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Places to Visit in Ladakh

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Placed at the base of the mighty Himalayas and the Karakoram mountain ranges, Ladakh boasts of owning a varied yet picture-perfect landscape. Famed as a Buddhist ex-kingdom, there are several tourist attractions in Ladakh. Out of them, Gompas or monasteries are the most popular of all. Also referred to as the ‘Land of High Passes,’ Ladakh has been bestowed with abundant natural beauty, attracting many tourists worldwide. These Ladakh famous places are ideal for honeymooners, family vacationers, and adventure enthusiasts. You can enjoy the pure lakes, rivers, snowy peaks, wildlife, adventure sports, ancient monasteries, wooden handicrafts, food, interact with warm locals, handwoven woolens, and much more.Ladakh’s unique experiences make it a dream destination for all types of travelers. From the high desert of Nubra Valley to the serene banks of the Indus River, there are plenty of famous places to visit in Ladakh.

Whether you are a romantic couple seeking tranquility, a solo traveler searching for adventure, or a family vacationer looking for a spiritual retreat; Ladakh has something special for each of you. The Ladakh tourist spots are enriched with beauty, tranquility, spirituality, adventure, and everything a traveler likes to enjoy. While the high mountain passes Khar Dung La throws a challenge to conquer its glamor, the stunning Pangong Lake invites you to enjoy the sheer bliss of nature. In the same way, the famous Hemis or Diskit monastery offers a spiritual treat, all being the best Ladakh tourist places. By booking a customized Ladakh tour package from Leh Ladakh India, you can enjoy all these best places to visit in Ladakh hassle-free.

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Leh

Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is a strategic junction on the ancient Silk Route. Covering an area of 45,110 sq km, it is the second-largest district in the country. The Leh altitude is 11,562 ft, with picturesque landscapes and a profound cultural heritage. Dominated by the majestic ruins of the Leh Palace, this scenic destination offers a glimpse into the royal heritage of Ladakh, with its architecture inspired by the Potala Palace in Tibet. It boasts of being home to several known ancient Buddhist monasteries, each with its unique history and cultural significance. Leh is one of the most visited destinations in Ladakh, and there are several things to do in Leh, including historical and artistic exploration.

Drass

Nestled in the Kargil district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, 60 kilometers to the west, Drass sector is often dubbed as 'The Gateway to Ladakh'. The region first shot to prominence during the Kargil war, when there was an armed conflict between Indian and Pakistani troops. It is situated at an elevation of 10,990 feet and spans across a range from 16000 feet to 21000 feet. It is a starting point for a three day trek to the Suru Valley. The trek passes through some breathtaking highland villages and flower-filled meadows on both sides.

Kargil

Kargil, situated at an altitude of 8,780 feet above sea level, is Ladakh's second-largest town after Leh. The Kargil City, nestled on the banks of Indus (Suru) river, is home to a population of around 10, most of whom are of Dard and Tibetan descent. Despite its small size, this town has a rich cultural heritage, with a significant chunk of the population being followers of Buddhism. It is a transit hub with roads leading to Leh, Padum (Zanskar) and Srinagar. The town also bears the scars of the Kargil war, a testament to the resilience of its people. The Kargil Valley houses several monasteries here that even host several annual festivals, showcasing the vibrant spirit of its inhabitants.

Nubra Valley

Hailed as the high altitude desert of India, Nubra Valley, is nestled towards the northeast of Ladakh at 150 Km from Leh. The tri-armed valley is perched 3048 meters above the sea level and is termed as heaven on earth. Nubra valley is popular for its scenic natural beauty of white sand dunes surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. It is necessary for a tourist to acquire an Inner line permit for entering the valley.

Lamayuru

Located in the western region of Ladakh, amidst mountain backed badlands, is one of the most popular villages and an ideal stopover between the Kargil-Leh route. It is situated around 127 kilometers from the town of Leh. Tourists who visit Ladakh halts in Lamayuru as a rule to visit Lamayuru monastery in this region. Dating back to the 11th century, Lamayuru monastery was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa and belongs to Red-Hat sect of Buddhism.

Stok Kangri

Stok Kangri is the highest mountain in the entire Ladakh Region situated in the Zanskar valley. From the summit of this mountain, one can view the entire valley and surroundings. Also known as trekkers’ hotspot, Stok Kangri is an active trekking place for not just adventure junkies but families as well. It offers medium to challenging trekking trails for people to enjoy while staying in the valley. For those who wish to know what “Stok Kangri Trek” is; it is a complete package of obstacle crossing, climbing up the steep slopes, and enjoying the way up to 20,127 ft. This is a complete Stok Kangri travel & tourism guide that has all the important elements covered to help tourists in achieving what they desire.

