
Lamayuru is well-known for its monastery as well as for its “lunar” setting, which is charmingly marketed to tourists as a “Moonscape”. Even if Lamayuru is not the only place with these fantastically bizarre geological structures, the landscape is nevertheless amazing. The historic Lamayuru monastery was included in the “moonscape.”
How to reach Lamayuru Monastery
Nearest Location:Lamayuru (Leh-Srinagar Highway)
How to reach: It is 116 kms from Leh by road
5.Khardunga La Pass
Due to its location on the main caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia, Khardong La is significant historically. A small population of Bactrian camels may still be seen at Hunder, which is located north of the pass, and the road used to be travelled by about 10,000 horses and camels each year.
Khardung La, which is 18,379 feet above sea level, gives one a sense of being on top of the world. Khardung La, sometimes referred to as the “Pass of Lower Castle,” is the location of many motorbike, car, and mountain biking trips.
How to Reach Khardunga La Pass
Nearest Location: Khardung La Top
How to reach: Can be reached from 40 KM from Leh City Road.
6.Turtuk
The small village of Turtuk is situated in Jammu and Kashmir, India’s Ladakh area. It is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and kind hospitality. The mosque from the sixteenth century is one of the many historical sites there that are worth visiting.
Fruit from Turtuk is well-known, particularly apricots. Up until the war of 1971, Pakistan ruled over Turtuk; nevertheless, the Indian Army eventually took control of the village. Additionally, it serves as one of the entrances to the Siachen Glacier.
How to Reach Turtuk
Nearest Location: Nubra Valley
How to reach: You can reach by Cab/Car. Distance is 205 kms from Leh by road
7.Sand Dunes at Hunder
Ladakh’s Nubra Valley is full of surprises for tourists. The Hunder Sand Dunes, which are roughly 10 km from Diskit village, are where you’ll find one of these surprises. When people think of the desert, they typically image brown sand and one-humped camels, but Hunder will give you a different impression.
When one considers it, it is unfathomable that a desert could exist at such a high altitude. The sight of Bactrian camels with two humps, which help them develop resilience to cold, drought, and high altitudes, is equally startling.
A remarkable experience is having a ride on one of these double-humped camels as they amble around the white sand dunes, past poplar trees that dot the scene, and the relaxing murmur of the River Shyok nearby.
How to Reach Sand Dunes at Hunder
Nearest Location: Nubra Valley
How to reach: You can reach by Cab/Car. Distance is 120 kms from Leh by road
8.Hemis Monastery
In Hemis, Ladakh, India, there is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage. It was restored in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal and is located 45 kilometres from Leh. Early in June, there is the annual Hemis festival in Padmasambhava’s honour.
The richest monastery in India is known for its extensive collection of historical artefacts, including a copper figure of Buddha and gold and silver stupas. Additionally, the monastery houses murals, sacred Thangkas, and other artefacts.
How to Reach Hemis Monastery
Nearest Location: Off Karu, on the Leh-Manali highway
How to reach: Destination is 44 kms from Leh by road
9.Pangong Tso Lake
At a really stunning elevation of 14,270 feet (4,350 metres) above sea level, the lake presents a bizarre view. Notably, Pangong Lake is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes.
Pangong Lake is the world’s highest saltwater lake. Its water, which seems to be coloured blue, stands in dramatic contrast to the parched mountains surrounding it. Extending to over 160km, one-third of the Pangong Lake sits in India and the other two-thirds in China.
How to Reach Pangong Tso Lake
Nearest Location: Tso Pangong, Changthang plateau
How to reach: Destination is 160 kms from Leh by road
10.Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri measures up to 8 kilometres in width and about 29 kilometres in length. Wildlife from a variety of habitats, such as migratory birds, marmots, and occasionally Tibetan wolves, are drawn to Tso Moriri.
One of the most stunning, tranquil, and revered (by Ladakhis) high-altitude lakes in India is Tso Moriri Lake, located in the Changthang region of Ladakh.
How to Reach Tso Moriri
Nearest Location: Korzok Village, Changthang Plateau
How to reach: Destination is 220 kms from Leh by road