Attractions of Ladakh

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Ladakh is one of the sparkling jewels of India Tourism which stands apart from the other destinations. Travel to Ladakh and you are bound to get mesmerized by its enchanting landscapes, rocky, snow clad mountains, seasonal orchards, gorgeous valleys, beautiful monasteries and blood-pumping adventure sports. It is popularly known as 'Little Tibet' because of its geographical and cultural similarity to Tibet. It is the least populated and remotest region of the country which is steeped in natural beauty. This austerely beautiful destination is a big hit with tourists inclined towards adventure sports. The adventure sports which can be best enjoyed in Ladakh are trekking, mountain-biking, mountaineering, river-rafting and camping.

Ladakh is a snow desert ideally surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Himalayas, Karokoram, Zanaskar and Ladakh ranges. Leh, the capital city of this region is a popular pilgrimage center and tourist destination of Jammu and Kadhmir. Soaring to an altitude of 11, 975 feet above sea level, it is easily accessible from Manali (Himachal Pradesh) and Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir).

Monasteries in Ladakh:

The land of Ladakh is peppered with several beautiful Buddhist monasteries. The monasteries are one of the major attractions here. Among all, the Hemis monastery is the largest and the most famous one. The extremely beautiful painting of Lord Buddha is publicly displayed once in 2 years in this monastery. Shey is another popular monastery which houses a gold plated copper statue of Lord Buddha.

Leh Palace:

It is a must-see attraction of Ladakh. Dating back to the 17th century, it is an enchanting palace of nine-stories. However, now the palace is in ruins.

Adventure sports in Ladakh:

The adventure sports are the reason why many a tourist from far and wide embarks on Ladakh tour. Here you can indulge in activities like river rafting, camping, mountaineering, yak and camel safari and cycling.

Wildlife in Ladakh:

Ladakh provides shelter to enchanting wildlife species such as Yak, Ibex, snow leopard, Nyan, Churu, Urial etc. Here you can also spot birds, including the migratory ones.

Ladakh Festivals:

The most propitious time to visit Ladakh is during the festive season. Ladakh offers several festivals in which tourists can feel the rich culture of this destination. The Hemis festival is one of the most interesting one, which is celebrated as a birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. Celebrated for 3 days in the month of June, this festival also offers an opportunity to buy fabulous handicrafts of Ladakh.