Suru Valley

One of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the Ladakh, the Suru Valley forms the foundation of Kargil district. It is nestled in the northeastern foothills of the Great Himalayas, at a height of 3000 meters above sea level. Tourists in large number throng the place to spend their vacation amidst tranquil and picturesque natural beauty.

Shyok Valley

A trip to Shyok Valley is equally memorable and highly enjoyable. People usually stop by at this place while heading towards Pangong Lake from Nubra Valley. Shyok might be a smaller valley but has a great gift of huge mountains and beautiful vistas around it. The valley receives water from the Shyok river that flows through Nubra Valley. Here is a complete guide of Shyok Valley including how to travel, where to visit, and more.

Sarchu

Sarchu is an overnight stopover with tented accommodation on the Manali-Leh highway, on the border of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh in India. It is nestled between the Baralacha La pass to the south and Lachulung La to the north, at a height of 4,290 meters.

Keylong

While it's true that Lahaul and Spiti are distinct regions, it's equally true that Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, is far more than just a pitstop on the way to Ladakh. With its unparalleled beauty, various adventurous activities, and unique cultural experiences, Keylong is a destination that will leave you spellbound. Here is a complete Keylong Travel Guide that will assist you in planning your trip to the "Land of Monasteries" effectively, covering all the essential points to make your journey memorable.

Zanskar

Nestled in the enchanting Ladakh region, the Zanskar range rises majestically to an altitude of 19,700 feet. This awe-inspiring mountain range, a significant part of the Tethys Himalaya, is a natural divide between Kinnaur district and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. Renowned for its remote and rugged beauty, Zanskar Valley remains one of the most isolated regions in Ladakh. It is accessible only by a challenging week-long trek and a grueling 14-hour drive along the uneven paths of the Suru River. This range is a biodiversity sanctuary, boasting a rich variety of flora and fauna that thrive in its pristine environment. However, a new road connecting Padum to Nimmu along the Zanskar River provides a strategic and shorter pathway than existing routes. This enhances the connectivity and economic development in the region.

Padum

Padum, named after Padmasambhava (known as the second Buddha) is the only town in Zanskar and one of the two main capitals of the erstwhile Zanskar Kingdom. Although there is not much of greenery or vegetation around the place but there is an abundance of wildlife here.

phugthal

Phugtal is also known as Phuktal and is a key attraction of Ladakh. It is located on the South-East side of the union territory. The monastery of Phugtal is constructed on the mouth of a cave on a cliff and is considered to be one of the most isolated regions of the union territory. The monastery is believed to be more than 2500 years old.

Jispa

Jispa is located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, at an elevation of almost 10,500ft. It lies at a distance of about 20km from Keylong along the Manali-Leh highway. The village of Jispa, which is located along the River Bhaga, is dotted with several Buddhist stupas which is quite a common sight in the villages of this region.

Hunder

Also referred to as 'the desert in the Sky' the mesmerizing village of Hunder is perched as an oasis surrounded by cold desert and stark Himalayas in Nubra Valley in Ladakh. The village shot to fame after some of the scenes of a song sequence of super hit Bollywood movie of Maniratnam's Dil Se featuring Manisha Koirala and Shahrukh Khan was shot here.

Changthang

Nestled at an altitude of 14,846 ft above sea level, Changthang is a high altitude plateau in the North western Tibet, extending from eastern Ladakh into Tibet. The main attraction of this place is Changpa nomads. It has been listed as one of India’s five ‘bio-diverse regions’.

Diskit

Diskit is a wonderful attraction in the Nubra Valley known for the spectacular Diskit Gompa. The beautiful hamlet is located in the middle of the Nubra Valley, offering matchless experiences to visitors. With just the sound of the gushing Shyok River breaking the silence prevailing in the area, visitors find the desired respite away from the chaotic city life. Decked with historic monasteries, pristine valleys, lovely grasslands, and much more, the place is truly a paradise.

Panamik

Panamik is a beautiful and scenic village in the Nubra valley. This village is popular for its breathtaking view and the hot springs too. Panamik is considered to be the last destination where tourists can visit in this direction because after this village its the Indo-Tibetan border. Panamik is approximately 150 km from Leh and just about 55 km from Diskit- which is the first village at the beginning of Nubra Valley.

Turtuk

Turtuk is a treasure of beauty situated in the northernmost part of India. It is located in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh region and is a well-known village parted by the Shyok River. This village is perched at 205 km from Leh and snuggled on the bank of Shyok River.

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