10 Reasons why you should visit Ladakh this summer
Ladakh has one of the most beautiful roads in India. Almost every tourist come here for an adventurous road trip. A trip here leaves you with beautiful memories for a lifetime and enriches your outlook as a traveler. Here are some reasons why you should visit Ladakh this summer.
Ladakh is a traveler's dream. This summer put Ladakh on the top of your bucket list and go exploring. The "Land of High Passes' lies sandwiched between the Kunlun Mountains and the Himalayas. One of the favorite holiday destinations in India, the summer season lasts from June to September. This is the time when this remote corner of Jammu and Kashmir receives adventure enthusiast bikers, backpackers and vacationers from all over the world.
Snowcapped mountains, glacial lakes, Tibetan monasteries or adventure, there are many reason to choose Ladakh. Here are our top 10 reasons why Ladakh should be on your bucket list this summer:
The mesmeric Pangong Tso Lake is a beauty you cannot afford to miss when you visit Ladakh. The lake waters display every shade of blue, changing colors and appearances every hour.
A photographer's delight, the lake is one of the sights you cherish all through your life. Book an overnight stay at the eco-friendly tents for a spectacular experience. The high-altitude saline lake, it is a wonderful habitat of water birds, you can easily spot one. 
Named as the "Land of high Passes", we come to the next reason to put Ladakh on the bucket list this summer. Mountain passes are doors to other mountains and peaks. These high-altitude passes have been used to travel within the region. The mountain passes in Ladakh are very special as they are some of the highest in the world, ranging from 10, 000 to 18,000 feet above sea level.
Khardung La, Chang La, Zoji La, Baralacha La, Fotu La, Lachulung La, and Tanglangla passes are the most famous ones you must visit.
'A desert in sky', you might not believe it, but Ladakh is blessed with one. Nubra Valley is one of the unique landscapes in the world. The beautiful region is a puzzle as it is a high-altitude desert with rivers and surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Enjoy camel safari on double humped Bactrian camels in desert dunes between Hunder and Diksit. Visit the ancient Tibetan monasteries in Diksit and Hunder. Do not miss to stay in one of the villages.
Mountain biking is one of the top reasons why Ladakh should be on your bucket list this summer. The region is perfect to explore on bikes. Bike tours can be planned from Manali crossing Rohtang Pass or through Srinagar city in Kashmir. Pass through incredible sights of rugged mountains crossing some of the highest motorable roads in the world. Every mountain pass, every village and every corner you pass through, you experience an unexplained bliss.
River rafting in Zanskar River is one of the most thrilling things to do in Ladakh in summer. The river water comes down from the glaciers and definitely creates a thrilling experience. Try out the 3-hour river rafting from Chilling to Nemo, which includes class III rapids. There are number of tour operators who offer river rafting packages.
Being so close to Tibet, Ladakh shares its history and culture. Monasteries in Ladakh are one of the reasons why people come exploring. These ancient Buddhist monasteries dating between 11th to 18 centuries are generally situated on hilltops overlooking quaint villages. The architecture and layout is a perfect mixture of Buddhist and Tibetan styles. The monasteries are blissful, you can feel peace enveloping your senses. Hemis, Thiksey, Alchi, Lamayuru, Diksit monastery and Shey Gompa are some of the most visited ones. Do visit them on your trip this summer.
With so many monasteries in Ladakh, come the monastic festivals. Every monastery has its own celebration. The specialty of Ladakh's festivals are the dances. The lamas wear masks symbolizing Gods as well as demons and perform traditional dance. These dances are actually prayers in a trance-like motion. There also are bridal dances, folk dances by villages and other colorful performances. Summer brings one of the famous festivals, the Hemis Festival of Hemis Monastery. There are many other festivals you can attend.
Trekking is one great experience in Ladakh. Explore the Himalayas, remote valleys, tiny villages, and the beautiful Buddhist monasteries in the cliffs, offering wonderful memories. Some of the treks are Indus Valley Trek, Spituk-Stok Trek, Nubra Valley Trek, etc.
Ladakh has a unique ecosystem and is home to exotic wildlife. The elusive Snow Leopard can be spotted in the Hemis National Park but it might be possible if luck favors you can easily spot one. The easy ones to spot are Tibetan wild ass, yaks and wild horses. As for birds, you can spot plentiful as there are more than 300 species of birds, both native and migratory.
Camping is the best way to get close to nature, but when you are camping in Ladakh you are close to heaven. The rugged landscape, the open skies, quaint villages and nature which has blessed Ladakh abundantly, creates an experience you cherish for a lifetime. This summer, go pitch your tent or stay in an organized camp, enjoy the stark beauty of nature. In few days stargazing will become your favorite activity.
