Place to

Visit

Ladakh offers an incredible scenic experience of wonder and thrill. You can fill your trekking and rafting itinerary by visiting sites that are of historical and environmental significance. These sites are located in the different regions of Ladakh and spread across its gorgeous mountains and fast flowing rivers. An easy way to plan such visits can be Leh and Places Other than Leh.

Leh
Leh Palace: In Leh, the historical and present capital of Ladakh, the most important site is the Leh Palace. Built in the 17th century by the Namgyal dynasty, it was built in the same style as the Potala Palace of Lhasa in Tibet. The Leh Palace has nine floor, the upper floors were used by the royal family while the lower floors were used for stables and as store rooms. The royal family currently resides in the Stok Palace. The Leh Palace was abandoned in the middle of the 19th century in the wake of invasion by Kashmir. The Leh Palace and the township around it is filled with old heritage architecture. The upper floors of the palace offer an excellent view of the city.

Namgyal Peak:
At the top of the Namgyal peak is the fort of Tashi Namgyal. The fort today stands in its ruined form above the Leh Palace. Along with the fort are the Gonkhang and the Maetreya Temple. The Gonkhang was built in the 16th century and in it the corpses of the captured Mongol soldiers were offered to the deity. Below the Gonkhang is the Maetreya Temple. An early morning visit to the peak is the most appropriate to appreciate and enjoy its Ladakhi mountainous beauty.

Jama Masjid:
Built around 1661 by king Deldan Namgyal to placate the Mughal emperor Aurengzeb (1658 – 1707), the mosque can accommodate around 500 people in its premises. It is a Sunni mosque and is located at what is today called the Main Bazaar (or main market). The mosque was built in the Ladakhi style of architecture, different from the Indo Islamic style fund in most parts of South Asia.

Sankar Gompa:
Sankar Gompa is a colourful gompa (a Buddhist temple) belonging to the Sputik. It is the residency of the Kushuk. A walk in its peaceful courtyards could be one of the most enchanting and rejuvenating experience for any outsider to the Buddhist world. However, entry for outsiders to the gompa is permitted only during the morning and late in the afternoon.

Places West of Leh
Spituk: It was in Spituk that the first Gelukpa monastery was built in the 15th century. The monastery was built upon an 11th century temple at the same site. Built atop a hill, the monastery gives a wonderful view of the Indus valley. The monastery is reachable by road in 20 minutes from Spituk. There are frequent buses available for the monastery from Spituk.

Phyang: In Phyang, the 16th century gompa was built atop a small hill by Tashi Namgyal. The monastery belongs to the kagyupa order of monks. Buses are available from Leh to reach Phyang.

Likir: The monastery at Likir is one of the oldest in Ladakh, originally built around 1065 AD. However, the old monastery was destroyed in fire. The present monastery is about 200 years old. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa order. There is also a museum in the monastery that exhibits various royal and otherwise artifacts. The monastery is about an hour away from the beautiful Likir village.

Alchi: The gompa in Alchi is unique because of its Kashmiri style of architecture rather than the Tibetan style which is widely found in the case of the other monasteries of Ladakh. The Alchi gompa is different from the other gompas of Ladakh in another way. Rather than being located at an elevated position, it is located hidden by a river. Therefore, though built in the 11th century, the monastery probably survived the numerous invasions from Kashmir as well as Central Asia. The monastery can be reached by road. It can also be reached on foot by crossing over the Indus River.

Rizong: The Gelukpa monastery at Rizong is reputedly one of the strictest monasteries in Ladakh. It is located at a remote side of the valley at about 1.5 km from the main road. The monastery is about 160 years old. It is special due to its location across the gorge in the steep valley.

Lamayuru: The gompa at Lamayuru is one of the most striking gompas of Ladakh. It is located atop an eroded crag with rock pinnacles and caves. According to legend, the entire place was under the waters of a deep lake until the holy man Nimagou prayed for the monastery to be built at the site. The lake drained away thereafter.

Places South East of Leh
Shey: It was the old capital of Ladakh before it was shifted to Leh. The palace sits strategically on a spur jutting out, overlooking the Indus. From the roof of the palace, one can see the large number of stupas in the desert to the north east.

Tikse: The monastery at Tikse is an impressive site with both history and scenic spectacle. Built on a craggy hill, the gompa of the monastery stands higher than the sprawling complex of the monastery below.

Stok: The royal palace at Stok contains the museum giving an interesting view of the royal collection. The king’s widow still lives in the palace.

Hemis: The gompa of the monastery was founded in the 17th century. However, it is today famous because of its spectacular annual festival. It is one of the largest and richest of monasteries of Ladakh, mush of the wealth held in land.

Two other monasteries that one should make it to are at Chemre and Tak Tok. The Chemre monastery was built in the 17th century. The latter is one of the oldest of Ladakh.

Among the protected sites, one can always visit Nubra after acquiring permit at Leh. The place was opened for foreigners in 1994. The highest peak of Ladakh as well the longest glaciers of the region are found in Nubra.