Ladakh Beyond Snow-filled Adventurous Thrill

By Author: Pavan
Total Articles: 16
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Talk about Ladakh, and you picture snow-covered lands, terrifying curves on high-altitude roads, and grand mountain sights which motorcyclists thunder through. But quite old Leh, the largest town in Ladakh, is a relatively undiscovered jewel. It has its share of attractions such as the market street, a few cosy eateries, the Shanti Stupa and other structures such as the Shey and Leh palaces, some of which house museums that showcase the rich art and history of the region. Mainly, though, use Leh as a base from which to explore spectacular mountain monasteries such as Matho, Thiksey, and Hemis; these as temples of the Buddha and Buddhist deities, which mainlanders rarely get to see. Also, visit the utterly picturesque Pangong lake (for which you need a permit).

Everything about Ladakh is surreal, be it the mesmerizing scenery, the ancient monasteries seemingly hanging precariously off cliffs, the lakes that keep changing color, colorful festivals and pageants, and the shy men and women who people the region.

THE MONASTERIES

There are several monasteries in Ladakh, and some of the most famous ones are in ...
... Shey, the erstwhile capital, Thiksey, Hemis, Likir, Alchi and Stakna. Located about 14 km from Leh, Shey has an old palace and monastery that houses a statue of Buddha, made of copper and gilded gold, in the form of Sakyamuni. It is believed that craftsmen from Nepal built this statue. Thiksey is often referred to as mini Potala, as it resembles the palace in Tibet. It is twelve storeys high and beautiful murals adorn its walls. A row of prayer wheels, mani walls and chortens greet you, as you enter the monastery, but it is the 50-foot tall statue of Maitreya Buddha that will hold your attention.
NUBRA VALLEY

Nubra Valley is about 150 km from Leh, across the Khardung La Pass. Khardung La is among the world’s highest motorable passes, and the view from atop the wind- buffeted pass — of crags, snow atop mountains, the chocolate-brown landscape all around, and rivers thawing in the sun — will stay with you for long. Nubra, being a valley, is less stark than Ladakh, relatively speaking, and there are apricot and apple orchards, and, every once in awhile sand dunes, too. The capital of Nubra is Diskit, and it is also home to an eponymous monastery that hosts a mighty Maitreya. The valley also has charming villages such as Hunder, which has home stays where you eat with the hosts and walk around the quiet lanes and stare at the mountains all around.
The Gorgeous lakes

Ladakh is famous for its lakes, and my favourite is Pangong Tso, which was made famous in the Hindi movie, 3 Idiots. To reach Pangong Tso, you have to cross Chang La, another high altitude

The Buddhist monastery in Diskit passes. Homestays have now mushroomed around the lake, and the villages close by offer rooms to stay. However, if you are adventurous, I would recommend that you pitch a tent on the banks of the lake. There are two other lakes that you must not miss — Tso Moriri and Tso Kar. While you are at any of the lakes, look out for black-necked cranes, kiangs or Tibetan wild asses and adorable marmots.

Sneak in and around Ladakh
The capital town has lots to offer to the traveler. Spend an evening at Shanti Stupa and enjoy the views of the mountains, or head to the old ruins of the Leh Palace. If you are into trekking, there are several hikes such as the Leh to Khardung La trek and Markha Valley route. From cycling to biking and kayaking to water rafting, Ladakh is a destination for the outdoors. And, there is no better time to be there than the three months from June to August.