Ladakh means “Land of high passes” and lies in the extreme far flung corners of north of India. Near the Indus valley lies the historic city of Leh, capital of Ladakh. Leh is the only city in Ladakh which has decent population count and offers you some basic amenities. Ladakh is surrounded by Kunlun Mountains in the north and The Great Himalayas in the south. It’s the one of the most picturesque but uninhabited place in India.
Ladakh few years back was one of least accessed tourist destinations in the country but of late it has been gaining much popularity, especially among the young and reckless. Ladakh is reachable by road and air route. The drive to Ladakh is an extremely adventurous one with the most picturesque scenes and breathtaking views but challenging with the most difficult terrain and not so perfect roads. It’s a mouth watering journey for road lovers. There are two popular motor able routes, the first is via Manali and Rohtang Pass gives you the most splendid drive, you get to drive between snow capped mountains and free flowing rivers. The second route is through Srinagar is as picturesque as any but capable of giving adrenaline rush even to a daredevil. Both these routes have heavy presence of Army and also have built and maintained by army too and pass through various rivers and passes and each has charm of it’s own. Also, Ladakh is only accessible during summers. The road from Srinagar to Ladakh remains opened from May to October while road from Manali to Ladakh opens only in June and closes in September.
Places to visit in Ladakh:
Leh is a very ancient city, famous for its monasteries and comprises mainly of Buddhist population.
Khardung La is highest motorable road in the world and a must visit place in Ladakh.
Pangong Tso is the same lake where few scenes of the famous movie, 3 Idiots were shot. The lake offers a sight which you can never forget. It’s a blue water lake which extend from Ladakh to Tibet.
Nubra Valley is a high altitude desert which experiences rare precipitation but very prone to landslides. It’s a desert you would never get to see on any planet.
Zanskar: Another isolated but most astonishing place which hasn’t been discovered completely but most expendable place. Zanskar has cities like Kargil, Drass and Siachen which have their importance for war reasons. Zanskar is also famous for its white river rafting in Indus river which is most difficult rafting anyone can encounter.
Ladakh has a variety of flora and fauna. A lot of birds migrate from different parts to Ladakh in summers. Also the camels found here are lot different from those in other countries and are known as Bactrian Camels. Ladakh is full of greenery and different coloured flowers which blossom mainly during the summers. It is also called white desert. The Ladakh trek has so much to offer to anyone’s taste for adventure and a lustful hunger for the grace of natural beauty. If you want to visit this beautiful place then try some of the Leh Ladakh Tour Packages here. I am sure you will find something that will interest you.
Also there are Changthang, Champa, Shyok and Nubra valley with each leaving you spellbound with their scenic beauties where people still live the most nomadic lives.
It’s said you do return from Ladakh but your mind and your soul are left behind thousands of kilometres back in the mountains of wilderness of Ladakh.
Brought back memories of the trip to Leh!
My sis had visited Ladakh and keep insisting me that I should visit Ladakh too…
Now I know why she keeps saying that to me again and again… it is indeed a heaven on earth.
Hi Shalu,
those mountains look really amazing but a bit scary. I think of lonely travelers on these roads and how remote it seems. I think it is definitely worth the trip!
Beautiful place, would love to visist it soonn
Ladakh is an amazing place. I had a very spiritual experience there while photographing.
It is very important to look back and look at the landscape every time you take a turn. The place is amazingly beautiful.
Hi Ashwin,
This is really awesome article…while reading it I was feeling like I am in Ladakh…..
Nobody can forget the 3 Idiots scene …..Pangong TSO is giving really beautiful look.
Next time i will be surely going to Ladakh..wonderful pics and narration too..
It is so beautiful. Hope to visit sometime…
Ladakh is surely a beautiful place. The road from Srinagar, as said, offers breathtaking scenery but is a difficult one.
I have heard a lot about Ladakh, but never got a chance to visit it. The pics are amazing and surely looks like a paradise. Thanks for sharing this great post.
