Places to Visit Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh is yet another gem festooning the natural beauty that Jammu and Kashmir beholds. Perched at an altitude of more than 3,000 mts, Ladakh is snuggled between the Great Himalayan Mountains to the south and the Karakoram ranges in the north. It has a rich history that dates back to the Neolithic times when the Indo-Aryans and Tibetan descendants inhabited the area. One can still find people following Tibetan Buddhism and conversing in their own Ladhaki language in this area. Traveling to Leh Ladhakh is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you not only catch a glimpse of nature at its best but also enjoy a cool to extremely cold climate even during the hot summer months. It is a paradise for all the bikers and those looking forward to thrilling road trips. Some of the places that attract every traveler’s attention are Leh Palace, Stok Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Tsemo Fort, Jama Masjid. Wanla Gompa, Sankar Monastery, Dha & Hanu, Nimu, Panikhar, Pnagong Tso Lake, Tso Kar Lake, Hemis Monastery, Likir Gompa and Thiksey Gompa and many more.

Pangong Lake
The famous and sparkling blue Pangong lake is situated in the Himalayas, approximately at the height of 4350 meters. It is 124 km long and extend from India to Tibet, where 60% of the lake lies. The lake freezes completely during winters in spite of its salinity. The lake has been a tourist attraction since a very long time and has gained further popularity after being a 'hot-spot' for many film shoots, apart from being an essential for anyone travelling to Leh.
Pangong lake is home to many migrating birds in summer and one can witness numerous ducks and gulls "surfing". Due to the briny water the lake does not support aquatic life other than some ocean bugs called crustaceans by oceanographers. Some are luck to spot a kiang which is a wild ass or a marmot a brownish rodent. There are two streams from the Indian side that form the wetlands and marshes at the edges. It is the beauty of the impeccable blue waters that embezzle the tourist's attention the most. The serenity and tranquility of this place is the tourist's paradise.

Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is one of the magnificent Tibetan structures that has ever been built. The architecture and the beauty of this place are unexplainable. Shanti Stupa is a white-dome structure dedicated to Buddhism. Located on the hilltop of Chamspa in Leh, it is one of the major tourist attractions of Ladakh not only for its religious significance for also for its splendid views of the surrounding mountain ranges that it has to offer. This marvelous structure is an example of the ties between Japan and India.
Shanti Stupa was constructed in the year 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The construction was jointly done by the Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace. It is a part of peace pagoda mission, which aims to spread peace through the preaching of Buddha.

Tso Moriri Lake
Also known as Moriri Lake, Tsomoriri Lake is positioned at an altitude of 15,075 feet and the largest lake in the Ladakh region. It has been declared as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2003. It is fed by two streams and springs. 7 kilometers wide and 19 kilometers long, this beautiful blue lake plays host to a large number of flora and fauna. Adjacent to this lake is a picturesque village known as Korzok, which is a popular tourist attraction due to its Buddhist monastery. This lake plays host to as many as 34 species of birds.

Khardung La Pass
The doorway to Shyok and Nubra valleys and the world’s topmost motorable pass according to BRO (Border Road Organization), ‘Khardung La’ is located on the Ladakh range which is 40 km from Leh. It is positioned at an altitude of 18,379 ft. and is also known as the ‘Pass of Lower Castle’. The place offers amazing picturesque and attractive views of valleys. In addition, Tibetan prayer flags add numerous colors to the scenic beauty.
Khardung La is a strategically important pass lying on a caravan road from Leh to Kashgar. In earlier times camels and horses took this trade route to supply goods and valuables. Today it is used to carry supplies to Siachen Glacier and is of high logistic importance to Indian army. The nearest reachable town to this pass is Leh which is linked to Manali and Srinagar.

