Ladakh is filled with awe-inspiring landscapes and is bounded by the Great Himalayas on the one side and the Karakoram range on the other. That’s just one of the reasons why a Ladakh trip tops the bucket list of adventure fanatics. The Himalayan lands of Ladakh welcome visitors to a different altitude of life. The picture-perfect destination remains pristine and untapped to its core.
Explore and discover the serene Pangong Lake and admire snow-capped peaks as you stroll along the banks of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers. The mystic lands with their steep mountains, calm lakes, colorful Tibetan monasteries, and rugged terrain wait eagerly for their visitors. Discover the beauty of Kashmir with a Kashmir tour as you visit enchanting places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and the most sought-after Dal Lake.
The unmatched beauty of Kashmir is complemented by various adventure activities. Srinagar, the capital of the valley and the largest city is known for its beautiful places including gardens, parks, and architecture. All of this makes the visit worthwhile. Kupwara abounds with vibrant green meadows bordered by alpine forests – the varying shades of green are a sight to behold. Do not forget to enjoy the finger-licking and melt-in-the-mouth local dishes like “Dum Olav” (Dum aloo) and Rogan Josh (spicy Lamb Curry).
Pangong Lake
A visit to Pangong Lake in Ladakh offers breathtaking scenery you won’t soon forget. This landlocked lake is perched at an altitude of 4350 meters. The lake is around one hundred and thirty-four kilometers long and is further divided into five sub-lakes -Pangong Tso, Tso Nayak, and Rum Tso, to name a few. Pangong derives its name from the Tibetan word “Pangong Tso” which in the local dialect means “high grassland lake”. It is known to change colors, appearing blue, green, and red at different times of the day. Its azure meditative waters remain lodged in your memories and it is a favourite spot among photographers, bikers, and selfie enthusiasts.
Pahalgam
Make your Kashmir tour more interesting as you plan a trip to Pahalgam. Pahalgam lies ninety kilometers from Srinagar in the Anantnag district and is a mesmerizing hill station and tourist attraction of Jammu and Kashmir. Just twelve kilometers away from Pahalgam lies the Aru Valley, a tranquil hill station. It lies snuggled in the lush grasslands with scenic views of the magnificent Himalayan ranges. Aru Valley is the base camp for many treks and is known for adventure opportunities like skiing, horse riding, bird and wildlife watching besides camping and fishing. What adds to the natural charm of the place is the cascading waterfalls and gushing crystal-clear water streams. Betaab Valley is a perfect tourist attraction with breathtaking surroundings encompassed by tall deodar trees and pine forests. The valley gets its name from the famous Bollywood movie Betaab and falls between Pahalgam and Chandanwari. The main attractions of Betaab Valley are its sprawled fertile pastures, meandering streams, and snow-capped mountains. Its source as the Kolahoi Glacier Lidder River stretches around seventy-three kilometers and flows through the bewitching valleys of Pahalgam which creates a tranquil and captivating ambiance.
Shanti Stupa
Reboot and rejuvenate with the Ladakh Trip as you visit this Buddhist white-domed stupa located on a hilltop in Chanspa. Shanti Stupa was established in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura. The stupa sheaths the relics of Buddha at its base as it was enshrined by the fourteenth Dalai Lama. It was built to promote peace and prosperity and to commemorate two thousand and five hundred years of Buddhism. It is a two-level structure and features a Dharamachakra with deer on each side along with a central golden image of Buddha sitting on a platform. On the second level, there are images showcasing the birth and death of Buddha and his overcoming and defeating the devils while meditating.
