By Mehar Mozan 
For culture aficionados and thrill seekers, Ladakh has some truly stunning landscapes and eye-opening cultural experiences. You’ll see historic monasteries precariously standing on high cliffs, pristine valleys with traditional villages spread out, and passes that would put seasoned travellers to the test. In this article, we will explore some of the top places to visit in Ladakh, specifically focusing on the exceptional areas of Kargil and the Nubra Valley. While planning your itinerary, ensure to check the tourism department section of the Ladakh government website to find the latest notifications and registered hotels and guesthouses. Every destination on this list reaffirms why Ladakh is certainly one of your more remarkable options for your Himalayan adventure.
Places to Visit in Kargil
Drass War Memorial
Your time in Kargil starts at one of India’s most sobering war memorials, which is a monument to remarkable bravery. The Drass War Memorial commemorates the courageous individuals who participated in the Kargil conflict in 1999, making it one of the important places to visit in Kargil. Visiting here gives you a profound sense of the sacrifices made to protect our way of life. A black granite slab is inscribed with the names of martyrs who paid the ultimate price.
The memorial is situated at an altitude of 3,000 meters, and you will be rewarded with stunning views while you pay your respects. Additionally, you can explore the museum, where you will see weapons, photographs, and personal belongings of the soldiers. There is also an excellent audiovisual that will provide you with an insight into how the soldiers fought against the enemy and also the unforgiving terrain. Morning visits offer the most peaceful experience, enabling you to experience the memorial undisturbed with fewer crowds.
Suru Valley
Suru Valley offers you some of the most extraordinary landscapes anywhere in Ladakh, stretching an impressive 130 kilometres. Enjoy one of the most stunning settings in the world, where the summer meadows are covered in a carpet of wildflowers and the valleys burst with greenery, all surrounded by epic snow-capped peaks. The valley offers a great deal of trekking opportunities with various routes for novices and experienced hikers.
Your camera will be working overtime, capturing the stunning contrast of sunlight and shadow streaking across the mountainsides. You will have the company of the Suru River for most of your time in the valley, and its jade-turquoise waters provide a perfect mirror image of the bold peaks all around. You will enjoy visits to pre-16th-century, traditional Balti villages scattered across the valley. The community welcomes you with genuine hospitality and provides you with insights into their cultural practices. It is recommended that you stay at well-known hotel chains like Treebo Hotels, which can arrange sightseeing packages in and around Ladakh.
Mulbekh Monastery and Rock Carvings
Mulbekh offers you an interesting insight into Buddhist practices in the shape of an ancient monastery and rock carvings. You will see a 9-meter-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha chiselled into a rock face, which is thought to date back to the 8th century. This remarkable carving is one of Ladakh’s oldest relics, and you can spend a considerable amount of time admiring its features.
The monastery above offers you panoramic views of the valley below, and even better insight into monastic life. The sound of prayers chanted in unison will reverberate through the monastery doors, while the monks follow their daily routine. The gompa contains relics of the past, including ancient manuscripts, thangkas and Buddhist artefacts that can be studied with permission from the lamas (spiritual leaders).
Rangdum Monastery
The Rangdum Monastery offers you one of Ladakh’s most remote, spiritually rich experiences. Its altitude is 4,031 meters and exists on an eighteenth-century island plateau, surrounded by colourful mountains that transform throughout the day. Heavy snowfall keeps the monastery open only in summer, so you will need to plan accordingly.
You will cross beautiful, high mountain passes to reach Rangdum and witness splendid views of the Zanskar range. The monastery is part of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and typically hosts about 40 monks during its active season. The main prayer hall has murals and statues that make it ideal to spend some time meditating. If you arrive early enough, you will be able to partake in the morning prayer as well.
Places to Visit in Nubra Valley
Diskit Monastery & Sand Dunes
Diskit Island is the gem of Nubra Valley, where ancient spiritualism meets surreal desert landscapes. On arrival, you will face the beautiful Diskit Monastery, located high on a rocky cliff above the valley floor. Diskit Monastery houses the impressive 32-metre Maitreya Buddha statue, sitting in all its glory over the valley.
Your adventure becomes even more exciting as you go on to explore the nearby dunes of Hunder. It’s like a golden fabric weaving an ever-changing collection of rippling patterns dictated by the mountain winds. Traversing into the dunes, you get a chance to ride the famous double-humped Bactrian camels. These amazing camels are slumbering descendants of the ancient trading caravans of the Silk Route. It feels like living history, tracing the steps of traders who established trade routes from the West to the East, across the vast regions between the Himalayas and Genghis Khan’s empire.
Sumur and Panamik Hot Springs
The village of Sumur offers you an insight into true Ladakhi life, coexisting with the stunning natural habitat. Here, you get to visit the ancient Samstanling Monastery, which hosts murals and offers panoramic views of the valley that stretch as far into the horizon. Your journey continues at Panamik Hot Springs, where natural geothermal waters rise from deep within the earth. Here, the hot springs give you the chance to soak your travel-weary muscles surrounded by towering, snow-capped peaks.
The mineral-rich waters are thought to have healing properties, and locals swear by the therapeutic benefits they provide for joint pain and skin conditions. The scenic drive to Panamik takes you through some of the best mountain scenery you’ll ever see. You’ll pass tiny villages that have colourful prayer flags flying in the mountain breeze, and if you’re lucky, you might even see the rare snow leopard. Once you are done here, you can also experience Srinagar, which is just a 1.5-hour flight away. There are multiple hotels in Srinagar, especially well-regarded brands like Treebo Hotels, for you to freshen up and start exploring.
Turtuk Village
Turtuk is your access point to a totally different culture within Ladakh. This Balti village had only recently opened to tourists in 2010, so it feels like you’ve discovered a secret. The people speak the Balti language, and have practices that are uniquely Central Asian. In Turtuk, you’ll find terraced fields under cultivation with apricots, apples, and walnuts that taste extremely sweet due to the favourable weather.
Some families still live in traditional Balti homes made of wood and stone, and you may even be invited to drink butter tea that tastes unique from any other tea. All of this is just a few kilometres from the Pakistan border. So you’ll feel like you are standing at one of the world’s most remote frontiers.
Yarab Tso Lake
Yarab Tso Lake will give you the chance to experience perhaps the most tranquil and spiritual encounter of Nubra Valley. This little glory requires a moderate trek and helps you embrace the untouched mountain area where every step provides new views. You will be welcomed by a lake that shines like crystal water. The beauty is poetic and surreal with remarkable reflections of the surrounding peaks.
There is a local tradition that the lake has magical powers. When you arrive at the lake, you should make a wish while standing on the shore, as many visitors will say their wishes or dreams have come true. Whether you believe this to be true or not, you will certainly be taken by a profound sense of calm sitting beside this pristine lake. While on the trek, you will be walking through open green meadow areas where wildflowers may keep you distracted. Also you may even see some rare Himalayan birds.
Start planning your Ladakh adventure well in advance. You can also make a pitstop in Manali. If you plan to extend the trip to the town, then don’t forget to book hotels in Manali for a comfortable stay. Book your accommodation only in renowned brands like Treebo Hotels. Especially during peak season, and don’t forget to keep yourself fully wrapped and warm before exploring these high-altitude wonders. Ladakh’s magic will leave you mesmerised.