Tag: Ladakh

Ladakh – is a largely celebrated winter wonderland and adventure paradise for every kind of traveler. The incandescent beauty of this union territory is alone enough to provide various range of scenic views, a heavily snowed environment, a great reach of Himalayan landscapes, a snow-adorned walk through an alpine forest area, deep Buddhist traditional festivities, a gorgeous look into the wildlife culture. Ladakh is not just a scenic ride for millennials but instead, it evokes a certain kind of emotion – an emotion that is filled with a feeling of freedom and liberation among the millennials and that may be the reason why the people of today’s generation seek a vacation or adventure journey in Ladakh.

Apart from harboring various lengths of scenic travel sites, Ladakh is more recently being honored as a base point that heartily opens several trekking destinations for any kind of traveler i.e., a seasoned or an adventure traveler. From letting you experience a swift walk on a Zanskar River to letting walk to the arms of Mount Nun, Ladakh has been blessed with every kind of adventure that a traveler seeks.

So, following is the list of 10 famous adventure journeys a traveler can enjoy in Ladakh –

Chadar Trek (8 Days)

Chadar trek or also popularly called a Zanskar Gorge Trek is a 106-km long trekking journey and is famously traversed as a winter trail by adventure travelers. The trek is famous for giving its visitor an inexplicable experience of walking on a frozen river of Zanskar and feeling mesmerized after realizing the surreal beauty of this place.

The trek is very much related to testing one’s determination and survival instinct in walking down a journey that gives you immense pleasure after winning it.

2) Markha Valley Trek (9 days)

Markha Valley is a 9-day long trekking journey that is usually attempted from the month of May to September and is walked to witness the natural green beauty filled with thousands of watering streams. One needs to walk about 75 km of leveled path crossing through the waist-deep river of Markha to finally reach a gorgeous Buddhist village situated in the middle of towering mountain ranges.

Many of you who undertake this easy level trekking journey get to witness the spellbinding peaks of Zanskar Ranges, Kang Yatse, Stok Kangri, etc.

3) Nubra Valley Trek (6-10 Days)

Nubra Valley – famously enjoyed by the millennials for being the one-time gateway to the ancient Silk Route of India where one can easily witness the heavily perched purple mountains, double-humped camels, and cold breeze swirling upon the white sand dunes. This is a 6-10 days long walking journey where the traveler gets to traverse through lush green meadows and anciently built Buddhist shrines.

Upon reaching the mountain top of Nubra Valley, you also get a chance to witness the mesmerizing ranges of Karakoram, K2, etc.

4) Stok Kangri Trek (9-10 Days)

A snowy, razor-cut peak perched atop the rough mountains of Ladakh – Stok Kangri is like a journey for experienced trekkers who climb up to this mountain to test their limit and also to define the walk towards a tough ascent to themselves. By heartily starting their journey from Stok Village, the travelers make a walk for about 9-10 days through a steep path and a carefully led walk on frozen water.

The distance to be covered during the Stok Kangri journey is about 240 km to finally reaching a top perched at an altitude of 20,180 ft above sea level. And thus, by making its difficulty level in your mind, the journey to its top will only keep rolling in your mind.

5) Nun Peak Climbing Expedition (21-22 Days)

Almost always traversed by the experienced traveler or by the travelers who have some basic technical mountaineering knowledge – the Nun peak climbing expedition is one of the highest peaks of the Himalayan region lying on the Indian side of LOC in Ladakh. The desolate and uninhabited mountain stands at a staggering height of 7,135 m above sea levels in the Suru region.

Every traveling group takes around 21-22 days to reach the mountain top of Nun Peak and be mesmerized by its virgin beauty. You can also witness the peaks of many different ranges like Zanskar, a panoramic view of Leh-Ladakh, etc.

6) Kun Peak Expedition (22-23 Days)

Believing in a similar journey like its twin peak – Mount Nun, Mount Kun is the second highest peak of the massif and is generally traversed by aspiring mountaineers or sometimes by ordinary travelers who seeks brief supervision from travel companies. The snow-covered, green fog-enshrouded mountain stands at a towering height of 7,077m above the ground near Suru valley.

