Introduction
Many of us have always wished to explore the tough terrains and the serene environment of Leh. At Nixtour, our mission is to help you transform your travel vision into an amazing reality. Being located in the central part of the great Himalayan mountains, Leh is indeed a paradise with kindness, adventure, and blessed nature. Amazing lakes, huge mountains, ancient monasteries, and mesmerizing landscapes make each visitor’s travel to Leh unforgettable. Check out the top 10 destinations to visit in Leh so you will find something unique and interesting in each place. Get ready to be amazed by the stunning beautiful places, calm and clean surroundings, and the beautiful culture of this wonderful Himalayan country. Book your travel through Nixtour for an unforgettable journey to Leh and beyond.
Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso, a sparkling high-altitude lake is one of the most popular sightseeing at Leh. This incredibly beautiful lake is located at about 14,270 feet above sea level and covers about 134 kilometers with a major part in Tibet and a small portion in India. Famous for its natural scenic beauty with crystal clear blue water Pangong Tso is a must-visit place for photographers and nature lovers. This water body tends to turn from blue to green, and even grey at some times of the day and this also gives it this magical-looking feeling.
Pangong Tso is not just about the kind of scenery that one sees, it’s about the kind of feeling one gets when in Pangong Tso. The atmosphere is rather fresh and free from fog, which combined with the view of the mountain range reassures a tired soul. The place is suitable for bird watching since the lake is a breeding ground for migratory birds and supports black-necked cranes. Night camping beside the lake is one of the most memorable experiences in a person’s life, and one gets to interact with camp life of raw nature. Getting to Pangong Tso demands that one passes through some of the most gorgeous terrains in the Ladakh region starting with the Chang La pass. The drive itself is an experience, the roads are curvy and the views are breathtaking as far as the eye can see. This makes any effort put in to get L lying in the serene and surreal beauty of the lake fully rewarded.
Khardung La
Khardung La at a height of 18,380 feet is one of the world’s highest motorable passes. This popular pass provides direct access to the Nubra as well as the Shyok Valley; it is known to be quite a treacherous road for travelers but surely picturesque. The journey to Khardung La is highly thrilling with lots of rough terrains, sharp curves, and snow-clad mountains setting the backdrop.
Finally, standing on the top of Khardung la, many people feel victorious because there are so many beautiful scenes such as the northern face of the Ladakh range and at a distance seemingly beyond the Karakoram range. The fresh mountain air and the realized sense of being at the top of the world is a bonus. It is also of archeological importance because the main caravan circuit connecting Leh to Central Asia passed through the site of the pass. Today it remains a symbol of human spirit and the sport of adventure. There are a few food accommodations at the top of the pass; some of these are tea stalls where people can take a cup of tea as well as enjoy the wonderful view. This place has prayer flags and contributes to the spirituality of the dusty, barren appearance of the ground. The pass is available mainly for use in the summer season since the pass gets blocked by snow during the winter season.
Thiksey Monastery
Thiksey Monastery is located 19 km from Leh, on a hill, and is one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries in the region. This architectural marvel of twelve-storied buildings depicts traditional Tibetan architecture and there are numerous Buddhist collections which include statues, stupas, and thangkas. The monastery falls under the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and this monastery looks very much like the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa.
The actual tour of Thiksey Monastery adds an understanding of the spirituality and the history of the Ladakh region. The most special and beautiful landmark of the monastery is the 15-meter-high statue of Maitreya which was erected in honor of the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama. The statue is painted elegantly and shows no signs of a struggle; its details are very explicit and it is a masterpiece that draws the attention and spirit of the people for worship and contemplation. It also has several minor temples within its compound, which differ in art and religious themes. So, when outsiders pay a visit to Thiksey Monastery they can join the praying session of the monks or the chanting in the morning which is quite spiritual. There are views of the Indus Valley and the mountains within and at the terrace of the monastery, which makes the place great not just for taking pictures but for meditating as well.
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame in Leh is one of the most fascinating museums that anybody would love to visit which is dedicated to the Indian Army who sacrificed their lives in the Indo-Pak wars. Situated at the Leh Kargil road this museum serves the purpose of reminding people of the stories and the products of sacrifices done by the Indian Army and at the same time a place of pride and motivation for many. The museum is well-maintained by the Indian Army, and the area is divided into sections, with each of them illustrating the tales of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.
Speaking of the peculiarities, it is impossible not to mention the dedicated gallery of the Kargil War. This section has descriptions of the war, photos, and personal effects of the soldiers – a quite vivid picture of the war that depicts the courage of the soldiers. It also has such exhibits as weapons and artilleries as well as other paraphernalia used during the conflicts and the kinds of risks this forced the armed forces to expose themselves to. The outside of the museum has a special wall that lists the names of the martyrs and the garden is always very well manicured allowing visitors time for quiet contemplation. Anyone who gets the opportunity to visit the Hall of Fame feels privileged and comes out with a great deal of respect for the Indian Army and the sacrifices made for the country.
Gurdwara Pathar Sahib
Gurdwara Pathar Sahib is located about 25 Km away from Leh on the Leh – Kargil route which is also known as ‘Charar-e-Sharif’. This simple temple is for the first Guru of the Sikhs – Guru Nanak Dev Ji and people believe that he passed through this place during his travels in the 16th century. It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji appeared here and through his divine powers, he transformed a boulder that was to hit and kill him into wax and thereby imprint his image on the stone. This gurdwara was constructed in the early 1970s by the Indian Army to mark this miraculous event and it continues to be an active religious institution attended by the devotees.
