Ladakh

Rivers deep and mountains high: India’s ‘Little Tibet’ is a place of spirituality and nature’s splendour

If you’ve ever wanted to get away from it all, head to Ladakh. This edge-of-the-world territory in Northern India brushes shoulders with Tibet, and is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture and Buddhist spirituality. You can find solitude among its soul-stirring landscapes – but also warm-hearted people, smiling monks and rare animals. Pack your hiking boots and a sense of adventure.

Things to do

CULTURE
Ladakh’s multitude of monasteries and stupas (shrines) are a fascinating insight into its Buddhist spirituality. Thiksey has a 15m Buddha statue. Alchi features ancient Kashmiri-style wall paintings. Hemis is the richest, with a festival to its name. All are in take-your-breath-away Himalayan settings. Beyond religion, Ladakh’s culture is vibrant and colourful, with rich traditions of handicrafts, music and dance. Shop for fine pashmina shawls, copperware and wood carvings. And visit villages for a warm welcome from the locals who make this unique place their home.

NATURE
From its sea of mountains to barren desert, Ladakh’s landscapes are unforgettable. Rushing rivers snake through its valleys, and snow leopards prowl its stark beauty. Among the cloud-spearing Himalayan peaks are shimmering, high-altitude lakes with otherworldly blue waters. The surrounding wetlands hum with birdlife, while ‘Moon Land’ is appropriately named for its arid, lunar landscape. This truly is a place to experience nature at its most raw and rugged.

ADVENTURE
Thrill-seekers look no further; you’ve found paradise. Even trekking can be tough here given the challenging terrain, but you’ll be rewarded with pinch-yourself views that range from sand dunes to gorges. Spot wild horses and camels as you walk – or save your legs and try a camel safari in the Nubra Valley. During summer, raft the Indus and Zanskar rivers, paraglide over valleys and spike your adrenalin as you cross high mountain passes in a Jeep.