August 3rd, 2018 by OYO Team

Planning to have a journey of a lifetime? Want to go to an incredible and unexplored place? Well, Ladakh is your answer!

Perched amidst two of the world’s most majestic mountain ranges—the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram; Ladakh is abundant with breathtaking views. From the scenic beauty to the unique culture, there are a plethora of things you can explore in Ladakh. Here is a list (in reverse order) of the top 10 things you should never miss on a trip to Ladakh.

10) Visit the Highest Salt Lake of the World: Pangong Lake

Situated at 4350 metres above the sea level, Pangong Lake offers some of the best views of Ladakh. An important breeding ground for a variety of birds, the lake remains frozen in winters. A five-hour drive from Leh, the journey through the beautiful mountain roads to the lake is itself a lifetime experience.

9) Savour your Taste Buds

Ladakh is not only popular for its natural beauty, but also for a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes. Here are some of the must-try Ladakhi cuisines:

  • Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup)
  • Dumplings (momos)
  • Pava (boiled peas mixed with barley)
  • Chalak (a mixture of tea, butter, sugar and tsampa)
  • Khambish (wheat flour bread)

8) Be on The Top at Khardung La

Serving as the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra Valleys, Khardung La is the world’s highest motorable pass. With Ladakh range spreading towards the south and the Karakoram range to the north, the road offers a picturesque view from the top.

Tip: While riding through Khardung La, do not forget to get clicked beside the board highlighting—World’s Highest Motorable Road.

7) Experience Serenity at The Oldest and Largest Buddhist Monastery: Diskit Monastery

Situated on a hill of 10,315 ft above the sea level, the Diskit monastery has an impressive statue of Maitreya Buddha that scales up to a height of 106 ft. The mesmerising aura of the monastery is decorated with the images of fierce guardian deities. Apart from this, there are many other age-old monasteries located in Ladakh.

6) Visit Tsomoriri Lake

Located in the Rupshu Valley, Tsomoriri Lake is no less than a heaven for both the wildlife lovers and photographers. The hills rising to an altitude of 6000 m offer the best views to be captured on your camera. The wildlife lovers can glee to be among 34 species of birds and may get lucky to spot a snow leopard or a Tibetan wolf.

5) Feel Like a Royal at Royal Leh Palace

A nine-storey structure, the Royal Leh Palace provides a panoramic view of Ladakh from the top. The heavenly surroundings comprise of the Zanskar Range and Indus Valley. The palace houses a museum that gives you a peek inside the heritage of Ladakh. Apart from the exquisite collection of royal ornaments, ceremonial dresses, and imperial crowns, you can also explore the 450-year-old Chinese thangka or sooth paintings.

4) Explore Nubra Valley

Originally known as Ldumra, which means the valley of flowers, today, Nubra Valley is an arid mountain region. The only vegetation can be seen along the river bed of Nubra (river). Remaining cold during January to April, the best time to visit Nubra is from April to August. Apart from tourists, these months bring blooming apricot trees along.

3) Watch the Sangam of Zanskar and Indus River

About 30 km west of Leh, the meeting point of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers is a magnificent sight. The green water of the Indus meeting the muddy water of the Zanskar is a sight to behold. While you watch this amazing conflation, do not forget to capture the view in your camera.

2) Experience The Cold in Drass Valley

Drass Valley is the second coldest inhabited place in the world with the temperature going as low as -40ºC as the winters begin. The whole region remains snow-capped even in the late autumn and early spring, and suffers frequent snow storms.

1) Get Involved in Adventurous Activities

A storehouse of adventure, Ladakh offers a good number of adventure sports to explore—mountaineering, jeep safari, trekking, cycling, yak safari and river rafting are some. The high mountain ranges, scenic trails, expansive lakes, deep valleys and high passes add to the joy of the adventure.

Words can’t do justice to the beauty of the Ladakh. Come, experience and make your own story at this enchanting land of mountains.

 

 

About OYO Team

We’re people who love to travel and it’s a pleasure to share our experiences from around the world with you here. You’ll see our favourite destinations, quirky stays and budget stay. Also the best wedding banquet halls and the most lit party destinations. You’ll also find insightful opinions about why we travel in the first place and what it’s really like out there. Enjoy the blog and please tell us what you think - feedback welcome!