The trek to the top of this massive peak usually takes around 22-23 days while walking on rough terrain towards a tough ascent, hugely covered in snow. The peak offers an unprecedented view of Mount Kun, Mount Barmal, White Needle, etc.

7) Sham Valley Trek (3-5 Days)

Also widely pronounced as ‘Baby Trek’, by the locals of Ladakh is a beautiful trekking journey along with the traditional sites of the Buddhist religion. Letting you walk through the poplar-lined path and small traditional settlements; the Sham Valley trekking journey will be a great experience for the first-timers or it will work as a primer for polished travelers.

The 3-5 days trek to the Sham Valley takes its travelers through a scenic hike to the 11-century Buddhist Monastery where a towering gold statue of Lord Buddha worshipped ardently.

8) Kang Yatse II Trek (12 Days)

Kang Yatse II Peak – a journey filled with rough terrains and tough straight-line ascent is an aspiring mountaineer’s paradise who pick up this journey to train themselves for another harder journey in the Himalayan region. The incredibly tall and slender mountain stands at a towering height of 6,400m above the ground at the end of Markha Valley that requires an extremely technical walk across various knife-cut ridges.

The travelers can traverse this massive peak in and around 12 days where they get a chance to walk through the cultural Ladakhi region.

9) Digar La Trek (8 Days)

Instead of making you walk towards a mountain top, the Digar La trek takes you through a journey to the several mesmerizing landscapes of Ladakh until it reaches the cold desert in the Nubra region. Digar La Trek also locally called ‘Leh Nubra Pangong Circuit’ that connects the Indus Valley to the green fog-enshrouded Nubra Valley.

The trekking distance is about 30km and is generally traversed during the course of 8 days while taking some brief enjoyable stopover at the famous Monasteries of Ladakh.

10) 6 Passes Trek

6 Passes Trek is not about traversing a single mountain range but instead starting from Rumtse village, the traveler follows a unique journey of traversing six high-altitude passes perched atop the height of more than 5000 meters above the ground.

The 106-km long Gargantuan hardly-traveled trekking journey, makes you pass the six high-altitude regions incorporating 3 lakes in the path named Tso Kar, Tso Moriri, and Startsapuk Tso and beautifully adorned with meandering river, lush green meadows, barren terrains, mesmerizing landscapes.

12 Best Places to Visit Leh Ladakh

September 15, 2021

Kash Pals

Travel 2 Comments

Ladakh, a newly created Union and territory in India happens to be one of the most favorite holiday destinations for adventure seekers and nature lovers. The beauty of this freezing cold destination can’t be expressed in words as the landscape here changes drastically. Bedecked with the gorgeous mountains, Ladakh is home to numerous high altitude passes like Chang La, Khardung La, and Marsimik La.

Leh Palace

Built by the Buddhist kings of Ladakh, the palace has lost much of its original grandeur, but still offers some magnificent views from the top. Find your way down the winding passages and hidden stairways to emerge at the roof top and enjoy great views of the city.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

Built in 1430, this Buddhist temple has a rich collection of Buddhist art, ancient manuscripts, scrolls, wall paintings, and the gilded image of Buddha, almost 3-stories high.

Hemis Monastery

Situated 45kms from Leh, Hemis is the largest monastery in Ladakh. Its walls are adorned with beautiful frescoes and the largest Thangka painting in the world. Built by the Red Hat sect of Buddhists, the monastery houses a statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha made of precious stones. Over a 100 lamas reside here at any given time.

Shanti Stupa

Built by a Japanese Buddhist organization to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism, the Shanti Stupa is a pristine white structure, and a change from the other Stupas of the region.

Stok Palace

The official residence of the royal family, the Stok Palace stands four storeys tall and has 77 rooms. One wing has been made open to the public as a museum and displays collections of Buddhist art, weapons, jewelry, artifacts and thangkas. There are great views from here, overlooking barley terraces on the mountains.

