When the famous trio of 3 Idiots shouted “Aal is well” in front of the breath-taking landscape of Pangong lake, everyone who watched this movie wanted to pack their bags and head off for a trip to Ladakh.
If you are tired of the monotony of your life and want to sanitize your soul then Ladakh is the right place for you. With its sweeping scenic beauty and indigenous culture, Ladakh offers the sacred space you have always been looking for.
Here are the 11 top reasons why traveling to Ladakh should be in your bucket list.
1. The beauty of this land will blow off your mind.
Ladakh which is located in the Himalayan range of Jammu and Kashmir is surrounded by Karakoram Mountains. It offers you a mesmerizing view having snow-capped peaks, clear blue skies, deserted mountains, and rambling rivers. With crystal sands of varying colors, patches vegetation, and the lukewarm breeze which gets lazily lingered, one can easily imbibe in the beauty of Ladakh.
2. The food is so good that it will make your heart bloom.
The way to man’s heart is through his stomach and when it comes to the cuisine of Ladakh no one gets disappointed. One of the most famous and signature dishes of Ladakh is a dumpling soup called Chutagi. It is made of flour into a bow tie-shaped dumplings and consists of potatoes, carrots, and spinach. With other dishes like skew, thukpa, paba, and momos one can never get enough of Ladakhi cuisine. The chilly and dry winds along with steamy momos and hot stew or thukpa ensure a great solace making your heart bloom. Compared to all other dishes you can enjoy these dishes to satisfy your taste buds.
3. For all those Instagram worthy pictures you have been looking for.
The mountainscapes, deserts, and meandering clear waters altogether will bring out that hidden photographer in you. The heavenly horizons make wonderful scenic frames under which you can click countless pictures.
4. For some breath-taking adventures
Ladakh means “Land of high passes”. It comprises of words La meaning passes and Dakh meaning numerous. Situated 18,875 ft above the mean sea level, the traveling here can give you a spectacular feeling. Ladakh is home to the world’s top three highest mountain passes. Rohtang pass, Khardung La, Chang La are among the various famous passes you might want to conquer on your bike alone or with your friends. Not just this, trekking, river rafting, and taking deep dives in the ice-chilled rivers can get you adrenaline pumping giving you a great adventurous time.
5. The epochal rendezvous and cultural festivals.
The vibrant festivals of Hosar, Hermis, and Phyang are unique in their ways. The fusion of drums, trumpets, and thumping steps of masked lamas is a pleasure to one’s eyes. All those sensational vibes during these festivals will drive away from the evil spirit inside you. You will enjoy the dancing monks who bring life to the valley. The festival showcases the ethos of Ladakh at its best.
6. Soak in the beauty of ancient architecture.
Nestled in the abode of the Himalayas the ancient Gompas and monasteries display true Buddhism. The superb décor, antiques, and storehouse of ancient manuscripts promise you a sense of tranquillity. The top monasteries in Ladakh are India’s remarkable architecture which takes you to the prehistoric era.
7. For all that nomadic experience you have always wanted.
If the adventurer inside you has been lost somewhere because of your overburdened, tech-savvy job then the Hunder sand dunes and camping at Tso Moriri wetlands can bring back that lost adventurer in you. Do you love to travel places where the Wi-Fi is weak and nature too strong to rejuvenate your soul? In this case, Snow leopard trek and frozen river trek are some of the notable winter expeditions during your Ladakh trip.
8. Spend less on accommodation and more on travel
The accommodation in Ladakh could be as cheap as just 600 bucks. With a variety of lodging options available even in the local villages, the traveler can spend less on accommodation and more on traveling experiencing the local culture throughout the trip.
9. Soaking in the beauty of prestige nature.
The idea of playing cricket or driving a car on a thick land of ice is just a dream for most of us who are living in the metropolitan cities. But here at Pangong Lake at -30 degrees, you can just put a tick in front of that column on your bucket list. The lake changes its color throughout the day which is extremely serene.
10. Rare fauna
During your trip to Ladakh, you can experience a variety of Himalayan wildlife during winters. However, Snow leopard, blue sheep, magpies, mountain wolf, wild hare are among the most fascinating animals which will fill you with enthusiasm.
11. For romanticizing in nature
Ladakh due to its extremely cold climate and excitement in the air can turn out to be a perfect place for honeymooners.
Ladakh is the place for your next vacation no matter if you want to travel alone, with friends or your family. The beauteous nature, extremely kind people, and indigenous culture will give you the feeling of being on top of the world. For a traveler, this feeling is beyond description.
