Ladakh is a dream that every Bollywood lover has been dreaming of since they were introduced to Pangong Lake in the movie 3 Idiots. Or, do you remember SRK riding his bike surrounded by the barren mountains of Ladakh?

Let’s admit that we would be lying if we hadn’t fantasized about a Ladakh trip after watching those movies.

Ladakh is a union territory in the northern region of India, bordered by Jammu and Kashmir, Tibet, Pakistan and China. If there is a paradise on earth, this would be it. It is quite aptly known as the ‘Roof of the World’ or ‘the Land of High Passes’, with the highest motorable passes of the world, such as the Khardung La being located there.

This region does not just boast lofty, barren mountains, and alpine meadows with pristine lakes but is also quite attractive to adventure seekers from all over the world. With a challenging altitude, Ladakh makes up for a great region to go for a bike adventure with your fellas! If you are not into mountain biking, you can most definitely go for a trek through the frozen Zanskar Lake or the Chadar Trek.

Additionally, it is home to the two-humped camels found in the Nubra Valley.

However, nothing can beat the peace and serenity found amidst the number of Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, nestled on top of the mountains.

If these are not reasons enough for you to book a trip to Ladakh right away, let us tell you why you should not miss out on this heaven of a place!

Where to go, when you are in Ladakh?

Kargil
Kargil holds a significant position in Indian War History, having been the region of conflict between India and Pakistan after Indian Independence. In 1999, forces from Pakistan infiltrated the region which led to the Kargil War.

But this is not the only reason you must go to Kargil while visiting Ladakh. This is the second largest city in Ladakh, after Leh and a jewel on the banks of the Indus. Overlooked by majestic mountains and turquoise rivers, Kargil is perfect for nature lovers looking for scenic treks and spending a day outdoors. Moreover, the city is home to Rangdum, Sani, Stonday, Zongkhul, and Mulbekh Monastery making it a revered site for many Buddhists.

The best time to visit Kargil is during the summer, from May to September when the days are a pleasant 15-30 degrees Celsius while the nights are comparatively colder.

Nubra Valley
If you are visiting Ladakh, Nubra Valley, also known as the Broken Moon Valley is something you should not miss. With meandering Himalayan rivers, Nubra lies on the banks of Shyok River and its tributary, the Nubra River, originating from the Siachen Glacier.

It is home to the famous two-humped, Bactrian camels of the cold desert and a 350-year-old monastery, the Diskit Monastery from where Buddhism is said to have originated in the region.

Additionally, the 32-meter-high statue of Maitreya Buddha is another major attraction of the Nubra Valley. If you have made sure to visit all of these, why leave out the Hunder Sand Dunes and the Panamik hot springs?

Let’s just suffice it to say that your Ladakh trip will remain incomplete if you do not dedicate some time to appreciating the beauty of Nubra.

Turtuk Village
Very close to the Nubra Valley is the little, picturesque village of Turtuk on the banks of the Shyok River. But the speciality of Turtuk is the fact that it is the northernmost village in India, very close to the border of India and Pakistan.

Interestingly, Turtuk remains one of the four Balistani villages still under Indian control. The rest of the Balistani villages are in Pakistan. Therefore, Turtuk is one of the few places in the country where one can experience the Balti culture.

This quaint village remains cut off from Ladakh for 6 months and electricity is available only during certain hours in the village. Being a military-sensitive area, Indians need to obtain an Inner Line Permit to visit Turtuk.

Magnetic Hill
Have you ever been to a place which defies the gravitational force of the earth? Yep, the Magnetic Hill in Ladakh, just 30 km away from Leh, on the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas does exactly that.

The Magnetic Hill is often referred to as the Cyclops Hill and is similar to the Mount Aragat in Armenia which displays a similar phenomenon. At an altitude of 14,000 feet, the Magnetic Hill pulls the vehicles upwards at a speed of almost 20 km/h, when the vehicles are parked in neutral, thus defying gravity.

Locals believe that the hill is quite literally a stairway to heaven while on the other hand, certain theories suggest that the Magnetic Hill is just an optical illusion of nature.

