Leh, the capital of
Ladakh
is a fascinating destination. Age-old monasteries, quaint
lanes, colorful markets and stunning views of the Himalayas
make Leh an exotic destination. Leh is where your adventure in
Ladakh begins. You can go trekking through the mountainous
terrain of Ladakh, enjoy a game of polo in a high altitude
arena or watch an archery contest where local residents
compete in a contest that remains unchanged by time.
Mountaineering, white water rafting and wildlife tours are
other adventurous attractions of Leh Ladakh India. Though the
weather can be freezing cold, the smiles on the faces of the
Ladakhi people are sure to warm your heart. Feel on top of the
world in Ladakh.
Bon and Buddhism rule the lifestyle and culture of the people
here. The Chortens (Stupas) and enchanting Gompas
(Monasteries) adorn the city with their presence. The
landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and there is an ominous
beauty in the stark surroundings of Ladakh. The Hinayana
Buddhist way of life lends a benevolent spirit to the very air
of the region.
Places To See
Nubra valley : The Nubra Valley m eans
Ldumra (the valley of flowers), situated in the north of Leh.
The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above
the sea level. The main attraction in this area is Bactarian
Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit &
Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet.)
above sea level. This Tour can be organized for 3 days 2
nights.
Tomoriri Lake : The Tsomoriri Lake is a beautiful mountain
bounded expanse of water, around 240 Kms. from Leh in Rupsho
Valley. The Lake is located at 14,000 ft. near a small village
of Korzok. The Korzok Monastery of 19th century houses
Shakyamuni Buddha and other statues. The Nomadic people are
most outstanding feature of this Lake area, which grazed herd
of goats and yaks. The Tsokar (the salt Lake) around 76 kms.
from Tsomoriri is also a wonderful Lake in this area.
Pangong Lake : Pang ong
is 40 miles in length and nearly 2-4 miles in width at a
height of 4267m above the sea level What strikes the eye in
coming first in view of this lake is the lovely colour of its
water, espacially towards evening, which is of the richest
deep blue, over the whole expanse, at morning time, it is of a
lighter a very brilliant colour. The water of the Lake is not
that salty as sea water.
Shanti Stupa (Japanese Peace Pagoda) : Shanti Stupa/Japanese
peace pagoda is build by a Japanese religious organization
headed by Head monk Nakamura with the help from the
organization and local people. It is situated at a hill top in
Changspa village providing a bird eye view of the Leh town and
the surrounding mountain peaks. Architecturally it has the
Japanese touch with small clean rooms on the side for
meditators and the main Japanese shrine at the entrance.
Leh Mosque: The Jama Masjid of Leh was built in 1666-67 AD
under an agreement between Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and
Ladakhi ruler Deldan Namgyal. Initialy, the architecture of
the mosque bore Tibetan, Central Asian and Ladakhi style. In
recent years it has been reconstructed and given a new look
with minarets and domes.
Spituk Gompa: 8 Kms from Leh, it stands prominently on the
top of hillock commanding a panoramic view of the Indus Valley
. Many icons of Buddha and fine Thankas are to be found in
this 15th century Gompa.
Phyang G ompa:
17 Kms from Leh on the Leh-Kargil road, it looks like a huge
palace from afar, build by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of
the 16th century AD, it belongs to the Red Cap sect of
Buddhists.
Likir Gompa: Founded in the 11th century and rededicated
to a different monastic order in the 15th century, its earlier
Gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present Gompa dated back to
the 18th century.
Basgo Gompa : 40 Kms downstream from Leh, it was the seat
of power of branch of a Namgyal family. It was here in 1680
that invading Mongol and Tibetan armies were held in check
over a three year old siege.
Alchi Gompa : 70 Kms from Leh, on the banks of the Indus,
is the Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its
walls features thousands o f
miniature sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized
images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal
attractions.
Ridzong Gompa : There is no road to Rizong Gompa hence one
has to walk to the monastery which is deep into the mountains.
Rizong Gompa is known as the paradise for Meditation. Guru
Padma Sambhava is believed to editated here for years.
Lamayuru Gompa : The oldest holy site in Ladakh, it was a
bon shrine prior to the advent of Buddhism. Also known as Yung
Drung(Swastika) it is sited on a high promontory overlooking
the village and valley.
Mulbekh Gompa: Precariously perched a top of a 200 Mts.
high crag, it has an imposing rock-carving of Chamba, the
future Buddha.
Padum : Padum is 464 Kms. From Leh and 234 Kms away from
Kargil. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Zanskar valley,
today it is the administrative headquarter of the region and
probably the most populace settlement of barren Zanskar
region.
Khardungla Pass : The road j ourney
to Nubra valley leads through Khardung La pass (The highest
Motorable road in the world) 18,390 ft. around 39 Kms. Away
from Leh. Khardong is the first village of Nubra valley at
higher altitude than Deskit and other villages.
Deskit Village : Deskit is the main village of headquarter
of Nubra valley, which has a small market consisting of a row
of shops and about 500 years old Gompa on the hilltop.
Deskit Gompa : Deskit Gompa was founded by Lama Sherab
Zangpo of Stod in about 1420 AD during the reign of King
Dragspa.
Hundar Village : Hundar is a beautiful village to stay
with lot of trees and you will really enjoy your stay at
Hundar. It has a small monastery and ruined fort above the
village. The walk or Camel Safari (Double Hump bacterian
camels) from Hundar to Deskit, through sand dunes for two
hours is wonderful.
Samstanling Gompa: Samstanling Monastery was founded by
Lama Tsultrim Nima and Monastic community was introduced as
Rezong Gompa. Abo ut
50-60 monks are residing at this 132 years old monastery. The
Gompa has some strict rules and regulations. -Women are not
allowed in the monastery after sunset and before sunrise.
Panamik : Panamik was major stopover for ancient Silk
route caravan before crossing the mountains of Karakoram and
Ka-lu, as there were no villages in further journey for 12
days, Panamik is famous for hot spring, Insa Gonpa and near by
small beautiful Lobonestso (small Lake).
Zanskar :
Zangskar valley lies to the south west of Leh, surrounded by
the Himalayan and Zangskar ranges, which is the most isolated
of all the trans- Himalayan valleys. Zangskar comprises of two
main valleys of Stod (Doda chu) and Lunak (Tsarab chu), which
converge below at Padum. The valley has an area of about 5,000
sqr. Kms. and an elevation of 13,154 ft.
Get In
By Air: Leh is connected by the regular domestic flights
to and from Delhi. However, as the weather is unpredictable, a
2 to 3 hrs hold-up is normal, especially on the early morning
departures.
By Train: The nearest railway station is in Kalka from
where has to take a bus or taxi to Manali via Shimla. There
are regular Tata Sumo and bus services in Manali to and from
Leh.
By Road: Long, winding but well maintained roads are the
next best option to a flight for Leh. The two popular routes
to Leh are from Srinagar via Kargil on the Srinagar-Leh
Highway and from Manali via Sarchu and Dharchu on the
Manali-Leh Highway. These routes are only open from June to
October |