Leh Ladakh The mountains are calling.
India a nation known for its rich social legacy which changes state to state. One can see distinctive shades of culture beginning from the Northern tip toward the Southern piece of India. Among the diamonds of the traveler puts in India, LEH LADAKH a standout amongst the most delightful and magnificent place to visit. Arranged in the province of Jammu and Kashmir, extended in a zone of around 45110 km² (Leh), 86,904 km² (Ladakh) which makes it a standout amongst other gutsy visitor puts in India. Renowned for its grand excellence, the slopes, the streets, the stunning perspectives, the Buddhist Monasteries and considerably more. A perspective of various Indian culture can be portrayed plainly by visiting Leh Ladakh, in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Contents
Leh and Ladhak Overview
A town in Leh district that ranges from 2300m to 5000m above the sea level, with a larger area of about 45,110 km² helps it to be known as the largest district in India. Situated with its boundaries of west meeting with POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir), with China in northeastern part and southeastern with the Himalayan range or Lahaul Spiti. Leh reached by traveling 434 km from Srinagar and 474 from the heaven on earth called Manali.
With the height of 9800ft, Ladakh becomes the highest plateau in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Kunlun mountain range in the north and the Himalayan in the south gives Ladakh a home between them. Upper Indus river valley, parts of Himalayan and Karakoram range, subsumed by Ladakh.
The Language which predominated in Leh is Ladakhi. Tourism has influenced the languages and made people learn Hindi & English also. Whereas Ladakh has Ladakhi, Urdu, Balti, and Tibetian are the official Languages of Ladakh. Culture in Leh Ladakh a very attractive factor to visit this tourist place.
The Buddhist centuries that were built centuries ago, leave a great impact on the travelers who visit them. Buddhist culture followed in Leh Ladakh by the people living there.
History of Leh & Ladhak
Leh
Found by a Tibetian Prince whose name was Skyid Ide nyimagon, in the 10th Century. The prince has even made many castles which are now seen as ruined and still add to the rawness of the beautiful place. The Leh palace there, which now a ruined fort is a nostalgic place to visit in Leh. An important stopover for the trade routes between India and China along the Indus valley.
Ladhak
Earlier neighbors used to be – The Baltistan, Indus, Lahaul Spiti, Aksai chin, Nubra valley, and Zanskar valley. Modern neighbors include Baltistan, Lahaul Spiti, Jammu & Kashmir, and Tibet. Ladakh has played an important role in an economy. It was a meeting point for many trading routes until China closed its border with Tibet in the 1960s.
Places to Explore
Royal Leh Palace
A nine storeyed royal palace built in 16th century by King Sengge Namgyal speaks about the history of Leh. Started building in the year 1553 and ended in the 17th century. Its architectural Style Medieval Tibetan architecture. Nevertheless, the grand castle with a library containing 450 years old artifacts in the middle of the hills that provide mesmerizing views of the snowy mountain hills drags travelers to the palace.
Hall of Fame
A hall of pride for every Indian, as it enlightens the names of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives while protecting ours. A wonderful museum, controlled by the Army. Constructed in the remembrance of soldiers who sacrificed their lives during wars
Shanti Stupa
Chandspa’s hilltop the house of the white-domed Buddhist Stupa. This religious place provides an amazing panoramic view of the landscape. Shanti Stupa a stupa of a Buddhist white cave on the hill of Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India. In the year 1991, the Japanese Buddhist monk, Geomoyo Nakamura, and Peace Pagoda were built as a part of the mission. Shanti Stupa based on the remains of Buddha mentioned by the 14th Dalai Lama. This stupa has become a tourist attraction not only because of its religious importance but also a panoramic view of the surroundings.
Pangong Lake
A lake that equilibrates through evaporation another most famous place to visit in Leh Ladakh. More than half of this beautiful lake lies in China, covering an area of about 604 km. A typical feature of the lake that it does not remain blue until the whole year or even the day, rather it turns from blue to light blue and green in color! It has been a tourist attraction for a very long time, and besides being essential for any person traveling to Leh – Ladakh, more popularity has been achieved after ‘Hot Spot’ for shooting many films.
Nubra Valley
The very famous valley of forests, Nurba was formerly called Ldumra (the flowers valley). The Shyok River that meets the Nubra river and forms a large beautiful valley that separates the Karakoram and Ladakh Ranges. Nubra Valley a mysterious place, which situated in the lap of the Himalayas, which is filled with a mysterious culture, which enters the valleys, camel rides, sand dunes, and challenging roads. The Shyok river joins the Nubra river in this charming village, which separates the Majestic Ladakh and Karakoram mountain ranges.
Khardungla Top
Maintained by the Border road organizations, this passes strategically very important to India as it used to supply automobiles and vehicles to Siachen Glacier. It was built-in 1976, its height said to be about 17,582ft. The passage of the Ladakh Range situated in the north of Leh and the gateway to Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen glacier part of the later valley. Built in 1976, it was opened for public motor vehicles in 1988 and since then it has seen many automobile, motorbike, and mountain biking campaigns. Maintained by the Border Road Organization, strategically important to India because it is used for supply in Siachen Glacier.
Tso Moriri Lake
Also called a “Mountain Lake” the largest of high altitude lakes in India with its complete presence in Ladakh. A 26km lake heading towards the south and 3-5 km wide protected with its surrounding as Tso Moriri wetland conservation reserve. Tso Moriri lake in the Changtang area of Ladakh is one of India’s most beautiful, peaceful and holy (for Ladakhis) high lakes. In fact, India’s largest high altitude lake which completely in the Indian territory. This beautiful blue pallet lake is about 7 km wide at its broad point and approximately 19 km long.