Shey Monastery

Earlier the summer palace of the Ladakhi kings, the Shey Gompa is situated on a hillock. It houses a 12m tall gold-plated copper statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Shey is a beautiful green area, dotted with ponds.

Magnetic Hill

It defies all the laws of nature, and is something you have to experience for yourself. As your vehicle rolls up the steep hill, turn off the ignition. No, you won’t roll backwards and crash down the mountainside. Instead, the car will continue to move upwards at a decent speed to 20km/hr, even with the ignition off! The magnetic properties of this hill, located around 30km from Leh, ensure that you’re always moving up.

Thiksey Monastery

This monastery is located a little away from the Shey Monastery and has several Buddha statues, a pillar inscribed with Buddhist teachings, a 15m high seated Maitreya Buddha statue and a vast collection of Buddhist art.

Khardung La Pass and Nubra Valley

The Khardung La (Pass), at more than 17,000 feet, is the highest motorable road in the world. The scenery here is worth your time, always crusted in white, and with excellent views of Ladakh and the Karakoram ranges on either side. Beyond the pass is the wide, flat Nubra Valley, criss-crossed by the winding Shyok and Nubra Rivers. Bactrian Camels (double hump camels) are one of the main attractions of the region. The valley is dotted with ancient gompas, ruined palaces and quaint villages, providing many a photo-op. The Diskit Gompa, built in the 17th century, is worth a visit while you’re here.

Pangong Tso

Take a day trip to the pristine Pangong Tso, a lake situated at a height of approximately 14000 ft. Set amidst the vast Himalayas, the stark brown mountains contrast sharply with the clear blue of the lake, providing a most panoramic setting. The Pangong is considered to be the longest lake in Ladakh and is a saltwater lake formed by the remnants of ice from the ice age. The international border between India and Tibet runs through the lake.

Tso Moriri Lake

This is a saltwater lake located at about 14,000 feet above sea level. Bounded by mountains, this lake has Ladakh to the north, Tibet to the east and Zanskar to the west. Migratory birds, marmots and Tibetan wolves are abundant in this region.

Zanskar Valley

If you’re looking for a real getaway, cut off from all civilization, head to Zanskar for complete isolation. The valley is closed for a major part of the year, from November to May, due to snow. Padum is the headquarters of this region, and is located on the side of a hillock with ruins of the palace and fort. Ancient rock carvings can also be seen on the bank of the river Suru. Karsha is the largest monastery here, housing ancient pieces of Buddhist art. Stongdey Monastery is home to the Gon Khang or the temple of guardian deities. Many challenging treks are possible in this region, and rafting on the Zanskar river is a thrilling experience for the adventure loving.

If you are also looking for a vacation in Ladakh then check out some of the most customized travel packages to Ladakh and select the one that suits your travel desire and falls under your budget.

A Sneak Peek into ‘Theme Holidays’ in India

February 19, 2015

Kash Pals

India, as one contemplates about her, is a colorful image of different people, religion, culture, and diversity, in one country. Her beauty is mesmerizing. A holiday in India comprises of various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism and many more. Over 22 languages are spoken here. India with so many languages and religion also offers fabulous tourist destinations.

From snow-capped mountains, verdant hills, dazzling rivers to magnificent green valleys, India has lots to offer a tourist. Himalayas form the north, northeast and northwest boundaries of the country. It has a long coastline which stretches from north to south and east to west. No wonder, then she has been called the “jewel in the crown” of the British Empire. You might have come across various options for holiday in India but let us check out the ‘theme holidays’- summer holidays, spiritual and honeymoon destinations in India for a tourist.

Summer holidays– summers of India are dreaded in most parts of the world, but a hill station is most welcome. Summer months in India are from March to May.

Ladakh (Leh), the land of Lamas, entices many tourists with its calm tranquil environments with a bewitching white mountainous landscape. The place offers a spiritual experience to be cherished for a lifetime. Colossal mountains protecting the city from chilling winds covered with white sand houses made of mud brick where you can hear ritualistic chants. Here, you can also see lakes, yaks, and monasteries.

