Some of the Top Things to do in Ladakh

Ladakh wears many sobriquets or nicknames. The last Shangri La, land of half moon, land of lamas, are some of the popular ones earned because of its breathtaking landscape that’s remote, rugged and forbidding and yet exotic and beautiful, and its unique culture, cuisines, customs and diversity. Part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir and defined by the barren mountain, cold desserts, snow clapped peak and some of the most inhospitable terrain drained by the legendary Indus river, Ladakh is a tourist paradise second to none. There are many places to visit in Ladakh and there are many things to do in Ladakh too.

Adventure tour packages of Ladakh are popular because of its remote mountain landscape and high peaks that attract many mountaineers and trekkers from all over the world. Besides, trekking tour in Ladakh is also becoming increasingly popular with younger demography and millennial.

1. Cham and the Dancing Llamas

Ever heard of dance form that is considered meditation? No? Cham Dance is the answer. Associated with some sects of Tibetan Buddhism and performed by monks, nuns and villagers on certain social events and Buddhist religious festivals like the Hemis Festival or the Ladakh Festival, Cham dancers are dressed in colourful costumes and some intimidating yet thrilling masks and watching them perform is exhilarating to say the least. And what also especially sets the Cham Dance apart is the fact that not only the dance form considered a kind of meditation and offerings to the God, but also offers moral instructions relating to consciousness and compassion.

2. In Monks’ Company

Spending some time in the company of a venerable monk, or Bhikhu as we know it, is on every traveller’s mind. Often called as the ‘Land of Llamas’, one of the things to do in Ladakh is to catch up with the monks living in the many monasteries all over the region and learn the secrets of living an ascetic life and spiritual practices that in turn can enrich our life and living.

3. Praying in a Monastery

We understand how it feels when your ‘travel’ is ‘experiential.’ Merely visiting a monastery is not enough, especially so when visiting Ladakh, a region home to many living monuments. Many of these monasteries date back hundreds of years and have been a house of prayers throughout their existence, and are not just abandoned remains. So stay overnight, get up early to catch the first flicker of light, which is breathtaking, to say the least, and participate in the Morning Prayer. We can make it happen, be it Hemis Monastery, one of the foremost places to visit in Ladakh, or elsewhere.

4. Drive Through the Shangri La

Ladakh wears many sobriquets, the half moon land, the last Shangri La, land of llamas, among others. This remote land in probably one of the most forbidden corner of the highest mountain range is visited by roadies from all over the world. Surprisingly, driving through Ladakh is not only a sought-after vacation by the adrenaline junkies but also for the families. Driving through the rugged rocky terrain of winding roads and sharp turns and some of the highest mountains passes like Khardung-La at over 5359 meters enroute to places like Nubra Valley and others is an experience without which your trip to Ladakh is incomplete.

5. Sight a Snow Leopard

Considered to be one of the most prized sightings in the world amongst the wildlife enthusiasts, Ladakh’s snow clapped mountains and peaks are home to the rare Snow Leopards. The high altitude Hemis National Park is particularly good habitat for the predator where an estimated 200 Snow Leopards of a total of approximately 7000 worldwide live.

6. Ancient Silk Route Safari on Double-humped Camels

One of the top things to do in Ladakh, riding a Bactrian Camel, double-humped camel, along the ancient Silk Route is an exhilarating experience to relive the caravan routes that travelled in these remote lands from far off places. The activity is also an integral part of adventure tour packages of Ladakh. With their tolerance for cold, dry and high altitudes, the Bactrian camels enabled the trade caravan in the ancient time to traverse the mountain passes and to places in central Asia, China and India and other places of the ancient Silk Route of which Ladakh was a key point.

7. Staying with the Locals

One of the highest places in the world to be inhabited by the humans, visit to Ladakh is not complete you have not had an opportunity to stay with the local Ladakhi families. It’s more experiential and you are exposed to the local Ladakhi way of life, cuisines and customs and no hotel stays can give you. Feasting on the cuisines prepared right in the home kitchen of where you are staying in a delightful experience that you will relish for a long long time.

8. Hot Butter Tea

The hot butter tea is unique to only this part of the country. Unlike the conventional Indian tea mixed with milk and sugar, Ladakh’s butter tea, as in Central Asian countries, is made from strong green tea mixed with butter and salt which is especially effective in cooler climes, and not to mention is a unique experience. Savouring the hot butter tea is one of the popular things to do for tourists in Ladakh.

9. Ladakhis’ Happy Hours Begin with ‘Chang’

If you are tired with the day-long excursion exploring Ladakh and its myriad hues then head for the Ladakhi Chang, local brew, to relax and unwind. Made of barley, Chang is low on alcohol and is especially drunk on festive, religious and social events. Not to be missed if you have a thing for the local brew, Chang is the way to wrap up an exciting day full of thrilling fun and sightseeing.

10.Chhurpi, the Yak Cheese!

If you develop a taste for the Yak cheese, or Chhurpi as it is locally known, you can decimate a whole lot of it in no time! Easily available across Ladakh, Yak cheese is a rare delicacy and with a great health benefit. Try it at a local form or one of the many families who is waiting to welcome you with open arms. Needless to say, it is indeed one of the many exotic culinary experiences that the region offers.

How to Reach

Mainly accessible by air, Leh, one of two main towns in the Ladakh region, is well connected with state capital Srinagar, Delhi and other parts of the country.

Best Time to Visit

With increased connectivity, today Ladakh is accessible throughout the year. However, the temperature during the winter months in parts of Ladakh is comparable to that of some of the coldest parts of the world. Therefore April through to September is a better time to visit Ladakh.

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