Tourism in Ladakh incorporates the tour to the entire land which unwraps the contrasts of freezing winds and burning hot sunlight. Surrounded by the Great Himalayas on one side and the Karokaram on the other, the land offers overwhelming natural beauty summoning the more intense and adventurous visit that appeal the tourists. The magical beauty of the region is totted up with the charming disposition and simplicity of the Buddhist people and the beautifully decorated monasteries contrast the comparatively harsh vicinity of the land.
Comprising different ethnic groups, Ladakh is located in the eastern part of Kashmir and covers about 45000 sq m and includes the Western Himalayan Ladakh Range, the Karakoram Range and the upper Indus river valley. The source of the Indus is in Tibet and it enters into Ladakh through Chantang, the region of the Changpah nomads among most of whom are Tibetan refugees, living on the raising of yaks, sheep and particularly goats whose wool, treated in a special manner, takes on the magic conjured by the name Pashmina, also called Cashmere.
Pilgrimage Tourism in Ladakh
Similar to the culture of Tibet and Central Asia, the religion of Ladakh is predominantly Buddhist. The pilgrimage tourism of Ladakh includes the visit to the monasteries that are scattered throughout the land along with several other holy places of other religions which are relatively fewer in number. The central part of Ladakh has the greatest concentration of major Gompas or monasteries due to the royal patronage that existed in Ladakh in the previous eras. Monasteries of Phiyang, Hemis and Chemrey belong to the Namgyal dynasty period and are considered to be the places of foremost attraction during their monastic festivals. The reformist group monasteries are also well represented in central Ladakh by Thikse, Likkir, Rhidzong and Spituk. Ridzong is the only Nunnery Monastery in Ladakh. It has maintained its strict adherence to the rules of monastic life, and has the distinction of being the only one of the major central Ladakh monasteries. As the land is reigned by the Buddhist religion, monasteries like Thikse monastery, Likkir monastery, Rhidzong monastery, Spituk monastery, the Starrimo Monastery, the monastery of Stongdey, Hemis Gompa, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, the Shanti Stupa etc. Apart from these monasteries, some other monasteries those are located in Sani, Padum, Stongdey, Zangla in Ladakh. In addition to the monasteries, Ladakh is enriched with relatively fewer mosques and some temples. In some places of Ladakh, mani walls and chorten are replaced by mosques, small unpretentious buildings, or Imambaras.
Nature Tours in Ladakh
Located in the hilly area and shrouded with the rocky and hilly parts of the Himalayas, Ladakh give exposure to a number of valleys that are reckoned as the wonderlands of Ladakh. Numerous travellers and tourists flock this valley every year. Each valley has their distinct features and a certain trace of superiority. Drass Valley known for its Brokpas, Nubra Valley, better known as the orchard of Ladakh, Rupshu Valley with its salt water lake, Shyok Valley with the river of death, Suru valley with its snowfalls. Apart from these valleys, Ladakh is the centre for wildlife sanctuaries like Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Noorichan Wildlife Sanctuary, Tsomoriri wetland conservation reserve, Pangong Tso wetland conservation reserve, Hemis National Park and Karakuram Wildlife Sanctuary which enables the tourists to visualize the rare species of animals who are the glory and identity of Ladakh.
Leisure Tourism in Ladakh
Leisure tourism in Ladakh includes paying visit to the places like Rangdum Valley, Leh District, Kargil District, Zangla, Zanskar, Padum, Markha Valley, Shayok Valley, Nubra Valley, Shey etc. These places attract a lot of tourists every year and are the treasure of the Ladakh land. Apart from these tourist places, Ladakh offers many options for undertaking adventure activities amidst landscapes of spectacular, rugged beauty. These mainly include river rafting, mountaineering and trekking. The culture of Ladakh enables the inhabitants of this magic territory to enjoy many of the annual festivals of the Gompas which take place in winter and is a relatively idle time for majority of the people. These take the form of dance-dramas in the monastery courtyards. Lamas, attired in colourful robes and wearing masks, perform mimes symbolizing various aspects of the religion such as the progress of the individual soul and its purification or the triumph of good over evil. Local people flock from near and far to these events. The biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals is that of Hemis, which falls in late June or early July, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. Every 12 years, the gompa`s greatest treasures, a huge Thangka, is ritually exhibited. Other monasteries which celebrate summer festivals are Lamayuru (early July), Phyang (late July/ early August), Tak-thok (after Phyang) and Karsha in Zanskar (after Phyang). Like Hemis, the Phyang festival too involves the unveiling of a gigantic Thangka, though here it is done every third year.
