What are the things that come to your mind when you think about A Trip to Ladakh? Adventure, Royal Enfields, Treks, and Monasteries. No doubt that Ladakh is a mesmerizing place and is on the bucket list of every traveler in India. A lot of information on places to visit in Ladakh that are the most popular, attractive, and known as most prominent sites and treks is already available all around. However, there are many hidden treasures in this mesmerizing landscape that we would love to bring to the limelight.
River Rafting in Indus: Rafting in the Indus River is one of the activities that are not very common but it’s great to try to get your hands dirty in the mighty river surrounded by Zanskar ranges. With the roaring river and mesmerizing beauty all around it’s an experience that must be tried.
The Donkey Sanctuary in Leh: Joanne Lefson along with Stany Wangchuk was the one who came up with the idea of the donkey sanctuary after seeing stray donkeys found on the streets of Leh. The sanctuary now acts as a resting place for the stray animal. You can visit these animals to take a break from the scenic surroundings.
Camp at Uleytokpo: If you are done with staying in cities and want to rendezvous with nature, Uleytokpo village is the place to camp. There are readily-available tents and cottages and wake up to serene mountains and waters of the Indus River. About 60 km away from Stok Palace, our hotel in Ladakh on the Leh-Srinagar highway, this village is acclimatized to high altitude and climatic conditions.
With Uleytokpo as your base camp, you can trek to the Rizong Monastery. Another popular site to visit around Uletokpo is the 11th-century Yundrung Monastery located in the Lamayuru Village. Ethnic wall paintings, wood carvings, and statues of Buddha in the monastery are a visual treat to your eyes.
Camel Safari in Nubra Valley: At an altitude of 10,000 ft, the Nubra Valley, also known as the Valley of Flowers was once the trade route between Tibet and Kazakhstan. A camel safari in the mystical sand dunes of Nubra Valley offers the thrill of bouncing on the top of a double-humped Bactrian camel through the desert surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
Soul Search with Vipassana: Join one of the Vipassana camps and meditate in the lap of nature. Declutter your mind and dive within yourself. There are several monasteries and camps that offer beginner sessions as well as advanced programs. Take part in the Meditation Tour, or enroll yourself in a dedicated Vipassana campus for a rejuvenating, surreal experience.
Stay At a Gompa: Every monastery in the region is truly a sight to behold. Ladakh is a Buddhist dominant culture which is one of the major reasons you’ll come across a large number of Gompas here. Some of the monasteries found here date back several centuries. And some offer their visitors a place to spend the night, such as the Lamayuru, Hemis, and Thiksey monasteries. Stok Palace, our hotel in Ladakh also has Stok Gompa where you can meditate along with the Buddhist monks.
Visit The Turtuk Village: Turtuk Village is a less-explored village of Ladakh located near the Indo-Pakistan border which is also a part of the ‘Silk Route’.
The cultural richness and the soulful landscape make the trip to this village absolutely delightful. The village is inhabited by the Balti tribals. Wheatfields, the fragrance of apricots in the air, and the sounds of flowing water of river offer a soulful treat to the senses. You can visit the village and return to Leh to make Stok Palace, our hotel in Ladakh your stay for the night.
Watch Exotic Birds at the Tso Moriri: Don’t forget to carry your binoculars on your trip to Ladakh. The Tso Moriri lake is known for its wide variety of avian species. Here you can spot the Bar-Headed Goose, Red Crested Pochard, Crested Grebe, and Brahmini Duck, amongst others. Heaven for shutterbugs, the picturesque view and surroundings of the Tso Moriri will simply leave you craving for more. En route to the 16-mile-long Tsomoriri, enjoy the beautiful landscape of Purga Village.
