Ladakh is one of the most recognizable tourist locations in India, that features prominently in any and all holiday tour packages list. Thanks to dozens of Bollywood films and songs featuring its lofty peaks and beautiful lakes as their backdrop, even people who have never visited our nation’s newest union territory, seem to have a deep connection with the place. This is why Ladakh Tour Packages can easily be considered one of the top 3 choices for tourists from both India and abroad.
Despite this popularity, the area is still highly desolate, due to the extreme weather conditions present throughout the year. As well as the difficulty of supplying such a remote and geopolitically active region of the nation. The fact that all this is happening at 25,400 ft above sea level only adds to the challenge. This is why it is always advised to pick a comprehensive holiday tour package, which covers all aspects of the trip. From the transport to the accommodation, and even medical and emergency services.
So, that you can focus on your friends and/or family, and create a memorable experience that will last for a lifetime. Newlywed couples also share the same sentiment, which is why we see a high demand for honeymoon tour packages to Leh & Ladakh. No matter what your motivation, there are lots of places to explore in the Kunlun mountain range that houses this almost untouched paradise. Let us take a look at a few of them.
As we mentioned above, Ladakh, also known as Khapa-chan (snow land), is located in the Kunlun mountain range of the Greater Himalayas. It is flanked by Tibet on the east, and Jammu and Kashmir on the west. In the south, you can find another popular tourist duo of Lahaul and Spiti. For the more adventurous travelers, you can even for further north into the Karakoram Pass.
If you only have the time and/or budget to explore just Ladakh, you can still visit a bunch of locations that will make your trip worth it. Here are a few of them that you should definitely put on your itinerary.
Leh
Leh is a newly formed district of Ladakh, but for most of Indian history has been its biggest city and working capital. Located at 11,490 ft, it was a major landmark in the original Silk Route and remains one of the biggest attractions to the region.
You can find lots of hotels, tourist shops, monasteries, trekking agencies, and more, sprawled across the narrow streets of the mountain town. Tourism and agriculture remain the major sources of income for the people in this region. Despite the small window in the summers for tourists to actually access this region. We will definitely recommend that you keep this place on your Ladakh tourism package itinerary.
Khardung La Pass
This place is a must-visit bucket list location for any car or bike enthusiast, for having the honor of being the highest motorable road in the world, at a dizzying height of around 18,380 ft. It is the entry point to the Siachen glacier, from the Nubra and Shyok Valley, and remains inaccessible due to snowfall for most of the year.
Cars and bikes carrying enthusiast travelers from all over the country flock to this region between July and August, when it is the warmest time of the year, at a stark – 6 degrees Celsius. We would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in riding the mountains, as it is truly a world-class experience.
Zanskar Valley
Just like everything in Ladakh, this is a highly remote place that is a challenge to get to in the first place. However, once you visit it, you will certainly consider the journey worth it. Located in the inner Himalayan region, this valley is a truly picturesque location, with wide-open plains, lofty mountain peaks, and beautiful rivers and lakes.
You are so far from modern civilization, that stargazing at night feels like a completely magical experience. This is why it remains a popular camping destination, surrounded by lots of trekking trails for daytime exploration. But the most popular activity remains kayaking and white-water rafting. As the river running through Zanskar produces grade 4, 4+, and 5 rapids. Truly a must-visit location on any Ladakh tour package.
Pangong Lake
Made famous by the movie 3 Idiots, this lake is easily the most visited place in all of Ladakh. In fact, for a lot of visitors, it is the one thing that convinced them to visit in the first place. Located at the height of 14,271 ft, this lake is located right in the middle of the India-China border. In fact, India only shares a fourth of the entire lake.
Still, it is an amazing sight to see, with it being the highest saline water lake in the world, surrounded by even higher cliffs and mountains. What makes it even more special is that the unique chemical composition of the water allows it to change colors in different conditions. With the lake waters changing colors from blue, to green, and even red. We would definitely suggest it to people looking to travel to Ladakh with their family and friends.
There are a few more places that you can visit on your journey through this beautiful place. But you will have to be really selective about your choices, as there is a very short time frame during which visitors can go to Ladakh. Throughout the winter season, the entire area is inaccessible due to heavy snow cover and harsh weather conditions. Even in the monsoon, it is not recommended to visit this place, as landslides and flooding conditions are prevalent in the region.
It is only between April and July, that the weather becomes pleasant enough to explore the region. There is a short period after the monsoons and before the first snow hits when you can come back to see it all again. Some people prefer this time, as there isn’t as much tourist traffic in the region.
Due to the popularity of this tourist destination, there are lots of options to reach Ladakh, despite its remote location. The easiest way is to take a flight to Leh, from one of the many major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, etc, and even some relatively smaller places like Srinagar and Jammu. Although, there is a high chance of weather-related delays or cancelations through this route.
A more reliable way is to take a train to Leh from any of the major towns like Chandigarh, Pathankot, Udhampur, etc. Yet most people prefer taking the road, as it evokes the spirit of a proper road trip. Going from Chandigarh to Manali, and then beyond. Depending on your mode of preference, the journey can go anywhere between a day or two, to an entire week. Each path has its merits and delivers a completely unique experience that everyone should have, at least once in their lifetime.
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