The land of high-passes, biker’s paradise, nature’s heaven, and whatnot! Ladakh is called by a lot of names and each one of them justifies it completely. Which was once an offbeat destination has now turned into an adventurer’s paradise. Ladakh is not only blessed with beautiful attractions but a lot of gorgeous views and daunting passes. As beautiful as it may sound, Ladakh still is one place that satiates the hunger of all kinds of riders. Where July is the time when people refrain from visiting hill stations, Ladakh is surely a go-to place because it is a “rain shadow” region.
See Also: Best time to visit Ladakh | Places to visit in Ladakh
Although Ladakh is not a honeymoon destination it has never stopped attracting couples. People visit here with their partner and not just this, there are many families who can be seen here during the summer (peak season). But all of this completely depends on the visitors and their interest. If you are visiting Ladakh anytime soon, then we suggest you should include the below given places in your itinerary without a doubt.
Important attractions that shouldn’t be missed on your trip to Ladakh in July 2023
1. Leh
One of the best things to do here in Ladakh is to visit Leh. It is one of the most developed cities of the newly made union territory. And it is the place where the airport of Ladakh is located. Being the capital city, it caters to the needs of all the visitors and you get a lot of diversity here in terms of food, shelter, shopping, and other things. Leh being a district is a huge place but it is also a city that has multiple attractions in its vicinity like the Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, and more.
Leh is also an important part of Ladakh because it also serves as the resting point for all the travelers coming through land and the acclimatisation point for those coming through air. And according to the latest rules, Ladakh union has made it mandatory for all the travelers to stop by at Leh for at least a day before heading towards the higher altitude regions.
2. Nubra Valley
We know you will not miss out on this one. But we had to mention this because Nubra Valley is one of the best attractions of Ladakh and probably one of the most visited too. Nubra Valley starts from the end of Khardung La village or the start of Diskit Village. There are yet again a lot of attractions in Nubra Valley.
But according to us, 2 days are more than enough to visit all the amazing places to the allowed farthest corners of the valley. To reach here you will have to cross the mighty Khardung La pass. But whatsoever, this is a wonderful place to visit without a doubt. One of the finest activities to perform in the Nubra Valley is to take a ride on the rare double-humped camel (bactrian Camel).
3. Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake, one of the most popular and fancied attractions of Ladakh needs no introduction. It is also nicknamed as the lake that changes color. That happens with time in different time periods, when the sunlight is inclined or over-the-head. But the lake surely changes color and you can witness that.
Pangong Tso is a huge alpine lake which is mostly in the no-man’s land or in China. Just one-third of the entire lake is there in India. This beautiful lake is situated on the Changthang Plateau and has a breathtaking beauty to offer. People who visit here just feel mesmerized by its beauty. Nonetheless, this alpine lake is known to offer amazing experiences to the visitors. You can stay at any camp in the camp colonies and enjoy a meal under the stars. How fascinating, right?
4. Tso Moriri
After Pangong Tso, it is the Moriri Lake that wins the hearts of the visitors. If you are one of those travelers who love staying at offbeat or less commercialised places, then Tso Moriri will give you better amusement than Pangong. The lake is known to be part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and a bio-reserve.
There is an extensive flora and fauna thriving on the banks of the lake. People occasionally get to see migratory birds but the usual sightings here are of the ducks, gulls, and geese. Also, there are less residing places here near Tso Moriri, so plan your trip in such a way that you could spend some time here and then make your way to somewhere else. Where you get more options to stay.
5. Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is a gem of not just Ladakh but even for the nation. It was after the war in 1991 as a symbol of peace and harmony. Shanti Stupa is located in Leh and is an amazing attraction of Ladakh. It is one of the most visited and photographed locations of the newly made union territory.
While you go to this attraction, you will notice two decks. On the first one you have the shrine of Lord Buddha and then when you go to the top tier, the view is what mesmerizes the visitors. You can photograph the entire valley and enjoy the breeze from that astonishing height.
6. Zanskar Valley
Even if you read and heard “Zanskar Valley” being termed as the “Best place to visit in Ladakh”, don’t take it as a joke. The valley is an amazing and adventurous place to be at and you will definitely love to spend some time here. Zanskar Valley is among those places that still are untouched by commercialisation.
When you visit here, you will enjoy the raw beauty which is very hard to find. Rugged mountains and beautiful sky, pleasant weather and multiple adventure activities; all of this is going to give you a great time. There are many trekking trails as well that can be walked on while visiting here.
7. Khardung La
Khardung La is one of the top 10 places to visit in Leh Ladakh. It is a high mountain pass located at an altitude of 5,359 meters (17,582 feet). It is also one of the highest motorable passes in the world and is a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. And not to forget that one of the most difficult of all as well.
The pass was first opened to the public in 1988 and has since become a popular tourist destination. Visitors can reach Khardung La by road from the nearby city of Leh, which is about 40 km away. The road to Khardung La is a scenic and challenging drive that winds through steep mountain passes and breathtaking landscapes.
8. Leh Palace
If you are creating a list of the top 5 places to visit in Leh Ladakh; then do not forget to mention Leh Palace. It is a historic palace located in the town of Leh which was built in the 17th century by the King Sengge Namgyal as a royal residence. It was later used as a storage facility for grain and ammunition by the Dogra forces in the 19th century.
The palace is situated on a hill overlooking the town of Leh, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The palace is an excellent example of traditional Tibetan architecture. The entire palace has nine floors, and each floor has several rooms that were used by the royal family for various purposes, such as living quarters, storage rooms, and prayer rooms. The palace also has a temple dedicated to Lord Buddha, which is still used for worship by the locals.
9. Magnetic Hill
Magnetic Hill is a unique natural phenomenon of Ladakh that attracts thousands of visitors every year. It is situated about 30 km from the city of Leh and is known for its mysterious magnetic properties that seem to defy the laws of gravity. When a vehicle is parked on the marked spot on the road, it appears to move uphill on its own, against the force of gravity. This optical illusion is caused by the layout of the surrounding terrain, which makes the downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope.
Scientists have tried to explain this phenomenon, but the exact cause is still unknown. Some theories suggest that it is due to the magnetic field of the hill, while others attribute it to the gravitational pull of the surrounding mountains. It should definitely be on your list of top 20 places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
10. Thiksey Monastery
The monastery is situated on a hill overlooking the Indus Valley and is a striking example of traditional Tibetan architecture. It was founded in the 15th century by Palden Lhamo, who was a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Thiksey Monastery is home to over 100 monks who live and study there. The monastery has several temples and prayer halls, including a 15-meter-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is the largest of its kind in Ladakh. The temple also houses several ancient manuscripts, thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings), and other artifacts.
Conclusion
All the above-mentioned attractions are those that you should not miss out at any cost. These places are going to give you the best of Ladakh and trust us, these are some top-notch names that should be there on your list without a second thought.
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