Ladakh, the ‘Land of High Passes’ offers experiences of a lifetime. Meticulously designed Wonders of Ladakh tour lets you explore the scenic lakes, snow-laden peaks, barren mountains and so much more. Treat your eyes to the awe-inspiring views which you won’t find anywhere else. Spanning over 10 days, the Wonders of Ladakh tour renders you in a state of awe with intriguing things like a Shikara ride and a visit to the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara. Besides spiritualism, this Leh Ladakh tour itinerary Via Srinagar allows you to enjoy amazing adventure during your excursion by embarking on a Camel safari at Hunder Sand Dunes in Nubra Valley. All things considered, you can rest assured of memorable holidays with the best tour package for Leh Ladakh from Srinagar.
LEH PALACE
Quite an impressive replica of Lhasa’s Potala Palace, the Leh Palace is a major attraction in Leh. A nine storey structure in dun colour, it was the erstwhile home to the royals of Ladakh, built at the behest of King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century. The Leh Palace rises up against the backdrop of the lofty Himalayas, looking more like a painter’s muse. Built mostly of mud, rocks and wood, it is grand in its simplicity. The palace also houses a rich collection of traditional dresses and crowns, thangka paintings and some impressive traditional ornaments. The best part about Leh Palace is its terrace for you can pore over Leh, Stok Kangri and the Zanskar range from it. This one cannot be missed for it looms high in the skyline of Leh, standing guard over this Himalayan kingdom.
STOK PALACE
Stok Palace is the less majestic yet more famous of the palaces in Ladakh. At some 14 km from Leh, it was the once summer palace of Ladakh’s royal family. Built over 200 years ago, Stok Palace houses some rare ancient paintings of Buddhist deities Shakyamuni, Avalokiteshwara, Vajrapani, Tara, Amchi etc. The palace museum also houses some 100 plus volumes of Buddhist teachings and a giant statue of Avalokiteshwara. Some interesting artifacts like the jewel-studded crown of Ladakh’s erstwhile queen are also housed in the palace. The palace also has a cafe on its terrace and some rooms open for visitors. Prior booking has to be made in case you wish to stay here. Stok Palace is a major pit-stop if you are eager to hit some impressive treks in the Himalayas around.
PANGONG TSO
While no words can be apt enough to describe Pangong Tso, words like ‘magic’ and ‘surreal’ can be put to good use here. This astonishing, blue-water body at 14,270 ft is guarded by looming mountains. One of the most stunning lakes of the world, Pangong Tso covers 134 km and touches India and Tibet. Also important as a major wetland, it sees flocks of migratory birds in summers. Visiting it in winters is, of course, an out of this world experience for it is completely frozen at that time. The lake lies in the Changthang region of Ladakh at some 170 km from Leh, and has just one cemented stay facility nearby. Foreign nationals need Inner Line Permit to visit the lake; thus it’s advisable to check for visitor’s guidelines beforehand.
LAMAYURU MONASTERY
Lamayuru, fondly referred to as the Moon Land, is a major stopover on the Leh-Kargil Road. Hidden in the folds of the mountains of this mystical land is the Lamayuru Monastery. One of the oldest gompas in Ladakh and Spiti, this monastery is perched atop a cliff. Going by the legends, this region was once under a lake that was made to dry up by a holy man. The main sanctum of the monastery has a cave where Mahasiddha Naropa meditated for years. The entire region is considered sacred owing to the monastery’s presence and a visit is believed to liberate people from all their sins. Other than its religious significance, the place looks like a picture postcard that has turned real.
TSEMO FORT
This fort cum monastery stands guard over the city of Leh and is a major landmark, visible from everywhere in the city. Built by King Tashi Namgyal, it sees elaborate Buddhist ceremonies in morning and evening. Take the trail leading to the monastery from Leh to witness the interesting rituals. It also houses a three-storey tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, its face made out of solid gold. Also a vantage point for photographers, its terrace gives a bird’s eye view of the whole city. Visit it early in the morning to escape the scorching heat, witness the rituals as well as click great shots in the almost golden light that lights it up.
STOK KANGRI
Stok Kangri is the highest mountain peak in the Stok range of the Himalayas. At 20,500 ft, it is also the highest trekkable summit in India. It has always been a great lure for trekkers from all over the world and is quite popular since it requires relatively less trekking skills. Ideally done between 6-10 days, it is one of the must have Ladakh experiences. You need to be properly acclimatised to the high altitude conditions before attempting this one. It is advisable to make a summit attempt if you have prior experience of scaling some 14,000 ft peaks. A lot of mental fitness also goes into this one, for weather can take sudden turns on the trek to Stok Kangri. Still, it is a must do if adventure is your calling and you harbour a secret wish to scale a world-famous Indian peak.
SHANTI STUPA
Another one for the shutterbugs and the ones interested in culture and Buddhism. A starky white stupa (chorten) standing tall (4276 m) against a backdrop of the barren brown mountains, the Shanti Stupa is nothing less than fascinating. It was built by monks from Ladakh and Japan in 1983 to mark 2500 years of Buddhism in the region and promote world peace. The stupa houses Buddhist relics, placed here by the 14th Dalai Lama. A popular meditation site, it also has a simple cafe which makes up for the hard 15-minute climb up the stairs. Photographers must mark it in bold on their itinerary, for it’s a perfect place to shoot time lapse sequences.