Zanskar Valley to Tso Kar Lake: Explore the natural beauty of Leh Ladakh

By Nancy Tiwari  |  First Published Apr 15, 2024, 2:43 PM IST

 Leh is the biggest city in the Ladakh area, one of the world's harshest deserts. Here are some beautiful places you must visit once in a lifetime.
 

Leh-Ladakh is a beautiful wonderland with many lovely colors! Call this part of India a nature lover's treasure trove, the 'Mecca' of adventurers, the Utopia of travelers, the Shangri-La of shutterbugs, or a wonderland blessed by Mother Nature herself, and you will never be disappointed!

This magical world, rich in history and sprinkled with various natural marvels, man-made wonders, and spiritual locations, and visited by millions each year, may surprise you in some way. Every step you take here will show you stunning landscapes, miraculous lakes, magnificent peaks, old monasteries and religious sites, scenic villages, and, of course, its kind residents.

1. Pangong Tso: When it comes to mesmerizing lakes in Leh Ladakh, the Pangong Tso, or Pangong Lake, is a must-see! It is known as one of the most beautiful saline lakes in the world. This lake is well-known for its beauty throughout India and China, as well as its distinct features. 
Even though it is positioned at a stunning height of 4,250 meters above sea level, it never freezes, no matter how cold the weather becomes. Aside from that, it is known to change hue several times during the day. Due to all of this, travelers frequently refer to Pangong Tso as Ladakh's magical lake'.

2. Zanskar Valley: Zanskar Valley is a semi-arid valley snuggled in the northern slope of the Great Himalayas, rising to a height of 13,154 feet. Tourists are drawn to this location by the spectacular snow-capped mountains, nice weather, sparkling water bodies, and lush terrain. The valley, located 105 kilometers from Leh, is a popular destination for adventure sports including trekking, paragliding, and river rafting. You can also choose popular hiking routes, such as Lamayuru to Darcha.

3. Nubra Valley: The scenic Nubra Valley has been around as long as Ladakh itself. This valley is located on the old Silk Route, which connects to Siachen, the world's highest battleground. Unlike most of Ladakh, this region is exceedingly deserted and is the natural habitat of the unusual double-humped Bactrian camels. Visitors to Nubra Valley must obtain special permits because it goes to Siachen. 

4. Tso Moriri: The stunning Tso Moriri Lake, a sapphire set against austere terrain, is one of Ladakh's most attractive locations. Nestled in the Changthang Valley, this 28-kilometer-long, pure body of water is also known as Mountain Lake since it is bordered by several steep peaks. At any time of day, you can see various feathery companions flying about, and the lake has now been designated as a wetland reserve. Popular avifauna include the bare-headed geese, great-crested grebe, Brahmin duck, and brown-headed gulls. 

5. Alchi Monastery: Alchi Gompa, also known as the Alchi Monastery, is a Buddhist monastic complex that is organized into four different religious complexes within the Alchi hamlet of Ladakh. All of the complexes of Alchi Monastery display a unique blend of architectural skillsets and qualities and are adorned with stunning sculptures of Lord Buddha and antique paintings that could be centuries old.

6. Spituk Gompa: Spituk Gompa, an 11th-century Buddhist monastery, lies atop a picturesque hill beside the Indus River in Ladakh. This monastery, located a few kilometers from the town of Leh, is made up of several tiers, steps, and an open courtyard. Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od, founded this monastery, which was once the most historically opulent monastery in the entire Ladakh Valley.

7. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib: Unlike other religious sites in Ladakh, this one is dedicated to Sikhism believers in the valley. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a cherished place of devotion for Sikhs, is a testament to Guru Nanak Dev's visit to Ladakh during 1517–18.
According to legend, the pious religious leader visited this location on his trip to Punjab from Nepal, Tibet, and Sikkim. Another tale claims that a demon formerly ruled this location. 

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