To Experience Ladakh Unlike A Regular Tourist

To Experience Ladakh Unlike A Regular Tourist

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"The land so barren and the passes so high, that only the worst of enemies or the best friends would visit this land", so goes a Ladakhi saying. The barren lands still lie barren and the snowy passes are still a challenge. But there is something about this place, nestled between the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, that makes it a must visit, gracing every avid travellers bucket list. This land has a personality, and those who seek find a beating heart and an exhilarating soul. Here are a few reasons why a trip to Ladakh is not one to be missed:: 10 Ways To Experience Ladakh Unlike A Regular Tourist

© Before They 10 Ways To Experience Ladakh Unlike A Regular Tourist

Image credit: Before They

“The land so barren and the passes so high, that only the worst of enemies or the best friends would visit this land”,  so goes a Ladakhi saying. The barren lands still lie barren and the snowy passes are still a challenge. But there is something about this place, nestled between the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, that makes it a must visit, gracing every avid travellers bucket list. This land has a personality, and those who seek find a beating heart and an exhilarating soul.   

Here are a few reasons why a trip to Ladakh is not one to be missed:

1. You are on the moon

Ladakh seems wondrously unreal, so unique is its landscape. You might feel like you’re on the moon, or on another planet. The landscape rises and falls, changing colours and terrain. The barren hills and undulating valleys lay down a setting for a Dali masterpiece about to be painted.​: 1. You are on the moon © Tim Dellman 1. You are on the moon

Image credit: Tim Dellman

Ladakh seems wondrously unreal, so unique is its landscape. You might feel like you’re on the moon, or on another planet. The landscape rises and falls, changing colours and terrain. The barren hills and undulating valleys lay down a setting for a Dali masterpiece about to be painted.​

2. A bolt from the blue

Only when you visit the Pangong Tso lake, will you know what all Bollywood movies mean when they talk of love-struck heroes drowning in the deep, blue ‘lake-like’ eyes of their respective love interests! The vivid colour instantly puts you in the best of spirits. It is not a site to be missed.: 2. A bolt from the blue © Thrillchimp 2. A bolt from the blue

Image credit: Thrillchimp

Only when you visit the Pangong Tso lake, will you know what all Bollywood movies mean when they talk of love-struck heroes drowning in the deep, blue ‘lake-like’ eyes of their respective love interests! The vivid colour instantly puts you in the best of spirits. It is not a site to be missed.

3. Monasteries and prayer flags

More than half the Ladakhis are Buddhists and the region is dotted with ancient monasteries, or ‘gompas’. The most notable among them is the Hemis Gompa, which is 44 km south of Leh and the Diskit Gompa, located in Nubra Valley. Colourful Buddhist prayer flags flutter on the sides of the passes. This place gives you a chance to experience Buddhist traditions and take a dip in their culture!: 3. Monasteries and prayer flags © Trevor Cole 3. Monasteries and prayer flags Image credit: Trevor Cole

More than half the Ladakhis are Buddhists and the region is dotted with ancient monasteries, or ‘gompas’. The most notable among them is the Hemis Gompa, which is 44 km south of Leh and the Diskit Gompa, located in Nubra Valley. Colourful Buddhist prayer flags flutter on the sides of the passes. This place gives you a chance to experience Buddhist traditions and take a dip in their culture!

4. Beautiful people

With their sunburnt and friendly, smiling faces, the people are beautiful. Everywhere you go, you will be greeted with a happy ‘Juleh’, the Ladakhi word for hello. Be prepared to feel an onslaught of cuddles whenever you pass a fat red-cheeked Ladhaki kid, and there is no shortage of those!: 4. Beautiful people © Devyani Gupta 4. Beautiful people Image credit: Devyani Gupta

With their sunburnt and friendly, smiling faces, the people are beautiful. Everywhere you go, you will be greeted with a happy ‘Juleh’, the Ladakhi word for hello. Be prepared to feel an onslaught of cuddles whenever you pass a fat red-cheeked Ladhaki kid, and there is no shortage of those!

