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Part of the Hindu Kush Himalaya, the natural enchantress, Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses two of the world-famous high altitude water lakes, Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso. The altitude of the sanctuary varies from 14000 to 19000 feet, and the topography is formed of deep gorges and vast plateaus. There are around 11 lakes and 10 marshes in the Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary, and the majestic River Indus dances through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
The snow leopard is the major attraction of this wildlife sanctuary. Rare and threatened animals such as Tibetan wolf, Tibetan argali, Wild Yak, Tibetan gazelle, and the Tibetan antelopes also reside in this vast cold desert landscape. Around 44 species of water birds have been recorded. The endangered Black-necked crane breeds in the marshes here before flying to its winter home in northeast India.
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Flora: More than 200 species of wild plants grow in the higher pasture. These wild plants are mostly edible by animals.
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Fauna: This sanctuary hosts Kaing (Tibetan Wild Ass), snow leopard, lynx, wolf and wild dog. Also, one can spot wild ungulates Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Argali, Blue Sheep, Wild Yak, Ibex, and Ladakh Urial.
Avian-Fauna: Brahminy Ducks, Brown-headed Gulls. It offers an ideal breeding habitat for Black Necked Crane and seasonal species of migratory birds.
Best Time to Visit: May to Dec
Area: 4,000 sq. km
Location: In the east of Leh (state J&K), located between Ladakh and the Tibet (China) border.
Things to keep in mind:
- Prior permission to visit the Protected Area required by the District magistrate Leh
- It's better to make arrangement of accommodation in advance from Leh
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Other major attractions of Ladakh:01 Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, is one of the most spellbinding sites in Ladakh. It is a glacial lake approximately 150 kilometers long which extends into both the Indian and the Chinese territories. The lake is perched at a height of 4350 meters but is in a liquid state even in the deep winters owing to its salinity. One must try camping around Pangong lake to experience the beautiful serenity of the place.
Pangong Lake is a destination straight out of a fairytale- the still waters of the lake against the background of an intense blue sky are fascinating enough in themselves, but the ever-changing colours of the lake further add to its charm. Visiting the Pangong lake is an activity that you absolutely must undertake when in Ladakh. The lake is only 5 hours away from Leh and transportation to and from it is easily procured.02Khardungla Pass
One of the most famous passes in Ladakh, the Khardung La is one of the few high-altitude motorable roads in the world. When you are on a road trip the might and majesty of its entire setting adds to its imposing aspect and makesvisiting the Khardung La an experience to remember.
The sights and sounds to be experienced here exceed all expectations- the high altitude (scaling almost 18,500 feet) of the pass makes it a fantastic viewing point from where some of the most awe-inspiring views can be seen. An army canteen near the pass provides tourists with the chance to enjoy a nice hot cup of tea and some snacks as they gaze tirelessly upon the view.
A bike trip is the best way to explore Ladakh's raw beauty. One can start the biking expedition from srinagar, delhi or from manali.03Tso Moriri Lake
Another beautiful lake in Ladakh, Tso Moriri is a sight fair seen. It falls on the Ladakhi end of the Changthang Plateau and is fed by sundry streams and the melting snows of neighboring mountains. Surrounded by flourishing mountains on all sides with snow-capped peaks gazing down from far above, this glacial lake is one of the prettiest spots you can visit in Ladakh.
Nature is at its most benign and benevolent in this lakeside landscape, and gazing upon it will make you want to bow your head in reverence for the powers of nature. The lake is situated approximately 250 km from Leh, 8 hours’ worth of drive away, and can be accessed via tour jeeps and rental cars. Also, don't forget to indulge yourself in camping in Tso Moriri lake.
04Nubra Valley
When in Ladakh you simply cannot miss paying a visit to the iconic Nubra Valley. One of the most beloved sites in Ladakh, this valley offers a range of interesting tourist activities to be enjoyed. Camel safaris on sand dunes or visit monasteries in Diskit, village tours around Hunder and Diskit and Turtuk, and a lot more can be enjoyed in Nubra Valley.
