SAINDIA MAGAZINE AUGUST 2015

has its own taste and meaning. You have
a good number of adventure sports in Ladakh
to choose from. Most famous adventure
sports in Ladakh include mountaineering,
jeep safari, trekking, cycling and river
rafting. Ladakh adventure holidays have
everything to offer an adrenaline junkie
might be looking for. There are high mountain
ranges, scenic trails, expansive lakes,
deep valleys and high passes that add to
the joy of your adventure in Ladakh.
Ladakh is a place like no other. Surrounded
by two awe-inspiring mountain ranges,
Karakoram and the Himalayas, Leh-Ladakh
will redefine the concept of natural
beauty like you never knew it. If you can
take thin oxygen levels and some hardships
on a holiday, brace yourself for a
roller coaster ride. But before you plan your
adventure trip to Ladakh, make sure you
include the following hotspots in the list no
matter what.
Nubra Valley
The Khardung La Pass at 18,380 feet, is
the highest motor able road in the world,
and a gateway to the Nubra Valley. The
beauty of the Nubra valley is that it allows
you to look over the Indus valley in the
south and the mountain ridges of the Zanskar.
You will get to see some rare and interesting
plantations, quaint hamlets and high
altitude desert landscapes. You will find the
Siachen Glacier to the north of the valley
and the Sasser Pass to the northwest of
the valley.
Lamayuru Monastery
It’s difficult to choose the best amongst
so many beautiful monasteries in Leh-
Ladakh. If you want your touristy dose of
seeing monks on orange robes performing
quaint rituals, a visit to the Lamayuru
monastery is a must. It is one of the oldest
and largest monasteries of Ladakh, located
approximately 127 kms from Leh. You will
love seeing the beautiful caves carved out
of the mountains at the monastery. You
could also consider going to the Stok, Hemis,
Thiksey, Spituk and Shey monasteries
if time permits.
Pangong Lake
To visit this lake which is the world’s highest
brackish lake at 14,256 feet (above sea
level), you’ll have to undertake a 160 kms
journey from Leh. Starting from Thicksey
village, you will start crossing large mountain
ridges that just don’t seem to end. And
by the way, once the mountains start, even
crossing distance worth 10 minutes can
take you hours. The topography is harsh
but breathtaking. Once you finally arrive
at the Pangong Lake, you will be lost in
seeing the deep mesmerizing blue colour.
Don’t expect boating facilities here!
Zanskar Valley
The Zanskar mountain range covers an
area of 7000 sq. kms and is without a
doubt, one of the most desolate places in
the Himalayan range. Zanskar is known
for its awesome scale. The tributaries of
the Zanskar River are famous for seasonal
white river rafting. Deep gorges, snow glaciers
and a number of small religious spots
dot the Zanskar valley. Be careful of the
time of the year you choose to visit Zanskar.
It’s closed for a significant time due to
extreme snowfall and winter.
Shanti Stupa
Located on a hill in Chanspa, Leh, the
Shanti Stupa is one of the most magnificent
and peaceful Buddhist monuments
you could possibly see in the extreme north
of India. Did you know, the Shanti Stupa
was enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama
himself? It has relics of Buddha at its base.
It’s amazing to know that the Shanti Stupa
was built to commemorate 2500 years of
Buddhism. What’s more, it also offers panoramic
views of the landscape around it.
Whoever has been to Leh-Ladakh comes
back with a changed perspective of the
place. It’s definitely not for the faint hearted.
It’s a photographer’s paradise and a nature
lover’s haven. If you can sit on the banks
of a lake taking in the beauty for hours together,
then you must visit these 5 hotspots
of Leh-Ladakh.
How to reach
Overland Approach - The overland approach
to Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via
Kargil is approx. 434 Km, which remains
open for traffic from early June to November.
The most dramatic part of this road
journey is the ascent up the 11,500 feet
3,505 m high Zoji-La, the pass in the Great
Himalayan Wall that serves as the gateway
to Ladakh. The J & K State Road Transport
Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates
Shanti Stupa
regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services
between Srinagar and Leh on this route
with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars
and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar
for the journey. Groups can charter Deluxe
and A-class buses for Leh, Kargil or Padum
(Zangskar) from the J & K SRTC at
Srinagar.
Air Travel
Indian Airlines www.indian-airlines.nic.
in operates 3 flight in a week between Leh
and Delhi, 2 flights in a week from Jammu
and once in a week from Srinagar. Jet Airways
www.jetairways.com also operates
six flights in a week between Leh - Delhi
and Go Air www.goair.in operates daily
flight Between Leh - Delhi.
Road Distances
Lamayuru Monastery
Srinagar - Leh - 434 Km
Manali - Leh - 473 Km
Srinagar - Kargil - 204 Km
Delhi - Leh - 1047 Kms
Leh - Kargil - 234 Km
Kargil - Padum (Zanskar) - 240 Km
Leh - Deskit (Nubra Valley) - 118 Kms.
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