There are some vacation destinations that you can't go wrong with. There is nothing we can say about Ladakh and its absolute stunning views that hasn't been said before, but we will say them anyway, because, like we said, you cannot rave enough about the beauty that is Ladakh! A plateau 9,000 ft above sea level, Ladakh is surrounded by the Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, Himachal to the south, J&K to the west and Xinjiang to the far north. Whether you're an adventure seeker, the kind of person who has to cover all ground when in a new place, or just need a beautiful scenery, a comfortable room and great food to relax away from real life, Ladakh is the perfect option for all types of travellers. Leh is only accessible by road between June and October. Anyone who has been to Ladakh can attest that it can be one of the most life-changing holidays you'll take. So here's our exhaustive guide on what not to miss while there!
The Ultimate Ladakh Guide: Places To See, Eat In And Stay At
Best Places To See:
Lamayuru Monastery
It is no secret that Ladakh is home to many beautiful monasteries that train thousands of monks. We would suggest you keep one day for monastery hopping to cover as much ground as possible. But because it is absolutely impossible for you to be able to see all of them, we have narrowed it down to five unmissable ones.
The Yuru or Eternal Monastery, located on the Leh-Srinigar Highway, has one of the oldest and largest gompas (prayer halls) and houses about 150 monks. They also host two masked festivals in the second and fifth months of the lunar Tibetan calendar. You can also check out the ruins of four older gompas.
Thikse Gompa
The largest gompa in central Ladakh, it resembles the Patola Palace and houses many thankas, stupas, statues, wall paintings and swords—in fact, it has a 15-metre-tall statue of Maitreya, which is the tallest in Ladakh. It is most famously known for having a separate set of buildings for female renunciates. The annual festival, gustor rituals, is held in the months of October and November, with masked dances and villagers collecting for bartering of items.
Alchi Monastery
This monastic complex in Leh district has monuments dating to different periods of history and four separate settlements. It consists three main shrines all dating back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries—the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri. It's a must-visit for the wall paintings depicting Hindu and Buddhist kings and huge Buddha statues with intricate wood carving.
Hemis Monastery
The Hemis Monastery is the most popular spot to be at and is known for its two-day annual festival, where a giant thanka is unfurled. The gompa has a museum, which displays a wide range of Tibetan books, and thankas, and stupas and statues embedded with precious stones and jewels. It also houses weapons, carriers, and a stuffed vulture pup.
Pangong Tso
The Pangong Lake is 160 km away from Leh and requires you to cross the third-highest motorable pass in the world, the Chang La, which is 17,586 ft above sea level. The lake is great for hiking and for the absolutely stunning view. We would suggest camping overnight at the lake. The lake changes colour depending on the time of the day and you will definitely come away amazed with the number of stars you'll see.
Leh Palace
Nine-storeys tall, the Leh Palace is in a slightly dilapidated condition, but still a must-see. Built in the seventeenth century, it was the former home of the Leh royal family. Now, it is open to tourists, with paintings as old as 450 years, thangkas, and royal ceremonial robes and jewellery. It also has a beautiful prayer house. But the best thing about the palace is the magnificent view of the Stok Kangri, the highest peak in Ladakh, and the expanse of the town.
Shyok River
The Shyok River originates in the Rimo Glacier and is a tributary of the Indus River that flows from Through Ladakh Gilgil-Baltistan. Add this to your itinerary because of the sheer breadth that the river covers and the beautiful view of the super-clear water and take in the rich local culture of Shyok Valley.
Tso Moriri
About 4,000 metres above sea level, the Moriri Lake attracts migratory birds, marmots, and sometimes Tibetan wolves. While the view is breathtaking, the high altitude of the lake can make it hard to get acclimatised to and the temperatures and the wind can often be biting. You cannot pitch tents here and there are no washrooms or restrooms around, so go prepared. But the view is absolutely worth it.
Hunder
The Hunder Sand Dunes are a major tourist attraction with amazing views and Bactrian Camels, which were central to the Silk Route, and Pashmina goats. You can go on safari here to learn about the rich history and ancient culture of the route. The high-altitude desert cut through by a stream and you can see the beautiful countryside.
Best Places To Eat:
Gesmo Restaurant
Gesmo or German Bakery is known for its specialty Yak-cheese pizza and is the perfect place for you to have a comfort dinner at the end of your trip, or on your first night when you're just getting used to the altitude. German Bakery has familiar dishes with a local twist and comes highly recommended by locals and travellers alike.
Bon Appetite
With their famous cashew crusted chicken and wood-fired pizza, Bon Appetite is recommended by almost every local. You can unwind here for dinner or for lunch with a beer or the local sea buckthorn drink while you take in the beautiful view of the mountain ranges.
Summer Harvest
Summer Harvest is absolutely the place to be if you're a momo fan or want to try the best momo in town. All the reviews suggest that you order a full plate of the mutton momo and clear soup.
Namza
This is perfect if you want a taste of the local produce. Try their Yarkhandi pulao, which has a rich history dating back to the silk route, and their har gow, which is made with green local produce. The seating overlooks a garden, so its a definite win-win!
Best Places To Stay:
Zeepta Guesthouse
Zeepta is the perfect place if you want the hostel rates and the hostel experience without the hostel troubles. The guesthouse is quiet, extremely clean and has great service. The rooms are cosy, and even though the bathrooms are shared, they are super clean. Prices start at INR 1,000 per boarder.
Dragon Hotel And Guesthouse
This is a great mid-range option for a comfortable stay in Leh. What's more is the beautiful and dramatic setting the hotel is in, with it being in a village that has the same-looking surface as the moon. It is one those hotels that allows you to take in the local culture. The family that runs it also grows its own produce.
The Indus River Camp
This luxury option is our editor's absolute favourite (trust me, she was jumping with excitement when giving me the recommendation). With cottages, cabins, chalettes and deluxe rooms, they have all kinds of options for a luxury stay. With the river-front views, spacious rooms, they acres of land and you will literally feel like you're sitting in the lap of nature.
Dolkhar
What's amazing about this boutique hotel is that it offers you great location, being situated in the middle of Leh town, and yet give you enough quiet that, to quote them, you can 'hear the mountains echo'. The seven villas have been made by locally sourced material and using the local techniques of construction. The rooms are cosy and all rooms have a rabsal—a Ladakhi-style balcony—with the ground floor rooms having a private patio.
