It all began with the climax scene of the movie 3 idiots! On hearing the movie name, I believe that the Bollywood fans would go gaga over the brilliant performance showcased by ‘Mr. Phunsukh Wangdu’ and his team. While I second that thought, the key attraction for me was something far more engaging than the story. It was the picturesque location! Yes I am talking about the Pangong Lake which you can experience during your Leh Ladakh trip.
Talked about as one of the emerging markets for tourism in India, Ladakh is one of the most favorite destinations for tourists and adventure seekers, some of the famous places to visit being the Pangong Lake, Khardungla Pass, Namgyal Monastery etc. What most of us don’t know is that Ladakh is also a hub of unexplored villages, which share a strong inclination towards spirituality (countless monasteries!)and at the same time have their own unique stories to tell. Here are a few of them that we came across on our Leh Ladakh trip:
1- Alchi
Located on the river Indus, this village is famous for the oldest monastery in Ladakh, the Alchi Monastery. It consists of magnificent 11th-12th century wall paintings, all in an Indo-Himalayan style. If you happened to be a lover of art, do visit this spectacular and well preserved piece of architecture!
As for all the foodies out there, mouth-watering local delicacies like Thukpa (thick noodle soup with vegetables, chunks of meat), Momos, Yak cheese and Chaang (local substitute for beer) awaits you! So cheers!
- Also Read: How To Plan A Trip To Ladakh
2- Diskit
Also known as Deskit Gompa ,this village has the largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley,a valley which is considered to be a cold desert and a place of sand dunes.
It is famous for Dosmoche or the “Festival of the Scapegoat” held at the monastery. During this occasion, the mask dance known as ‘Cham’ is performed by the Lamas of the monastery to express the winning of good over evil forces. On this occasion, images made of dough are thrown out (Gotta catch them all! )to stop any disasters from occurring and to bring peace and prosperity among people!
3- Hunder
If you are one of those serious travelers in search of solitude, this reclusive hamlet should definitely be on your checklist! Until Turtuk was opened in 2010,Hunder was the farthest accessible points for the tourists in India. A place serenaded by the sound of streams and rivers crossing the picturesque landscape, it offers you a contrasting view of an oasis in between a harsh land.
The key attraction here is the sea-buckthorn, a medicinal plant rich in vitamins and nutritive properties and popularly known as ‘Leh Berry’. If you are a lover of exotic fruits, this place offers you delicious apricots, walnuts, almonds, apples etc. This place is also famous for Bactrian camels, the two humped camels initially used as major mode of transportation. So what is holding you back? Let’s go on a Bactrian joyride!
4- Korzok
Located on the banks of the Tso Moriri lake, this is home to the local herdsmen known as ‘Changpa’.Their sheep produce pashmina ,one of the costliest varieties of wool. The lake, which is considered very sacred by the locals ,has been pledged as the “Sacred Gift for a Living Planet”. It also hosts the famous Korzok Gustor, the annual monastic festival which attracts a lot of crowd.
Apart from the Korzok monastery, this place has ample amount of wildlife which includes the famous Ladakhi Bharal, also known as Blue Sheep, the Himalayan mountain goat, snow leopard, lynx and grey wolves.
5- Lingshed
The monastery at Lingshed is famous for the Kangyur and Tengyur book reading festivals. During this festival, the monks read these books and perform puja for 15 days for the sake of peace, happiness, harmony and welfare of sentient beings in their community. A small tip to those adventure junkies on your way to Chadar Trekking, please stop by and take a glimpse of this beautiful and serene village!
6- Spangmik
An unreal combination of a hilly landscape coupled with lush green pastures and a lake. That is what Spangmik is all about! As it is closer to the Tibetan Border, the army has its constant presence everywhere. For a living, the few residents do raring and grow barley.
Termed as India’s Switzerland, the Pangong Lake is a MUST for every tourist who is looking out for a breath taking experience. Also, who would actually want to miss out on a motorbike ride along the lake anyway!
7- Spituk
Located in the village of Leh, quite unlike the other Buddhist monastery, the Spituk monastery is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Like the other entities, this village also has it annual festival celebrated in January. Another highlighting factor is that one can view the taking off and landing at the Leh airport strip !
8- Zanskar
Zanskar is a small Tibetan Buddhist kingdom situated in the Kargil district that is locked away from the outside world. One of the key attractions here is the Twin Bridge of Zanskar that is made from birch twigs woven together. However this hamlet remains inaccessible because of the snowed-up passes for all but a few months in the summer.
