Ladakh?

Let me guess, you have already imagined Pangong Lake or the mountains with different shades of brown, haven’t you?

If not that, then maybe you are also looking for a road trip to visit Ladakh.

But let me tell you one thing, this blog is not about the mainstream Ladakh which gives you breathtaking views both literally and metaphorically, but about the offbeat locations in Ladakh which make your heart beat faster than usual.

01 Puga Valley

Saving the best for the last is cliché (actually it’s not, I am just confused which is the best). Puga Valley is one of the significant natural attractions of Ladakh which doesn’t just give you enough space to place your foot (literally) but also to witness the hot springs having the temperature of 84 degree celsius among the coldest regions of India.

Due to the hot springs, Puga valley is a part of Himalayan Geothermal belt. Situated in the south-eastern part of Ladakh, the route from Leh to Puga is 170 km long. It falls in the Changthang plains which is not too far from the China border which gives it another reason for being loved by the travellers.

The geothermal energy possessed by this place is the reason why the grass and plain is in a particular shape. Also, because of this significant potential for geothermal energy, Ladakh will become India’s first region to have a geothermal power project.

02 Thang Village

Do you also have the urge of having the last piece? Whether it is snacks or places, the word “last” adds an immeasurable value to it. Same is the case with the Thang Village. Being a small village in the Nubra Tehsil, Thang is the last village on India’s side and the northernmost village that comes under India’s control.

The Thang viewpoint is 8-10 kms away from Turtuk village alongside the Shyok river. To reach there, the permits are thoroughly and strictly checked at a military checkpoint near the Tyakshi Village and photocopies of these permits and some documents are submitted. (Do not forget to get your permits in Leh as they are required to cross Khardung La in order to visit Nubra Valley and Turtuk). In case of missing documents or permits, the travellers must return.

Thang Village Viewpoint is near the Indo-Pak LOC (even beyond the military post near the LOC) which kept it out of bounds for tourists and travellers until April 2018. This is why Thang is an offbeat place in Ladakh where the tourists can also see bunkers.

In 1971, when Thang (on Indian Side) and Pharnu (on Pakistan Side) villages were separated by the LOC, the relations among people from these twin villages (before 1971) also got separated. Due to the peaceful conduct at this place nowadays, the locals as well as the tourists can see the landscapes of Pharnu from the viewpoint too.

03 Kiagar Tso

You might have definitely heard about Pangong Tso or Pangong lake, if you are planning to visit Ladakh. And if you have been looking for places to visit in Ladakh, then you might have heard about Tso Moriri lake as well. It is often considered more beautiful than Pangong Tso because of the smaller crowd. But only a few know about Kiagar Tso or Kyagar Tso.

If you are exploring Ladakh, then we suggest you visit this pristine lake which comes 30kms earlier than you reach the Tso Moriri. It is smaller as compared to the gigantic Tso Moriri, but it can provide you a place with almost no one around. (Oops, we said it out loud, didn’t we?)

The lake also shows its shades of blue throughout the day and lets you have a time of your own. It is not on the road, so it is suggested to walk to the lake insead of taking the car or vehicle to the lake as it is risky. (IT IS RISKY IN THE SENSE OF RISKY, NOT ADVENTURE, PLEASE REMEMBER). With Kyagar Tso, we have covered three of the 5 offbeat tourist destinations in Ladakh.

04 Turtuk Village

Turtuk wasn’t a part of India until 1971, when the Indian Army occupied and took control over it after a border war along the LOC. It was in 2010, when tourists and travellers were allowed to visit this beautiful village. It is not a natural attraction but definitely one of the places with great scenic views in Ladakh.

It takes 205 km from Leh to Turtuk as it is one of the northernmost villages in Ladakh. The village is originally part of the Balistan region having majority of it in Pakistan and five villages in India. The people living here are known as Balti people. These residents have made their homes and buildings through stones using the high Karakoram rock walls which surround this area over the cobblestone alleys. Also, the irrigation channels which water their crops are made up of rocks.

The scenic beauty of this small village as well as the culture of Balti people can only be seen in Ladakh which makes Turtuk one of the popular offbeat locations in Ladakh, having hundreds and thousands of stories for explorers and visitors.

05 Hanle Village

Choosing five out of a hundred beautiful places is tough, especially when you are in Ladakh. However, to bring justice to beauty and popularity, we have included Hanle in our top 5 offbeat places in Ladakh which offer wide spread Bugyal Landscapes making it one of the popular gems of Ladakh.

Locals as well as Military personnel will end up recommending you to visit here and explore more of Ladakh’s natural attractions. Have you seen the starry galaxy pictures clicked in Ladakh and wondered what place is that? Well, the answer is again Hanle.

Hanle is home to the highest major astronomical telescopes in the world at the Indian Astronomical Observatory. Moreover, even though it is a popular place, due to its high altitude, it hardly gets crowded.

In this beautiful village of Eastern Ladakh (close to the Indo-China border), for which you have to travel approximately 250 km from Leh to Hanle, you can witness a great deal of wildlife as well.

So, above mentioned were the hidden gems of Ladakh which are not so hidden anymore. As a traveller, we often forget that a road more travelled may be popular, but a road less travelled can take you to places no one has been to. Exploring Ladakh is diving into beautiful and colorful water. Make sure you hold your breath for longer.