Ladakh is unarguably one of the finest locations to travel in the world. The place has something to offer to everyone — be it an adventure enthusiast, nature lover or a philosopher seeking the true meaning of life.
A road trip to Ladakh is an experience in itself. The roads leading to this remote destination are accessible only for 6 months in a year. During the journey, you will cross several high mountain passes, witness beautiful landscapes and acclimatize, as you gradually ascend to the ‘Land of High Passes’.
If you plan to fly down to Ladakh, be sure to grab a window seat to witness the awe-inspiring landscape on either side of the aircraft!
LEH, MATHO & LIKIR
Once you land in Leh, and are awestruck by the Himalayas rising on either side of the small valley, you wonder how civilisation even managed to reach this remote place.
The landscape in the region changes very rapidly, and in only a couple of kilometers, you come across steep vertical mountain slopes on each side, and a wide open valley soon after.
Located
close to the city of Leh is the Matho Gompa. ‘Matho’ loosely translates to ‘abundant
happiness’ in the local language. Located 26 kilometers away from the city,
this is a perfect getaway, if you’re interested in enjoying the sunrise. The
added benefit is that this peaceful, relatively untouristed spot is not located
along the usual orbit of travelers in the Leh valley.
You see a huge spread of willow trees on one side of the gompa, and on the other, is barren land. Such contrasting scenes are common in this region.
If you go further west from the city of Leh, you come across a small village called Likir. Famous for its potters, Likir is also home to other art forms honed over generations by its talented residents. It also serves as a starting point for various trekking routes, and the panorama here is marked by beautiful mountain slopes that merge into farmlands.
You find farming fields across the valley, far away from the village, on the mountainsides. It is a common sight to see locals walking down to their farms on a daily basis.
TSO MORIRI & KORZOK
If you take a route less explored, and cover a stretch of approximately 200 kilometres, you come across the magnificent Tso Moriri lake. At an altitude of about 4,500 metres, it is one of the highest salt water lakes in the world. The banks of the lake are inhabited by the Changpa nomads (Khampa tribe), who are among the original inhabitants of Ladakh. The tribe are known for rearing sheep, goats and yaks for a living, including the world famous Pashmina goats.
Situated on the banks of the lake is the village of Korzok. A village squeezed between two mountains, Korzok is home to some 200 families.
The scenic beauty of Korzok is one that cannot be captured through a lens, it is something you need to witness with your own eyes.
AND BEYOND…
The same story continues, no matter where you go in Ladakh. With each minute of travel, you are tempted to bring out the camera and capture the beauty of the destination.