Magnetic Hill
Also known as Gravity hill, mystery hill, mystery spot, anti-gravity hill or gravity road a wonder of nature that makes an optical illusion for the traveler that makes the road looks like an uphill when the hill actually going a slight downwards. A gravitational hill, also known as a magnetic hill, Mystery Hill, Mystery Spot, Gravity Road, or Anti-Gravity Hill, a place where the layout of the surrounding land creates an optical illusion, C slopes downhill slope.
Zanskar the Virgin Valley
Lying in the eastern half of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India, the Zanskar ranges its height up to 19,700ft, which are the highest peaks of Himachal. Also a part of Tethys Himalaya. This range even separates the Kinnaur district from Himalayas, India.
Monasteries
Spituk Monastery elevation – 10, 852 ft, also known as Path up Gompa is a Buddhist Monastery in the district of Leh, Ladakh, northern India. The annual Gustor festival held at the Spituk on the 27th day of the Tibetan calendar and celebrated till the 29th day. Thiksey Monastery associated with the Gelug part of Buddhism, located on the hilltop of a village Thiksey and considered to be the largest Gompa in the central Ladakh, India. Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century, and re-established in 1672 by Ladakhi King Sengge Namgyal is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of the Drukpa Lineage in Hemis, Ladakh, India. The mulbekh monastery, Drukpa and Gelugpa Buddhist monastery are the two gompas constituted by the Mulbekh monastery, in Kargil, Ladakh the state of Jammu & Kashmir in northern India.
Moonland
Traveling to Moonland almost traveling to the moon as the local Lamayaru people believe. The place where the mud cliffs shake hands with the blue sea like skies and make the horizon look like the lunar surface. Situated at a distance of 15km east of the famous Fotu La Pass on the Leh Srinagar Highway.
Climate and the best time to visit
Leh Ladakh is a place that never goes off tourism season, every season emits its own kind of vibes, be it adventurous, beauteous, mesmerizing, floral, etc. The trip to Leh Ladakh depends upon the way how you want to experience it.
In the month of June, the Onset of Monsoon is regarded as the opening of the roads to Leh Ladakh. This the time you’ll see the ice-covered mountains shining like crystals.
In the month of July, this is the time when the Biker and photographers will find paradise at Leh Ladakh. By this time all the roads to Leh Ladakh are open like they are inviting us to watch its magnificent beauty.
In the month of September, the Monsoon has gone to sleep by now, so the roads have a more clear way. The glaciers won’t melt now as this is the message of winters that he’s coming. The Pleasant and beautiful barren lands still ask you to come and talk to them.
In the month of October Roads to Leh Ladakh have been closed now, you’ll find the Manali-Leh Highway open but you may find snowy roads. Only the passionate riders and survivors of winters choose to go now.
In the month of November, The lakes are frozen, the roads are closed, they’re lying under the snow sheets. Only if you can fly and reach there, you can go, but it’s already freezing cold on the highest altitudes.
In the month of December to February Winters are now sleeping already and they’ll sleep for these 3 months. Frozen Ice everywhere won’t let you know what’s resting beneath them. The frozen lakes now allow the famous frozen lakes trek, one of them is the Chadar trek.
Things to do in Leh and Ladhak
- Watch the birds of the mountain flying to their homes.
- Take some time, sit back and watch the sunrises and sunsets.
- Sunrise in the mountains of Ladakh.
- Spend the night looking at the sky that’s giving you the roof filled with stars, and that moon so near that you could take it home.
- Watch the crystal clear reflections of the mighty mountains in the settled lakes.
- Play games at the barren lands for there’s no boundary for your six.
- Make a wish by stacking of stones
- Never miss a Maggi of the high altitudes on the stalls roadside.
- Camping and Bonfire time around the tents.
- Untie and Unburden yourself off and sit and relax in the midst of barren lands.
- Don’t miss out the BRO road signs, they’re hilarious. (BRO= Border Roads Organisation), These Boards can be a major reason to travel Leh Ladakh.
- For once in a lifetime take a trip, actually, take a road trip to Leh Ladakh, it’s a lifetime experience.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest landing field to Leh is that the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee landing field. It operates flights to major cities like metropolis, Jammu, Srinagar, and Chandigarh, to call many. This landing field, being a military airport terminal, is incredibly strict once it involves security checks. Therefore, it might be best to require an output signal of your e-ticket before coming into, not doing this could lead to your being denied entry into the landing field. From the landing field but, you’ll avail taxis to achieve your lodging or resort.
By Road
There area unit many of you WHO area units anticipating that amazing bike trip to Ladakh. it’s aforesaid that the sweetness of Ladakh may be best enjoyed through a bike trip. Riding through the superb fantastic thing about the region are a few things which can be cherished by you each day. There area unit 2 completely different routes that cause Ladakh- one from Srinagar and therefore the alternative from Manali: Srinagar to Leh and Manali to Leh. For your best expertise within the mountains, Royal Enfields area unit the simplest bike for your daring trip. These bikes area unit nice and simply cruise on highways further because of the rocky tract of Ladakh
By Road
Manali-Leh road has been serving because of the runner-up road to Ladakh. Himachal Pradesh business, HRTC and J&K SRTC operate daily deluxe and standard buses between Manali and Leh. Government buses, each deluxe and standard, run from Kargil and between Leh and Srinagar on regular and frequent intervals. Cars and jeeps also are out there for Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali route.