It is one of the prettiest places you will visit in Ladakh and one that will leave you with a whole lot of beautiful memories. You can enjoy Nubra Valley by undertaking a week-long trek or engage in jeep, bike or bicycle safaris. Camping in Nubra Valley is also a fantastic experience so do not miss out on it.05Shanti Stupa
Leh is significantly influenced by the Buddhist ideals, and stamps of this influence are to be seen all around the state. The Shanti Stupa in Leh is a landmark site in the city and is an example of this far-ranging influence. It is a white-domed chorten which stands proudly on a hill in Leh and is visible from far off.
The stupa is famous for the relics of Buddha that are preserved at its base and have been enshrined there by the 14th Dalai Lama. The views from the top of the hill only add to the beauty of the place and make visiting the Shanti Stupa a must-do activity in Leh.
06Alchi Monastery
Alchi Monastery is an ancient Buddhist monastery complex in Ladakh that houses many chortens and temples including three major shrines- the Dukhang (Assembly hall), the Sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri. All three shrines date back to the 12th century and are considered to be of great significance in the Buddhist history of Ladakh.
Beautiful wall paintings also decorate the monuments of the monastery and reflect both Buddhist and Hindu ideals. Woodworks are also an important part of the monastery art. Alchi Monastery is not just a monastery, it is also a monument to Jammu and Kashmir’s past and as such plays an important role in the region. Its location on the banks of the Indus river only adds to the depth of the experience of visiting the monastery.
You can also check out the best hotels in Leh.07Royal Leh Palace
An important part of the culture of Ladakh, the 17th century Royal Leh Palace is a palace that stands to overlook the town of Leh. The situation of the palace makes it a wonderful place to look out upon a vista comprising of the small Leh town with the Stok Kangri and Ladakh mountain ranges in the background.
Though the condition of the palace has deteriorated over the years, it is nonetheless an important touristic attraction in Ladakh, and it also houses a museum with artefacts dating back almost 450 years. Visiting this museum is a great way to get some valuable insight into the history and culture of Ladakh.
The visit to the building will also provide you with an excellent example of medieval Tibetan architecture, thus adding to the depth of your Ladakh visit.08Hemis National Park
Hemis National park is a high-altitude national park in Ladakh and is a wonderful place to explore. Open all around the year, this park offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy a heightened level of stillness and peace in Ladakh. The national park houses a wide range of flora and fauna and is home to several exotic species of life.
But the best claim to fame that Hemis National Park of the park is that it is supposed to be the best place in the world to sight a snow leopard in the wild. For this reason, the Snow Leopard trek inside the park is a favourite trekking trail with adventure lovers in the winter months from December to February.
09Diskit Monastery
Diskit Monastery is one of the places you cannot miss visiting in Ladakh. Located in Nubra Valley, this monastery is the oldest and the largest monastery in the Ladakh region. A grand 100-foot statue of the Maitreya Buddha is enshrined at the entrance of the monastery and makes an imposing picture as you approach the monastery. A number of other shrines and temples are also to be seen inside the monastery.
Located on the plains above the Shyok River, visiting this monastery makes for a wonderful photogenic outing. Though the best time to visit the Ladakh is during the summer, the monastery also conducts a “Festival of the Scapegoat" during February- a festival which reflects the spirit of the culture of Ladakh.10Hall of Fame
Ladakh has often been on the frontlines of the wars between India and Pakistan, and numerous soldiers have lost their lives in the mountains around the region. In order to honour the memory of these brave soldiers, the Indian army constructed the Hall of Fame- a museum dedicated to celebrating the courage of these war heroes. It's a must visit from leh to kargil.
The Hall Of fame comprises of two floors with the first floor detailing the lives of the soldiers and the second floor featuring a hall which contains several artefacts from the Indo-Pak wars, most notably from the Kargil war of 1999. A souvenir shop is also a part of the museum. Since it is located right next to the Leh airfield, visiting the Hall of Fame is an easy matter and can be accomplished whenever you have a couple of free hours in Leh.
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