5. Po cha, Thukpa, Momos and Chang: Let’s talk about food

If you are a foodie, you have been waiting for this. Food lovers will relish the Ladakhi delicacies! Pocha, a salted butter tea, is like nothing you’ve ever tasted. Thukpas and momos, hot and steaming, are a delight for hungry stomachs on those frosty, biting nights. Wash it all down with some Chhang, the local brew.: 5. Po cha, Thukpa, Momos and Chang: Let’s talk about food © Anne 5. Po cha, Thukpa, Momos and Chang: Let’s talk about food Image credit: Anne

If you are a foodie, you have been waiting for this. Food lovers will relish the Ladakhi delicacies! Pocha, a salted butter tea, is like nothing you’ve ever tasted. Thukpas and momos, hot and steaming, are a delight for hungry stomachs on those frosty, biting nights. Wash it all down with some Chhang, the local brew.

6. Starry nights for curious eyes

You would never have seen so many stars in the sky together! Ladakh is a dark and desolate land at night and the sky is brimming with stars. Perfect place for star-gazing and for night time star-trail photography.: 6. Starry nights for curious eyes © Nimiti Nigam 6. Starry nights for curious eyes Image credit: Nimiti Nigam

You would never have seen so many stars in the sky together! Ladakh is a dark and desolate land at night and the sky is brimming with stars. Perfect place for star-gazing and for night time star-trail photography.

7. For the adventurer in you

A very popular, and highly recommended, method of getting around Ladakh is biking. Nothing beats the thrill of the ride and the wind on your face. And with a landscape like Ladakh’s, it’s a sin to not be out in the open, soaking it all in! This land of high passes and azure blue lakes also offers great trekking and camping opportunities. Adventure is out there, folks!: 7. For the adventurer in you © delightfortheeyes 7. For the adventurer in you Image credit: delightfortheeyes

A very popular, and highly recommended, method of getting around Ladakh is biking. Nothing beats the thrill of the ride and the wind on your face. And with a landscape like Ladakh’s, it’s a sin to not be out in the open, soaking it all in! This land of high passes and azure blue lakes also offers great trekking and camping opportunities. Adventure is out there, folks!

8. Festivities and Merry-making

If you time your trip just right, you can go in time to visit the wonderful festivals that take place around the gompas. People come out in colourful tradition garb for dancing and merry making. You are a part of the fun, one among the many in this colourful, enthralling harmony of musicians, dancers and singers.: 8. Festivities and Merry-making © Julie Hall 8. Festivities and Merry-making Image credit: Julie Hall

If you time your trip just right, you can go in time to visit the wonderful festivals that take place around the gompas. People come out in colourful tradition garb for dancing and merry making. You are a part of the fun, one among the many in this colourful, enthralling harmony of musicians, dancers and singers.

9. For the Zen-seekers

Ladakh is perfect to get away from the daily hustle-bustle of life into a peaceful Shangri-la where time stands still and thoughts flow uninhibited. It can be your hideout, where you can get a much-needed reprieve from all the lemons that life throws your way! Dabble with Buddhist philosophy, meditate with the monks, find yourself as you scale mountains and cross passes, and let inspiration fill your soul.: 9. For the Zen-seekers © North bayshore antiques 9. For the Zen-seekers Image credit: North bayshore antiques

Ladakh is perfect to get away from the daily hustle-bustle of life into a peaceful Shangri-la where time stands still and thoughts flow uninhibited. It can be your hideout, where you can get a much-needed reprieve from all the lemons that life throws your way! Dabble with Buddhist philosophy, meditate with the monks, find yourself as you scale mountains and cross passes, and let inspiration fill your soul.

10. Camel version 2.0

These are camels with a twist! Yes, presenting to you the famous Double Humped Camels. These beautiful furry creatures are designed to conquer cold deserts! You get to see them sashaying among the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, one of the few places in the world with a Bactrian Camel population.Ladakh can be a thrilling escapade, a spiritual experience, a sight-seeing excursion, a time to get far from the maddening crowd, and a time to have a great adventure. It can be anything you want it to be and more! So stop what you’re doing and start planning your journey to Ladakh!: 10. Camel version 2.0 © Devyani Gupta 10. Camel version 2.0 Image credit: Devyani Gupta

These are camels with a twist! Yes, presenting to you the famous Double Humped Camels. These beautiful furry creatures are designed to conquer cold deserts! You get to see them sashaying among the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, one of the few places in the world with a Bactrian Camel population.

Ladakh can be a thrilling escapade, a spiritual experience, a sight-seeing excursion, a time to get far from the maddening crowd, and a time to have a great adventure. It can be anything you want it to be and more! So stop what you’re doing and start planning your journey to Ladakh!