Ladakh - The Land Of High Passes

❄ Places Of Interest In Ladakh

Zoji La Pass

Another high mountain pass located in India in the lap of Himalayas of the Ladakh region. Around 3528 m (11, 649 ft) above the sea level, the pass is 9 kms from Sonmarg and is an important link between Ladakh and Kashmir. This pass is considered to be the second highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

Drass

Drass is the westernmost part of Kargil district and borders Kashmir Valley. The highway that connects Kashmir and Ladakh reaches Drass after crossing Zojila, which also allows moisture-laden cloudsthrough. As a result, Drass receives more snowfall that other parts of Ladakh. It is famous for Horse Pole, Ice Hockey and for the war memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the 1999 war.

Kargil

Kargil is a city in the Kargil district of Ladakh region, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. It is located 204 km from Srinagar to the west respectively & 234 km from Leh to the east. The town is 11 Km away from the actual line of control and is small enough to be explored by wayfaring. The valleys and mountains of Kargil have been shaped by many powerful forces over several millennia.

Kargil War Memorial

The Kargil War Memorial has been built by Indian Army in Drass to commemorate the Kargil War of 1999. The war memorial documents the progression of the war and helps the visitor understand the challenges of war in the higher reaches of the mountainous region. It pays homage to bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers and officers of the Indian Army, who helped the country emerge victorious and pushed back intruders from the forbidding heights they had occupied in the mountains of Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors. The memorial is easily accessible by road as it is located on the main highway that connects Kashmir and Ladakh

Mulbek

Situated at a distance of 260 km from Srinagar on the way to Leh, the Mulbek Gompa is a unique monastery owing to the fact that it houses two monasteries, each belonging to a different set of Tibetan Buddhism. A 30 ft. tall sculpture of Maitreya Buddha carved out from a limestone rock dating back to 8th century is also a major attraction for tourists visiting the monastery.

Fotu La Pass

Fotu La Pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway of the Himalayan Zanskar Range stands at a height of 13,478 ft (4,108m) above the sea level. This mountain pass is referred to as the highest point on the highway, going beyond the well-known Zoji La. The drive through the pass is a beautiful journey where you can stop to get an amazing view of the snow-clad mountain ranges.

Lamayuru – Moonland

A quaint little village situated between Leh and Kargil, Lamayuru is famed for its mysterious moon like landscapes. A topography that resembles that of moon with its soft crater like formations and orangish-yellow tint to the brown soil of Ladakh; the mesmerising beauty of Lamayuru is truly a sight to behold.

Alchi

Alchi is a small village situated on low land, is about 70 km to the west of Leh district and is located on the banks of the River Indus. Alchi village is all green with apricot trees on both side of road.

Zanskar Valley

The remotest valley of the Ladakh region, Zanskar is a paradise for adventure junkies; a place where they can indulge themselves in fun of trekking, river rafting and paragliding. The main access road to Zanskar comes over Penzila Pass and connects it with Kargil town. Home to one of the toughest and unique treks of the region, ‘The Chadar Trek’.

Leh

Leh, the main city of Ladakh, situated at 3200 meters above sea level. Leh the erstwhile capital of the kingdom of Ladakh is now a dream destination of many and the Mecca of adventure enthusiasts! Leh, one of the coldest deserts in the world is located at a distance of 434 Kms from Srinagar and 474 Kms from Manali.

Khardung La Pass

Gateway to the captivating Nubra Valley in Ladakh, Khardung La standing at an elevation of more than 18,350 ft. is the highest mountain pass in the Karakoram Range and the winding road traversing to the pass boasts of being the highest motorable road in the world. Offering amazing scenic vistas and a proud feel of being on top of the world, the pass is a major tourist attraction in Leh-Ladakh.

Nubra Valley – Desert amongst the Snowy Hills

Nubra Valley is 125 kms from Leh town across the Khardung La pass (18,350 ft. – world’s highest motorable road). Diskit Monestary (with a height of 32 meters) Hunder, 2 Hump Camel Safari in Nubra Sand Dunes and Turtuk in Shyok Valley are the main points of interest in this region.

Chang La Pass

One of the highest mountain passes in the world, Chang La stands at an elevation of 17,350 ft. above sea level in Ladakh region and boasts of being the third highest motor-able road in the world situated en route to the Pangong Lake.

Pangong Lake – Highest & Longest Salt Water Lake

Pangong Lake is 154 kms from Leh across the Changla Pass (17,350 ft – world’s third highest motorabel road). Although a trip to Pangong Lake can be done as one day round trip, give Pangong Lake atleast two days if you are not stretched for time & if you want something adventure.

Tsomoriri Lake

A small triangle of blue in the midst of mountains Tsomoriri Lake also known as Mountain Lake is at an altitude of 4,595 m (15,075 ft.). Tsomoriri is slightly higher than Pangong Tso and the water is far less brackish supporting more birdlife. The water is crystal clear and of a deep blue colour.

Tanglang La Pass

Nestled at an altitude of 17,582 ft., in the Zanskar range, Tanglang La pass is the second highest mountain pass in Ladakh, the first being Khardung La Pass. The pass is adjacent to the Leh-Manali highway. The two nearest settlements to this pass are Sarchu towards Manali and Upshi towards Leh.

Baralach La Pass

Situated at an altitude of 16,500 feet, Baralacha La Pass is a high mountain pass in the Zanskar range in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a high plateau where three different mountain ranges - Pir Panjal, Zanskar and the Great Himalayas - meet at an altitude above 16,000 feet. This mountain pass, one of the highest passes in Ladakh is around 73 kilometers away from Keylong on Manali - Leh road.

Turtuk

Turtuk is the last Indian outpost before Pakistan in Ladakh and the northernmost villages in India. Lying on the banks of Shyok River, it is a very secluded, military-dominated, and sensitive area, as merely ten kilometres ahead is the border or line of control between India and Pakistan.

Hanle

Hanle is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory which is the world’s highest observatory in the world at a staggering height of 4500 Mtrs. Hanle has a lovely Hanle Monastery offering some great aerial views of the whole village.

Dah Hanu

The villages of Dha (also called as Dah), and Hanu are amongst the only few villages that are home to the Drogpa tribe of Leh. The tribe, which is different from the Ladakhi tribe found in the rest of the areas, are quite hospitable people. The Drogpa are culturally, racially and linguistically different from the rest and are said to be the only living descendants of the original Aryan (Indo European) race.