Zanskar Valley
Nestled in the Kargil district, and separated from Ladakh by the Zanskar mountain range, the Zanskar Valley is as bewitching as it can get. The place is perfect for adventurous activities such as trekking and river rafting.

The Frozen Lake trek or the Chadar trek of Zanskar Valley is one of the most challenging and sought-after expeditions of 6 days.

Zanskar is flanked by sparkling Himalayan glacial rivers and snow-capped mountains and remains cut off from the rest of the world for about 9 months due to heavy snowfall.

Pangong Lake
Yes, this is the very lake where we met Rancho after years! Remember the scene from 3 Idiots?
This is that iconic lake which reminds us that All is Well!.

Pangong Lake is an endorheic basin, meaning that it is landlocked and the world’s highest saltwater lake located at an altitude of 4,350 meters. The lake stretches for over 12 km across India and Tibet.

Did you know that the lake does not remain blue throughout the day but instead changes its colours from azure to light blue to green and even grey?

During winter, the lake completely freezes and turns into a winter wonderland.

Indians need an Inner Line Permit to visit the Pangong Lake which can be obtained easily at the tourist office in Leh.

Feed Your Adventurous Soul in Ladakh

Chadar Trek
The Chadar Trek is one of the most challenging treks in the country. It is an expedition of 6 days on the frozen Zanskar River during the winter. The envelope of snow makes it look as if wrapped by a blanket and hence, the name chadar.

Basically, anyone undertaking the Chadar trek is essentially walking on the river, quite literally, surrounded by enormous snowy mountains on one side while having a stream freezing over on the other side.

To say that the view is surreal would be an understatement. As far as your eyes can see, you would see the mighty Himalayas stretching on the backdrop of a snowy white blanket. Can anything get better than this?

Stargazing
Imagine standing under a thousand stars, watching the grand Milky Way Galaxy stretch as far as your eyes can see.

Yep, this is why Ladakh is a favourite among photographers and astrophotographers. With clear skies in summer and quiet nights, stargazing is a much-loved activity of anyone travelling to Ladakh.

Pangong Lake and the Hanley Observatory are among the best places to stargaze in Ladakh. Whether you are travelling solo or with your friends, this is a moment you must create for yourself for it feels like a moment straight out of a movie.

Chhams Performance
The Chhams Performance or the Devil Dance, as it is known, is a delight to watch. Performed by the Llamas, such performances are popular in the Lahaul district of Himachal Pradesh and in Ladakh. This masked dance is slow and performed in the courtyards of monasteries during religious festivals.

The Llamas dance in slow, rhythmic movements bearing the masks with grotesque expressions to ward off evil. This is a spiritual dance carried out by the monks to the Monastic Orchestra wearing silk costumes which symbolize divinities from Buddhism.

The dance usually depicts incidents from the life of Guru Padmasambhava and is considered quite holy.

Bactrian Camel Safari
If you have been to Rajasthan, you must have seen the one-humped camel. But the unique Nubra terrain is host to the two-humped camel, called the Bactrian Camel. The camels can carry 2-3 people at a time and are a major tourist attraction.

However, throughout history, they were the only means of transportation through the Silk Route.

If you are up for an adventurous journey, you may as well take a Bactrian camel ride to the Diskit Monastery for a more thrilling ride.

Best Time to Travel to Ladakh

The best time to visit Ladakh is from late May to early October when you will see this enchanting high-altitude desert unveil its true magic. During these months, the weather is pleasant, with clear blue skies and stunning landscapes. These are the peak tourist months. The weather is warm and most of the roads in Ladakh are open.

This is also the time for various local festivals such as Hemis festival, providing you a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Ladakh. The higher passes are still snow-capped, highlighting the amazing contrast with the blue skies and clear waters.

This is also the perfect season for biking, trekking and exploring the beautiful monasteries. Whether you’re seeking adventure or just simply want to soak in the serene beauty, Ladakh always offers an unforgettable time.