Panoramic view of Ladakh (commons.wikimedia.org) — Panoramic view of Ladakh
(commons.wikimedia.org)

Shimla– is an ideal place for a summer holiday with a toy train ride, horse-riding, an evening walk on Mall road. Little cafes to luxurious hotels welcome all tourists here. There is an old world charm retained in grand old monuments and structures of the pre-Independence era of India.

Munnar– offers a breath-taking view of tea plantations and lakes located in Kerala. This picturesque hill station offers rock climbing, trekking to Anaimudi hill for adventure lovers. A wildlife National park has exotic species that inhabit this place, making it a great haunt for nature lovers.

Munnar_hillstation_kerala.jpg(en.wikipedia.org)

Kodaikanal– A hill station located on the borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala is an enchantment for nature lovers. There are serene slopes, enigmatic pretty flowers, pine trees, and renowned grizzled giant squirrels worth admiring.

Grizzled_Giant_Squirrel_from_Chinnar_Wildlife_Sanctuary,_Kerala_,_India(commons.wikimedia.org). — Grizzled Giant Squirrel from Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India (commons.wikimedia.org)

Spiritual journey– Varanasi or Benares is a holy city of the Hindus with its most important Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Lord Shiva is the deity and guardian of this temple. The city is often known as the city of temples where people from across the world and not only India visit over 2000 temples. Varanasi is also famous for its muslin, silk fabrics, ivory works and perfume industries.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple- Varanasi (image courtesy- templefolks.com)

Do not miss a chance to take a boat ride in holy river Ganges which captures the true essence of Varanasi. Paper boats lit with candle and flowers float on the waters, Holy dip in Ganges, meditation in solitude by many pilgrims who come to offer their prayers. No wonder it is known as the spiritual capital of India. Not far from Varanasi is Mahabodhi Temple, Buddha’s Bodhi Tree where he meditated and attained enlightenment. He conveyed his first sermon and thus gave birth to Buddhism.

Kailash Mansarovar– situated among the Himalayan mountain ranges, Kailash is among the highest peaks of the world and also a source of Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Ganges and Indus rivers. This is among the most significant spiritual spots in the world where people from across the globe revere it. Kailash with its holy lake Mansarovar captures the imagination of one and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Lord Shiva’s abode is believed to be in Mount Kailash by Hindus.

Kinnaur, Kailash (en.wikipedia.org) — Kinnaur, Kailash
(en.wikipedia.org)

Southern India– Temples of southern India have splendid architecture and interesting mythological tales which offer great spiritual significance to pilgrims who visit from remote locations. They have towering ‘gopurams’, grand pillar structures and embellished entrances. State of Tamil Nadu has over 33,000 temples like Arunachaleshwar temple of Lord Shiva, Jambukeshwar temple at Thiruvanaikaval that has an underground water spring that fills the shrine where the ‘lings’ stands, Ramanathaswamy temple which is second holiest place after Varanasi. The legends of all these temples leave spell-bound.

If you are on a pilgrim tour, then Jodhpur, Mount Abu, and Udaipur should not be missed for its renowned temples.

Honeymoon destinations–For newly married couples, there are many destinations in India.

Goa –you could relax on the beaches of Goa for beautiful views, sunshine and lot of fun and activity.

Darjeeling – enjoy picturesque hill stations of Darjeeling which makes it an ideal honeymoon destination with its tea plantations and chilly weather.
Ooty – situated in Nilgiri hills, it has a lot of attractions from Botanical gardens, Rose Garden, Ooty Lake and Dodabetta peak.
Backwaters of Kerala – often known as God’s Own Country is a favorite hot spot for a honeymoon in India. You can hire a houseboat and explore Kerala.

The above is just a sneak peek into ‘Theme Holidays’ in India. So, go ahead and plan a ‘theme holiday’ in India, today!