Sep 17, 20203 min read

Things to do in Ladakh

I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time in Ladakh and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Even though I left Ladakh (reluctantly !) a long time back, Ladakh has never left me. I have some incredible memories of the place and here are some of the things one can experience -

1. Breathe the clear mountain air and just Relax - with sights like these, there is no reason to rush.

2. Visit the Lakes - Pangong, Tsokar & Tso Moriri are the famous ones but there are many stunners.

3. Watch the sun playing hide & seek with the clouds and of course, there are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets -

4. Watch the Moon Rise - the full moon rise at Pangong Lake is a must do. It remains one of the most memorable moments in my life.

5. Camping in the mountains - whether you camp in the open amidst the mountains and lakes or take refuge in home stays or monasteries, it is an experience you will never ever forget.

6. Time for Hobbies and/or Indoor Games - This is where I discovered one of the most addictive games in Jenga - countless hours were spent, as time is one thing which you have in abundance here. Book Lovers are in for a treat and you can read to your heart's content without any disturbance.

7. Sit back and admire the breathtaking views - words are simply not enough to describe the beauty and I won't even try to describe how awesome Ladakh is !

8. Look out for funny road signs - there are so many of them. I am sure BRO has a team dedicated to writing slogans. They provide some comic relief during the endless hours you spend on the road.

9. Bike riding in the mountains - especially at Khardung La.

10. River Rafting in Zanskar - time to get drenched and take a dip. Get your adrenaline fix !

11. Ladakh is one place where journey is more important than the destination - The Road to Nowhere.

12. Backpacking & Road Tripping - you have this incredible opportunity. So, what's stopping you ?

13. Visit the ancient Leh palace & the Shanti Stupa - Perfect Vantage points to view Leh !

14. Visit the monasteries in Ladakh - every one of them is stunning in their own way. If you have time, you can spend some days here meditating and living the monk life !

15. Visit the high altitude cold desert @ Nubra valley.

16. Trek in search of the Snow Leopard - I could not spot one, but was lucky enough to spot some other wildlife.

17. Bird Watching -

18. Hunt for out of the world landscape -

19. Attend a monastery festival & interact with the monks - maybe you will find some inner peace.

20. Get friendly with the locals and become part of their culture - Friendships & Relationships made in the mountains are selfless and last a long long time. The extra benefit is you get invited to their homes to taste the local cuisine like Momos, Thupka et al.

21. Visit the Kargil War Memorial - Awaken the patriotic side of yours and visit this incredible memorial with Tiger Hill as the backdrop, the scene of the 1999 Kargil War with the Pakistan army.