25

Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh in June, July and August

Tucked amidst the breath-taking landscapes of Ladakh is the Alchi Monastery, which is amongst the most sacred places for Buddhists. Dating back to at least 1000 years, the monastery is also the oldest Buddhist Learning Centre in the region. Detailed carvings on the walls, along with the age-old wall paintings are some of the major attractions of Alchi Monastery.

A nine storey high building that displays the influence of Potala Palace in Lhasa is the famed Royal Leh Palace. It stands with its head high on a cliff top overlooking the ravishing Leh town. Leh Palace has now been converted into a museum which features ancient paintings and relics of Buddha along with cutlery used by the Royal family.

Perched atop a hillock by the Indus River, Spituk Monastery prides itself as one of Ladakh’s most significant monastery complexes. The Gompa is home to Tsongkhapa Order of Tibetan Buddhist monks, housing around 125 resident monks. The monastery complex houses a massive statue of the Hindu deity Kali along with several small shrines, some dating back to 900 years and.

The Hall of Fame in Leh is a museum that was constructed by the Indian Army in memory of the brave Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives trying to protect their motherland in the Indo-Pakistan wars. Located on the Leh-Kargil Road, the museum is a great place to see photos of the soldiers, their training camps, the different war relics and a lot more. 

Apart from Khardung La or Baralacha La, Ladakh has numerous other passes at great heights which stand as Ladakh’s pride for centuries now. The glitters of other passes may be diminished by Khardung La mainly but all the other passes are equally important. Lachulung La is a single example.

The elevation of this pass is 5059 meters above sea level which is considered to be a dangerously exciting height for any pass after Khardung La. Lachulung La is on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Also, it separates the valleys of Tsarap Chu and Tozay. If you take Leh-Manali highway, you will be able to cross this pass that has other names such as Lachalung La, Lungalacha La etc. 

A fact that to be remembered before you head to visit this pass is, it is open only for four and a half months during summer. Any traveler should be prepared not to fall sick during the conquering of Lachulung La because its geographic status, the height, the rugged pathways and the remote villages it goes through may cause dramatic influence on your body. Being one of the most adventurous passes in Ladakh, Lachulung is a favorite stop avid adventure lovers.

Also, the surroundings are quite fictional as the towering Himalayan passes and the nature lying in correspondence to them are creating soothing visuals. Trekkers should be very careful while climbing the altitude up as altitude sickness is assured at the top and keep hydrated to maintain your body conditions with respect to the climate. But the descent is smooth and easy so that you will feel overjoyed till the end.

Height: 5059 meters

Best time to visit: May to October

How to reach: Take Leh-Manali highway, from Sarchu 54 KM and from Pang, 24 Km

Nestled in the Rapshu region of southern Ladakh, the Tso Kar Lake stands out in its beauty. Forming a part of a complex wetland network, Tso Kar is recognized as one of India’s most prominent Ramsar sites. The lake attracts a lot of birds and small wildlife as well such as the Tibetan Gazelle, the Kiang and the deep-necked crane.

Stowed away within the folds of the Himalayan mountains, the Phugtal Gompa is among the most secluded monasteries anywhere in the world. The monastery is quite literally sprawling among mountain caves with its units spread through them. A complete monastery complex, including prayer halls and shrines, can be found here where a number of festivals are celebrated throughout the year. 

Chang La Pass, located in Ladakh, India, is one of the highest motorable passes in the world, reaching an altitude of 5,360 meters (17,590 feet). Offering breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks and stark landscapes, this pass is a challenging yet rewarding route for adventure seekers and travelers exploring the scenic beauty and rugged terrain of Ladakh.

Pay a visit to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, located a mere 25 kilometres from Leh, dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev. The Patthar Sahib Gurudwara is considered to be of immense religious significance among Sikhs, since it is home to a rock that resembles the back of Guru Nanak. According to the local tales, it is believed that Guru Nanak had defeated a demon here. 

Also known as the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery, the Namgyal Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist shrines in Ladakh and features a three-Storey-high statue of Maitreya Buddha. Built during the early 15th century, it was named after King Tashi Namgyal, who built the monastery as a means to guard his dynasty and the valley from evil spirits.

A quintessential location and a high altitude roadside bar is Zingzing situated on the road from Manali to Leh. Travelers come here to refresh with a sip of coffee or to have food to energize the body and soul to resume their journey to Leh. The multi-purpose shacks can be availed to stay overnight as well.

A space where you will love to roll a joint and smoke it up to escape from the extreme cold. Located at an altitude of 4270 meters above the sea level, the place is recognized to be the most suitable one to take rest. Peaceful ambience and the silence prevailing would leave everyone addicted to it.

The fame of ZIngzing Bar was enhanced because of Baralacha La pass also; the starting point of Baralacha La, one of the most loved passes in Ladakh is Zingzing Bar. Thus it cannot be missed during one’s journey to Leh. The temperature level at the bar will be crazily as low as -2* Celsius and as you ascend from a different temperature from the base, chances to feel altitude sickness and fluctuations in the body are quite higher.

Height: The highest roadside bar in the world is located at an elevation of 4270 meters above the sea level before the steep Baralacha La roads starts.

Location: From Manali, Zingzing Bar is situated at a distance of 193 kms and a drive of about 3 hours will take you to the bar and from Leh it is about 337 kms away.

Best time to visit: Zingzing Bar is found the most scenic during the months of December, January and February when the winter hits at its peak. For those who are searching for peace over a joint, Zingzing bar during winter would be the best option.

Leh Market is one of the busiest, most colourful places in Leh, where you can get everything imaginable- from groceries to clothes, jewellery to local street food. The Leh Market is a perfect representation of the culture of Leh- vibrant and colourful. The market comprises many stalls, stores and shops that are set up in quaint disarray, where you can navigate your way between the merchants and sellers to discover items worthy of purchase.

The market is divided by small lanes and bylanes, with sections dedicated to things such as handicrafts, spices, clothes, artefacts, food and souvenirs. One of the things that Leh Market is very famous for is its woollen clothing. The cold climate of Leh has led to a culture of creating beautiful, hand-woven woollens, which has become a popular local product of Leh. 

Market’s central location also facilitates easy trips to several nearby attractions such as the Leh Palace, Jama Masjid, Shanti Stupa and much more. Whether you are looking for unique dry fruits, exquisitely hand-crafted Tibetan shawls, or simply looking forward to a good time, Leh Market is bound to fulfil all your expectations.