Known as the 'land of high passes', Ladakh is an amalgamation of scenic bliss and pristine beauty. No words can justify what this picturesque place has in account to offer you. Long routes surrounded by snow-capped mountains on one side and white land with green patches on the other, is perfect to quench the thirst of bike riders. Experiencing the amazing sunrises and sunsets with our companions, listening to the jingles of monasteries bells, cold winds and those exhilarating moments spent with our friends would be enough to imprint unforgettable memories in our heart.
A small town located at an altitude of 3524 metres, Leh is the capital of Ladakh, which presents a unique blend of Indian and Tibetan culture. It is connected to Himachal Pradesh through Leh-Manali Highway. Road trips from Manali to Leh are most apt from June to September.
Given below are some must visit places in Leh Ladakh that would serve best for our eyes:
This vast lake covering an area of approx. 600 sq. km. has only one-third of it in India sharing rest with Tibet and China. During winter, this lake remains frozen and turns into an attraction for skiers during ice skating festival. During summers, different species of migratory birds can be seen hovering this lake adding to its scenic beauty. Inner Line Permit is must to visit this lake. Being chosen as a shooting spot for the superhit bollywood movie ‘3 Idiots’, this lake has increased its attraction even more than before.
Among other tourists attraction, Hemis National Park is counted famous for Wildlife lovers. Named after the 400 years old Hemis monastery, this is the largest national park in South Asia. Snow-leopard is the prime attraction for the wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. Other wildlife viz. Tibetan wolf, endangered Eurasian brown bear, Himalayan Marmot, etc. share this park with plenty of bird species which acts as a perfect delight for bird-watchers. Since Jeep is not allowed in the park, trekking is the best way to enjoy the wonderful view of wildlife.
Also known as ‘Pass of Lower Castle’ this pass is one of the highest navigable roads in the world. It acts as a gateway to Shyok and Nubra valley. While watching the snow-peaked mountains one gets to enjoy tea and other refreshments from the canteen available nearby. Indian Army carries supplies to Siachen using this pass. We also get to buy memorabilia from the souvenir shop of the region.
Located at the top of hill Changspa, Shanti Stupa is a white domed stupa built by a Ladakhi and Japanese Buddhist monk to promote peace. This is another popular attraction to enjoy mesmerizing sunsets and sunrises. In here, lies Lord Buddha's sitting statue which puts your heart at peace with the meditating ambience of buddha hall. This place holds vibes that offers you absolute serenity amidst of chaos.
This hill, situated in the Leh-Kargil-Batalik National Highway, is claimed to have some magnetic properties. The magnetism in the hill is so powerful that the passing aircrafts tend to increase their altitude to escape the interference in their route. Also known as Gravity hill , this region is popular for creating an optical illusion which makes the downhill seems like an uphill slope. Maintained by our Indian Army, the Gurudwara near this region is a must visit.
These were some of the mesmerizing wonders to enjoy once you visit Ladakh. Stay tuned with me for the rest of them in my next blog.
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