Leh-Ladakh: Experience tranquility at its best!

Sand, sun and camels form the perfect mix of what a small desert called Leh, situated in Jammu and Kashmir, has to offer. Leh, the second largest district in India, has been known for its camels from the Silk Route days when it was used extensively for trade purposes. The double hump camels were the heart line for the traders for exporting indigenous products to Tibet and China. When one plans to visit Jammu and Kashmir, they cannot afford to miss out this tiny heartland of Ladakh, where one can see the alternating of snowy mountains against dry desert plains. Camel Safaris are famous and has tourists flocking to it to take rides on the humpbacked animal. Do not miss a ride on the humpback when you visit Leh!

Ladakh

White water rafting, as exotic as it sounds can be done in the serene waters of Ladakh and one need not travel all the way to US or other nations to tick this off the to-do list. Though a wee bit scary, one can be assured that a kayak will follow your boat throughout the journey to save you in the unfortunate event of you drowning in the waters!

Pangog Lake

Have you ever seen a pink lake that turns into a shade of purple when hit by sunlight? Such is the beauty of Pangog Lake which shares its border with China. It is the second highest lake in the world. Swans float around in the pinkish waters that just blow you away at first glance. You can just visit this place for the tranquility and peace that envelopes you.

Khardung La Pass

Driving past the world’s highest motorable road is no small feat. We stopped at this pass just to take a photo with the signboard that notified us about the feat. It is not very often that one gets to drive on a road at an altitude of 18,380 feet. That is where Khardungla Pass, meaning the ‘Pass of Lower Castle,’ is located on the way from Leh to the Nubra Valley in Ladakh. It is the highest motorable road in the world as signs put up by the Border Roads Organization proudly proclaim. You can actually do some shopping here – at a souvenir shop run by the Army, where I managed to pick up a mug.

Instead of spending huge amounts to visit exotic cities, one can travl to Ladakh and Leh, the forgotten places of northern India to boost tourism in the country and envelope yourself in the tranquility of nature!