If you enjoy travelling, you can’t leave Ladakh’s lakes, and Leh’s peaceful monasteries off your bucket list. India’s northern-most Union Territory, Ladakh is a mountainous region with a unique culture and breathtaking scenic beauty. Ladakh tour packages usually take you to the places in and around Sham Valley, Pangong Tso, the Nubra Valley, and Leh City. Here’s a peek into what you might see and experience. 

Leh City

Leh, the capital and largest city of Ladakh, is usually the anchor city for a package trip to Ladakh. The Old Town of Leh is home to iconic historic sites like the 17th century Leh Palace and the Jama Masjid Mosque. Though most of the palace stands in ruins, it is still a beautiful example of medieval Tibetan architecture. The Shanti Stupa is also worth a visit.

Amongst the many monasteries in and around Leh, you can put the Namgyal Tsemo monastery, Thiksey Monastery and Hemis Monastery at the top of your list. Inside the Namgyal Tsemo monastery, you’ll see a three-story-tall gold Buddha statue. Beautiful hand-painted thangkas and wall murals are a common sight in almost all monasteries around Leh. Note that monasteries usually frown on photography within the building.

Along with sightseeing, make sure you keep time aside to walk through the cobbled streets of the Leh market and enjoy a cup of warm, ginger-lemon tea at one of the city’s many cafes.

Sham Valley

Many Leh Ladakh holiday packages include a day trip to the Sham Valley. The main attractions of the Sham Valley are just off the Srinagar-Leh Highway. The Pathar Sahib Gurudwara is the first stop on this drive. This gurdwara is built around a large rock bearing a handprint believed to be that of Guru Nanak.

Just a few kms ahead is the mysterious Magnetic Hill - a hill believed to have gravity-defying, magnetic properties. If you step out of the car and leave it in a neutral gear, you might see it move up the slope on its own.

Further ahead is the Sangam point. You can admire the waters of the Indus and the Zanskar rivers coming together from the view point just off the road or go down to the water and experience rafting down these rapids.

If you continue down this road, you’ll come to some of Ladakh’s more off-beat attractions like the Alchi and Mangyu Monastery and the Saspol Caves.

Pangong Tso
Ladakh tour packages  are incomplete without a drive to Pangong Tso. To reach the lake from Leh, you need to go across the Chang La pass - you can stop here for photographs and a cup of tea. The lake itself seems to appear out of nowhere. Picture a brilliant blue expanse surrounded by rugged mountains. You can drive along the lake for a few kilometers or walk down to the shoreline and skip stones across the clear water. If you like, you could even camp overnight at the Spagmik village near Pangong Tso.

Nubra Valley

If you choose one of the longer Leh Ladakh holiday packages, you can also include the Nubra Valley in your itinerary. Before you get to this unique cold desert, you’ll have to cross Khardung La. This is the highest motorable pass not just in India, but in the world.

The landscape changes dramatically once you hit the Nubra Valley. You’ll be surprised to see Hunder’s double-humped camels lounging amidst soft sand dunes along the banks of the Shyok river. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-high, try riding an ATV across the sand. The Diskit Gompa is the other major highlight of the Nubra Valley. You’ll spot the 106 foot tall statue of Buddha long before you reach the monastery. This is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the valley.

Planning Your Holiday in Ladakh

Ladakh is one of those places for which you need a well-planned itinerary. You can fly into Leh or drive up via Kargil or Manali. From there on, your holiday will need to continue by road. The months between May and September are considered the best time to visit.

There are 2 main things to keep in mind. Firstly, Ladakh stands at a height of over 8000 feet. It’s not just cold, the air is thin and you’ll need to acclimatize well. Secondly, you need a permit to visit many places like Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and Nubra Valley. You can apply for a permit online. Better still, book Ladakh tour packages so you don’t need to worry about this paperwork.

Odyssey gives you several Leh Ladakh holiday packages to choose from. Each itinerary lets you explore this unique mountainous destination at a comfortable pace. Your local conveyance, accommodation and permits are all taken care of so you don’t have to stress about anything. This is truly, the most relaxing way to explore Ladakh’s beauty.