The presence of the mighty Himalayas has placed India on the world map as one of the most beautiful holiday destinations. How about visiting this thrilling part of India, adorned like the crown, with white glittering jewels of Himalayan snow? Ladakh is a part of the barren landscape and has the title of being the world’s highest motorable pass. It is a land of jagged peaks which is alluring. The extremities and harsh climate of Ladakh make it a favourite among adventure junkies. The wilderness and overwhelming natural beauty of Ladakh along with the towering mountains and Buddhist simplicity make it distinct from all other destination on Earth.
Ladakh literally means ‘the land of high passes.’ It is bordered by the Himalayas in the south and by Karakoram Range of mountains in the north. The river Indus flows through this mystique land, further dividing his largest province of Jammu & Kashmir into Leh, Nubra, Zanskar, lower Ladakh, and Rapshu. Ladakh has a very tough and rugged terrain which captivates the heart of an adventure sports enthusiast. This land of the moody sky is perched at an elevation of 3000 meters above sea level and it extends in an area of 86, 408 sq km of which mostly remains uninhabited or sparsely inhabited.
Ladakh experiences extreme dry and cold climate. It is the cold desert of India which offers extreme hardship for the tourists. The place experiences summers during the months of August and September. Summers are the perfect time for visiting Ladakh as the temperature is mostly pleasant and temperature swings between 20 to 30 degree Celsius. It is during this time that the valley isn’t misty but clear for witnessing the spectacular view of the magical mountains. Ladakh is accessible by road only in summers. From November to March, winter envelops the valley and due to heavy snowfall, the place becomes inaccessible by road. Even during this time, adventure enthusiasts visit Ladakh for trekking by air.
Given the rough terrain of Ladakh, it is very tough to find easy access to this ancient land. No railway services are available here. It is possible to reach here only via roadways or airways.
The Ex-Buddhist kingdom is the adobe of peace and tranquillity. This arid part of Himalayas has a spiritual breeze flowing as the colorful fluttering flags share their message to the mountains. Picture-perfect gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries) dramatically crown rocky outcrops amid whitewashed stupas and mani walls, Prayer wheels spinning clockwise everything resonates with the aura of the mountains and fills the valley with the magical breeze.
Situated on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh region is the most popular tourist destination in Ladakh. The place is famous as a camping site and for the natural scenic beauty of the breath-taking lake. This is the same site where the famous Bollywood movie 3idiots was shot.
This is the true beauty of Ladakh. Zanskar Valley is the most amazing destination here. Set amidst the desolated Himalayas is this nature’s paradise where the steep terrain covered with snow reflects the sky. The place is known for River rafting in Zanskar River. The valley can be visited only from June to September when the roads are cleared off the snow.
Who can forget this celebrated battlefield of Kashmir? Kargil is the second largest town of Jammu & Kashmir and is situated on the bank of river Indus. The place is paradise for adventurers looking for trekking and mountaineering.
This is the world’s highest motorable road and it is the gateway to the spectacular Nubra and Shyok Valley. The tri-armed Nubra Valley is famous for its two-humped camels.
The above-mentioned destinations are just a peek at the treasure of Ladakh, the real wealth lies in experiencing this and other enthralling and challenging destinations like – Magnetic Hill, Spituk Gompa, Hemis National Park among others. The beauty of the valley is eye and soul pleasing. Visit this mysterious land to experience the magic of the mountains.
