The most beautiful trips in Ladakh
What to see and visit in Ladakh
Ladakh is a slightly different India, not for nothing is it Little Tibet. It is a very mountainous, high-lying area. Here you will find amazing lakes, green oases in the valley of glacial rivers, but also beautiful Buddhist monasteries. Excursions here are varied from visiting historical monuments to challenging treks through the wilderness
Trip to lake Pangong tso
Trip to emerald lake
One of the nicest trips you can undertake in Ladakh, is to lake Pangong tso. Along the way you will cross more than five thousand meters above sea level high pass Chang la and enjoy the view of beautiful monastery Chemrey. continue reading
Markha trek
The most typical trek in Ladakh
There is perhaps no more traditional trek in Ladakh than walk through Markha valley, during which you will see in just one week nearly all types of landscapes that are offered by Ladakh. Markha river flows parallel with Indus, from which it is separated by the ridge of Stok mountain range. To the south are Zanskar mountains with massive peak of Kang Yatse. On the trek you will experience not only crossing of the five thousand high pass, but also several fordings of the river continue reading
Hikes from Panikchar
The most beautiful part of Suru valley
The village Panikchar lies just a short distance from the place where river Suru radically changes its direction and turns sharply to the north. Its panorama is formed by beautiful six thousanders Nun and Kun and many other high Himalayan mountains. Surroundings of the village is one of the most beautiful what Suru valley, respectively western Ladakh offers. Except for the mountains, there are also beautiful green oases around the river. Trip to Panikchar is worthwhile even in the case you do not continue on further over Pensi la to Padum in Zanskar. continue reading
Trip to Lamayuru
Monastery in the moonscape
Very interesting stop while traveling around Ladakh is the monastery and the ancient town of Lamayuru. Whether you come here for a trip from Leh or you only transit here on the road linking Ladakh with Kashmir, make sure to make here at least a half-day stop. In addition, the monastery is renowned for it’s for colorful festivals. Lamayuru is also a starting point for interesting treks both to Zanskar (Lamayuru – Padum trek) and to the valley of Suru (Lamayuru – Kanji la – Rangdum). continue reading
Along the road from Leh to Manali
Epic road through the Himalayas
Long road between Leh and Manali overcomes five very high passes. The highest of them – Taglang la (5 328 m asl) is also one of the highest motorized passes in the world. Along the way you will enjoy views not only of Ladack „moonscape“ and high Himalayan peaks. The more you are in the south, the landscape is greener. In Lahaul valley you will see a lot of interesting waterfalls. Finally will await you passage of the pass Rohtang, which is the lowest of all, but also the wettest and muddiest, so there are a lot of landslides. Moreover, it is a popular place for Indians from lowlands, so there are incredible crowds in recent years. In addition, several places on this road are also starting points to terrific treks, so if you grow fond of Ladakh, you will pass here several times. continue reading
Drive through Zoji la Pass
From Kashmir to Ladakh
The famous high mountain road from Srinagar to Leh leads over several high passes. Crossing of the first one – Zoji la (Zozi la) (3528m asl), where it overcomes the main Himalayan ridge, is the most interesting and also the most adrenaline-filled part of this whole journey. This is especially true about the beginning of the season, when there's still plenty of snow. The beginning of this stage starts in the popular resort of Sonamarg (2 680 m asl) and ends in Drass (3 094 m asl) continue reading
Trip to Khardung la pass
Faked highest motorized pass in the world
Khardung la prides itself in all promotional materials as the highest motorized pass in the world. It works as a magnet for tourists, but it has long been known that the indicated altitude of 5 602 m asl is wrong, and it quite significantly, and the right altitude is „only“ 5,359 m asl. This was confirmed by several independent measurements and can be confirmed also by your GPS. Thus it is not the highest at all and you can find higher also here in Tibet or even in Ladakh. When exploring the area, you will find out that the declared height is valid rather for a small glacier towering on the eastern side of the pass. Anyway, the trip to the pass is worth it. If you borrow and take with you a bike, you can then also ride down or continue on to Nubra valley on the other side of the mountains. continue reading
Historical centre of Leh
Tourist centerpiece of Ladakh
Under the royal palace and even higher located gompa of Namgyal Tsemo huddle bustling old town of Leh. Most tourists get here by air from Delhi, so for them it's really a gateway to Ladakh. The main boulevard full of jeeps of travel agencies and drinking water suppliers is lined with restaurants with nice outlook terraces and ubiquitous souvenir shops. Woman sell vegetables on the sidewalks and pack of dogs are chasing in the remote dusty streets. Most tourists accommodate in modern hotels in the northern green suburbs of Changspa, but it is far better to stay in small guesthouses right in the old town and enjoy the unique atmosphere while sitting on their rooftops. continue reading
Trip to the valley of the river Stok
A two-day trip under Stok Kangri
Most tourists go to the valley of the river Stok for only one reason – to try to climb the six thousand peaks of Stok Kangri. You can also go on a two-day trip here, exploring the side valley and climbing the Stok La saddle. You will enjoy beautiful views, colorful rocks and the rugged landscape of Ladakh continue reading
Monastery Thiksey Gompa
The most famous monastery in the Indus v
The most often visited monastery in the Indus valley, which is just twenty kilometers from Leh, looks like a miniature of Potala. If you get here really early in the morning, you do not meet here crowds of tourists – more like only meditating monks. Apart from the breathtaking view of the monastery from the bottom you will like a huge, 15-meters high, statue of Buddha occupying two entire floors of the building and the stunning views from the roof of the monastery. continue reading
Hike over Drass
The outlook of famous Tiger Hill
Drass (sometimes written only as Dras) (3 094 m asl ) is located in the valley of the river of the same only a short way from „Line of Control“ (approx. 10km) dividing the former Big Kashmir to the Indian and Pakistani side. The town is located on the major road linking Srinagar and Leh, but only a few tourists get off here, even though is this place ideal for great hikes around the surrounding ridges and meadows with views of the Himalayan peaks. continue reading
Visit of Likir Gompa Monastery
The biggest Buddha in Ladakh
Very interesting monastery Likir is lying less than 50 kilometers from Leh in a side valley. It boasts the biggest sitting Buddha statue in Ladakh and very picturesque monastery situated on a small hill as the center of a nice oasis surrounded by high mountain desert. Because it is situated a few kilometers from the main road Shrinagar – Leh hwy, it is definitely not so frequently visited as other monasteries in the Indus valley. continue reading
Hike over Kargil
Through oasis to the east of Kargil
It is truth what is said and written about Kargil (2,700 m asl) – there is not much to see. However, if you have from any reason free half a day, you can undertake here very nice trip to the places where you will not meet a single tourist. From Kargil lying at the confluence of Suru and Wakhi rivers leads little known dusty small road over the mountains to Baltik already lying in the wild canyon of Indus. In the vicinity of this road there are nice oasis and they are the aim of this hike. continue reading
Visit of Hemis Gompa
The monastery in a mountain valley
Most big monasteries in Ladakh stand like a fortress on the tops of hills, but only the one in Hemis is located in a narrow mountain valley high above the river Indus. It is definitely worth a visit. It is interesting not only for its colors, but also for the adjacent village with houses stuck to the rock. Very close is also one of the starting points to the most famous Ladack trek through the valley of river Markha. continue reading
