Ladakh, or ‘Land of High Passes,’ is a high-altitude cold desert in the northernmost region of India. It is famous for its enchanting landscapes, vibrant monasteries, high mountains and passes, adventure, and pristine lakes.
Ladakh Tourism is a perfect pleasure for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Earlier, Ladakh was part of Jammu and Kashmir state, but on October 31st, 2019, it was declared a separate Union Territory.
Blessed with dramatic lofty landscapes, Ladakh boasts some of the highest mountain passes in the world, such as Khardung La Pass(5359m), Chang La Pass (5360m), and Marsimik La (5582m). You can also enjoy the beauty of mesmerizing alpine lakes, including Pangong Tso (4350m) and Tso Moriri Lake (4522m).
Ladakh is divided into three central regions- Leh, Nubra, and Zanskar Valley. Furthermore, Ladakh has two central districts, Leh and Kargil.
Ladakh Tourism is also famous for its thrilling adventure activities. It is a famous trekking destination offering a Frozen river trek called Chadar Trek. It is also home to other travel activities such as motorbiking, camel safari, rafting, mountain climbing, etc. Besides adventure, you can also enjoy colorful festivals here and taste the local delicacies such as momos, thukpa, and butter tea.
The best time to visit Ladakh is during the summer season, from May to September when the weather is pleasant and favorable for traveling.
Ladakh tourism-Perfect land for adventure
Ladakh Tourism is best For adventure addicts, a haven that gives them immense opportunities to enjoy a thrill amidst the cold desert. Trekking through the high mountain passes with snow peaks in the background is a unique and adventurous experience to remember. From bike riding to camel safaris, jeep safaris, mountaineering to cycling, is a place full of activities.
For rafters who are professionals and love to thrill in water, you can enjoy rafting at Sangam Point, which is the confluence of two rivers-Indus and Zanskar. The cost is Rs. 1000 per person for long-distance rafting.
You can also visit Nubra Valley, where you will find double-humped Bactrian camels for camel riding. The largest city of Ladakh is Leh, which is a town blessed with scenic attractions, Buddhist monasteries, and markets where you can enjoy the trip, witness the local culture, and shop for local stuff.
For more thrill and fun, you can explore the passes , such as Khardung La and Chang La, which are the highest motorable passes in the world.
Ladakh Geography
Ladakh is the largest northern region of India Today, covering about 60,000 square miles, and is surrounded by some of the highest mountain passes in the world.
Spread along northwest to southeast direction, the great Himalayas separate Kashmir from Ladakh. The valley stretches at an altitude of around 11,350 feet, and some of the surrounding mountain peaks spread at a height of 22 500 feet above sea level.
Running in the same direction, the Zanskar mountain range encloses the Zanskar River valley. The east of the Ladakh range forms the Indus River valley. In contrast, to the northeast, the Karakoram mountains form the eastern boundary of the Nubra Valley.
The altitude of these mountain ranges prevents rain clouds from crossing Ladakh, which is why the region receives only 5 cm of rainfall every year. The temperature remains about 20 degrees in summer, while in winter, it drops to about -20 degrees sometimes.
The Indus River flows through Ladakh and the 30-mile (50 km) stretch of the Indus River valley between Spituk Gompa and Hemis monastery in Ladakh.
Ladakh Tourism – Top Places To Visit
Ladakh Tourism is blessed with sparkling snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear blue lakes, vast green meadows, and cascading rivers. Also known as the Land of High Passes, also home to monasteries, mountain passes, and ancient royal palaces. From nature to religion to adventure, Ladakh Tourism offers all. Here are some of the top places which you can visit on your Ladakh trip.
Leh
Leh is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Ladakh and is the capital city. It is located at a height of 11,562 feet and features picturesque landscapes and rich cultural history. Whether you are a nature lover, history seeker, or adventure freak, Leh has something for all.
For history lovers, Leh Palace and Shanti stupa are ancient monuments rich in cultural heritage. Numerous sightseeing places in Leh are worth visiting, such as Magnetic Hill, Sangam Point, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Hall of Fame etc.
For religious trips, leh is a perfect place blessed with various Buddhist monasteries such as Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Alchi Gompa, and many more. These monasteries represent local culture, and you can enjoy festivals and old collections of books and artifacts.
