Ladakh gives you a completely different view of the Himalayas. The name means “The Land of the High Passes”, and it indeed is so, wedged between the peaks of the Western Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. The land is characterised by stunning moonscape aridity, impossibly picturesque Gompas or Buddhist monasteries that crown the peaks of the mountains, and the region’s rich Buddhist heritage. And the skies—you’ve never seen them this blue and this big!
Next, drive down to Pangong Lake, 135 km from Leh. The five-hour journey is spectacular in itself, as you drive through the 5,300-metre high Changla Pass. Pangong is a natural wonder, a crystal clear lake some 140 km in length and 10 km in width. Half of it lies in Tibet.
Where to stay:
Hotel Shambhala
Located 2 km from Leh town in a poplar grove. Tariffs range from Rs 3,800 plus taxes for a regular double room to Rs 7,000 plus taxes for a penthouse.
Contact: www.hotelshambhala.com (+91)-0124-4286665
How to get there: Leh is well connected to New Delhi through regular flights. If you want to drive to Leh, you could take the overland route from Manali, or drive through Kashmir.
Check Out: Cox & Kings 6 days/ 5 nights round trip tour of Leh for Rs 13,781 per person plus taxes. Includes, accommodation, sightseeing and meals. Contact: www.coxandkings.co.in
Of course, Kashmir. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir called it ‘heaven on earth’ and built the Shalimar Gardens to commemorate its beauty. The capital Srinagar was a popular retreat during the British Raj, and along with nearby Gulmarg, it is still one of the prettiest places in the country. For hundreds of years, the vast and verdant Kashmir valley has been a draw for travellers— and for good reason. If you’ve been here, you’ll go again. If not, then it’s time. It’s magnificent.
What to do: If you have a week to spend, the first thing you must do is check out the jewel of Srinagar—the Dal Lake. Spread over an area of 18 sq. km, and surrounded by orchards and gardens, it is divided by causeways into four basins and dotted with carpets of floating flowers through which the locals go about their business on charming little boats. Srinagar itself has a history going back at least two thousand years, and this has resulted in a plethora of overlapping cultures. The Mughal Gardens are compulsory, the first being the magnificent Shalimar Gardens, built by Emperor Jahangir. Sonmarg (or the meadow of gold) is a three-hour drive of about 90 km. The meadow near the Thajiwas Glacier is a great draw in summer, as is the trout and mahseer fishing.