A barren landscape of incredible beauty is what people seek when visiting Ladakh Tours in India, and this enigmatic region does not disappoint. The surroundings of Ladakh are dominated by jagged, barren mountains. Historically, the region is an ancient Buddhist kingdom, which is still filled today with picturesque Tibetan Buddhist monasteries called gompas, and colorful prayer flags containing spiritual messages. To visit Ladakh Tours in India is to experience its deep-rooted spirituality.
Politically, the Ladakh region is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India. Geographically, it is part of a region known to the world as the Trans-Himalayas, a land that spans Tibet, Xinjiang, and northern Pakistan. While the population of Ladakh is almost equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims, most of the tourist attractions are related to Tibetan Buddhist culture. Thus, visitors will spend most of their time in eastern Ladakh, near the Chinese border.
Here are the must-do activities in the Ladakh region of India:
EXPLORE PANGONG TSO (LAKE)
Pangong Tso (Lake) is a saltwater lake, around 160 km far located in eastern Ladakh at an altitude of about 4250 meters. One third of this lake lies in India and the other is part of China. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ladakh.
It is a beautiful lake with crystal clear blue water. Spending a few minutes sitting by this pristine lake calms the mind and gives a sense of peace and tranquility. This is the reason why Pangong Tso Lake tops the list of Ladakh tours in India. And because it has been featured in the blockbuster Bollywood movie ‘Three Idiots’. Many tourists can be seen taking selfies at the very spot where the climax scene of this movie was shot.
TAKE THE ROAD TO KHARDUNG LA
Experience a bike or motorbike adventure on the world’s highest road. If you are looking for a nerve-wracking adventure to add spice to your Ladakh tours In India, the Kahrdung La Pass is a perfect choice. The Khardung La Pass in Ladakh is known to be the world’s second highest motorable pass (After Umling la pass 5798 m), located at a height of around 5602 meters. The moment you reach the top and read the signs that read ‘Khardungla Top – the world’s highest road’, a great sense of accomplishment sets in immediately. If you are an adrenaline junkie, your Ladakh trip will be incomplete without this bike or motorbike adventure!
EXPLORE LEH ROYAL PALACE
For history lovers, one of the essential things to do on a trip to Ladakh is to visit the Leh Royal Palace. The historic Leh Royal Palace was built in the 17th century by Sengge Namgyal as a residence for the erstwhile royal family. The magnificent architecture of this nine-storey palace bears similarities to the Tibetan architecture of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. This palace is simple yet striking at the same time. For tourists who love visiting historical monuments, visiting this palace will be an incredible experience. The palace also has a museum filled with historical paintings, antiques and other extraordinary artifacts.
The palace is very easily accessible as it is located just about 2 km away from the main town of Leh. Visits are allowed from 9 am to 4 pm.
THE CHADAR TREK IN ZANSKAR RIVER
If you are curious about the adventurous activities in Ladakh, the Chadar trek is a must-do on your list. This is a winter trek and the best time to do it is in the month of February. This trek takes place on the Zanskar River which is frozen during this time of the year. This trek is around 62 km long and takes 8 to 10 days to complete. It is one of the most popular activities in Ladakh during the winter season. It is not an easy trek and requires a lot of preparation. The difficulty level is very high and the unpredictable weather conditions can create huge challenges for those who choose to do this trek.
Although it is tough, it is one of the most popular choices for adventure lovers and those who wish to enjoy the scenic beauty of the snow-capped fringes of Ladakh. Most of the Ladakh tour in India designed for hilly winter adventures include this, Trek.
MAGNETIC HILL
If the idea of witnessing magic excites you, then one of the most exciting things to do in Ladakh is to visit this magical magnetic hill. This hill is located 30 km from Leh city. This road is believed to have strange anti-gravitational magnetic abilities. When the car is parked in neutral on this road, it starts climbing the slope on its own at a speed of about 20 km/hour. Every year, many travelers come to this hill to witness and record this magical phenomenon. It is still debatable whether the hill has magnetic abilities or it is just an optical illusion.
GAZE AT THE MOON AND STARS
If you are traveling as a couple, one of the best things to do on a Ladakh trip is overnight camping. Camping at night can be an amazing experience in Ladakh. The most famous camping in Ladakh includes the Nubra Valley, bordering Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri.
The beauty of the night sky in Ladakh cannot be described in words. The sky is filled with countless stars and you can see the Milky Way belt. If you are a couple looking for a mesmerizing night adventure, this could be the perfect experience for you. Most of the Ladakh packages for couples include overnight camping by the lake.
VISIT DISKIT GOMPA MONASTERY
For tourists who wish to experience the serenity of being in a Buddhist temple, visiting Diskit Monastery is one of the must-do things to do on a Ladakh trip. It is one of the most popular monasteries in Ladakh. It was built around the 14th century. It is the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery located in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh. This monastery is popular mainly because of the huge 30 meters Maitreya Buddha statue at the top. The Maitreya Buddha statue took 6 years to build and was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. This statue is believed to be a symbol of protection and peace.
This monastery is located about 125 km from the center of Leh city. It has beautiful architecture both outside and inside. The interior walls are full of eye-catching illustrations of Buddhist deities. The panoramic view of the valley from inside the monastery is breathtaking. Visiting this beautiful monastery is one of the best things to do in Ladakh.
EXPLORE LOCAL MARKETS
Wandering around the streets and local markets can be one of the most wonderful things to do in Ladakh. One of the most popular markets in Ladakh is the “Main Bazaar” located in Leh. In this bazaar, you can find most of the famous products like silver jewelry, Himalayan Pashmina shawls, Tibetan handicrafts, Ladakhi jewelry and carpets.
If you are specifically looking to buy Tibetan clothing, artifacts and handicrafts, then “Moti Bazaar” is the place to go. It is located a little away from the main city but the products you can find here are of very good quality.
ENJOY SPECIALTIES LADAKH Tours in India
One of the things to do in Ladakh is to try the local specialties. The traditional cuisine of Ladakh has its roots in Tibet. Popular Tibetan-influenced dishes include Momos (wheat dough stew stuffed with minced meat, vegetables or potatoes), Thukpa (vegetable and noodle soup), Skyu (wheat dough stew) and Tingmo (Tibetan bread).
Momos are considered to be the most delicious dish in Ladakhi cuisine. They are fritters filled with minced meat, a vegetable like cabbage and potatoes. Momos are served hot with a spicy red chili sauce. Those who love spicy food must try this dish. Those with a sweet tooth will be delighted with the jam made from locally grown apricots.
Apart from the local dishes, one must try the famous Yak Cheese, also known as ‘Chhurpi’. Yak cheese is made from the milk of yaks and tastes similar to ricotta from Italy. When it comes to drinks in Ladakh, one must try Butter Tea, which is made from yak butter, water, tea leaves and salt. This is a traditional tea of Tibet that is enjoyed by the locals and is also served to guests as well as at Tibetan weddings.