Leh is a haven for adventure freaks with several opportunities for activities such as trekking, rafting, mountain biking, jeep safaris, etc. Leh is also home to rich flora and fauna such as snow leopard, Tibetan gazelle, and Ibex.
Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley in Ladakh is famous as a high-altitude cold desert with a height of 3048 meters above sea level. The valley is renowned for its cold climate and picturesque dunes surrounded by snow-clad mountains.
Nubra Valley is situated 150 km from Leh and is connected by Khardung La Pass to Leh. This place is a top tourist attraction, with Diskit Monastery and Hunder Valley as its prime attractions. Hunder village is famous for double-humped Bactrian Camels where you can enjoy camel safari. Diskit village is another nearby attraction that is home to Diskit Monastery, where a 32-foot-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha rests.
The hot spring of Panamik is one of the best attractions in Nubra Valley.
Pangong Lake
Pangong Tso is a high-altitude landlocked lake in Ladakh situated at a height of 4350 meters above sea level. The lake is 12 kilometers in length, extending from India to Tibet. The name of the lake is derived from the Tibetan word’ Pangong Tso’, which means ‘high grassland lake.’
The lake is known to change colors from blue-green to red at different hours of the day. It is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes. It is famous for its serene beauty, changing colors, and picturesque green landscapes.
A permit is required to visit Pangong Lake as it is located on the Indo-Tibetan border.
Zanskar Valley
Popular for its frozen river/Chadar trek, Zanskar is a three-forked valley that lies between the Himalayan and Zanskar mountain ranges. Located at an altitude of 19,700 feet above sea level, the valley is a perfect spot for nature and adventure lovers. Zanskar is a sub-district of Kargil and is blessed with snow-capped mountains, clear rivers, and a variety of flora and fauna.
The valley can be reached only via a week-long trek and a 14-hour drive along the Suru River. Zanskar Valley remains cut off from the rest of the world between November and May due to heavy snowfall. The region also offers several travel activities, such as the Chadar trek, white water rafting, and sightseeing. The presence of some monasteries, such as Phugtal, Stongdey, Karsha, and Sani, add more charm to the beauty of Zanskar.
Drass Valley
It is another place to visit in Ladakh, which is located in Kargil, about 60 km west. Drass Valley is famous for being the world’s second-largest, coldest inhabited place after Siberia. Situated at the height of 3,280 meters above sea level, Drass has a temperature of -60 degrees in winter, which has earned it the name “Indian Siberia.” The valley is the most beautiful attraction of Kargil,
which is full of the natural beauty of snow-clad mountains, beautiful sunrises with sunsets, lush green landscapes, and monasteries. You can also visit nearby attractions in Drass, including Tiger Hill, Drass War Memorial, Mushko Valley etc.
Kargil
Situated at a height of 8,780 feet above sea level, Kargil is one of the two districts of Ladakh with rich cultural history and scenic natural beauty. Located along the banks of the Suru River,
Kargil offers mesmerizing views of lakes, mountains, valleys, and monasteries. Some of the sightseeing places in Kargil include the Kargil War Memorial, Mulbekh Monastery, Suru Valley, etc. You can also enjoy some adventure activities such as trekking, shopping, visiting monasteries, and tasting local foods.
Tso Moriri Lake
Tso Moriri Lake is one of the highest-altitude lakes in India. It is located in the Changthang region of Ladakh. Perched at an elevation of 15,075 feet, the lake is 7 km broad and 19 km in length.
The lake, along with its surrounding places, is protected as the TsoMoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve.
It is considered the highest Ramsar site in the world. Tso Moriri Lake is home to about 34 species of rare birds, such as brown-headed gulls and black-necked cranes, and several mammals, like Himalayan blue sheep, Tibetan Gazelle, Snow leopard, and Tibetan wolves. The lake also houses Korzok monastery, which is a 400-year-old structure that is home to 70 monks.
Tangla Pass
After Khardung La Pass, Thangla Pass is the second highest motorable pass which is situated at a height of 5,358 meters above sea level. The pass offers fantastic views of lush green landscapes surrounded by mighty Himalayan peaks. The best time to visit the pass is from April to June when the roads are open.
