10 Best Places to Visit in Ladakh
Ladakh is the best tourist place that offers you different shades of nature like the whimsical rivers, the stark mountains, the sparse yet mesmerizing meadows, the challenging high altitude passes, the exotic lakes, and the moody sky. This destination is a roof of India that honestly needs no introduction. This place is a home for those looking for something great and new each day. Must visit this place to have a great adventure and discover a new meaning for unwavering faith, challenging lifestyle, satisfaction, gratitude, and serendipity. It offers you the chance to redefine thrill, adventure, and most significantly the charm of nature.
Table of Contents
List of 10 Must Visit Places in Ladakh
Magnetic Hill
The famous Magnetic Hill of Ladakh is a hill of Cyclops where automobiles go against the force of gravity and go upwards on the hill when parked at the right place. The hill locates at a distance of 30 km away from the city of Leh on the highway of Leh Kargil at an elevation of around 14,000 feet above sea level. It is one of the most important tourist spots and an almost necessary stopover for tose who traverse to Ladakh.
Pangong Lake
The most well-known tourist spot in Ladakh is Pangong Lake. It is a landlocked lake located at a height of 4350 meters. This lake is also recognized as Pangong Tso. It extends from India to Tibet and is 12 kilometers long. An exceptional feature of this lake is that it never remains blue throughout the day or even a year, rather it alters colors from azure to light blue to grey and green also. The Bollywood film “3 idiots” was shot at this amazing tourist place. The gentle hills, crystal waters, and sublime beauty of Pangong Lake are a unique instance of the charming landscape of the region.
Kargil
Kargil is situated near the Line of Control facing Pakistan –administered Baltistan to the west, and Kashmir valley to the south. Zanskar is a section of Kargil district along with Dras, Wakha, and Suru valleys. This place was at the center of a dispute between Pakistan and India in 1999. It is the shelter to the popular Nun Kun Peaks and has amazing potential for trekking, mountaineering, and skiing.
Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley is located in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir that is at a distance of around 140 km away from Leh. It is popular for the Bactrian camel rides, monasteries, and orchards along with arid mountains in the backdrop. One can reach this valley via Khardung La and it is surrounded by snow-dusted Himalayan mountains. It is also well-known for its Hippophae shrub, popularly recognized as Leh Berry. Bactrian camels were the main source of transportation in the route of silk.
Khardung La
Khardzong La is another name of Khardung La. It is a tall mountain pass in the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir near Leh. It acts as the gateway to Nubra Valley and Shyok. This tourist place is very famous as the highest motorable road in India at 5602 meters elevation. It is an ideal gateway for mountain biking aficionados, peace seekers, and adventure enthusiasts. The pass of this place remains closed from October to May due to snowfall and heavy rains.
Zanskar
Zanskar lies in the Kargil district to the east of Ladakh located in the bewitching Zanskar Valley. This semi-desert area is lined by sparkling clean rivers and snow-capped mountains along with different flora and fauna. The simplest way of getting to Zanskar is from Kargil via Suru Valley. Locally, it is pronounced as Zangskar or Zahar as it is separated from Ladakh by the Zanskar mountain range. This destination is mostly traversed for river rafting and trekking. It is recognized for its raw landscape. The challenging Chadar Trek is the only way of reaching Zanskar during the winter months of December to February.
Shanti Stupa Ladakh
The Shanti Stupa Ladakh in Leh is a beautiful white-domed Buddhist monument situated atop a steep hilltop at an amazing height of 11,841 feet. As it holds the relics of Buddha, it is a spiritual place for the Buddhists. Also, it is famous among travelers as it provides a sweeping sight of Leh and the nearby Changspa village.
Hemis National Park
The Hemis National Park is situated at an altitude ranging between 3,300 and 6,000 meters above the level of the sea. It is sheltered to rare snow leopards. This national park is recognized as the highest one in the whole world. It is the biggest national park in South Asia as well. It is discovered in 1981 and it is a site to six villages offering houses above 1600 residents. This park is also perfect for hiking and trekking options.
Leh Palace
The Leh Palace is now considered as a 17th-century former royal palace. It is one of the great attractions in Leh. It is constructed under the patronage of King Sengge Namgyal. This nine-storey dun-colored palace now shelters a prayer room and a museum. The highlight of this palace is the surrounding Zanskar mountain and the sweeping sight of Leh from the rooftop. With a lot of ancient Buddha paintings, relics, cutlery, and old utensils, the beauty of the Leh Palace still stand in pride. This majestic Leh Palace is currently under the Archaeological Survey of India that is operating on renovating the ancient architectures of that era.
Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri lies in Moriri lake that is between Tibet and Ladakh. It is one of the biggest high altitude lakes in India at an altitude of 4,595 m. It is a twin to the Pangong Lake located in the Changtang region. This stretch of crystal clear, sparkling, alkaline water is available or can access only during the months of summer. For visiting Tso Moriri, an inner line permit is needed. One cannot set up a tent or build anything near this lake as it is declared a Ramsar site. There are a number of birds at Tso Moriri such as the brown-headed gull, the Brahmin duck, the great-crested grebe, and the bare-headed goose.
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