Sonamarg
Explore the enigmatic destination of Sonamarg on your Kashmir tour. Sonamarg located at an elevation of 2,730 meters above sea level is a picturesque hill station. It is known for its snow-covered fields, encompassed by bewitching glaciers and lakes which cast a magical spell on the travellers. Fondly known as the ‘meadow of gold,’ this elegant hill station is enveloped by lofty Himalayan glaciers- Kolhoi and Machoi. It acts as the base camp for trekking routes which lead to mountain lakes like Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Kishansar. The valley of Sonmarg is divided into two. The Thajiwas range on one side is famous for its camping site and the Thajiwas Glacier. On the other side are stunning waterfalls. Zoji La Pass or “mountain pass of the blizzards” located in Dras at an elevation of 3528 meters above sea level, connects Kashmir to Dras and Suru Valley. Sonmarg is a delightful trek with challenging mountain ranges, plateaus, and pristine lakes.
Tso Moriri
The bead on the string of Ladakh Trip is Tso Moriri or the ‘Mountain Lake’ in the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh. It is located at an altitude of 4,522 meters above sea level in Rupshu Valley. The lake and its surrounding area are protected by the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. It is the largest high-altitude lake which is entirely in the Indian territory. It is nearly twenty-nine kilometers long and eight kilometers wide. Tso Moriri attracts a great range of wildlife, including migratory birds and Tibetan wolves. Adorned with multi shades of blue along with captivating landscapes gives this place a romantic feel with breathtaking views.
Srinagar
The perfect romantic place to visit on a Kashmir tour is Srinagar as it has garnered the title of ‘Heaven on Earth.“ It is known for its gondola-type rowboats called ‘shikaras’ and stationary houseboats. Travelers use the shikaras to see attractions like the Floating Vegetable Market and the lively community of Mir Bahris who live on the lake itself. Srinagar also houses some of the most beautiful Mughal age gardens of India namely Shalimar Bagh, Nishant Bagh, and Chasm e Shahi garden. And the famous Dal Lake which is the second largest lake and reflects the Pir Panjal mountains.
Thiksey Monastery
Thiksey Monastery is the Tibetan-styled monastery best experienced on a Ladakh Trip. It is located nearly twenty kilometers south of Leh. The prime point of attraction of the monastery is the Maitreya temple which showcases the fifteen-meter-high Maitreya Buddha. The sanctuary is known for its resemblance to the Potala Palace of Tibet. And it is known for its annual festival of Gustor which is held in the months of October or November. The festival includes a trade fair held at the base of the monastery where villagers come to barter trade items and socialize.
Gulmarg
A highlight of your Kashmir tour is a well-planned trip to Gulmarg. One of the main attractions of Gulmarg is the highest cable car ride of Gulmarg Gondola. The first phase of the Gondola takes the visitors to a height of 8530 feet at Kong Dori Station and as you continue the ride you reach up to the height of 12293 feet. In winter it gets covered in a white blanket of snow which is the perfect setting for a skier’s paradise. Gulmarg lies around sixty kilometers away from Srinagar and is a mere half-hour journey by car. The ‘Meadow of Flowers’ is also located here and was earlier known as Gauri Marg which was later changed by Yusuf Shah Chak.
Alchi Monastery
A must-visit on a Ladakh Trip is the Alchi Monastery. The monastery located in the Alchi Village of Ladakh is a complex of Buddhist temples making it one of the oldest and the most famous monasteries. Alchi Monastery has traditional architecture and has three separate temples known as Dukhang, Sumstek, and the temple of Manjushri. It is also ideal for adventure lovers who visit to enjoy rafting as it lies close to the Zanskar River. The foundation was laid down by Rinchen Zangpo in the tenth century who was a prominent Tibetan scholar.
Sinthan Top
Located in south Kashmir’s Breng Valley in the Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley is the popular tourist destination of Sinthan Top. Sinthan Top is a mountain pass that serves as the base camp for many treks and it features several alpine lakes in the region. It is an offbeat and much less explored tourist attraction of the valley and lies eighty kilometers from Kishtwar and seventy-three kilometers from Anantnag. The bewitching views of the snow-covered valleys from here are simply to die for.
Note: This travel post is sponsored by Thrillophilia (Info@traveladviser.co.in)