Nubra Valley
Nubra valley is a dash of lush greenery in Ladakh's dessert and moonlike landscapes and slopes, being almost 3000m lower than Leh. Snuggled between the Karakoram Range and nourished by two rivers, Nubra is brimming with Sea buckthorns and Alfalfa.
During summers, the whole valley is carpeted with Pink and yellow roses and by Autumn in oodles of wild lavenders which, like almost everything around it, a sight beyond simple natural beauty. To travel to this place, tourists require an Inner Line Permit, that they can obtain in Leh.

Lamayuru Monastery
Located on the main highway between Bodhkhabru and Kha-la-che, at an altitude of 3.510 meters, Lamayuru Monastery is amongst the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. It is said to have been built around the same time as Alchi monastery.
It was founded by Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in the 11th century and belongs to Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. There are several legends associated with this Gompa. One such legend is that Lamayuru was a lake that drew back up to the mountains after blessings from a lama, in order to evacuate space for this monastery. It features a rich collection of wall paintings and Thangkas.

Hemis Festival
Hemis FestivalsHemis festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals in June to commemorate birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The sacred dance drama of the life and mission is performed wearing facial masks and colorful brocades robes. The three-day festival takes place from 9th to 11th. Especially the monkey year festival, which comes in a cycle of 12 years. During it the four-storey thanka of Guru Padma Sambhava is hung in the courtyard and other precious thankas are also exhibited.

Phugtal Monastery
Phugtal Monastery or Phugtal Gompa that is also known as Phuktal monastery, is located in the southeastern of Zanskar, in the Ladakhi region. It was founded by Gangsem Sherap Sampo during the early 12th century. This building is a distinctive construction has it is built onto a Cliffside in the form of a honeycomb. Situated on the mouth of a cave, over the cliff top, it is close to a major tributary of the river Lungnak (Lingti-Tsarap). This monastery which has a library as well as prayer rooms, houses around 70 monks. This one of the most isolated monasteries of the region is made up of wood and mud.

Thiksey Gompa
Thikse Gompa, of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect, is around 19 kms to the East of the main city of Leh. The architecture of the largest monastery in central region of Ladakh, is similar to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This 12-storey building complex consists of a number of things related to Buddhist art such as Thangka paintings, statues, stupas, swords, and so on. The building also has a nunnery.
A major tourist attraction is the Maitreya temple installed in 1970. The statue of future Lord Buddha in this temple of 49 feet high, which is also the largest in the region.

Alchi Monastery
Alchi Monastery, located in the Alchi village in Leh, was built by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958 and 1055. Today it is being monitored by Likir Monastery. This monastery is actually a complex of temples consisting of 4 separate portions that has monuments built at different times. The main complex has three temples- gTsug-lag-Khang (main temple), 'Jam-dpal lHa-Khang (Manjushri temple) and Dukhang (assembly hall).
Alchi monastery is one of the most well-known ones. The walls of the site are adorned with paintings depicting the details of Hinu kings as well as the teaching of Buddhism. There is also a huge Buddha statue in the complex, a famous tourist attraction.

Motor Biking in Leh Ladakh
Motor biking is a thrilling experience in the Ladakh region, a living museum of Tibetan Culture. The biking can be done on high mountain range. The perfect biker will be able to bike at any type of twisted and bitter road. Ladakh has all types of road from smooth to twisted one. If you want to feel a real biking adventure then you can drive from Manali to Leh on the zig zag route. The biking from Manali covers many places of Himachal and ends on highest motor pass in world – Khardung La.
The best season to start motor biking is from mid June to September. During biking a person can explore many monasteries or gomaps, local villages, high mountains etc. Enjoy the ride on silent lake of Pangong, Tsomoriri and Tso Kar.
The motor biking covers many places of Manali, Leh and Ladakh. The destinations which will be covered in the motor biking tour will be Leh, Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Tsokar, Tsomoriri, Pangong, Khardung La (world’s highest motor pass), Taglang La, Lachalung La, Baralachu La, Rohtang La, Manali, Udaipur Sarchu, Sarchu Rumtse, Ule Tokpo, Chumathang, Nubra Valley, Upshi, Hyamnya etc.