Shopping in Ladakh
In addition to enjoying the pleasant beauty of Ladakh, the tourists can enjoy shopping for various items in the local markets of Ladakh. The markets and shops are replete with curios and souvenirs and the handmade excellent articles of the native land. The popular items of shopping in Ladakh are Pashmina shawls, stoles, woollen garments, handmade woolen socks, gloves, caps and sweaters, which are locally made by the Ladakhis. Moreover, different items for home décor like hand-woven rugs, carpets embellished with floral or geometric designs or dragon motifs on them, can also be used as decorative wall hangings. Tibetan handicraft items including prayer wheels, Buddhist masks and Thangka paintings, are available in the local market of Ladakh. The tourists prefer the Tibetan silver jewelry and traditional Ladakhi jewelry decorated with turquoise and these items have created their own distinct position for the exclusivity they possess. Even sometimes, apricots are also purchased as a delicious souvenir. These are some shopping destinations in Ladakh that are famous for the large number of flocking tourists for shopping. The well known shopping terminus include Ladakh Art Palace, Tibetan Handicraft Emporium, Ladakh Environment and Health Organization, Tibetan Handicraft Community Showroom in Choglamsar, Cottage Industries Exposition in Changspa, Ecology Centre in Changspa, Women`s Alliance in Changspa with the main markets namely Tibetan Market off Old Leh Road for clothes and Moti Market near the Leh bus stand.
Visiting Information on Ladakh
How to Reach Ladakh
By Airways: One can fly directly to Leh which is the world`s highest airport at almost 3505m height.
By Railways: Jammu is the nearest railway station to Ladakh. From here the travelers need to travel to Srinagar, which is accessible by road from Jammu. Ladakh is about 430 kilometers away from Srinagar.
By Road: There are two main highways that connect Ladakh with the rest of India. Due to the instability between India and Pakistan, the Srinagar-Leh road experiences far less tourist traffic than the route from Manali. These two, in addition to the rough road from Kargil to Padum in Zanskar, also link the majority of Ladakh`s larger settlements with the capital. One can opt for Deluxe and Ordinary buses which are operated by Himachal Pradesh Tourism, H.P. SRTC and J&K SRTC between Manali and Leh. Gypsy, jeep and taxis are also available from Leh and Manali.
Summer is the best time to visit Ladakh as the weather during the summer remains pleasant and creates the perfect zeal to unfold and relish the beauty of Ladakh. The trekking season in Ladakh starts in June and continues till the end of September.
There are a number of accommodations in Ladakh that include the Government accommodation facilities at Nyoma, Chushul, Korzok, Tangtse and Chumathang. The hotels in Ladakh are ramified into A, B, C and D category while guesthouses fall under Upper, Medium and Economy class. These hotels offer all sorts of services. Initiatives has been taken to develop of accommodation facilities like Tourist Complexes and Hiker`s huts at Tangse, Spangmik, Sakti, Rumtse, Hunder, Panamik and Saspol by the State Tourism Department. There are also some Government run Tourist Bungalows located mainly along the Srinagar-Leh road.
The tourism of Ladakh is a panoptic tour that involves adventure tourism, leisure tourism, pilgrimage tourism, nature tourism and facilitates the tourist to view the supremacy of the land itself.
