Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh
The most important thing, one needs to be taking care of while visiting Leh – Ladakh is acclimatization to the lower oxygen levels, Most of the tourist places in the area are above 10,000 feet and the travelers may suffer from headaches , nausea , dizziness or even acute mountain sickness , Doctors usually prescribe Diamox , one tablet twice a day ,the pill might have side effects and better to check with the personal physician before starting the course.
The flight into Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is a memorable experience – over the large expanse of the Himalayas, passing through the four main ranges – the great Himalayan, Zanskar, Ladakh and the Karakoram. Flying over snow-clad ranges of pristine Himalayan peaks, the flight from Delhi is just over an hour and because of military restrictions the landing and takeoff is usually before 9 AM in the morning.
Leh Ladakh Tour Packages
Pricing and Itinerary
Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is one of the highest airports in the world, located at 10682 feet; it is advisable that while departing from Leh to reach at least two and a half hours prior to the departure time.
Recommended Itinerary for 5 nights, Day One
Not too much can be done due to acclimatization issues. You can explore the town and go shopping for trinkets for your first day. There are a few restaurants in the downtown, most popular being the Tibetan Kitchen .If one’s feeling ok, visit the Shanti Stupa , which was built by monks from Japan and Ladakh region in 1983 to mark 2500 years of Buddhism in the region and promote world peace. The stupa houses ancient Buddhist relics, placed here by the 14th Dalai Lama. Shanti Stupa is a popular meditation site, and a must visit spot for photographers.
Day Two – Visit the Thiksey Monastery
Visit the Thiksey Monastery, If possible during the Morning Prayer ceremony which starts around 0530 in the morning,
A gigantic structure, the monastery is a replica of the Potala Palace of Tibet. It is built on a hill top at around 19 km from Leh and is an impressive 12-storey structure. The area houses a 49 ft statue of Maitreya, the largest one in Ladakh, and lots of Buddhist relics like ancient thangkas, headgears, huge swords, and old stupas and a lot more. More than hundred monks live the monastery, a structure that also includes 10 temples and an assembly hall. Its exteriors, painted in red, ochre and white, make it more of a landmark, visible from miles—standing tall in an otherwise brown landscape. The most interesting part of the monastery is the school where children as young as 3 years study to become monks, another vantage point for photographers and nature lovers, for inspiring views of the flood plains of Indus Valley. There is a cafe right at the base of the monastery for lunch and beverages, a short trek from the base of the monastery through the villages; one can visit the river bank.
Day Three – Visit Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake is definitely the most beautiful lake located in Ladakh. , 60% of this lake is in Tibet and Line of Actual Control between India and China passes through the lake. The lake still attracts tourists from all over the globe. A Trip to Ladakh is incomplete without a visit to this beautiful Lake.
Pangong Tso is located roughly around 175 kms from Leh. Road is mostly good and a round trip to Pangong can be done in a day, recommended time to start the excursion is between 4 and 5 in the morning.
Day Four – Nubra Valley
Nubra Valley is one of the must visit places in Ladakh , located in North East having Diskit Village as the its main headquarters. Situated about 120 odd KMs from Leh town, The Shyok River, a tributary of Indus River, meets the Nubra or Siachen River to form a large valley that separates the Ladakh and Karakorum Ranges. The ultra wide landscapes, vast mountain ranges, virgin trails, and the Shyok River flowing midst the valley will take your breath away, The major attraction of a trip to Nubra Valley is going over the highest motor able road; Khardung La Pass Nubra Valley is an ideal place to fit into the acclimatization schedule of your Ladakh trip once you reach Leh.
Day Five – Visit the Stakmo Village ,Stok Palace and the Hemes Monastery
Start the day early with a visit to a small hamlet, 15 Km from Thiksey Monastery which houses the original chosen spot for Thiksey Monastery, This picturesque small village is not frequented by the regular tourists and maintains a certain charm about itself.
Stok Palace
Stok Palace-Built in 1820, the Stok Palace is a personal residence of the present king H.E. Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal of the Namgyal dynasty. The Namgyal dynasty traces its origin to its founder –Lhachen Palgygon as early as 10th century. The Palace has a hotel wing which has 6 rooms, the view from the hotel is facing the typical Ladakhi landscape of vast mountain ranges and snow capped mountains, the hotel also offers an insight into the Ladakhi cuisine through the cooking classes organized by the hotels’ chef.
Hemis Monastery
Located 48 Kilometers from the town of Leh ,The Hemis Monastery is the biggest and the richest in Ladakh ,A large part of the monastery is converted into a museum which has invaluable ancient Buddhist art crafts .
For more information on Leh Ladakh Tour Packages, discounted air tickets to Leh , Best prices on Luxury hotels in Leh , Sightseeing in leh , Pangong Lake , Nubra Valley , Contact one of the leading travel agents in Delhi, India – Swan tours at www.swantour.com