Turtuk Valley
Turtuk is a small village in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, which is part of the Shyok River and is situated 205 km from Leh. The town is the most beautiful offbeat destination, which was under the control of Pakistan until 1971. After that, it was under India. The nearby attractions to visit in Turtuk are Nubra Valley, Siachen Glacier, and Shyok Valley. A permit is required to visit Turtuk Valley as it is situated close to the border.
Explore Ladakh Tourism & Local Culture
Ladakh Tourism is bestowed with a rich culture influenced by Tibetan and Buddhist culture. A significant part of the culture is the Buddhist monasteries, which represent cultural harmony and local traditions.
The language spoken by local people is Urdu, ladaki, Tibetan, and Balti which shows a blend of various cultures. With its rich cultural history,features folk music and dance, which you can witness at festivals.
One of the most famous dances is the Chham dance, which is a masked dance performed by monks during various festivals. Tibet influences the cuisine of Ladakh, and it has famous dishes such as momos, skyu, thukpa, and butter tea. The costumes of Ladakh are also exciting. Men typically wear a long woolen robe, called Goucha, in the local language. Women wear a similar robe called Kuntop and Bok.
Ladakh’s Top Monasteries
The desert of Ladakh tourism is home to hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, of which a few are famous among tourists. Below are some popular monasteries which you can visit on your Ladakh trip.
Hemis Monastery: Hemis Monastery is one of the wealthiest and most prominent monasteries in Ladakh, situated 45 km to the south of Leh. Constructed by King Sengge Namgyal, the prime attraction of the monastery is the copper statue of Buddha with stupas made of silver and gold, Thangkas (Buddhist paintings), and ancient murals.
Hemis Monastery belongs to the Dugpa Kargyupta or Red sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is visited the most during the annual Hemis festival. It is a two-day event held in June dedicated to the birth of Guru Padmasambhava.
Lamayuru Monastery: It is one of the oldest monasteries of Ladakh, founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, who came to this place for meditation in the 11th century. Also known as ‘Tharpa Ling,’ meaning the ‘place of freedom,’ Lamayuru monastery is home to 150 monks and houses a rich collection of wall paintings, Thangkas, artifacts, statues, and an 11-headed 1000-eyed image of Chenzing. The monastery belongs to the Red Hat sect of Buddhism, attracting visitors through its scenic landscapes.
Yuru Kabgyat is a two-day famous event celebrated in Lamayuru Monastery, where you can witness masked dances and rituals performed by monks. The best time to visit the monastery is between June and September.
Likir Monastery: Likir Monastery is one of the well-maintained and old monasteries of Ladakh, situated 52 km from Leh in the beautiful village of Likir. Tsongkhapa built the monastery in the 15th century, and it belongs to the Gelugpa or yellow hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Likir Monastery is famous for its 75-foot tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is gilded in gold. The name ‘Likir’ translates to ‘The Naga Encircled,’ which means the bodies of two serpent spirits, Nanda and Taksako, who guard the monastery. There is a temple named Gonkhang inside the monastery with images of Sakyamuni and Tsongkhapa.
Thiksey Monastery: Located 18 km from Leh at the top of a hill, Thiksey is a Tibetan-style monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The twelve-story monastery is famous for its architecture.
It has a temple with a 15-meter-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, an assembly hall, and is also home to 120 monks. Thiksey Monastery is also called the “Mini Potala of India” as it resembles the Potala Palace of Lhasa in Tibet. The monastery also has several white buildings that are made in hierarchical order. Some other attractions around the monastery are Tara Temple, Lamokhang Temple, nunnery, Library, and rooftop.
Diskit Monastery: Situated 2.5 km from Diskit village, Diskit monastery is the largest and oldest in Nubra valley.
A top attraction in the monastery is the 106-foot-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is believed that Diskit Monastery was the residence of an anti-Buddhist Mongolian demon. Perched at a height of 10,308 feet above sea level, the monastery hosts an annual festival called ‘Dosmoche’(Festival of Scapegoat), which is the celebration of victory of good over evil and also features masked dances and other rituals.
Ladakh weather
The weather in Ladakh remains cold for most of the year, and the best time to visit is summer. The summer in Ladakh begins in June and lasts until September when the climate is pleasant, and roads are open.
