Ladakh Tourism Guide

Ladakh is located in the north-easternmost part of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It lies about 410 km away from Srinagar and 474 km from Manali via Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh. It takes about 20 hours to travel from Manali to Leh by road. Tourists can opt for Volvo buses to Manali and then take shared taxis or local buses to reach Ladakh from Delhi by road. Another convenient way is to take a direct flight from Delhi or Mumbai to Leh.

Follow up the travel guide to Leh Ladakh and drive towards any destination from here and get enchanted by the pristine elegance and composure of the foothills of Kargil, one of the most popular Leh Ladakh places to visit. Besides, the crowd- pleasing Sham Valley which harbors various monasteries of Alchi, Likir, and Lamayuru is too, a major attraction.

History of Ladakh

Earliest inhabitants of the region were Indo-Aryans. Ladakh was under the rule of Kushana Empire in the 1st century AD and Buddhism spread via Kashmir and eventually to western Tibet. In the medieval period, due to several Muslim invasions several Balti people converted to Islam. Dogra Zorawar Singh invaded Ladakh in 1834 and annexed the area to the Sikh Empire. The region was divided into two district of Leh and Kargil in 1979.

Trekking in Ladakh

Stok Kangri Trek is an ideal summit trail for adventure seekers and avid mountaineers. Held every year in the summer season, this 8-day trek allows breathtaking views of glaciers and Zanskar Range. In the month of January, hundreds of trekkers reach Leh to explore Chadar trek in the Zanskar region which remains cut off by road. Suru Valley and Markha Valley is one of the most rewarding trails in Ladakh.

Bike Trip to Ladakh

Riding a bike to Ladakh is a dream of many. From Manali or Jammu, one can drive all the way to Leh, depending on the weather and road conditions. Crossing mighty mountain passes and small villages with unique culture is a major highlight of a bike trip to Ladakh. Upon reaching Leh, one can plan expeditions to Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri, and Nubra Valley by bike.

While riding from Manali, one can explore Keylong, Sirsu, and Tanglang La mountain pass to reach Leh in about 2 days. Whereas, on a bike trip from Srinagar to Leh, one can ride past places such as Zoji La, Kargil, Dras, and Lamayuru. Rated among the many dangerous pathways, a drive to the Khardung La and further down to the Nubra Valley, acknowledging well about Leh Ladakh tourism also calls for some serious aldosterone rise. A ride through the agape valleys run riot by the tributaries of Shyok and observe the improbable sand dunes of Hunder inviting the visitors with appreciating historical myths. A walk towards the ancient monasteries of Diskit and Samthanling is known to unfold many legendary anecdotes.

Ramble up to the world’s third highest pass of Chang La to witness the ravishing view of the Pangong Lake and experience the true thrills and shrills about Leh Ladakh tourism. Ladakh is well decorated with numerous silt stupas across many depreciated halts, however, topping the recommendation list of Leh Ladakh tourism, the city dots with many monasteries like Hemis, Thiksey, Tangtse, Stok, Spituk, Naropa Photang and a few more.

Tips to Visit Ladakh

1) Make sure to get road and trekking permits in Leh well in advance.

2) Pack sunscreen, woollens, raingear, and first-aid on a visit to Leh.

3) Do not ignore weather warnings for dust storm and snowstorm in Ladakh.

4) Do not litter at Pangong Lake or any other place in Ladakh.

5) While trekking in Ladakh, be aware of fragile eco-system and do not harm the wildlife.