I’m in short of words that where and how should I start describing Leh Ladakh because the fascination of Leh Ladakh is so extensive that it can be never be summed up in an article. Leh-Ladakh, this is a word that can evoke the wanderlust in anybody. Tucked amid the verdant green valleys, mind-blowing glaciers, and snow-capped mountain ranges, Leh Ladakh is a dream destination for every tourist. Though you have toured the whole India but haven’t visited Leh Ladakh yet, you haven’t really explored anything. So, today let’s visit Leh Ladakh first and will see the rest of India later. Have a look at the not-to-be-missed places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
Royal Leh Palace
Yes, the land, known for nature’s splendor, also houses a nine-storey high royal palace. Standing against the majesty of Himalayan, Leh Palace spills out the stateliness of King Sengge Namgyal who built it in the 17th century as his royal residence. The interesting thing about this palace is that it portrays a completely different architectural style as compared to the rest of forts & palaces of India because it was built by the Buddhist king. Today, the fort is in a tumbled state but it still reveals the heyday of Buddhism in India showcasing the multitudes of Buddhist artifacts. From the rooftop of the palace, you can have a stupefying view of entire Leh.
Pangong Lake
To give you a clearer picture of Pangong Lake, let’s talk about Bollywood. Remember the climax scene of ‘3 Idiots’ when Kareena confessed her love for Amir? Yeah? Ok, forget it. Now, remember the soul-stirring background of that scene. Yes, that is Pangong Lake. It is located at the altitude of 4350 meters and stretches in a length of 12 km. The most interesting fact about this lake is that the water of this lake keeps changing its colors. If this time you saw Pangong Lake glorified with blue water, maybe next time, you might find it in gray water. That’s truly incredible! Owing to its fascination and magnetism, it is called the heart of Leh. Pangong Lake is one of the most famous places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
- You may also like to know about Famous Lakes of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh
Nubra Valley
Have you ever seen the lush greenery and the sandy deserts located majestically side by side? No? Then, Nubra valley will enchant you. On one hand, the valley is brimmed with the vibrant greenery, trees, and flowers, on other hand, the awe-inspiring sand dunes of sloppy terrain make it look like a desert. The stellar fusion of nature’s splendidness leaves the visitors astonished. To add more amusement to this scenic beauty, the valley is dotted with the pristine rivers and remarkable monasteries. Nubra valley is indeed one of its kind and one of the beautiful places to visit in Leh Ladakh, so must visit this place.
Leh Shanti Stupa
Located on the hill roof of Chanspa, Shanti Stupa is the most splendid monastery in India. The architectural style and sculptures designs of this white-domed Stupa portray the sheer brilliance of craftsmanship of Buddhist. The Stupa was built in 1991 by the Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura to commemorate the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism on the earth. Visit this place and feel the utter tranquility. You can also learn a lot about Buddhism here because it contains the various artifacts of Buddhist culture & history. The Shanti Stupa is especially notable during the moonlight. Because of its white marble adorned with embellishments, it illuminates naturally.
Kargil
How can any Indian forget this word ‘Kargil’? Kargil war is the first thing that hits the mind as soon as we listen this word. So, visit ‘Kargil War Memorial’ and pay homage to our heroes who sacrificed their lives for us. After reaching there, you’ll naturally get the vibes of patriotism. Indian flag keeps waving majestically from all the sides. This is truly a worth capturing scene. After spending some moments here with army Jawans, you can go for the other activities. Kargil is famous for adventurous activities and obviously one of the famous places to visit in Leh Ladakh. Trekking and hiking are the most loved activities of visitor0s in Kargil.
Khardung La Pass
Khardung-La Pass is not a particular place rather it is a road which is believed to be the highest motorable road in the world. Located at the altitude of 18,380 feet, Khardung La Pass leads to Nubra and Shoyk Valleys. If you’re a backpacker and are crazy about the bike trips, a long drive in the highest road of the world will overwhelm you.
Magnetic Hill
Have you ever heard about a place in the world which defies the principles of gravity and is magnetic? Probably not! So, today let’s explore such a place. Yes, the magnetic hill is such a hill in Ladakh that defies the rule of gravity and attracts the things upward towards the hill. It is located at the high altitude of 14000 feet above sea level and is still a fascinating place for human beings. There you’ll see a signboard as well as the boundaries from where magnetism works. Many scientists tried to research this but failed to give the exact reason for this phenomenal activity.
Best Time to visit Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh is a frozen zone, so obviously summers are the ideal time to visit this place. During this season, the weather remains pleasant and also all the routes function smoothly. If you want to enjoy the snow activities, winter is an advisable time for you. Rainy season is strictly avoidable because Leh Ladakh receives heavy rainfall. Landslides and cloudburst are common disasters to happen in Leh Ladakh during this season. So, be in safe side and visit the city in summers.
How to Reach Leh Ladakh
Leh Ladakh is not an inhabited area, so getting there is a bit difficult as compared to other tourist destinations of the country. Places to visit in Leh Ladakh can be explored easily. Airway is the most suitable way to get there. Leh Airport is just 44 km from the main city. And from the airport, you can easily get autos and taxis at any time going to your desired destination. Talking about the railways, the city doesn’t have its own railway station. The closest railway station to Leh Ladakh is ‘Jammu Tawi’ which is more than 700 km from the city, so forget about the railways. This is the most difficult way to get there. Alternatively, you can go by the buses or motorbikes as Leh Ladakh is well connected by the road network.
Tucked into high altitudes, Leh Ladakh is one of the most uncontaminated places on the earth. After reaching here, life seems more beautiful. So, visit Leh Ladakh at least for once in your lifetime and witness the unexplored splendor of nature.