Haha 😀 Remembering the scenes from 3 Idiots and Heroes (if you know that movie). Ladakh has always been a wonderful place for India 🙂
Shalu, is there any ‘best time’ to visit that place? Or is it just the same throughout the year??
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I have not been to Ladakh and always wanted to go. Thanks to you i got a armchair trip 🙂
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Ladakh seems to be quite an awesome place, I have heard a lot about it. Thanks for sharing this great article about this place.
Really It is best option for Tourist to see amazing place like Ladakh. Ladakh is a Heaven on the Earth and You must visit !!
Hi Shalu,
Thanks for a great overview of Ladakh, I haven’t made my way to India yet, but it’s definitly on my list. Now I can add Ladakh to list of Must See’s while I’m there.
Hi shalu,
I am planing to visit to ladakh this year in august itself…can you tel me but what time ladakh is open….
I’d love to visit Ladakh some day, it looks amazing! The photo of Pangong Tso lake is awesome, it makes me wish to be there, on a boat.
Thank you Violeta. Ladakh is a great place to visit in India. Pangong Tso lake is actually breathtaking, thank you for your comment.
I’m looking forward to visit monasteries and great architectural buildings, as well as interesting cultures. I think India is the great place for it.
Pangong Tso is truly a magnificent view that every tourist would love to take a look. Though I haven’t been there I admire the place and its unique landscape. I would like to know more about the people and their culture.
Ladakh is a beautiful golden land rich in tradition and culture,its mountains & monasteries are amazing and it’s people heart warming.
I understand that Ladakh is a very beautiful place…I want to go there very soon…
OFF TOPIC: Hello Shalu this is the 1st time am visiting your blog…my friend @qnapriti informed me about this blog…I dont know how I miss this awesome blog….I must tell you that you are an awesome writer…hats off to you…wish you all the best…
Thank you Shashank for your wonderful comment and welcome to my blog. Hope I will see you here more often. Best wishes to you. Shalu
You are most welcome Shashank and thank you for your comment.
Thanks for your email …I shud try next time…thank a lot once again 🙂
Yup, Ladakh is the most beautiful place on earth. The manali-leh road is a must visit circuit. The best time to visit Ladakh is from June-September but if you are travelling by road August is the best month.
Kashmir is one if the finest natural places to visit in India. if you are a tourist, Kashmir is a MUST MUST for them + people over there are very polite when you go.
Thank you, you gave me new ideas for my blog. I hope this doesn’t bother you that I take up this subject in my next article.Sincerely, Gerard
Nice post…Thanks for a great overview of Ladakh, I haven’t made my way to Ladakh yet, but it’s definitely on my list. Now I can add India to list of Must See’s while I’m there.
I’m researching a bit on Ladakh at the moment and glad I came across this. Very simple and easy to read among the plethora of blogs available on the internet. Thanks!
Ladakh is an dream place for every traveller and i would love to visit it. You have written such a good article.
Decent post… Thanks for an overview diagram of Ladakh, I haven’t advanced toward Ladakh yet, however, it’s certainly on my rundown.
First of all, I want to thank you for this awesome blog.
Actually, I am going to visit in that place but don’t have any clear idea how it is. But your article really helps me.
Thanks again.
Thats a really good guide on Ladakh. I’ll really appreciated if you cover Passes of Ladakh in this guide. Thanks Shalu Ji.
Waoo I am reading most of the Blog Posts about Kargil-Ladakh, and watching videos on YouTube on Kargil Laddakh.
Because Kargil Ladakh is my dream place. I am from Skardu Baltistan Pakistan. Most of my relatives are there in Kargil. 1947 was not only the day of partition, but its divide many families also. It is a bitter truth, after 65 years, still, we cannot meet each other. The Internet is the only source to see them.
this is really nice post we are from local travel company based in ladakh and kashmir thanks for sharing this