15 Places Not To Miss On Getting Leh’d This Summer!

1. Moore Plains

Source: trekearth

This is a major attraction for bikers towards Leh from Manali. With a stretch of 40 kms. the road is mostly on the plains and is flanked by beautiful mountains on both sides. It gets hard for people to define the experience in words.

2. Tag Lang La Pass

Source: Wikitravel

World’s second highest motorable pass with an elevation of 5,328 meters (17,480 ft). It’s a high mountain pass in Ladakh region. The two nearest settlements to this place are Sarchu and Upshi. Upshi is a stopover to Leh where tourists halt for a cup of tea. From Upshi, Leh is just a half hour drive.

3. Tso Moriri

 source: tourmet

It is the highest of the high altitude lakes entirely within India. The lake is fed by springs and snow-melt from neighboring mountains. Accessibility to the lake is limited to summer season only. Glimpse of snow leapord or tibetian wolves are caught sometimes on the way

4. Chang La Pass

source – wikipedia

The Chang La is on the route to Pangong Lake from Leh (el. 5,360 m or 17,590ft). It is the third highest motorable road in the world. Chang La is approached from Leh via Kharu and Sekti village by a black top road. The climb is very steep and requires a careful drive. The descent from Chang La towards Tangtse or Darbuk is again very steep. The place is a must go for nature lovers.

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5. Pangong

source –  tripadvisor

Situated at 14,000 ft (approx.) high, this lake is really amazing. One will not get tired of watching this lake where the water keeps changing its color based on the sun rays / clouds. However, a word of caution – ensure you are properly clothed as there will be very high velocity of winds blowing across with possibility of sudden snow falls. The view and the experience is unforgettable and worth all the effort one takes to reach this lake.

6. Khardung La Pass

source: tripadvisor

World’s highest motorable pass on the Ladakh range lies north of  Leh and is the gateway to Shyok and Nubra valleys. Built in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988 and has since seen many automobile, motorbike and mountain biking expeditions. Maintained by the Border Roads Organization, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry supplies to the Siachen glacier. The elevation of Khardung La is 5,359 m(17,582 ft.).

7.  Nubra valley

source: tootlers

Nubra is a high altitude cold desert with rare precipitation and scant vegetation except along river beds. A Leisure Camel Ride and the cultural tribal dance is a must when visiting. Also famous for its resorts, the wild Beauty of the place is one of a kind.

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8. Turtuk

source – wikipedia

Turtuk was under control of Pakistan since independence of both countries. India took the control during Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The village offers views of beautiful valley and is a part of Shyok Valley. On clear days tourists can have glimpse of K2 mountain peak located across the border in Pakistan. Though a Muslim village, there are few gompas located on the plateau above Shyok River and there is an old royal house that attracts tourists in the village

9. Magnetic Hill

source – gconnect

Magnetic Hill is a place where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion that a very slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope. Thus, a car left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill. There are hundreds of gravity hill locations around the world. To reach the Magnetic Hill, the Leh-Kargil-Baltic National Highway should be chosen. The hill lies at a distance of 30 km from the town of Leh, at an elevation of around 14,000 feet above sea level.

10. Zanskar valley

source: arounddeglobe

The valley is famous for grade 5 rafting during summer and is a spot for “Chaddar (sheet of ice) trek”. Walking on the frozen river is a unique experience. Ideally it should be done with minimal gears like gum boots and protective woollens but one can also use trekking shoes and poles if it helps. Trekking in Zanskar valley in winter is a must do item in every trekker’s wish list. There are at least two frozen waterfalls along the road side in winters. The meeting point of Indus river and Zanskar river is one good place to click pictures.

11. Kargil War Memorial

source – kashmirtourism

Kargil war memorial, built by the Indian army following the war with neighboring Pakistan frequently visited by travelers on the highway connecting Srinagar to Leh. The memorial houses some of the major sequence of events that happened during the course of the war. It also has details on the Indian army personnel, who sacrificed their lives in the process of recapturing the peaks like Tiger hill and Tolong occupied by the Pakistan army.

12. Drass

source – wikipedia

This is on the way to Kargil–Srinagar Highway or NH-1. The town of Drass is located at an altitude of about 10,597 feet above sea-level. Drass is well-known as the second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia.

13. Sonamarg

source: holidayiq

Sonamarg gives rise to The Three Sisters (Kashmir). In its vicinity lies the great Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5000 meters: Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak and Machoi Peak. Sonamarg an alpine valley is situated at the bank of Nallah Sindh, 87 km north-east from Srinagar

14. Gulmarg

source: powderhounds

It is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination and resides in Baramula district in Jammu and Kashmir. The town is within the Himalayas and is within miles of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Gulmarg is known not only for its exceptional beauty but it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m. It also has country’s premier ski resort in winter, and the popular Gandola cable car ride leaving everyone amazed with the overview mesmerizing beauty of the place.

15. Pahalgam

source – wikitravel

Pahalgam is also associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra.  World’s famous hill station is 45 km. from the District Headquarters at Anantnag and located on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7200 ft. from sea level. It used to be one of the famous shooting spot for Bollywood films. A number of treks begin from Pahalgam and traverses through pinewoods to the spectacular Kolahoi Glacier.