This gurdwara is under the supervision of the Indian Army and the compound has been well tended hence giving it a tranquil environment related to religious practices. It has the sanctity of the main hall that contains a small compartment of rock on which the back impression of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is accompanied by the facility of prayers. The Sikh temple also has a kitchen, and food place called as langar, where everyone is welcome irrespective of caste, color, religion, etc. Although not much sightseeing, the calm and peaceful environment that envelops the place along with the warmth of the Indian Army persons who are running the Gurdwara makes the journey to Leh all the more pleasant. Gurdwara Pathar Sahib is a powerhouse of energies no doubt, but it stands as an emblem of utter simplicity and states categorically that it is a place for all whether one follows the Sikh faith or any other faith at all.
Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is a huge dome-shaped stupa made of white structure, located at Chanspa, Leh, on a hill. Established in 1991, by Japanese Buddhism Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura, and a part of the Peace Pagoda project, it was established, for World peace and to mark the 2500 years of Buddhism. At the base, it has the Buddha relics which are enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama. The outlook of the stupa is panoramic and provides a topographic view of the area; therefore, it is one of the most beautiful places for sightseeing in Leh.
The Shanti Stupa is accessible by a steep staircase or one can even drive up to the place through a winding road. Finally, the ascent is enjoyable and the climax is a stupa’s silence and tranquility. The architecture is also very beautiful and you can see detailed carvings and paintings all over the structure that is most probably illustrating some of the events in lord buddha’s life. The stupa is lovely especially in the morning and in the evening when the light falls on the white dome of the building. At night period the stupa is well lit and visible from a distance well framed against the night sky giving a serene reflective environment for meditation. However, the Shanti Stupa did not only serve as a religious shrine but also as a site to promote tolerance.
Sand Dunes Leisure Park
Sand Dunes Leisure Park is yet another wonderful place that is in Leh near the village of Hunder in the Nubra Valley. This park is noted for having features such as dunes set against the backdrop of the mountain embracing the park’s high-altitude desert. It is a famous tourist destination since it provides a striking contrast between the desert and the rich green valley and the mighty mountains in the background.
Among all kinds of animals that can be rented for a ride at Sand Dunes Leisure Park, it is possible to meet such unique animals as Bactrian camels with two humps. Tourists can take camelback tours all over the rolling sand hills something that applied to traders when using the ancient Silk Road. The camel riding allows for enjoying the beautiful view of the desert while moving at a rather slow pace, allowing for taking pictures and just relaxing. The beauty of the dunes is best seen when the sun starts to set, and this makes the evening perfectly suitable for an evening out in the countryside. At night, the sky is very clear due to the absence of city lights and this makes it the right place to go for stargazing. Pleasure Island however is not merely a place or location, but a center or establishment that takes patrons to another world of fun and excitement. It is a must-visit for anyone who wants to check out the many terrains of Leh.
Leh Royal Palace
The Leh Royal Palace is an architectural marvel, building that was once used by the royal family of the region and is located on a small hill atop the town of Leh. Initially constructed in the early 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal, the palace is a nine-storied building that is very similar in design to the Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet. Currently, partially restored, it still represents a historical and architectural sight, giving an idea of the appearance of the royal palace of Ladakh.
The feeling of time traveling can be easily felt while visiting the Leh Royal Palace. The palace has towering walls, dark and massive, and wooden carvings that indicate the architectural style of the Tibetan region. Tourists can freely visit all the rooms and corridors that were used by the royal family and the members of the court. The top floors of this building afford a panoramic view of the town of Leh and the breathtaking mountains, which makes this building delightful for some photographers. The palace also has a collection of small museums containing some souvenirs, jewelry, ceremonial dresses, and paintings for the understanding of the history and culture of this region.
Tanglang La
Tanglang La is one of the world’s highest Motorable Mountain Pass at an altitude of 5328 meters (17,480 feet) above sea level. This pass is found on the Leh-Manali Highway; though physically demanding it delivers a sensational experience and is hence included in the tour plan of bike riders and drivers visiting the high-altitude tourist region of Ladakh. Tanglang La Pass is long with a steep gradient with numerous bends and it is very beautiful with snowy mountains visible right from Tanglang Monastery and huge valleys.
Tanglang La, itself, is truly a long drive and the sights visited properly engage the attention of the travelers with scenic ever-changing scenarios. The tourists can easily drive up to the pass it is well started though the high altitude and thinning air together with the volatile weather is a tough test. At the apex, tourists are welcomed with a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges that is both magnificent and solemn. The feeling of accomplishment once one gets to the summit of one of the highest motorable roads in the world also contributes to it.
Conclusion
Leh is one of those places that provide not only beautiful sceneries but also a powerful culture and religious feel. When your travel to Leh is of paramount concern to you, we at Nixtour ensure to make your journey comfortable and fascinating. Right from the beautiful Pangong Lake to the spiritual vibe of the Thiksey Monastery, every holiday destination in Leh has something special to offer to the visitors. As our guide comes to an end, we encourage you to visit this part of the Himalayas and have fun creating memories that will last a lifetime. If you have yet to travel to this mesmerizing destination, book your travel with Nixtour and experience it for yourself.
