Ladakh is a land where all the five elements of nature synchronize to create the magic that at the same time enchants and awes. The tapestry of landscapes combines with the mystical aura of monasteries to cast an undying spell on visitors that has them in a vice-like grip. We fell in love with Ladakh even before we landed at the Kushak Bakula Rimpochee Airport at Leh. The aerial view of the mysterious looking snow-clad peaks that ensconce Ladakh in a protective embrace had us transfixed. The days spent in Ladakh were indeed the stuff that dreams are made of. Here are our 15 best experiences in Ladakh, that have captured our imagination and which stay entrenched in our minds forever.
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10 Best Experiences In Ladakh
Each day in Ladakh saw us up and ready early, our travel backpacks stocked with necessities, jackets, and shades ensuring our protection from the elements, our spirits soaring to a crescendo as we embarked on our exploration of the beautiful land.
Naropa Festival – Best experiences in Ladakh for Culture & Spirituality
If nature reveals its wild and virginal beauty in Ladakh, the colourful culture touches the core of your heart. One of the most interesting cultural extravaganzas that unveil different dimensions of the mountain culture is the Naropa festival. The Naropa festival is called the Kumbh of the Himalayas. It is a grand festival which is virtually a carnival that showcases the best of dance and music of the Ladakh region. The Naropa festival is a convergence of spirituality which celebrates the life of one of the most revered saints in Tibetan Buddhism, Naropa who lived more than a thousand years ago. He was a learned saint with great spiritual and even supernatural powers. The Naropa festival is now an annual event that is held near the ancient Hemis monastery not far from Leh and is spread over 5 days. The highlight of the festival is the unveiling of the Thangka which is a massive silk embroidery of Buddha Amitabha, and the exhibition of the original bone ornaments that are believed to have been handed to Naropa by the Dakhinis.
Road Trip To Pangong Lake – One of The Best Experience in Ladakh For Nature Lovers
Some of the best experiences in Ladakh are the road trips that treat you to mesmerizing views of the changing landscapes. One of the best road trips that we did was the one from Leh to Pangong Lake. It was a journey that we wished would never end. But end it did only to treat us to the surreal beauty of the divinely enchanting Pangong Lake. The lake along with the blue skies and shiny white mountain peaks painted a picture that was beyond the reach of even our imagination. Words become redundant and speech needless as you are swept away by the beauty of the Pangong Lake. The visit of the lake is always included in the Leh-Ladakh tour package. The lake is 150 kilometers from Leh and the best way to get there to hire a private or shared taxi.
Visiting Moonland
An otherworldly experience is what awaits you at a remote village called Lamayuru, a remote village high up in the hills. Near the village one can view a unique landscape that is eerily similar to Moon craters. One feels one has walked into a Sci-Fi movie when at the Moonland in Lamayuru.
Aryan Village
The villages of Dah and Hanu is where the colorful ethnic Brokpa tribes live. These villages are many times referred to as the last of the Aryan villages. It is said that the natives here are of pure Aryan descent. It is really interesting to meet these simple folk who live beside the flowing Indus river and are occupied mainly in agriculture including cultivating Apricots. We spent some interesting moments interacting with the members of the Brokpa community.
Zanskar Confluence
A breathtaking sight in Ladakh is the Zanskar confluence. This is where the Zanskar River meets the Indus river. The sight of the waters of the two rivers flowing towards each other is a panoramic sight that can be viewed from the highway above the valley where they meet. The confluence is located near the Nimmu village of Ladakh.
Hemis Monastery
The Hemis Monastery’s ancient roots date back to the 11th century and beyond. The monastery is associated with the revered saint Naropa and organizes the annual Naropa festival in the vicinity. The monastery is also the venue for the annual Hemis festival that is celebrated in the honor of Padmasambhava. The monastery has a mysterious aura and is hidden between the hills and in ancient time it is said not many knew about its existence.
Alchi Monastery
A small monastery with exquisite artwork that is a fusion of Kashmiri and Tibetan art is located in the quiet village of Alchi on the banks of the river Indus. This is the Alchi monastery which is attributed to Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo who is also referred to as, “the great translator”. He is said to have built around 108 temples while in the region and before he returned to his place of origin which was Tibet.
Basgo Castle – Best Experiences In Ladakh
The ruins of the Basgo castle loom in front of you as you travel from Leh towards Alchi. There is a strange mystical calm that pervades the ruins. The remains of the castle and the temples or monasteries stand dramatically on a cliff and offer stunning views of the surrounding valleys. The Palace and monastery which were enclosed with a citadel are believed to have been built in the 15th or 17th centuries. What one can see today is the citadel standing forlorn, the palace is just a rubble heap, but there are three temples that are well preserved and give an inkling of the lost grandeur of the place.
Changla Pass
When you drive from Leh to the Pangong Lake you keep ascending and the oxygen levels keep falling. You reach the peak of your ascent at the Changla Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The Pass is manned by Indian Army personnel, and one is greeted by the icy Himalayan winds and hot steaming cups of black tea. Thee surrounding snow-clad mountains present a spectacular vista. However, one can spend just 10 or 15 minutes here as oxygen levels are really low and one needs to descend from here towards Pangong Lake.
Himalayan Marmots – One of the Best Experiences In Ladakh
We stopped by the side of a vast barren field that lay between tall mountains. Suddenly we found cute little creatures peeping out shyly from their burrows. After some time they overcame their shyness and became bold enough to come close. These were the Himalayan Marmots that are found in the Ladakh region.
Ladakh is indeed an unending medley of diverse experiences. One needs to go back, again and again, to really experience the full potential and beauty of Ladakh. These are only some of the best experiences in Ladakh that we liked, there are surely many more. Have you been to Ladakh? What is one of your best experiences in Ladakh?
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