Ladakh: THE LAND OF THE MYSTIC LAMAS

Places Of Worship

Buddhism is the most followed religion and the numerous monasteries stand testimony to that. The rugged terrain did nothing to stop the monks and nomads from traveling the landscape and building their dwellings that have stood the test of time. Among the world-renowned places to visit in Ladakh are Hemis Monastery, Karma Dupgyud, Matho Monastery, Rangdum Gompa, Lamayuru Monastery, Phyang Gompa, and the Likir Monastery.

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Explore And Shop

Once you have had your fill of spirituality, allow the bazaars to pull you in. The sheer range of artifacts and skills will leave you mesmerized. Explore Ladakh as you drift from stall to stall, talking to the owners and taking in the beauty of the myriad creations of the people of this land. If you are looking for a keepsake, perhaps we could interest you in a pashmina shawl or dress. Hand-woven caps, sweaters, gloves, and carpets are also a big rage, with stunning colours and intricate designs all clamoring for attention. Silver and turquoise jewelry, Thangka paintings, prayer wheels and Buddhist masks are all excellent reminders to mark your time spent here.

Cuisine

Ladakh’s cuisine, while greatly influenced by Tibetan culture, still has a voice of its own. You must absolutely taste Thupka, a delicious noodle-soup made using boiled vegetables, chunks of chicken, pork, and meat. People here are friendly and when they invite you for a cup of tea, don’t refuse but also don’t expect a typical cup of steaming brew. Ladakh is famous for its butter tea – a pink coloured, fragranced liquid made from tea leaves, butter, salt and water. Quite unexpected, right? Momos might be popular in the rest of India today but they originated here, and you must sample them. Simple daily fare, these are made from flour and water, and come stuffed with minced meat, vegetables or cheese.

Nature

Wildlife enthusiasts are drawn to Ladakh as bees to honey. The land is home to many exotic species of flora and fauna. Adventure enthusiasts can trek along the steep slopes to catch a glimpse of the wildlife of the land. Adrenaline junkies can explore corners of the hitherto unexplored land that calls out to thrill-seeker and amateur explorers. Whether it’s trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, motor biking, jeep safaris, camping or sports like archery and polo, Ladakh is adventure brought to life.

Festival

Ladakh is a land of festivals that includes traditional dancing, singing and an explosion of colourful masks. Buddhism has a say here and the visitor can see the strong influence that the religion brings into the many fairs and festivals that are celebrated by its people. Most Ladakhi festivals take place in winters, and the land is replete with various expressions of dance and dramas. The most famous festivals include the Losar festival, Hemis Tsechu festival, Sindhu Ladakh festival and Darshan festival. If you wish to see Ladakh enjoying itself in its splendour and complete abandonment, then planning a trip in winter is a great way to understand its rich and unique culture.

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How To Get To Ladakh

By Road - Ladakh is at a distance of 434 km from Srinagar and 494 km from Manali, and it is quite convenient to hire a cab or a jeep from either of the two cities. You can also book a seat on a JKSRTC bus. If you are feeling adventurous, you can bike to Leh from Srinagar, Manali or Chandigarh. Winters might not be a good idea for this as the highways are shut due to heavy snowfalls. If you do have to take the road, May to September is the ideal time.

By Rail - You can take a train up to Jammu Tawi (700 km from Ladakh) from most of the major stations in India, such as Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai. From there you can hire a cab or once again, board a JKSRTC bus to head further on.

By Air - Leh is the nearest airport and has good connectivity to Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh and many other major cities in India. From Leh, you can book yourself a cab to any of the places that you are interested in visiting.