Leh Ladakh - My favourite travel destination in India

 

Camping in Rishikesh might be the perfect vacation for some people but not me.

 

Ladakh is one of those places that can make an ordinary photographer feel like a professional. And that’s simply because no matter where you point and shoot, you are bound to get a picture-perfect frame. But it’s not just the scenic and visual beauty of the place that makes people fall in love with Ladakh. There is an inexplicable calm in being surrounded by nature’s unabashed beauty; an overwhelming sense of surrender to the vastness that lies all around you.

Nubra Valley

A desert is probably the last thing one expects while planning a trip to Ladakh but there it is. The sand dunes of the Nubra Valley offer the tourists a very much Arabian Nights like experience. The famous two-humped camelsare also found in the region and are often the highlight of the trip for those interested in animals.

The beauty of the Nubra valley is that it allows you to look over the Indus valley in the south and the mountain ridges of the Zanskar. You will get to see some rare and interesting plantations, quaint hamlets and high altitude desert landscapes.

Lamayuru Monastery

Ever wondered why the sky looks so beautiful when seen in movies but not from your home? This place shows you how being in the lap of nature and away from all the hustle of the city can let you have one of the best nights of star-gazing in your life.

It is one of the oldest and largest monasteries of Ladakh, located approximately 127 kms from Leh. You will love seeing the beautiful caves carved out of the mountains at the monastery.

Pangong Lake

Remember the breathtakingly beautiful lake from 3 Idiots where Chatur lost it all? It’s the Pangong-Tso lake that traverses the international boundary stretch from India to Bhutan.

To visit this lake which is the world’s highest brackish lake at 14,256 feet (above sea level), you’ll have to undertake a 160 km journey from Leh. The topography is harsh but breathtaking. Once you finally arrive at the Pangong Lake, you will be lost in seeing the deep mesmerizing blue color.

Zanskar Valley 

The Zanskar mountain range covers an area of 7000 sq. kms and is without a doubt, one of the most desolate places in the Himalayan range. The tributaries of the Zanskar River are famous for seasonal white river rafting.

The trek over the Zanskar river is the most popular one and is often undertaken in large groups by adventure enthusiasts. The Chadar trek is generally taken in November when the river is frozen and safe to trek on while the rest of the surroundings are still friendly enough to let you survive.

Shanti Stupa

 Did you know, the Shanti Stupa was enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself? It has relics of Buddha at its base. It’s amazing to know that the Shanti Stupa was built to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism.

It also offers panoramic views of the landscape around it.  The nighttime view is even better and a little meditation besides the Stupa might help you get what you came here for.