9- Hemmis
Hemis Monastery, is the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. This monastery plays host to an annual festival called Hemis Tsechu. During the colorful day-long course of the festival, the local resident Lamas perform a holy masked dance to glorify the victory of good over bad. Another highlight of this village is that it has a national ark and is home to the endangered species of snow leopard.
10- Khardong
Now this one is for the bikers! Khardong la (la means pass in Tibetan)was built in 1976 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions.The pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry essential supplies to the Siachen.
11- Nimoo
Nimoo is a large village situated at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. The village is characterized by impressive scenery, and is considered exceptionally fertile in Ladakhi terms – lush green fields and apricot, apple, and walnut orchards available in abundance. One of the main projects undertaken here is the Nimoo Bazgo Hydroelectric Project, to ensure reliable power supply to the electricity deficient Leh Ladakh region.
12- Temisgam
Temisgam is a village in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This hamlet is famous for the the castle of Tingmosgang and its monastery. Also this place offers the Likir to Tingmosgang village trek; an easy trek, perfectly suited for amateur trekkers! What are you waiting for then?
13- Thiksey
Located amidst the Leh district,the pride of Thiksey is a 15-meter-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future.
The sight of the divine and unperturbed face of Buddha gives a very soothing experience to our soul. Today although Leh like many other Asian cities is showing signs of westernization with its increasing traffic, restaurants etc. Here in Thiksey the atmosphere is different. Maybe it is the pungent Tibetan incense that burns everywhere, or the prayer wheels or cuisine but Thiksey feels like a step back to a different, and possibly better, time. Also, For all those travelers who want to experience a different and luxury camping experience, Chamba Camp Thiksey is the place for you!
14- Upshi
Upshi is situated along the scenic beauty of the Valley of Indus River and Tanglang La.The hospitality of locals of Upshi is beyond anything you will see in your life and also its key differentiating factor. This village of Ladakh is 24* 7 lit up by the warmth of the localites!
And to fill the hungry tummies, stop at the local market and eat Tigmo a sumptuous form of fermented and steamed bread, served with a veg/non-veg stew.
15- Basgo
Basgo is a historical town situated on the bank of Indus River in Ladakh. It was once the cultural and political centre of the region and today is frequently mentioned in the Ladakhi Chronicles. It is well-known for its Gompas (Buddhist fortifications of Learning, Lineage and Sadhna) such a Basgo Monastery apart from the castle of Basgo.
An intriguing beverage that you will find in all the homes here is the butter tea. The tea looks pink and tastes salty. The main ingredients being butter and salt. As per the locals, the butter helps in keeping the lips from getting chapped in the harsh cold weather and the salt helps to stay away from altitude sickness.
16- Lamayuru
Termed as the moonland of Ladakh, Lamayuru is a small village between Kargil and Leh. Moonlike landscapes carved into the Greater Himalayas is its USP. The best location to view the moonscapes of Lamayuru is to climb up the meditation hill.Monks have a medical laboratory up there where they churn out medicines from the local herbs.
17- Likir
Undoubtedly famous for the Likir monastery situated here, Likir means the Naga encircled. The monastery got its name from the two serpent spirits –Nanda and Takako –who are its guardians.
Built in the 11th century, the monastery was destroyed due to fire and rebuilt in the 18th century. A trip to Likir is incomplete without attending the annual festival. Dance, music, sports and food are the high points of the festival.
18- Phey
This tiny village would be a treat for the water babies! Phey provides you with an amazing white river rafting experience enroute Nimo.
19- Turtuk
The name is so catchy! This Muslim town on the Indo-Pak border was under Pakistan’s control till 1971, but later was taken over by India. Turtuk is also famous for its vicinity to the Siachen Glacier, the largest glacier in the Indian Subcontinent. The soulful Balti songs coupled with the calmness is no less of a mystery.
Qahwa, is in fact, an essential drink in this place. It contains saffron and cinnamon that help keep the body warm. The people here celebrate Navroz (with the village turning out for polo and archery). The big surprise in Muslim Turtuk is a Buddhist monastery, with a tall wooden tower that has been closed due to suicide attempts!
Having read so much about these hamlets, I believe that there is a lot more to Ladakh than just the Pangong Lake and motorbiking experience. It is all about taking out some time to visit these remote locations and immersing oneself in their cultural and spiritual intricacies. To sum it up, it is where the clichés stop and beauty begins!
- Suggested to Read: 11 Best Treks To Do in Ladakh
