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"When exploring Ladakh, be a traveler and not a tourist", you may have heard this quote a thousand times over, but have you ever wondered why is that so?
Well, Ladakh is often referred to as the Land of explorers, which is because this amazing place has several hidden treasures waiting to be explored.
Ladakh is home to a lot of wars and picturesque locations. There is no air as fresh as it is in Ladakh.
A place to relax, a place to explore, a place to do adventure activities, a place to do photography, the answer will always be Ladakh.
The place itself is a hidden treasure, however, there are several spots an explorer may miss.
Well, you don't have to worry!
In this post, we've listed some unexplored places to visit in Leh Ladakh, which are hidden gems of Ladakh.
Let's dig into the Ladakh map more!!
Hidden gems of Ladakh: Unexplored places to visit in Leh Ladakh
Ladakh is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in India. It is a land of high passes and stunning landscapes.
Despite its popularity, Ladakh remains largely unexplored. There are many hidden gems in Ladakh that are yet to be discovered.
Below is a list of some of the unexplored places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
1. Rumtse
2. Uleytokpo
3. Sumur
4. Turtuk
6. Stok Village
7. SECMOL
How about a Leh Ladakh trip plan or a Ladakh trip package covering all these places? Read more about these places below!
1. Rumtse
Rumtse is a small village in Ladakh, which is also a starting point for the Tso Moriri trek, the place is sandwiched between Tibet, Zanskar, and Ladakh.
The valley is characterized by snow-capped mountains and pasturelands. Like the rest of Ladakh, this area is almost barren and is known for its picturesque scenic beauty.
The Rumtse monastery is of quite a significance to the locals around. The monastery is known for its 108 stupas.
The place is a paradise for explorers and trekkers, as one gets a chance to explore the wildlife around and is also a starting point for the famous Tso Moriri trek.
Rumtse is the first human settlement on the way from Lahaul to Ladakh after Taglang Pass. It is located 70 km east of Leh.
2. Uleytokpo
The Uleytokpo village is one of the most beautiful places in Ladakh, the place is located at an altitude of 10000 ft. and serves as the perfect example of why Ladakh is called the land of high passes. This location is known for camping.
Camping here is an amazing experience as you get a chance to explore the snow-capped mountains from such proximity. Uleytokpo is one of the beautiful and well-hidden secrets of Ladakh.
The village also serves as a base camp for many treks. This place is a paradise for people who wish to escape the hustle-bustle of city life and relax. The place is famous for the Yundrung Monastery of Lamayuru.
The ancient monastery dates back to the 11th century and has roots in Tibetan Buddhism. Uleytokpo is also known for The Chulichan Nunnery and Rizong Monastery.
One of the few Buddhist nunneries in India, Chulichan serves as a home for women who have accepted to serve the divine. The place is also famous for Cham Dance, which is a cultural folk dance of Ladakh.
The Ladakhi village of Uleytokpo is located 70 km west of Leh. It lies on the Leh - Srinagar Highway and can be easily reached by cabs and public buses.
3. Sumur
Sumur is another small village in Ladakh, situated near the Nubra river. This place is known for the famous Samstanling Gompa - a well-built and maintained monastery.
The monastery from the inside has really beautiful wall paintings and also paintings made of different fabrics depicting religious symbols.
The place is perfect for mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers. The place is also known for Panamik hot springs, which are indeed blissful for travelers. The place also has several monasteries where one can meditate and relax.
Sumur is located in the Nubra valley and the best way to reach here is to take a jeep from Leh.
4. Turtuk
The beautiful village of Turtuk is located near Nubra valley. The place lies on the banks of river Shyok and is known for its lush greenery, unlike the other parts of Ladakh. However, the place remains unexplored, due to its proximity to the LOC.
The place is known for Balti culture, which is now practiced in a few areas, and delicious apricots, which is something one should not miss.
Turtuk is located at a distance of 205 km from Leh and can be reached by renting a cab or a jeep.
5. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is built in memory of Guru Nanak Dev, a Sikh guru. The gurudwara is situated about 12000ft above sea level.
The Tibetan Buddhists, also consider Guru Nanak a holy person. This place marks the importance of friendship between the Buddhists and the Sikhs.
The easiest way to reach the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara near Leh is by road. The state-run JKSRTC buses ply within the Ladakh region. You can also take your private vehicle (cars/bikes) to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib from Leh as well.
6. Stok Village
Stok Village is known for its culture and heritage and is considered one of the major centers to learn about the culture of Ladakh.
The place is home to a royal family and is known for the Stok Monastery, which was built in the 14th century and is home to a high-seated Gautam Buddha statue.
This village is located at a distance of 20 km from Ladakh and one can easily reach there by government-run buses or by hiring a private vehicle.
7. Secmol
SECMOL (Student’s Educational and Cultural movement of Ladakh), is the school from the famous movie 3 idiots. The school was built to bring educational reforms to Ladakh.
The school being eco-friendly and self-sustainable is something that attracts tourists from all over the world.
This school is a must-visit destination for all travelers and explorers. This is located on the old Leh road about 7 km from the main city.
FAQs
1. Which is the most beautiful place in Ladakh?
The most beautiful place in Ladakh is Pangong Tso Lake. It is a high-altitude lake in the Himalayan mountain range. It is situated at an altitude of 4,350 m (14,270 ft) and is around 140 km (87 mi) long. The lake is partially in Tibet and partially in India. It is a popular tourist destination and is known for its clear blue waters and scenic views.
2. What is special in Turtuk?
Turtuk is a village in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located in the Nubra Valley, at an altitude of 2,850 meters (9,350 ft). The village is home to the Balti people, who are of Tibetan descent. The village is known for its apricots, walnuts, and almonds.
3. List some offbeat places to visit in Ladakh.
Some offbeat places to visit in Ladakh are the cold deserts of Nubra Valley, the picturesque Pangong Tso lake, and the remote Turtuk village.
4. What is the best time to visit Ladakh?
The best time to visit Ladakh is from June to September when the weather is warm and sunny.
5. What are the best places to stay in Ladakh?
Some of the best places to stay in Ladakh are the luxury tents at Desert Moon, the homely guesthouses in Leh town, and the scenic campsites at Nubra Valley.
6. What are the best cultural experiences in Ladakh?
Some of the best cultural experiences in Ladakh are attending the Hemis festival, visiting the monasteries and stupas, and trekking to remote villages.
Final Words
Gita Ashok has rightly said,
"A nature lover’s paradise,
a photographer’s obsession,
an artist’s inspiration,
a traveler’s cynosure,
Ladakh is all these and more.
Ladakh is truly a heaven on Earth."
The beauty of Ladakh is so mesmerizing that it cannot be expressed in words. It is a place that is meant to be explored and not just read about.
There are a number of hidden places in Ladakh, which truly are gems, waiting to be found, explored, and cherished.