Search
Home » Destinations» Ladakh

Ladakh - The Mesmerising Beauty Of Nature Unleashed

31

Ladakh, situated on the banks of the Indus river, is a noted and famous tourist destination in India. The union territory of  Ladakh was formally a part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, from 1947 until 2019. Now Ladakh has become a separate administrative unit. It is also known as the last Shangri La, Little Tibet, the Moon Land, or the Broken Moon. Apart from the capital city, Leh, some of the prominent spots in proximity to the region are Alchi, Nubra Valley, Hemis, Lamayuru, Zanskar Valley, Kargil, Pangong Tso, and Tso Kar & Tso Moriri.

Beautiful lakes and monasteries, mesmerising landscapes, and mountain peaks are some of the attractive features of this place. The common languages spoken in the state include Ladakhi, Purig, Tibetan, Hindi, and English. Ladakh rests at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level, between two of the world's prominent mountain ranges, the Karakoram and the Himalayas. Additionally, parallel ranges of Zanskar and Ladakh surround the valley of Ladakh.

A Peep Into Its History

It is believed that Ladakh was originally a drowned portion of a large lake, which, owing to several geological chances over the years, became the valley of Ladakh. Now a prominent state of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh was ruled by the successors of the kings of Tibet during the 10th century. The reign of the Himalayan kingdom reached its peak under King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century. Later in the 18th century, Ladakh and Baltistan were included in the region of Jammu & Kashmir. After the partition of India in 1947, Baltistan became part of Pakistan.

Famous Tourist Places In And Around Ladakh

Buddhism is the dominant religion of the region, and monasteries or gompas are a major feature in Ladakh’s list of attractions. Hemis Monastery, Sankar Gompa, Matho Monastery, Shey Gompa, Spituk Monastery, and Stanka Monastery are some of the most noted monasteries of the region. Apart from this, the Thiksey Monastery and Tsemo Monastery are also worth a visit.

Festivals Of Ladakh

Festivals like the Galdan Namchot, Buddha Purnima, Dosmoche, and Losar are celebrated with great pomp throughout Ladakh and many tourists flock to the region during this time. The Dosmoche Festival, wherein monks perform dances, offer prayers, and perform rituals to keep away ill fortune and evil spirits from the region, extends over two days.

One of the most important festivals of Tibetan Buddhists is the Saka Dawa which celebrates Gautama Buddha’s birth, Buddhahood, and the death of his mortal body. It is celebrated in the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, usually May or June, and festivities generally last for the whole month. Tourists can hire taxis or rent bikes to explore the region. People visiting the place generally travel in their own vehicles as it is more convenient.

Some Travel Information

Owing to the rough terrain of the region, it is suggested that travellers carry spare parts of their vehicles, as it could prove helpful in case of emergencies. Various restaurants and hotels serving thupkas or soup noodles and momos or dumplings can be found throughout the region.

Best Time To Visit Ladakh

Tourists can plan a trip to Ladakh anytime between May and September. Weather is pleasant during this time and temperatures do not exceed 33° C.

How To Reach Ladakh

Travellers planning a trip to Ladakh can reach the destination via air, rail, and road.

Ladakh Weather

Best Season / Best Time to Visit Ladakh

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • July
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

How to Reach Ladakh

  • By Road
    Ladakh can be accessed by road from Jammu and Srinagar. Manali to Ladakh by the Rohtang Pass, which opens between July and September, and Srinagar to Ladakh by Zoji La Pass, which opens between June and October, are the two roads that connect the three cities. The Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation or JKSRTC and Himachal Road Transport Corporation or HRTC provide bus facilities to Ladakh. Travellers can also travel to the place by taxis or hires jeep.
    Search Direction
  • By Train
    The nearest railway station to Leh is the Jammu Tawi railway station, which is located at a distance of 712 km from Ladakh. The Jammu railway station is connected to the other major cities of the country such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai to name a few.
    Search Direction
  • By Air
    Ladakh Airport is the nearest air base to the destination which is connected to important cities of the state. However, Jammu Airport is the major air base in Jammu & Kashmir which is well connected to major cities of the country like New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai to name a few. The Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, connect Ladakh internationally as well.
    Search Direction