The day temperature in summer ranges between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, which is favorable for sightseeing. The winter starts in October and lasts until May in Ladakh when the weather is incredibly chilly. Roads are closed due to heavy snowfall. Visiting Ladakh in winter can be challenging as the roads are covered with snow and the temperature drops to about -0 to -28 degrees.
Permit for Ladakh trip
Both Indian and foreign tourists require a permit to visit some of the protected areas of Ladakh. Inner line permit/Protected Area Permit / Restricted Area Permit is an official travel document that is issued by the local authorities.
These permits are needed for traveling to those places located near the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control between India and China.
Some of the areas that require a permit for tourists to visit are Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri Lake, Turtuk Valley, and many others. The inner line permit is for Indian tourists and is valid for 3 weeks. Restricted area permits are valid for 7 days and are for international travelers.
Ladakh tour packages
Ladakh is a paradise for nature and adventure lovers. This high-altitude cold desert attracts thousands of visitors to its scenic natural beauty, which features snow mountains, verdant landscapes, pristine lakes and rivers, high mountain passes, lush green valleys, colorful monasteries, etc.
Many Ladakh tour packages offer the best services to their clients. The Ladakh trip packages are designed to meet every customer’s needs and choices. The packages include sightseeing, pre-booked accommodations, meals, transport, and other essential services.
You can book budget-friendly or luxurious packages of your choice. The Ladakh trip packages include every kind of package, whether you are traveling with family, a honeymoon package, or a group tour.
On your trip, visit some of the most beautiful attractions and monasteries, such as Leh, Nubra Valley, Zanskar Valley, Leh Palace, Turtuk village, Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Likir Monastery etc. Besides, you can also enjoy trekking, shopping, and rafting on your Ladakh tour.
Best time to visit Ladakh
Ladakh is a cold desert and remains cold throughout the year. However, the climate improves in summer with sunny days and temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
The best time to visit Ladakh is during the summer season, which starts in May and ends in September. During summer, the weather is pleasant, with warm sunny days and mild cold nights. This season is favorable for traveling as roads are open, and you can explore all the attractions of Ladakh.
The winter brings down the temperature from zero to minus 30 degrees. It is the time when the roads get closed due to heavy snow, which makes it inaccessible to reach Ladakh by road. The only way to go is by air.
How to reach Ladakh
Ladakh is accessible by all three means: air, rail, and road. However, the fastest way to reach is by air.
By flight: You can book a flight from any city in India to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport in Leh. After reaching Leh Airport, you can travel by cab, taxi, or bus to explore Ladakh and its attractions.
By road: There are two routes to reach Ladakh by road. One is from the Srinagar-Leh highway, and the other is from the Manali-Leh highway. You can book a cab, private car, or bus from Srinagar and Manali to reach Ladakh.
By rail: Jammu Tawi railway station is the only option to reach by train. After reaching Jammu Tawi, book a cab or shared taxi to visit Ladakh.
Top Tour Packages
Land Of Highpass’s Leh Ladakh Group Package 5 Days
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Best Manali To Leh 9 Days Holiday Package
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- 9 Days
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Its 8 Night 9 Days Ladakh Package starts from Manali 2 nights in Manali and explore 2 nights in Leh 2 Nights in Nubra Valley one Night in Pangong Lake One Night Back to Manali its only for Groups and Family
Leh Ladakh Sightseen Tour for 5 Days
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- 5 Days
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Ladakh tour cost?
The cost depends upon the number of days, mode of travel, and number of persons. The average price ranges between INR 20,00 to 30,000 per person.
How many days are sufficient for the Ladakh trip?
8-10 days are enough for a tour in which you will cover all the local attractions and take part in adventure activities.
Can we see snow in Ladakh in May?
No, you will not find snow in Ladakh in May as it melts in April with the onset of the summer season.
Are card payments accepted in Ladakh?
Yes, you can use cards in some places but it is better to carry cash with you.
Is there any issue of altitude sickness in Ladakh?
Situated at a height of 3,500 meters, there is an oxygen issue. The oxygen levels get low here which causes acute mountain sickness, nausea, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, etc.
Can people from all countries visit Ladakh?
Yes, visitors from all countries can visit Ladakh. The people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Hongkong, and Sri Lanka need permission from the home ministry to visit Ladakh.